2-Layer PCBs

Compared to 4-layer PCBs, 2-layer PCBs are much easier to work with due to their simple design. While not as simple as 1-layer PCBs, they’re as straightforward as you can get without sacrificing the functionality of double-sided inputs. The reduced complexity leads to an equally reduced price tag, but this means there are fewer possibilities than with the 4-layer PCB. As a pro, though, there is no propagation delay with the signal.

4-Layer PCBs

4-layer PCBs have much greater surface area than a 2-layer PCB, increasing the possibilities. As a result, they can be great for more complex devices. Because of their complexity, the production cost will be higher and development will be a bit slower. They are also more likely to have propagation delays, so be sure to factor in extra production time to any project timeline.

What are the Layers Used For?

The most important layer in a PCB is the copper signal layer, which is what the PCBs are named after. While 2-layer PCBs have two signal layers, 4-layer PCBs have – you guessed it – four. These signal layers are used to connect to other electronic components in the device. In between those layers is the insulation layer or core, which is added in between the signal layers to give it structure. In 4-layer PCBs, here’s also the solder mask layer, which is applied on top of the signal layers. This prevents the copper traces from interfering with other metal components on the PCB. They also have a silkscreen layer which is used to add numbers to the different components, making them easier to understand.

If you’re looking for PCB solutions, look no further than Advanced Circuits. We offer PCB assembly, barebones PCBs, free PCB design software, and so much more. Our 24-hour tech support team would love to help you– contact us today.

Basic Parts of a PCB Board

The substrate is the foundation of the board, which can be thought of as similar to the framework of a house. It is often made of fiberglass because it will provide the board with some additional strength, so there is not a high risk of breaking. There will also be a copper layer, which will help to route the signals across the board to where they need to go.

The solder mask is another layer, which is made from polymer. This will help to give the copper some added protection to help reduce the chance of it short-circuiting. The last part of the PCB board is the silkscreen, which is typically on the component part of the board. This shows various information on the circuit board such as logos, component references, test points, and part numbers.

The copper traces are thin lines that connect the components of the circuit board. These traces are used as a way to replace the large wires that were used in the past. This allows the boards to be much smaller than they would be if they still contained all of those wires. The PCB will also have small holes that are drilled into it at the site where components will need to be placed. Since the holes will be right at the location where the components need to be added, it removes the need for long leads and wires to connect them. This also helps to save a lot of space.

What Functions Does a PCB Board Have?

The function of the circuit board will vary based on the type of application it has been designed for. The board might be used to help facilitate data transfer, communications, or any number of other tasks that are related to computing. It is possible to integrate the board into small devices since they are compact themselves. It is insulated and can be easily connected to a power source. There are many different components that can be added to a circuit board.

A battery will provide power for the circuit while a capacitor can hold or release electrical charges. Diodes will control electricity on the PCB by causing it to flow in one direction. An inductor will store energy from an electrical current as magnetic energy, while a resistor will regulate the electrical current’s flow. It does this by providing resistance. A switch will be able to block or allow current to flow depending on whether it is open or closed. A transistor is a type of switch that is controlled by electrical signals. LEDs can even be added to a circuit board as a means of visual feedback.

The Design of the PCB

The first part of creating a PCB is the initial design. Those who are designing a printed circuit board will need to have an idea, which they can then turn into the circuit board. They can do this by creating a blueprint of the device using the software. While there are many options for software available, you might want to check out our free option called PCB Artist. It comes with a wide range of features and tools that will help to make it faster and easier to create a high-quality PCB. The software is easy to use for those who have some knowledge of how to create a circuit. In addition, it is possible to test the board’s design to see whether it will work or not in actual practice. The software can provide fixes and feedback, so you can perfect the board’s design before you send it on to the next step.

When you choose to work with Advanced Circuits, you will also be able to get a preview of the design to check to see if there might be any issues with it. You will also be able to get a free quote that can give you an understanding of just how much the circuit boards will cost. It is often a good idea to get a prototype first to make sure that it will meet your standards. While you could just go into production if you are certain that it is working properly, having the prototype will give you a better feel for whether you might need to make any changes.

One of the benefits of working with Advanced Circuits for the PCB is that customers can receive help along the way thanks to the robust support features that are offered. Whether there is a question about the software, the board design, or the manufacturing process, there are people who can answer your questions and allay your fears.

What Else to Expect from Advanced Circuits

There are a number of benefits to working with us. One of the biggest benefits is that you do not need to worry about any minimum order requirements. If you only need to have a prototype right now, or if you only need a small number of PCB boards, it will not be a problem. Those who need to have a large number of printed circuit boards will also find that we can meet large orders. We have excellent tech support available 24-hours a day and you can receive instant quotes. If there are issues with the board, they can be caught during the review. Now that you understand more about the boards and what you should look for when having them manufactured, it’s time to get in touch.

Since 1989, Advanced Circuits has had tremendous growth and celebrates 30 years of leadership in the ever-changing electronics manufacturing industry with innovative circuit board fabrication services, capabilities, and support.  In this post, you will learn how Advanced Circuits’ unique circuit board fabrication offerings can help you simplify your next project by taking advantage of our unique services.

Quickturn Circuit Board Prototypes

Advanced Circuits’ expedited turntime options include Same Day and Weekend Turns. When you get an online quote from us, you can compare the turntime and cost side by side.  Our Same Day Turn option is available for 2 layer circuit boards with a cut-off time of 8:15am MST. Our Weekend Turns option is available for 2 layer and Multilayer boards with a noon cut-off time for multilayer circuit boards (MST) and 3pm MST for 2 layer circuit board orders on Fridays to be shipped out to you by Saturday evening. These quickturn PCB fabrication options are great to meet fast approaching deadlines and unexpected PCB emergencies.

Clear Circuit Board Parameters for Quoting

Advanced Circuits makes the quoting parameters easy to understand to help you in the circuit board design process. We created two ways to quote your circuit boards: Standard Spec or Custom Spec. Knowing the parameters for the two options makes it easy for engineers to save on their circuit board fabrication costs. Both Standard and Custom Spec options are manufactured using the same state-of-the-art equipment and all customer files receive a detailed review by our experienced CAM engineers prior to production. Below, you can see a side-by-side comparison of both options and the circuit board capabilities and features allowed under each of the two options.  For more information and for a complete list of specifications, click here or on the image below.  Click here for an Instant Quote to compare costs side by side.

Circuit Board Capabilities for Demanding Requirements

Advanced Circuits offers cutting-edge circuit board fabrication capabilities for the most demanding requirements in all industries, including Medical, Military, and Aerospace.  We are MIL-PRF-31032/55110, AS9100D, ISO 9001 Certified, IPC 6012 3/3A, IPC 6018 Class 3 Qualified, and ITAR Registered as well as being DOD contracts ready.  Our capabilities include: laser-drilled microvias, cavity boards, heavy copper up to 20 oz., via-in-pad, microwave & RF boards, up to 40 layers and others.

For a complete list of Advanced Circuits’ expanded capabilities in a downloadable PDF format, click here or contact your Advanced Circuits Representative for more information.

Top Notch Support for Circuit Board Fabrication

Advanced Circuits is well known for its outstanding service.  When you source your circuit boards from Advanced Circuits you can be sure to get personalized support from a dedicated team that is ready to assist to ensure a smooth ordering process.  Customers can count on the industry’s largest support team that includes 24 hour live technical support Monday through Friday and even Saturdays until 4pm EST.

One Advanced Circuits customer says, “I was quite impressed with fab managers even calling me past 9 pm to obtain a clarification on a board issue that arose. This is the first time I’ve ever been able to straighten out a fast-turn PCB order from the middle of a shopping-mall food court”.  Our sales and support team treat each and every order as a time-sensitive order and provide immediate communication and full documentation to help resolve any issues that may arise quickly and efficiently.

Advanced Circuit Board Qualifications & Certifications

Electronic design engineers and some of the world’s top brands rely on Advanced Circuits for high quality precision craftsmanship for their circuit boards.  The company operates three USA based manufacturing facilities with advanced PCB industry certifications and the latest state-of-the-art circuit board manufacturing equipment to offer high accuracy and precision fabrication.  Powerful PCB solutions range from the simplest designs to the most rigorous requirements for the medical, commercial, defense, and aerospace marketplace. Advanced Circuits is MIL-PRF-31032, MIL-PRF-55110, AS9100D, ISO 9001 Certified, IPC 6012 3/3A, IPC 6018 Class 3 Qualified, and ITAR Registered as well as being DOD contracts ready.

To learn more about Advanced Circuits circuit board manufacturing capabilities, certifications, and innovative PCB fabrication services, please contact your Advanced Circuits Sales Representative or call 1-800-979-4722.

• Converting the Schematic to PCB Layout
• Design Rule Check
• In-App PCB Ordering

PCB Artist™ makes it extremely easy to “translate” your PCB Schematic to your PCB layout.  Simply click on PCB Artist™’s Tool Menu and select the Schematic <–> PCB option in the dropdown.  Then, hover over to Translate To PCB.  A shortcut to this would be to hit Ctrl+P.  This will display the PCB Wizard; The wizard allows you to use a set of dialogs which you step through in sequence to define aspects of your design in the PCB design editor.

Once you have converted the Schematic to PCB have your components placed automatically, you are ready to begin the Routing process.  The design can be routed manually or automatically. This is the process of converting the electrical point-to-point connections into physical copper tracks or traces.  Choosing the Autoroute option can save many hours of work for printed circuit board designs that are dense and instead can be completed within minutes using the software’s automated features.

To use PCB Artist™’s Autorouter, simply go to the Tools Menu at the top go the screen and select Auto Route Nets and select All Nets.  You may choose to leave the default settings as they are or adjust them to fit your PCB design needs; then, hit Route and a dialog box will display the results of the Autorouter data once completed.  The PCB design can be Un-Routed and it can also be completely routed manually.

PCB Design Rule Check

It is very important to run a Design Rule Check before sending your PCB design files to the manufacturer for production.  Doing so can save you headaches over production delays, PCB functionality issues, and of course, money.  PCB Artist™ can make the necessary checks to ensure your PCB design is free of design rule errors.

To begin to check for possible errors, simply select the Design Rule Check from the Tools Menu.  The tool will prompt you to select or unselect the different areas it can look for issues such as Spacing, Nets, Silkscreen Overlap, and Manufacturing Issues.  You can leave the defaults or be as selective as you need before running the check.  Once the check has been completed, you can locate the DRC error markers in the Interaction Bar where each error is displayed.

Manufacturing Your PCB Design

Sending your PCB design to Advanced Circuits can be done quickly and easily within the PCB Artist™ software.  Making sure all necessary files and checks are ready to send over to the manufacturer can sometimes be a bit complicated, but when you use the PCB Artist™ design software, this final step is a simple one.

To package your PCB design and place the order with Advanced Circuits, click on the Submit Order button at the top of the screen or under the Output option.  The Submit Order dialog will appear to indicate your PCB order information and manufacturing options.  Click on the Place Order button at the bottom of the dialog box to be taken directly to our website where you can finish the order and payment process.

For more information about Advanced Circuits’ PCB artist, please contact the dedicated support line at 1-800-979-4722 x.1025.  For more detailed tutorials, frequently asked questions, and guides, click here.

While there countless things that could go wrong during the PCB design process, below we list 4 costly mistakes to watch out for.  For more information about how our FreeDFM software can help you identify manufacturability issues in your design, click here.

Check Your PCB Design for Landing Pattern Errors

Printed circuit board landing patterns include libraries of electric mechanisms which use a schematic symbol. There will be no issue if the design is followed through thoroughly. However, if the libraries are not followed correctly, the schematic symbol must be manually drawn. It is very easy to make a mistake when manually drawing a landing pattern and this situation should be avoided if possible.

Avoid Creating Circuit Board Designs with High-Current Traces That Are Too Narrow

It is imperative for high current traces to be wide enough for proper flow. If a trace mandatorily must be capable of handling a current greater than several hundred milliamps; the minimum width typically will not suffice in this situation. Measure the appropriate width for each printed circuit board design before production.

A trace width calculator may assist in preventing mistakes on the correct width for your printed circuit board.

Too Long High-Speed Traces
 in Your PCB Design

High-speed signals must only follow the quickest, leveled paths available. Too long of high-speed traces may cause the PCB to not function properly.

Check Your PCB Design for Optimal Wireless Antenna Layout

The layout of the antenna is crucial to proper wireless functionality. This part of the printed circuit board design process arguably bears the most risk for mistakes. The antenna and transceiver must be equaled in order for maximum power transfer.

Advanced Circuits is the leading PCB manufacturer known for its high quality and innovation.  The company offers expanded circuit board manufacturing capabilities, quickturn circuit board prototyping services, and in-house circuit board assembly.  To learn more about how Advanced Circuits can help with your PCB design, manufacturing, and assembly requirements, click here to contact your Sales Representative.

In this blog post, we discuss the basics of circuit boards in a general sense.  For more in depth information and PCB manufacturing resources, click here to access our Circuit Board Resources page.

What is a Circuit Board?

The purpose of a circuit board is to hold copper circuitry (or trace) to conduct signals equivalent to the way a wire would, while acting as the physical support to mount the independent electronic components it connects together for a desired function. The copper trace etched on the circuit board supplies the direct connection. The material used as the foundation for circuit boards is customarily glass-reinforced epoxy laminate, but there are many different types of laminates that can be used to support different circuit board requirements and end-use specifications.

A PCB is the electronic device’s skeletal frame and a solid base.  A PCB possesses electrical interconnections amid the mechanisms. There are a variety of circuit board types including: single-sided (one copper layer), double-sided (two copper layers), and multi-layer (inner and outer layers), microwave and RF circuit boards and more.

The 2 layer and multi-layer PCBs rank among the most popular and can harbor 40 or even more stacked conductive layers into a single circuit board.

How Does a Circuit Board Work?

Circuit boards are engineered to for many different applications and every circuit board design is intended to connect different electronic components to achieve a desired result, but most circuit boards make use of the following common components to manipulate electrical conductivity:

Capacitors – Store the electric charge of the circuit board

Resistors – Provide set amount of electric current resistance

Inductors – Stores energy as a magnetic field

Diodes – Enable the electric current to move in one direction

Other essential elements found in circuit boards are:

Copper – The copper layer is essential to the PCB and are thinner than its counterparts. The copper is responsible for carrying the electric charge.

Via holes are drilled by precise drilling instruments and cleaned to ensure they do not become clogged. Electric charge flows through these holes and is carried between each layer of the PCB.

 Solder Mask – The last layer protects the copper and metal from damage. The solder mask provides a protective plating, which is usually green in color, but it can be any other color.

For a more complete list of key industry terms, please visit our online PCB Glossary.

That canvas, layers of copper and substrate, represents an ever-growing multibillion-dollar business. Having existed for the better part of a century, printed circuit boards are used in virtually all facets of electronics. As technology advances, the circuit board design continues to evolve.

Printed Circuit Board Design Advancements

From hobbyists to the aerospace industry, the applications of the printed circuit board have grown over the years. As these expand, so does the need for advancements in material and capabilities. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Imagine the world before the advent of the Information Age.

Before smartphones and the internet craze, PCBs were already widely used – from toys to fighter jets. There was a time when pocket calculators were considered high-tech. As society grew more dependent on technology, newer innovations continued to be introduced.

Moving forward into the new century, electronics have become more powerful, compact and mobile. People have grown accustomed to being connected. The advances that provided greater connectivity also required more to be packed into each PCB.

Modern Applications in the Automotive Industry

Technology has become firmly integrated into all facets of our lives – including our automobiles.

The demands for safety, convenience, and connectivity require circuit board design to keep pace – if not stay a step ahead. Advancements in the automotive industry meant PCB applications had to accommodate these complex systems.

All new cars require computers to operate. PCBs are at the heart of these system designs and can range in type – including single-sided, double-sided, multilayer, rigid, flexible, and so on. They cover a broad range of applications that are spread throughout a vehicle’s operating systems.

Trucking & Delivery Industry

The initial investment is only the beginning, as there are expenses involved in keeping any vehicle roadworthy. This is particularly true of large trucks that spend their days traversing the nation’s highways.

It’s been stated that as much as 43% of the operating cost of a commercial truck is putting a human in the driver’s seat. With costs continuing to rise, it’s no wonder that the industry has shown great interest in self-driving technology.

Personal Automobiles

While the trucking industry might be looking at autonomous vehicles as a means to save on costs, the consumer market seems focused on other goals. Today, personal automobiles offer incredible technological capabilities made possible by printed circuit board systems.

Convenience is certainly a factor. Still, it’s the potential benefits of safety that make the promise of self-driving cars so attractive. Many auto manufacturers are investing heavily in the future of this technology. It’s not a matter of if but when we’ll see cars driving themselves.

For now, personal automobiles offer precursors to self-driving systems, that take full advantage of PCB technology.

Powertrain Components

An automobile’s engine, transmission, and other components have various electronic control modules. As powertrain designs require more functionality, the number of modules must also increase. Without this medley of synchronized computers, your car wouldn’t get very far down the road.

Comfort and Technology Features

It’s easy to surmise that automotive features like smart keys and navigational systems require computers. Less obvious ones – including numerous sensors and the automatic braking system – are also peppered throughout modern automobiles.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

ADAS systems are electronic safety measures that provide state-of-the-art protections. These system safeguards – video cameras, radar receivers, and other sensors – enhance the driver’s ability to avoid potential accidents.

Dawn of the Autonomous Vehicle Revolution

Imagine a future where a self-driving car stops to pick up passengers. The autonomous drone navigates the roadways along a preset destination – while managing to avoid plowing into anything along the way.

Sound like something in a science fiction movie?

Fiction tends to become reality eventually. Autonomous vehicles already exist. In fact, many segments of the industry are actively testing this technology. Their wide-spread and commercial use are just around the corner.

Printed Circuit Boards in the Self-Driving World

Regardless of the industry, the move to autonomous vehicles requires advancements to make it happen. Printed circuit boards are more than an essential part of the equation – they’re a requirement.

Though technology has helped alleviate human errors that generally cause accidents, people are still skeptical about allowing machines to pilot themselves. A combination of reliable software and hardware is required to ensure as failsafe of a system as possible.

PCB Technology Pushes the Envelope of Emerging Innovations

The automobile had already grown into a complex collection of systems and software – even with humans at the controls. With the ambition of having vehicles take over the driving as well, it’s paramount that the brains of these decision-making vehicles are of the highest quality.

PCB manufacturing and assembly companies, such as Advanced Circuits, are positioned to be key contributors.

Advanced Circuits Leads the Way

In an impatient world awaiting the self-driving car, it makes sense to let a leader in PCB technology take the wheel.

Since 1989, Advanced Circuits has been a leader in printed circuit board manufacturing and assembly. As one of the three largest manufacturers of circuit boards in the US, Advanced Circuits is renowned for quality, reliability and customer service.

One of the few PCB suppliers for DOD contracts, Advanced Circuits manufactures 100% of their boards in the US. Along with the best on-time PCB shipping record, there’s also 24-hour tech support (where you’ll get a live person). Contact us today to discover our advanced PCB manufacturing capabilities.

Below is a list of the common types of printed circuit boards.  For a complete list of Advanced Circuits’ PCB manufacturing capabilities, click here.

Single Layer PCB

Single layer printed circuit boards are among some of the simplest to design and manufacture.  These boards have a single layer of conductive material (such as copper) on only one side of a non-conductive substrate.

Double Layer PCB

Double layer PCBs have one conductive layer on top of a non-conductive substrate and another conductive layer on the reverse side (top and bottom layers).  The two conductive sides can be connected using plated holes in the substrate that connect to pads on both sides of the circuit board; these are called vias.

Multi-Layer PCB

This term refers to a circuit board that has three or more conductive layers.  The conductive layers are at the top and bottom, as well as at least one conductive layer sandwiched between non-conductive substrate.  Advanced Circuits has the capability to fabricate up to 40 layer boards, but the most commonly used have lower layer counts such as 4, 6, or 8 layer boards.

High Density Interconnect (HDI) PCB

HDI PCBs take advantage of precision based manufacturing technology to pack as much functionality into a small space.  This is done by using many conductive layers, laser drilled microvias, fine lines and tolerances, and advanced laminate materials.  HDI PCBs can accommodate the complex routing of high pin count chips and other high-tech miniaturized components.

High Frequency PCB

The main difference in manufacturing high frequency printed circuit boards pertains to the design itself.  These PCB are designed to facilitate signals over 1 gigahertz.  Depending on the application, high frequency printed circuit boards may require the use of advanced laminate materials and controlled impedance.

Advanced Circuits’ PCB manufacturing capabilities range from the simplest of designs to the most complex builds with rigorous design requirements.  Our capabilities include laser-drilled microvias, cavity boards, heavy copper up to 20 oz., via-in-pad, microwave & RF boards, up to 40 layers and others.  We are your one-stop solution to all of your printed circuit board manufacturing.  For more information about our PCB capabilities and services, contact your Sales Representative or call 1-800-979-4722.

FreeDFM is our free online software that identifies possible manufacturability issues in your design by simply uploading your Gerber files to our online portal.  Within minutes, you will receive a free graphical report of any issues found via email and you will also receive a discount code for up to $100 off your next circuit board order.

PCB Artist is another great tool that Advanced Circuits offers that is absolutely free.  PCB Artist is our professional-grade printed circuit design software that was developed to make it easy for customers to create their design and submit it to us directly from the software for production.  Click here to learn more about our printed circuit board design software and download the complete software package.

The quick tips below may help make your printed circuit board design process easier and help you save on costs associated with fabrication and PCB assembly.

Become Familiar With The Manufacturer’s Printed Circuit Board Design Specifications & Requirements

Manufacturers have specific requirements regarding trace spacing/width, layers count, internal/external copper weight, among many other specifications and requirements for the fabrication of your printed circuit board design. Checking the manufacturer’s website will be a great place to start since you can access most of the necessary guidance and resources online.  Advanced Circuits makes it easy to find all the information you need online and our live support team is always available to guide you through this process.  A quick way to get started is to check our Standard & Custom Spec chart for a glance at our capabilities and services.  You can also download a PDF copy of our complete capabilities list here.

When Possible, Keep Your Components On The Top Side Of Your Printed Circuit Board Design

If it is possible, having the components on one side of the printed circuit board may help you save on costs, especially during the PCB assembly process.  Try to always leave at least 100 mils between components and the printed circuit board edge and begin by placing components that require a specific location first. Also, when you add components, you should consider using the snap to grid option in your PCB design software and space the components evenly horizontally and vertically avoiding component orientations that are not 0 or 90 degrees. If you’re looking for a good value, staying within a minimum of a 5mil trace/space will be best.

Integrating Signal Traces In Your Printed Circuit Board Design

Be sure to make the signal traces as direct and short as possible on your printed circuit board design. You can use vias to move signals in between layers. A good practice is to lay out the board with horizontal traces on one side and vertical traces on the other. Your signal trace width can be smaller in general, ideally you want to have a trace width for signal traces of 6-10 mils.

Avoid 90 Degree Trace Angles In Your Printed Circuit Board Design

The reason why these are problematic is that their outer side has a greater potential to be etched narrower when compared to the regular trace width. As time goes by, this could lead to shorts. You should consider replacing these with 45-degree angles instead to deliver the same results you need without any of the downside.

For more tips and helpful resources, please visit our PCB Engineering & CAM Resources page on our website.  There you will find more in-depth information about our capabilities, tolerances, CAM procedures, stack-ups/controlled impedance, and more.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our support team via email or by calling 1-800-979-4722.