PCB is the abbreviation of a printed circuit board. Modern technology exists due to printed circuit boards because of their high significance within electronics. A single printed circuit board can hold several components and connect the components via copper tracks. The technology aims to provide more reliability, and the connection remains intact even in the case of high mechanical disturbance. The technology is conquering the consumer market by introducing more compact designs of electronics appliances. Through evolution, PCB design introduced a variety of printed circuit boards depending upon the architecture and design methodology. In addition, an assortment of software for Printed circuit board designing has been introduced to help the designers.
One of the types of printed circuit board is Single-Sided PCBs, which is considered the simplest printed circuit board. The name single refers to the presence of a conductor on one side of the sheet. Most of the time, the bottom side is coated with a conductor layer. The bottom side is the solder side, while the upper side is the component side. The copper track is printed on the solder side using the chemical procedure. The electronic component terminals protrude from the top to the bottom and solder on the desired positions. There is a core between the component side and the solder side. This sort of printed circuit board is most straightforward but requires more space due to less overlapping of the traces, which is why this style is suitable for low cost and high volume designs.
Another type is double-sided PCB, which enables the more complex routing. Copper traces are present on the upper and bottom layers. Electronic components distributors are mounted on the top and bottom layer through-hole. The double-sided PCB is more flexible, increases the circuit density, and reduces the size of the circuit. Multi-layered boards are the more costly and efficient type of printed circuit board. The design aims to increase the device’s compactness and is suitable for various devices that require higher efficiency with small space occupancy. Multi-layered PCBs may be produced in various methods, the most basic of which includes laminating numerous thin, double-sided PCBs together with a prepreg layer between each. Prepreg is a short pre-impregnated form that is considered a flexible material with woven glass. Placed between the rigid layers in the layer stack during manufacturing and then heated to conduct final curing, after which it becomes hard, assisting in the joining of the layers and the formation of the overall structure of the finished board.
Rigid-flex boards combine flexible circuitry and rigid circuitry. The configuration is considered excellent due to the utilization of both rigid and flexible circuitry benefits. Rigid PCBs cannot be twisted due to a rigid substrate that enhances the board’s strength. Rigid PCB is used for bulky components due to its low noise and low vibration property. Flexible PCBs can be reshaped and remolded depending upon the application. In rigid-flex PCB, interconnections are considered to be as flex sections. This PCB can enhance the efficiency and reliability of the system due to fewer solder joints and allows the 360-degree bending ability.
Several types of Printed circuit boards are available for the users to design electronic appliances depending upon the budget, space, and performance parameters.
