Every year, new smartphones and portable devices hit the market promising to take customers to the next level in terms of functionality and features. This is most notable for consumers when they hold and use their new devices, but it is the printed circuit board and hardware inside the product that work together to make this happen. New near field communication (NFC) chips and technology are helping device designers make the most of PCB space so that the product as a whole improves. For example, Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 4 is expected to deliver boosted NFC performance at high radio frequency. This is done with a chip that is smaller in size yet operates with double the range in reader and card emulation modes. Updates to the devices software are expected to be safe and secure so new features can be added to the NFC chip. Increasing PCB functionality with each new generation of devices will continue to make products smarter and more useful.

Maximizing Printed Circuit Board Power Efficiency

The dilemma for product designers is finding ways to incorporate the latest components while reducing energy consumption and heat production. Tweaking your printed circuit board design to find the perfect solution will allow your team to create PCBs that work as needed in your finished product. Via hole construction, PCB laminate choice and placement of components on your circuit board all play a role in efficiency. To get the PCBs you need for your project, follow these steps:

• Use PCB design software to perfect your layout
• Submit your design files for manufacturability checks
• Correct any DFM errors
• Complete your order

Contact an expert at Advanced Circuits today to learn more.

• iPhone 6 uses a printed circuit board with 64-bit architecture and a motion coprocessor that allows it to deliver speed, graphics and functionality that has not been seen before in Apple products.
• 8-megapixel iSight camera with 1080p HD video recording at 30 or 60 fps
• NFC functionality and Bluetooth 4.0 connections strengthen wireless capabilities

Could Apple Watch House a Circular Printed Circuit Board?

Not all of the details and inner workings of the new Apple Watch are known and users won’t be able to get their hands on the device until next year. However, that hasn’t stopped tech enthusiasts from wondering just what is going into the product. A prevailing belief is that the Apple Watch will feature a circular printed circuit board to fit Apple’s product design needs. Different shapes, layouts and types of PCBs have been used in the past, and moving forward will be adapted to meet various application requirements. Learn more about the developments in PCB technology and start developing your next batch of circuit boards at Advanced Circuits.