Almost all electronic equipment has at least one PCB as its prime component. A Printed Circuit Board offers a convenient method to electrically interconnect different components. The difference between a standard and advanced PCB cannot be spotted by simply looking.
An advanced PCB will consume low power and offer improved signal quality. The use of precise laser machines in advanced PCB reduces dimensional deviation. Therefore, integrating complex electronic circuits using an advanced PCB becomes easier.
Let’s dive deep into the blog to understand the types, benefits, and industrial applications of advanced PCB.
Types of Advanced PCB
While looking for printed circuit boards, you will come across various types. The number of layers matters the most while designing advanced PCBs. A double-layer PCB will offer better results than a single-layer advanced PCB.
The different types of advanced PCBs are as follows:
- Multilayer boards: They involve three or more double panels stacked above one another. The multilayer boards can include as many plates as required.
- Rigid boards: Rigid boards are incapable of twisting or bending. They are only suitable for applications where bending isn’t required.
- Flexible boards: Flexible boards are used in applications where bending is mandatory for electronic devices. They can twist and bend easily without an issue.
- High-frequency boards: These PCBs can carry high-frequency signals above 1GHz. They are pretty expensive and cost around $0.6 every sq. cm.
Benefits of Advanced PCBs
The blog elucidates some of the benefits of advanced PCBs.
● A Compact Solution
PCBs include numerous parts and elements. But they use copper tracks instead of actual wires. It ensures the same outcomes without using wires carrying current. Therefore, the boards are quite small and not too bulky.
It is a primary reason why modern electronic devices are of a smaller size. PCBs have enabled technological advancements in different ways. Nowadays, complicated circuits are fitted in small packages.
● Energy and Time-Saving
Advanced PCBs are known to offer huge time-saving advantages. Connecting electrical components using traditional methods is time-consuming. But advanced PCBs take minimal time for assembly once the design is completed.
Usually, the design phase takes the highest amount of time for advanced PCBs. But even that can be reduced using suitable manufacturing software. The software PCB Artist is for building advanced circuits easily.
The intuitive and simple minimized design time. It also helps test the circuit board before proceeding with subsequent processes.
● No Loose Connections
Advanced PCBs use copy tracks to make connections. When manufactured the right way, you don’t have to worry about loose connections and short circuits in PCBs. Traditional methods using actual wires lead to loose connection whenever the board is moved.
Sometimes the wire itself exhibits connection issues. It becomes tricky to locate and fix the source of the problem. These issues aren’t present with PCBs, and they can be diagnosed and repaired easily if there’s a problem.
● Highly Reliable
PCBs are becoming popular due to their immense reliability. They can be used in a myriad of small and large products. Advanced PCBs are also long-lasting in various devices like phones and military equipment.
Industrial Applications of Advanced PCBs
Let’s find out the top industries where advanced PCBs are used.
● Telecommunication Industry
Almost every piece of equipment in the telecommunications industry uses advanced PCBs. Displays and indicators, communication tools for homes and offices, outdoor equipment like communication towers, everything use advanced PCBs. Advanced PCBs are used in outdoor communication equipment to tolerate extreme weather conditions.
● Automotive Industry
Using PCBs in the automotive industry makes vehicles safer and easier to drive. Advanced PCBs are also enabling automotive manufacturers to offer exceptional features. The automotive industry mainly uses PCBs for mounting sensors for control systems, fuel regulation, engine management, and navigation. Entertainment systems inside cars also use advanced PCBs.
● Maritime Industry
Equipment for controlling and navigating ships in the naval industry uses advanced PCBs. PCB materials and electronic components corrode easily due to exposure to saltwater, freshwater, and water vapor. Therefore, PCBs and other electronic components used in the maritime industry use durable base materials. They are also treated using a special technique to prevent corrosion and damage.
● Military and Defense Industry
Advanced PCBs have many applications in the military and defense equipment industry. For instance, vehicles, computers, firearms, monitoring, and communication equipment use advanced PCBs. Since military and defense operations happen in numerous geographical locations, PCB materials are used because they can tolerate extreme temperatures.
● Safety and Security Equipment Industry
Developments related to electronic components have introduced multiple safety and security equipment in the market. Motion sensors, smoke detectors, electronic locks, fire alarms, surveillance cameras, and more are the latest innovations in the market. Advanced PCBs are used in almost each of these devices. PCBs also ensure that the security equipment gets connected to the internet for remote monitoring.
● Aerospace Industry
Advanced PCBs are used in aerospace industry equipment because they often need to face harsh climatic conditions. Advanced PCBs are useful for communication, monitoring, distribution, and power supply in space shuttles, radio communication systems, airplanes, and satellites. PCBs performing in outer space need to be particularly robust because replacing or repairing defective boards isn’t possible.
● Illumination and Lighting Industry
Advanced PCBs in the illumination and lighting industry have multiple roles. They serve as the base of mounting LEDs and also connect them electrically. But it also needs to remove heat from the LEDs to increase their lifespan. Medical lighting, display lighting, automotive displays, street lighting, computer displays, and more use advanced PCBs. A major benefit of advanced PCBs in LEDs is that it eliminates the need for an extra heat sink.
Closing Thoughts
Advanced PCPs are an integral part of our everyday lives with applications in different equipment like smartphones, cars, computers, LEDs, and more. The future of advanced PCBs seems pretty bright with their current application across numerous industries.
The world of advanced PCBs is growing rapidly due to its huge demand in multiple industries and rising technological trends. We can expect to see high-speed advanced PCBs in the future because high-speed functionality has become mandatory for everything.
