In the manufacturing process of modern electronic devices, the design of high-speed PCBs is becoming more and more important. As technology continues to evolve, so does the need for performance and speed.
In high-speed circuit design, via-in-pad is a common design element, but it is expensive to manufacture. So, in some cases,Changing the hole in the plate to a normal hole may be an effective strategy to reduce the cost of production, and thus the overall cost of the product. This article will look at the circumstances under which such an optimization can be considered and how to make this change.
Hole-in-tray in high-speed PCB design
Holes in the tray are a design choice that is often used to connect circuits of different layers. It connects the component pins to the inner or ground layer by placing holes directly on the pads. This design helps to reduce the length of the signal path and improve the speed and performance of signal transmission. However, the manufacturing complexity and cost of holes in the tray are relatively high, because the process steps such as coating the hole with conductive material and filling it with conductive material will increase the difficulty and time required to manufacture.
Production process
Drill holes in the disc Copper plated Plug resin Curing Grinding Copper reduction Glue removal Drill other non-disc holes (usually component holes and tool holes) Hole-plated copper and VCP surface copper Normal process.
Consider changing the hole in the dish to a normal hole
Low Frequency Applications:In some low-frequency applications, signal transmission speed is not a major consideration. In such cases, it may be a viable option to use a normal hole instead of a hole in the dish. Ordinary holes are relatively inexpensive to manufacture because it does not require the complex manufacturing steps of holes in plates.
Cost-Sensitive Products:If the product is positioned at the lower end of the market or in a cost-sensitive market, in order to remain competitive, you can consider changing the intraplate hole to a regular hole. In this way, although the signal transmission performance will be affected to a certain extent, the production cost can be significantly reduced.
Areas that do not require high speed characteristics:PCBs often contain different types of circuitry, and some areas are not strict in terms of high-speed characteristics. Using plain holes instead of holes in the tray in these areas provides an effective balance between performance and cost.
Steps and precautions
Performance Evaluation:Before considering changing the disc hole to a normal hole, the circuit performance needs to be evaluated. Determine if there are areas with lower performance requirements that are acceptable for a slight reduction in signal speed.
Design Adjustments:Once the area that needs to be replaced has been identified, the corresponding design adjustments need to be made. This can involve modifying the board layout and re-routing the signal.
Signal Integrity Analysis:After design adjustments, a signal integrity analysis is required to ensure that the changes do not result in a significant degradation in circuit performance. This may require the use of ** tools to simulate the signal transmission process.
Manufacturing Process Adjustments:Once the design is confirmed, the manufacturing process needs to be adjusted to accommodate the new hole type. This includes changing the manufacturing process and the corresponding equipment settings.
Cost Analysis:Perform a cost analysis of the change of the hole in the plate to the normal hole. Factor in material costs, changes in manufacturing processes, and possible design iteration costs.
Production samples:Before proceeding to production, it is recommended to make some samples for testing. This helps ensure the performance and manufacturability of the new design.
Advantages and trade-offs
Advantages:
The obvious advantage is reduced manufacturing costs, especially in high-volume production. For cost-sensitive markets, products may be sold more competitively, thus attracting more consumers.
Trade-offs:
Switching to a normal hole may result in a slight reduction in signal transmission speed. Therefore, the relationship between performance and cost needs to be carefully weighed when making decisions. Making design adjustments can take some time and effort, especially if the board design is already mature.