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Technical Library

Technical Library

PCB Technical Library

Practical guides covering PCB design rules, material selection, manufacturing tolerances, and specialized techniques like embedded components. Written by engineers, not marketers.

PCB Design

Design guidelines, capability limits, and best practices for PCB layouts.

  • BGA Component Design Guide Ball Grid Array (BGA) package design reference. Cross-sectional views, solder mask considerations, and pad specifications for BGA routing and assembly.
  • Castellated Holes and Edge Plating Castellated holes for PCB-as-component designs. Edge plating process, half-hole technology, and applications for small module manufacturing.
  • Characteristic Impedance in PCBs Understanding characteristic impedance in PCB transmission lines. Calculation methods, strip-line and micro-strip formulas, and design considerations for signal integrity.
  • Flex PCB Capability Limits Flexible PCB manufacturing specifications: layer counts, bend radius, line widths, surface finishes, and material options for single-layer to 8-layer flex circuits.
  • Micro-Via Advantages in PCBs How micro-vias improve PCB performance: shorter traces, fewer layers, better RF and EMC characteristics, and higher reliability than through-hole vias.
  • Multilayer PCB Capabilities Detailed PCB manufacturing capabilities: layer tolerances, hole sizes, line widths, surface finishes, and material specifications for 1-40 layer boards.
  • PCB Component Cooling with Thermal Vias Thermal management techniques for PCBs using plated through-holes. Optimum PTH hole patterns for heat dissipation, drilling specifications, and copper plating requirements.
  • PCB Designer's Tips Essential PCB design guidelines: standard specifications, quoting requirements, cost factors, panel optimization, and common abbreviations for designers.
  • Solder Mask and Via Types Via hole solder mask options: tenting, plugging, and solder mask defined pads. Design considerations for BGA assembly and vacuum test fixtures.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing processes, equipment, and production techniques.

Materials

Information about PCB materials, laminates, and surface finishes.

  • PCB Materials and Laminates Guide Comprehensive PCB laminate reference: FR-4, Rogers, Isola, Panasonic Megtron, PTFE, polyimide. Dielectric constants, Tg values, CTE specifications, and material selection guidance.
  • RF and Microwave PCB Substrate Selection Guide Practical guide to selecting RF/microwave PCB materials. Covers PTFE, ceramic-filled, and hydrocarbon substrates from Rogers, Taconic, Isola. Includes Dk/Df specifications, frequency thresholds, and fabrication considerations.

Embedded Components

Technical reference for embedding passive and active components within PCB layers. These articles cover design principles and specifications - note that manufacturing requires specialized suppliers with limited availability. We can provide design guidance and help evaluate feasibility.

  • Embedded Capacitance Layers in PCBs Build low-impedance power planes with embedded capacitance. Layer compositions, blind via configurations, and dielectric material options from DuPont and 3M.
  • Embedded Capacitors in PCBs How to form capacitors within PCB layers using dielectric materials like BC2000. Capacitance formulas, high-frequency benefits, and decoupling applications above 1 GHz.
  • Embedded Components in PCBs Active components embedded directly into PCB inner layers. Patented technology developed by Shipco since 2002. Flip chip, SMT integration, and micro-via connections.
  • Embedded Resistors in PCBs How to embed resistors within PCB layers using Ohmega-Ply and carbon screen printing. Tolerance values, sheet resistivity calculations, and design formulas.
  • Embedded Transformers in PCBs PCB-based planar transformers for DC/DC converters. High efficiency (up to 94%), low noise, 100% surface mounted designs using standard multilayer PCB materials.

General Resources

Additional resources and technical information.

Have a specific technical question or need guidance on your design? We're happy to help.

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