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.

What is an HDI PCB?

These boards provide a large number of interconnections in a small space. The components are placed closer together on the board, which helps to reduce the size, but the functionality stays the same as a larger board. If a board features 120 to 160 pins per square inch, then it is an HDI PCB. Components are placed close together while making use of versatile routing. These types of boards are made possible thanks to microvia technology, along with buried and blind vias. They are very efficient, and they are becoming popular in a wide range of different industries, as you will see below.

Biggest Benefits of HDI PCBs

Many want to find ways to reduce the footprint of the products they are making, and one of the best ways to do that is by using HDI PCBs. They are a good solution any time that you need to reduce size and weight, and when you still need to have functionality and reliability in the product. One of the other benefits found with these boards is the fact that they use via-in-pad technology and blind via technology. This allows components to be placed closer together, reducing the length of the signal path, which helps to provide faster and more reliable signals since those paths are shorter.

Even though the boards can provide a wealth of advantages, you will find that they are still very affordable. It is a cost-effective solution for those who are looking for a reliable and durable option for their electronic devices. Still, to determine whether they are the right option for you or not, it is important to learn even more about them and how they are used. You will also want to learn the differences between a regular printed circuit board and an HDI printed circuit board.

Where are HDI PCBs Used Today?

Because of the benefits they offer, you will find that HDI PCBs are utilized in a wide range of electronic devices across many different industries. The medical industry is one of the most well-known. Medical devices that are being made today typically need to be smaller. Whether it is a piece of equipment in the lab or an implant, smaller tends to be a better option, and HDI PCBs can help immensely in this regard. Pacemakers are a good example of a type of product that is using these types of PCBs. Many types of monitoring and exploratory devices, such as endoscopes or colonoscopes, use this type of technology. Once again, smaller is better in these situations.

In addition to the healthcare field, the automotive industry is making use of HDI PCBs. To help maximize the space available in motor vehicles, they are making certain electronic components smaller. Of course, tablets and smartphones use this type of technology. This is why so many of these devices become lighter and thinner through their generations.

You will also find HDI PCBs used in the aerospace and military fields. Their reliability and their smaller size make them useful for a range of different applications. It is likely there will be more and more devices from even more diverse fields that will be using this technology going forward.

What are the Main Differences between a PCB and an HDI PCB?

To get a better idea of some of the main differences between these two options, consider the following list.

• Per square inch, HDI PCBs have more densely-packed components
• The boards end up smaller and lighter than with typical PCBs
• They utilize laser direct drilling, whereas standard PCBs will usually have mechanical drilling
• The number of layers tends to be lower, as does the aspect ratio

These are some of the differences between HDI PCBs and regular PCBs. However, it doesn’t mean that the HDI option is always the right choice for you. Take the time to consider the project you are doing and then determine which option will be best for your needs.

Properly Design the HDI PCB

While using one of these types of PCBs may seem like the perfect solution for your needs, it is important that you understand how to design them properly if you hope to achieve all of the benefits they can convey. With these types of designs, you will want to make sure that you aren’t using more than three layers in a sequence, if possible. Ideally, the number of sequential laminations will be low.

Take time to thoroughly think through the design, and then test it out in software and with a Gerber file viewer to make sure it works properly. Once you are certain it works, you may want to get a prototype to ensure it is working and then move on with full manufacturing.

Why Work with Advanced Circuits?

Advanced Circuits makes it easy for you to create the type of PCB you need from the ground up. By providing you with high-quality software, testing tools, and even a review process, you can be sure you are creating the ideal board before it goes to manufacture. We offer excellent customer service and have earned a great reputation within the PCB industry. We’ll help you choose the type of PCB that best fits your needs. Contact Advanced Circuits today to get a quote on your circuit boards.

Advanced Circuits’ three manufacturing facilities have the capabilities and advanced industry certifications to handle PCB fabrication of many different types of circuit boards; including PCBs for military/aerospace, medical, and commercial applications.

Below, we list common types of PCBs manufactured for various applications. For a complete list of Advanced Circuits’ PCB manufacturing capabilities, click here [PDF].

Common Types of PCBs

●    Single Layer PCB

A single layer PCB can also be referred to as a single-sided board. These boards possess a conductor pattern on one side only and may have non-conductive components on the opposite side of the board. The board is comprised of merely one layer of a conductive metal layer (usually copper), finishing with a shielding solder cover called Solder Mask. These single layer PCBs are most commonly found in more simple electronics.

●    Double Layer PCB

Also known as double-sided boards, these PCBs possess two conductive copper sides on opposite sides of a non-conductive substrate. The two sides may be connected to each other by small plated thru holes known as vias that let signals pass through from one conductive side of the board, through the non-conductive substrate, to the other side.

●    Multi-Layer PCB

Three or more conductive layers in a PCB is commonly called a multi-layer PCB.  A multilayer board is fabricated by using epoxy resin, immense pressure and precision.  Materials used in the lamination process include: inner layer core, sheets of “prepreg” (woven glass cloth with epoxy resin), and sheets of Cu foil.  Once cured, the resin will join the glass sheets, core, and foil together into the multilayer PCB panel.  Advanced Circuits is able to manufacture up to 40 layers boards.

●    High Frequency PCB

Each design of high frequency PCBs differs from the next. These boards were designed and created to carry electronic signals comprised of over 5 Gigahertz and require advanced PCB laminate materials for optimum performance.  High frequency PCBs found in high-speed electronics and advanced technology communication products.  Advanced Circuits works with top PCB laminate providers to bring you a wide range of material options such as high-frequency ceramic filled laminates, and other suitable materials for high frequency applications.

●    High Density Interconnect (HDI) PCB

HDI PCB manufacturing requires an advanced level of technical expertise and the latest state-of-the-art equipment for exacting precision.  Fitting more technology in less space through miniaturization, multiple conductive layers, advanced components, and lasered through-holes offer steady and rapid processing on a much smaller scale than its counterpart boards.  Advanced Circuits achieves high quality and precision 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 units for excellent defect detection of the finest features.

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.

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/how-to-become-an-electrical-engineer/ /blog/how-to-become-an-electrical-engineer/#respond Mon, 05 Jan 2015 15:27:14 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=728 Continue reading →]]>

As you continue on your collegiate career, it may seem difficult to choose one field that you want to specialize in. If you’ve spent a lot of time growing up building robots and computers or even designing new products that you want, electrical engineering may be your calling. However, what do you need to do in order to become an electrical engineer once you’ve received your degree? It is critical to have a strong knowledge of computers and the CAD software you’ll need to design printed circuit boards your future position will require.
While it is important to have the scientific understanding to anticipate and solve complex problems, it is equally important to hone your skills as a communicator and leader to demonstrate your ability to grow in your profession. After you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering you may choose to obtain an engineering license before applying for a job in your desired field.
Common Industries for Electrical Engineers
The interesting thing about electrical engineering is just how vast it is in its career possibilities. In addition to working with computer systems, engineers are needed in industries such as utilities, communication, aerospace, defense and more. All of these industries work with suppliers of printed circuit boards in order to get the parts they require for everything from machinery to consumer products. In order to start your career as an electrical engineer you’ll want to continually develop your skills as a circuit board designer and see what you are capable of making. Contact a representative at Advanced Circuits today about our engineering students program and see how you can get the PCBs you need for your next project.

Get Started on Your Printed Circuit Board

The first thing that engineers, students and hobbyists must do to stay ahead of the curve is work to develop and improve the printed circuit board they rely on to advance their own projects. This starts with the design phase and continues through material selection, testing and implementation. Contact an expert at Advanced Circuits today for more information.

Have PCBs Reached Their Performance Limit?

Until new methods such as ultrathin capacitors make their way into the marketplace, developers and manufacturers of PCBs are finding that the materials and processes available today are reaching the performance limit of circuit boards. Continuing to research new methods to add energy storage and processing power will allow manufacturers to deliver the PCBs that can be used in the consumer products and business applications of the future. With this new technology, it is a good idea for engineers and engineering students to study the intricacies in order to be able to fully implement them in applications down the road. Learn more about the current state of the PCB industry and the newest capabilities of your PCB manufacturer by getting in contact with an expert at Advanced Circuits.

Salvaging Parts and Printed Circuit Boards to Use in New Applications

When you are working on a new project it can be beneficial to find printed circuit boards and components from your old electronics that you may be able to repurpose. This lets you test out your application in the early stages and work on your overall project design before ordering PCBs that are built specifically for your new needs. Of course, reusing older parts will cut down on your costs. However, it may also limit you in terms of features and functionality moving forward. Recycling your old PCBs and designing new advanced ones in their place will help you unlock the potential of your application as it continues in its development.

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Advanced Circuits dedicates itself to producing the highest quality PCBs and products while minimizing any negative effects that manufacturing can have on the environment. Every piece of scrap PCB boards produced from Advanced Circuits’ manufacturing processes are taken directly to a certified refinery to ensure they are responsibly extracted and recycled.

For more information about Advanced Circuits’ sustainable PCB manufacturing and assembly practices, please contact us today.