However, from the materials available to heat resistance, from transfer rates to size, circuit boards have evolved a great deal over time. They also continue to change as our demands do. Not sure what that change might look like as we move forward? Let’s take a few minutes to explore some of the most important current and emerging trends in circuit board design.

Medical Devices

One of the most notable trends today is the spike in demand for medical devices. These run the gamut from hospital and medical clinic equipment like ventilators to devices used by EMTs and paramedics and those designed for consumer use. Circuit board design for medical devices must meet stringent requirements in terms of safety, reliability, heat resistance, and more.

Wearable Devices

From medical devices to fitness trackers, there’s a massive shift toward wearable devices. These must contend with a broad range of stressors that other devices do not face, although mobile devices, such as smartphones, come close in some cases. These factors range from dramatically decreased footprints to how to safely discharge heat and even water resistance in some cases.

Embedded Antennas

Today’s low-profile electronics demand something more than massive mast antennas, and designers have offered up embedded antennas right in the circuit board. Of course, this requires some advanced materials and unique design considerations to ensure full functionality. They play a role in Wi-Fi enabled devices, IoT devices, and much more.

Lead-Free Designs

Another important trend is the shift away from lead-containing laminates. Lead has played a role in circuit board design for decades, but it appears to be slowly falling by the wayside. Why, though? It’s largely to do with the higher heat levels that some of today’s devices must contend with, which would reduce lead to a toxic puddle at the bottom of the device. New lead-free laminate materials are being introduced to cope with those high heat levels and maintain their structural integrity at all times (not to mention eliminating those toxic fumes).

High-Power Boards

Just as circuit board designs must contend with higher heat levels than ever before, they are also being designed for higher and higher power levels (which also affects heat, of course). Most of these boards are above 48 volts, and they can be found in a wide range of applications. Many of them harness solar power, while others are intended for use within electric vehicles. IoT devices, battery-powered devices, and those with additional components – all of these are high-power applications.

The Growing Role of IoT Devices

As touched on above, IoT devices are having a profound impact on circuit board design. One interesting trend here is that the PCB industry is expanding. In the past, it was largely focused on consumer electronics. Today, that is still the case, but there is a growing focus on serving industrial needs because this is where the vast majority of IoT devices can be found. While Alexa, Siri, Ring doorbells and the like are all being integrated into homes, the real demand is within the manufacturing and industrial sector where entire production lines are now integrating internet connectivity and being networked together.

Not only does this mean that there is an increasing demand for circuit board design and manufacturing, but that PCB designers face some unique challenges. One of those is the change in what “protection” and “security” mean. Previously, it was really all about protecting the circuit board against environmental changes. Today, though, it is becoming more about prevention against tampering.

Flex and Rigid Flex

Previously, both flex and rigid-flex boards were relatively rare in the PCB world. Today, that’s increasingly not the case. That’s due to a couple of the trends that we have already discussed. One of those is the rise of medical devices – ideally suited for flexible circuit boards. However, flex boards are also well-suited for consumer electronics, for use in a range of different sensors connected to IoT devices, and even medical implants.

On the other hand, rigid-flex boards combine the benefits of both flexible circuit board design and rigid boards. The result is a board that “plays well with others,” which makes these well-suited for use as sub-boards and for creating additional layers.

Waste Control

Waste is a growing problem. This is particularly true of e-waste. Finding ways to deal with the growing mountain of disposed-of electronics is a challenge, but one option is to use biodegradable circuit boards. Biodegradable PCBs offer some light at the end of the tunnel and a way to start greening up the industry. While workable circuit board designs using biodegradable materials are still some way off, they are coming. It will require the design of new substrates, as well as a shift away from chemical-based etching processes in many cases.

A Full-Service PCB Manufacturer

From IoT devices to wearables to future-looking technology, Advanced Circuits delivers critical capabilities. With over 30 years of experience, our team helps bring circuit board designs to life on any scale. We understand that each client’s needs are different, and we’re happy to produce everything from a single prototype to massive production runs. We work with clients in the defense industry, IoT, automotive technology, and virtually every other sector, as well.

Advanced Circuits: Your Go-to PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Resource

Whether you need end-to-end assistance, or just want to create a test board to explore your designs, we can help. With the best turnaround time in the industry; weekend turns; same day turns and more, it’s no wonder our clients keep choosing Advanced Circuits for everything from prototype PCBs to large PCBs runs. Contact us today for an instant quote or to learn more about our capabilities.

Advanced Circuits also offers in-house PCB assembly service for quickturn prototype quantities, making turnkey HDI PCB assembly an easy and seamless process.  Our printed circuit board assembly service is North America’s leading one-stop solution for PCB and assembly under one roof supporting Ball Grid Arrays (BGA) as small as .35mm pitch (all BGAs are x-ray inspected), fine pitch components as small as 15 mil pitch, and passive components as small as 0201 with design review.  We can provide low-cost first article builds and have no minimum order requirements.

Advanced Technology for HDI PCB Fabrication

You can rely on Advanced Circuits state-of-the-art equipment and experience in cutting-edge precision work for your most rigorous HDI PCB requirements.  We can achieve the highest quality with in-house laser drill capabilities that include precise depth control.  Laser direct imaging (LDI) capabilities ensure exacting registration and all multilayer inner cores receive a thorough check using Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) units for excellent defect detection of the finest features.  Our advanced circuit board manufacturing capabilities include:

• Buried Chip Resistors
• Blind and Buried Vias
• Stacked Microvias
• Laser Drilled Microvias
• Up to 40 layers
• Laser Direct Imaging (LDI)
• .00275″ Trace/Space
• Down to .3mm Pitch
• Air Pockets between layers
• Via-in-Pad
• Multilayer RF Designs
• Cavity Boards
• Advanced PCB Laminate/Material Options

For a complete list of PCB fabrication capabilities, click here.

Advanced Circuits HDI PCB Specifications

Advanced Circuits offers high tech capabilities for advanced circuit board designs and demanding requirements including high density interconnect or HDI PCB.

Learn more

Demand for HDI PCBs

The demand for more advanced circuit boards is growing and HDI is becoming more prevalent in PCB design.  High density interconnect circuit boards are finding their way into many applications such as military communication devises, aerospace, computers, smartphones, medical equipment, and many other applications.

There are many benefits to HDI printed circuit board designs.  Design engineers are leveraging the technology to make circuit boards that are smaller and more capable.  Utilizing blind vias, buried vias, laser drilled Microvias, and advanced materials.

Taking advantage of HDI technology in PCB fabrication will allow closer placement of the components on the board.  This can result in faster signal transmission rates and reduce crossing delays and signal loss.

HDI PCB Design Considerations

• Cost – HDI technology is more costly compared to traditional circuit boards
• Materials – More advanced PCB materials are used for HDI PCBs
• Design – Requires expertise and experience
• Manufacturing – Not all manufacturers have the necessary capabilities for HDI
• Finer Lines & Tight Tolerances – Laser direct imaging is preferable

Advanced Circuits’ Expanded Capabilities

Advanced Circuits is your go-to manufacturer for high-tech printed circuit boards.  The company offers a broad range of capabilities, certifications, and quality systems to meet rigorous requirements; From quick-turn PCB prototypes shipped as quickly as Same Day to advanced designs for critical applications, Advanced Circuits can get the job done right the first time.  Contact your Advanced Circuits representative for more information about our PCB manufacturing and prototype assembly services.

[PDF] Download PCB Capabilities Lists 

The MILCOM 2015 international conference and trade show for military communications will bring together government, military, industry, and academia leaders in Tampa, Florida on October 26 – 28th.

Advanced Circuits will be exhibiting in booth number 828 to showcase the many options and capabilities offered for optimum PCB reliability and performance.   Our expanded PCB capabilities, along with an extensive material selection and cutting edge equipment, make us a premier PCB manufacturing and assembly company that the defense industry can depend on.

For more information on MILCOM 2015, please visit www.milcom.org

]]> /blog/printed-circuit-boards-in-emergency-scenarios/ /blog/printed-circuit-boards-in-emergency-scenarios/#respond Fri, 02 Jan 2015 18:33:48 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=714 Continue reading →]]>
In addition to developing the latest and greatest tech products for both consumer and business use, engineers continue to work on new ways to assist with emergency response and safety applications. Printed circuit boards are not only helping first responders locate people during an emergency, they are also helping those affected by natural disasters have as much assistance as possible in the immediate aftermath. A new type of consumer light bulb, which debuted at CES last year in Las Vegas, uses PCBs to harness energy in order to power itself for up to four hours after the power goes out.
This is useful technology in and of itself for everyday users around the world, but it especially comes in handy for those in areas stricken by earthquakes, tornadoes and floods. The technology is made possible by LEDs because their thinness allows for room for the PCB, battery and components located inside the bulb.
Reinventing Everyday Products with Printed Circuit Boards

The light bulb that can be used even when the power is off seems like a no-brainer, but it is the result of looking at the world around us and reimagining how products can work in the future. Constant reinvention of everyday products allows engineers to think of new ways and features to incorporate that take these to the next level. It all starts with the printed circuit boards that a product is built on. Without the PCB the components wouldn’t be able to operate. Take a look at the newest PCB capabilities and discover how you can reinvigorate your board design by contacting an expert at Advanced Circuits today.

It is not a secret that mobile electronics such as phones, tablets and wearables are slimming down when it comes to design. At the same time, product manufacturers are able to extract even more power from printed circuit boards and components in order to deliver new features that connect both consumers and professionals to nearly every other person on the planet. However, in order to pull this off engineers are designing PCBs much smaller and thinner than ever before.

Innovative PCB Designers Make New Products Possible

Not only are PCB designers under pressure to pack in as many components as possible into smaller spaces, circuit board manufacturers are being tasked with refining production processes to maximize efficiency and value for organizations in need of their services. In addition, reliability and durability concerns arise when dealing with smaller and thinner PCBs. In order to find the perfect solution, engineers continue to research new methods to solve problems such as overheating and low battery life.

The Rise of High-Performance PCBs

As a result of the move of the marketplace into “next-gen” technology, high-performance PCBs are growing in popularity among device makers. When it comes to advanced designs that are being installed in demanding applications, such as in the aerospace and defense industries, selecting the right materials to work under varying circumstances is essential for success. This is why industry experts continue to tackle issues surrounding the next generation of PCBs and how engineers can work to build the circuit boards needed to take projects and products to the next level. To learn more about high-performance PCBs and your options when designing your next batch of circuit boards, contact an expert at Advanced Circuits today.

Each new piece of technology that enters the marketplace boasts new features and promises to be smarter and faster than its predecessors. In this Internet Age we live in, connectivity is essential for communication, business productivity and our economic wellbeing. According to a recent article published by PCB007, it is forecasted that there will be 4.9 billion “connected things” in use in 2015. This represents an increase of 30 percent from 2014 and could be indicative of the advancements made in printed circuit boards that are leading to expanded capabilities and higher tolerances for materials. As engineers and researchers pack more into each PCB, companies are able to design products that open up new possibilities for collaboration and connectivity. These new “connected things” will appear in a number of industries, including:

• Consumer
• Automotive
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Aerospace

Printed Circuit Board Standards for Manufacturing

Industry standards governing the production of printed circuit boards allows for companies all over the world to develop machines and consumer products that are built to interact with one another. Without these standards, it is hard to say that the global economy would be what it is today. Since different sectors have different performance and manufacturing requirements, such as materials used, operating temperature and size restrictions, it is necessary for PCB manufacturers to be versed in and certified for numerous standards of production. By talking with a representative at Advanced Circuits you will be able to learn more about different manufacturing standards and how they play a role in the overall development and creation of printed circuit boards. Contact an engineering expert at Advanced Circuits today to get started.

For many, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about printed circuit boards is consumer electronics. Computers, phones, entertainment systems and more have the features and performance we’ve come to expect due to the quality of PCBs housed inside each product. However, emergency responders around the country are beginning to test new products and processes that rely on PCBs to help save lives.

• Firefighters – Imaging tools allow fire crews to map out the size and location of a fire so that they can plan the best course of action moving forward. Firefighters can also use existing geography and topography to predict when locations are most vulnerable for fires and how they may spread.
• Police Officers – Technology is being developed that will allow officers involved in shootings and other emergencies to signal for the help they need. For example, PCBs can be placed in gun grips or other equipment that will register when an officer has fired his or her weapon. That can then alert other units nearby or a dispatcher.
• Paramedics – Mobile technology allows paramedic teams to get information they need to assist crash victims or others that require medical attention during transport to the hospital. These are life-or-death situations that depend on high quality computers, communication systems and medical equipment to save lives.

Quality Assurance for Printed Circuit Boards

Due to the rigorous demands of each individual application, it is important that printed circuit boards be designed and tested to withstand every requirement. Especially when it comes to medical equipment and gear that assists emergency crews, product designers and engineers must ensure that their PCBs will perform as needed. To learn more about the manufacturing and assembly processes of PCBs and how Advanced Circuits tests that all of your boards meet the highest standards, contact a representative today.

Even if you are an engineer and know the inner workings inside and out, even your computer at home will fail from time to time. Whether it is from overheating or programming errors computer troubles can cause headaches and significant negative effects, especially when talking about the computer in your car. You may not think too much about the engine control unit (ECU) in your car, but taking a look at this vital piece of equipment will help you understand how the performance and efficiency of printed circuit boards save lives on a daily basis.

The ECU not only controls the engine, it can also be responsible for your brakes, lighting, heating/air conditioning unit and entertainment center. Modern ECUs rely on a microprocessor to process various inputs from your engine and contain both the hardware and software elements needed for your car to run properly.

Designing and Programming Printed Circuit Boards for Cars

In order to maximize the efficiency of a car its ECU must be able to power multiple demanding systems while under pressure. Printed circuit boards in vehicle computers also house the chip needed to run the software for the car, which can be tuned and adjusted as needed to improve fuel efficiency and driving performance. When designing PCBs for this use on a large scale, engineers must consider both layout and construction to ensure that safety and performance standards are met. To learn more about PCB manufacturing and the tools available to you during the design and ordering stages, contact an expert at Advanced Circuits today.

You’ve read about them everywhere and you may have even seen a few in the sky near your home. Drones are growing in popularity among average consumers, but for now their usage is limited to photography and videography and little more. However, these drones are also changing the way that wars are waged and everyday life in a combat zone is conducted thanks to increased functionality in printed circuit boards. Drones reduce the number of American soldiers that need to be sent into combat zones, according to an article on PCB007.com. In addition to surveillance, drones are used to fly missions at night or into areas where it is too risky to send soldiers. Armed drones are also accurate and air strikes result in fewer civilian casualties than in ground combat. As the military and aerospace industries begin to rely more on drones and robots to carry out objectives, PCB manufacturers must be ready and capable of producing circuit boards that perform flawlessly under pressure to avoid any missteps that can have potentially fatal consequences.

Ensuring Your Printed Circuit Boards Are Up to Standard

The last thing that you want to find when you are ordering printed circuit boards is that something is wrong with your design and you run into a delay. It is especially crucial to have not only a complete design and your files submitted to your PCB manufacturer during the ordering process, but also a design that will allow your application to exceed your expectations for quality and performance. Some of the most common Gerber file errors engineers run into include:

1. Missing Aperture List
2. Missing Drill File
3. Missing Tool List
4. Insufficient Annular Ring
5. Insufficient Inner Clearances

Quality Assurance Systems & Mil/Aero Certifications

At Advanced Circuits, you can count on our team’s broad-based technical expertise and the systems we have in place to provide our aerospace & defense customers with the PCB reliability and performance required for critical applications.  Our multiple state-of-the-art facilities are ITAR registered and have been certified to meet or exceed all major Mil/Aero requirements.

Capabilities for Highly Specialized Aerospace & Defense PCBs

Our advanced PCB technology allows us to meet the most rigorous requirements and PCB design criteria with the precision and performance our customers demand. Some of our capabilities include: up to 40 layer boards, via-in-pad, sequential lamination, laser drilled microvias, oversized boards, heavy copper up to 20 oz., laser direct imaging, cavity boards, and microwave/antenna boards.

An expert at Advanced Circuits can help you get your order sorted out so that you can get the PCBs you need on your deadline. Learn more by contacting a representative today.

Source

1. “American Troops Benefit from Drone Implementation,” PCB007, n.p., 10 October 2014, Web, 16 October 2014.