The density of electronic devices is increasing day by day. More functionality options and wide usage put a heavy strain on electronics. Whether it’s power chips, SOC, or communication chips, the data density has increased substantially. The trend seems to continue in the future too. With the increase in density, the size of the device should increase. However, storage and portability can be major issues with bigger electronic devices. You need a slimmer option to do away with these downsides. This is where printed circuit boards (PCBs) come into play. Let’s find out the different types of PCBs and their advantages.
What are printed circuit boards?
A PCB is a thin board made out of composite epoxy, fiberglass, or other laminate materials. You can find PCBs in various electronic and electrical components such as radios, beepers, computer systems, and radars. Based on the applications, different types of PCBs are used. Some of the popular ones are explained below.
Single-sided PCBs
They’re the most basic type of circuit boards. They contain one layer of base material or substrate. A thin layer of metal (such as copper) covers the layer of the circuit base. Such PCBs also include a protective solder mask applied on the top of the layer along with a screen coat.
These basic circuit boards are extremely cost-effective. They’re perfect for volume production requiring simple usage. Power sensors, electronic toys, and relays mostly use single-sided PCBs.
Double-sided PCBs
They include both the sides of the base or substrate having a metal conductive layer. The holes in the circuit board enable the metal parts to attach from one side to the other. Such printed circuit boards connect the circuits on any of their sides by either of the two mounting schemes – surface mount technology and through-hole technology.
The through-hole technology entails the insertion of lead components through the pre-drilled holes on the circuit board. The pre-drilled holes are soldered to the pads on the opposite sides. On the other hand, the surface mount technology entails the direct placement of the electrical components on the circuit board’s surface.
Surface mounting enables more circuits to attach to the board compared to the through-hole mounting technology. These PCBs are mostly used today. You can find them in mobile phone systems, test equipment, power monitoring, and many other areas.
Multi-layer PCBs
They’re printed circuit boards containing more than two copper layers. Such PCBs expand the technology of double-sided PCBs. Many layers of a substrate (base) board and insulating materials segregate the layers in multi-layer PCBs.
Multi-layer PCBs present a high level of design flexibility. These PCBs are compact-sized, occupy less space, and carry less weight. They play a key role in high-speed circuits and offer more space for power and conductor pattern.
Bottom line
The demand for printed circuit boards is catching up in many industrial sectors. To fulfill the needs of industrial users, many manufacturers, like Avanti Circuits, offer various types of PCBs. You can even order customized PCBs that match your needs. Just be sure you turn to a trusted brand to get the best PCB.
