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The Future of Printed Circuit Board Design: Innovations in Software

Printed circuit board (PCB) design is at the forefront of innovation in the ever-evolving technology field. As electronic devices become more complex and compact, the demand for efficient and reliable PCBs continues to rise. To meet these demands, software developers …
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Printed Circuit Board Basics: From Design to Final Artwork

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) play a vital role in the functioning of electronic devices. Whether it’s your smartphone, laptop, or even your car, chances are there’s a PCB inside powering its various components. But have you ever wondered how these …
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Illini part - Bay Area Circuits

Sponsorship Highlight: Illini Solar Car

Bay Area Circuits believes in the importance of STEM education and values supporting the scientists, engineers, and mathematicians of tomorrow. We are committed to helping students grow professionally in their industry. To do so, we sponsor multiple project-based collegiate clubs, …
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Routing Signals Between PCB Layers

Part 1: An ESD Example Signal Current Flow in a Layer Transition Abstract: Printed circuit board, PCB, signal paths must often change layers in a board stackup. Under some conditions this can cause problems. An ESD example is used to …
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Voltage testing equipment

An Introduction to Controlled Impedance for PCBs

What is Controlled Impedance? Electrical impedance is the measure of the opposition (resistance) that a circuit presents to the passage of a current when a voltage is applied in an alternating current circuit.   It is represented by Zo:   Electrical …
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pcb xsection - Bay Area Circuits

Cross Section Analysis: Inside a PCB

Cross-Section Analysis How can the internal quality of a printed circuit board be inspected and verified using cross section analysis? We previously published an article that talked about IPC Inspection guidelines that provides an overview of the standards used in …
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An Expert’s Guide to PCB Surface Finishes

Applying the surface finish is one of the last steps of manufacturing a printed circuit board. The surface finish on a PCB is typically applied after the soldermask process and is designed to prevent oxidation of the remaining exposed copper, …
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Learn from a Fabricator; Time and Money Saving Design Rules

As a PCB fabricator we’re frequently asked, “What are your basic design rules?” Typically what designers are looking for are some guidelines to follow when designing a PCB layout, though this could mean a variety of things. Over the years …
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What is Controlled Impedance and How Is It Measured?

One of the most common examples of controlled impedance is the cable that connects the antenna to your television. That cable may be a coaxial cable consisting of a round, inner conductor, separated from the outer cylindrical conductor commonly called …
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Cost Determining Factors When Quoting PCBs

Customers and/or buyers who are relatively new to the printed circuit board (PCB) industry may sometimes be confused as to how a particular project is priced by the fabricator.  In this post we’ll demystify the factors used by fabricators to …
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ENEPIG Plating – A Guide to the Evolution of PCB Finishes

The evolution of technology manufacturing is always moving towards a higher level of complexity.   Newer designs have to be lighter, faster and smaller with every iteration of the next device. Not only do we continue to move towards more complex …
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Picking The Right Trace Width for Your Next PCB Design

A factor to consider when designing single-layer and multi-layer PCBs is trace width. As with other design factors for PCBs, requirements for a good trace width can impact the size and layout of a PCB. Reducing PCB size may reduce costs, but there’s still a need to ensure you have sufficient...
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Secrets of Designing Printed Circuit Boards for Excellence

Designing for excellence requires a disciplined approach of keeping the reliability of the PCB at the forefront of the design process. The performance of the PCB isn’t of much consequence if the board fails prematurely due to low-grade components or unaccounted for peak current...
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