A PCB generally cannot constitute an electronic product, and there must be the problem of external connection. For example, electrical connections are required between PCBs, PCBs and components, PCBs and panels of devices, etc. Therefore, the choice of the best interconnection which combines reliability, manufacturability, economy in one is one of the most important contents in PCB design. There are different kinds of the methods of interconnections that we’re free to choose on base of the different characteristics of different interconnections.

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What Are the Considerations of PCB Interconnects in Design?

While true that a multi-board solution may not be the optimal approach in terms of functionality, there are reasons why you have to use this approach.

It could be something as simple as accommodating for a strict form factor or the need to easily isolate power or sensitive signals. You may be charged with using an “off-the-shelf” board to talk to specific components or a custom board (such as LCD displays). Other reasons for stacking boards could include designing for future expansion (like the common Arduino shields), having multiple design configurations (maybe a basic version and an advanced version) or just making your design modular in general (a sort of mix-and-match).

There will be some bumps in the road, but if you stick to a good plan and employ sound principals to reduce common pitfalls and risks, the final printed circuit board, PCB interconnect(s) and application will reflect that same level of quality preparation.

Partnering with an experienced PCB manufacturing and assembly provider with engineers that have worked with and modified multiple layouts in preparation for fabrication and assembly of electronic interconnects is crucial for complex projects.

What are methods of process PCB interconnects?

In more complex instruments and equipment, the interconnection methods of connector clip is often used. This "building block" structure not only ensures the quality of mass production, but also reduces the cost of the system and facilitates debugging and maintenance. When device fails, maintenance personnel do not have to check to the component level that is, in order to check the cause of the failure, until check to the specific component. This work will take quite a long time.), as long as maintenance personnel judge who PCB is abnormal, they can immediately replace that PCB, which cannot only eliminate faults in the shortest time, but shorten the downtime. Thus, it can improve the utilization rate of the device. In addition, the replaced PCB can be repaired in plenty of time and used as spare parts after repair.

This interconnection is often used in more complex instruments and devices. This method makes the printed plug from the PCB edge, and the plug part is designed according to the size of the socket, the interconnection points, the contact distance, the location of the positioning holes and so on, so as to make it match with the special PCB socket.

When manufacturing PCB, the plug part needs to be gold-plated to improve wear resistance and reduce contact resistance, which has the simple assembly, great interchangeability, good maintenance performance, and is suitable for standardized mass production. The disadvantage of this method is that the cost of PCB is increased, and the requirements of PCB manufacturing precision and process are higher. In addition, its reliability is poor. For example, it often lead to poor contact because the plug part is oxidized or socket spring aging. In order to improve the reliability of external interconnection, the same outgoing line is often drawn out in parallel through the contacts on the same side or both sides of PCB.

What are the advantages of PCB interconnects?

There are many of types of PCBs to choose from when doing prototyping, ranging from simple one-sided PCBs to incredibly complex, multi-layer boards. Generally, the most simple prototype printed circuit boards are the ones that contain copper tracks, or interconnections between its components on only one of its surfaces. These boards are known as one-layer printed circuit boards, or single sided PCBs.

However, in the manufacture of more complicated circuit boards, there is a need for HDI PCBs. Known as High Density Interconnect, these printed circuit boards have a higher wiring density than traditional PCBs. Along with thinner spaces, smaller vias, and a higher connection pad density, these boards boast a lot of different advantages to the typical prototype circuit boards.

Shortening the distance between devices and trace spaces, HDI PCBs allow for deployment of a large number of transistors for better performance in electronics while lowering power consumption. Signal integrity is also improved due to the shorter distance connections and lower power requirements. Other performance improvements over conventional PCBs include stable voltage rail, minimal stubs, lower RFI/EMI, and closer ground planes and distributed capacitance.

Additionally, consider using a HDI printed circuit board for the following benefits:

Cost-effectiveness: when properly planned out, overall costs are reduced due to the lower number of necessary layers and smaller sizes/fewer number of needed boards when compared to standard PCBs.  Faster time-to-market: Design efficiencies in HDI PCB production mean faster time-to-market. Because of the easy placement of components and vias and electrical performance, it takes a shorter amount of time to go through the design and testing process for HDI PCBs.  Better reliability: Microvias have much better reliability than typical through holes due to the use of a smaller aspect ratio; they are more dependable than through holes, granting HDIs outstanding performance with better materials and parts.

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