In the Lab #01 — When the Spreadsheet Lies

Every design starts clean on paper.
Losses are calculated, margins look healthy, and the numbers add up perfectly.

Then the prototype turns on.

Parasitics appear, thermal gradients form where none were expected, and suddenly the “safe” operating point isn’t so safe anymore. This week was a reminder that spreadsheets don’t oscillate, inductors do — and reality always gets the final vote.