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.

In today’s world, it’s nearly impossible to get through the day without interacting with some sort of electronic device. Most are connected in some way to a source of communications, facilitated by the internet. It’s this phenomenon that has been termed the Internet of Things (IoT). Technology and electronic components embedded in practically everything touched throughout the day are coupled in ways never envisioned a few short years ago:

• Social media access is available 24×7 from computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones
• Smart televisions have direct access to the internet for live video streaming available at the touch of a remote (or the touch of a smartphone)
• GPS systems in automobiles guide drivers to destinations reliably and consistently
• Friends and families are in constant touch through social media, texting, and other means, enabled by the IoT
• Vehicles keep owners up-to-date with service reminders when attention is needed, or when time for scheduled maintenance is approaching
• Medical diagnostic equipment now incorporates technology that allows physicians and laboratory technicians to share information more reliably and accurately, providing improved patient care
• Smart homes are becoming internet hubs in their own right with IoT-enabled thermostats, lighting, entertainment systems, and security capabilities
• Children are even taking the lead in embracing technology with their ability to absorb it quickly and to appreciate the entertainment value
• Wearable technology in the form of fitness bands, smart watches, and environment simulators are growing in functionality and popularity

For PCB designers and fabricators, the IoT is a new opportunity to expand the use of electronic technology in markets that did not even exist in the past.

How do PCBs Fit into the IoT?

Within the heart of each of these electronic marvels that combine to formulate the IoT resides at least one printed circuit board (PCB) that provides the functionality of the device. Automobiles have become more electronic than mechanical, as witnessed now by the advent of self-parking vehicles and the self-driving cars now in prototyping phases.

The IoT is an inherent requirement to make such development possible, as these vehicles will need to sense their environments as well as their current position with extreme accuracy. PCBs loaded with highly-technical functionality will be the critical infrastructure behind these impressive advancements in transportation.

Smart homes are taking off for many homeowners, and the technology offered by the IoT presents convenience, efficiency, and security never before possible. Sensors will change the environment related to lighting and temperature, controlled by an in-home computer system or wall-mounted tablet, preset schedules, or even from a smartphone – anywhere in the world. Someone approaching the home can be viewed in real time, and communicated with face-to-face in the same way. Cameras with internet connectivity already enable this level of contact with the homeowner’s device via the internet and cellular services.

PCBs are the enablers of nearly every device in the IoT. Highly reliable, compact circuit boards permit easy and convenient access to internet-enabled applications even from the smallest of devices, with high-speed connectivity.

IoT – Consumers and Businesses

IoT advancements are creating new markets for electronics entrepreneurs, consumer goods retailers, and consumers alike. Through global positioning capabilities and ‘beaconing’ technology, retailers can reach out and ‘touch’ consumers via their smartphones and tablets as they browse retail stores or even stroll past a store in a shopping mall.

As technology continues to expand exponentially, additional markets for the new capabilities will be realized by those with the imagination and business savvy to take advantage of these opportunities. This includes creative PCB designers and fabricators whose skills will be needed to power the devices and applications.

Demand for powerful PCBs with miniaturized, light-weight attributes to power next-generation devices will continue to expand. This includes smartphones, tablets, and devices such as drones or in-store radio-frequency (RF) chips embedded in products that enable instant access to store inventory and specific location.

Medical technology has been evolving rapidly to include such devices as implanted heart monitors that alert not only when health risks are imminent, but also to such conditions as weakening batteries. Diagnostic equipment is also powered by the IoT enabling transfer of test results directly to the physician’s desktop or tablet without the lag time of mailing or even emailing findings.

Future of the Internet of Things

Analysts at Business Insider predict that by 2018 there will be in excess of 9 billion devices interconnected to the internet by some means. That generates a significant opportunity and challenge for PCB designers and manufacturers to meet the need of those devices through innovative circuit designs, layout advancements, and new developments in fabrication technology.

Such innovative developments as flexible and High-Density Interconnect (HDI) PCBs are contributing to the advancement of technology in devices requiring installation in small form-factors and a higher level of component density for smaller and lighter devices.

The power and innovation of the IoT will continue to evolve at a breakneck pace, and PCB technology must continue with advancements that meet the demand of business, consumers, and applications. For developers of IoT-enabled devices, it will be critical to include PCB designers and manufacturers who are experienced with technology and innovative methodologies when selecting vendors to provide such services.