High Quality 6 Layer PCB Manufacturer
PCB or Printed Circuit Board has started becoming increasingly popular across all industries over the recent years. PCBs can be of many types, but the 4 and 6 Layer PCBs are the most common. The preference to use 6 Layer PCB is more since they form an integral part of small wearable devices. These 6 layers of Printed Circuit Boards are used in mission-critical types of equipment for communication. If you wondered why this 6-layer PCB is getting so popular, your search is finally over. Plunge into this article and understand the significance of a 6-layer PCB.
Overview
A 6-layer PCB is the most suitable option for various applications. This is because this stack-up offers you many benefits. It exhibits impressive mechanical as well as electrical abilities. So let us see the benefits of a 6-layer PCB and the 6-layer PCB fabrication cost.
What is a 6 Layer PCB?
A 6-layer PCB is 6 layers of conductive material. It can also be called a 4-layer PCB which has 2 additional signal layers placed between the planes. The stack-up feature of the 6-layer PCB can be seen as 2 internal layers, 2 external layers, and 2 internal planes. One internal plane is for the power, and the other internal plane is for the ground. Apart from providing appreciable routing for low-speed signals, this design also works better with EMI. This can efficiently route low as well as high-speed signals. The surface layers optimize the routing of the low-speed signals.
On the other hand, the internal layers buried within the 6-layer PCB help route high-speed signals. The typical design of a 6-layer PCB can be Top Layer – Prepeg – Internal Ground Plane – Core – Internal Routing Layer – Core –Internal Power Plane – Prepeg – Bottom Layer. This is one of the most typical designs of a 6-layer PCB. But, it is not necessary that all appliances can optimally function with the help of this design.
Determining the Number of Signal, Power, and Ground Planes on a 6-layer PCB Stack up
It is crucial to know the number of signals, ground layers, and the power to use for a 6-layer PCB board. But this number is subject to change with the type of application requirements. For example, suppose you require a configuration to control signals, then the number of signal layers has to be increased. This is the time you know about the various arrangements or combinations of a 6 layer PCB stack up:
Layer of Signal-Ground-Power-Ground-Layer of Signal-Ground
This is considered an ideal arrangement for a 6-layer PCB that requires mixing both high and low-speed signals. This arrangement also offers protection to the inner layers. The two ground planes protect the inner signal layer from the surface signal layer. This setting refrains the EMI from interacting and interfering with the inner signal layer. The conductors provide sufficient protection to the layers. But this arrangement has a drawback as well. It is not easy to place components at the bottom layers. You can easily place components but only at the top layers.
One layer of power, two layers of grounding, and one layer of signaling:
This arrangement offers you a tight and steady connection to solid planes and also offers protection for low-speed traces. If the PCB inner layer is orthogonal, you can route the signals with slow switching speeds. However, it lacks the interplane capacitance between the power layers and the ground plane.
Signal Layer in Ground- Power- Ground- Signal Layer- Ground
This arrangement is ideal for noisy environments. This is because it offers you appreciable EMI suppression in robust radiation surroundings. It’s also best for instances when great signal isolation is required between the stages of the signal chain. The problem that you can face with this arrangement is the presence of just two signal layers. This hinders the board space that is available for signal routing. In such cases, you can try to position two signal layers between conductors that are tightly packed.
The design of a 6-layer PCB stack is determined by a variety of factors.
Area of Application
A 6-layer PCB quote has a variety of functions. Thus, it is essential that you determine which industry this PCB will be employed in. After you decide on the application area, only then should you proceed with the design.
Electrical Specifications
The PCB has various arrangements which serve different electrical requirements. Therefore, you need to decide which electrical requirements you want to fulfill and choose the electrical specifications accordingly.
Design Configurations
Significantly, you consider every aspect of identifying the thermal specifications before you design your desired stack up. You have to keep in mind the temperature variations of your PCB application.
Component Density
You need to decide on the number of components you desire to mount on your PCB. This is because different electrical connections need a different number of components.
Cost of Production and designing
The most crucial aspect that you need to consider is the cost of 6-layer PCB fabrication. If you incorporate your PCB with complex designs, it will cost you higher. On the other hand, simple PCB designs will cost you much less.
The difference between a 6-layer and 4-layer PCB stack-up
There are two significant differences –
Identify from the wire in front of the PCB
If the number of wires in a PCB is more, it is likely to be a 6-layer PCB. This is because a 4-layer PCB will not lose connection, as a 6-layer PCB might require a wire to support its connection throughout.
Identify the via on the PCB
When you find a PCB that has a via in the front but not at the back, it is probably a 6-layer PCB. This is because the via is hidden within the 6 layers since the PCB is conducting electricity to the 4 layers.
Benefits of a 6-layer PCB
Small Footprint
The 6-layer PCB is generally small in size than an ordinary circuit board. This is because their stack-up design makes them compact. As a result, they gain significance in miniature devices.
Designs that are driven by quality
Since manufacturing a 6-layer PCB requires a lot of precision, it is made with a lot of planning. As a result, the possibility of having errors gets narrowed down. Also, in recent times, the 6-layer PCB manufacturing companies are installing inspection and testing techniques to ensure the quality of the 6 Layer PCB.
Lightweight Construction
The 6-layer PCB manufacturing companies are making the 6-layer PCB with lightweight materials. The main reason behind this is to reduce the total weight of the PCB. Double-layered or single-layered PCBs require many connectors to interlink their components. But the 6-layer PCB boards do not require these interlinks.
Durable
The 6-layer PCB manufacturing businesses are putting in multiple layers of insulation between circuits to keep them safe. These layers are composed of protective materials and prepreg agents of bonding. These make the 6-layer PCB more durable.
Appreciable electrical properties
The 6-layer PCB showcases mind-blowing electrical properties. These properties ensure smooth working in compact devices in terms of high speed and capacity.
Applications of the 6-Layer PCB Stack up
- The Aviation Sector
- The medical field
- Communication Industry
- Processing Industry
- Automotive Industry
FAQ
How can you control the overheating of a 6-layer PCB?
You can use thermal dissipation techniques to regulate the heat flow. In addition, stacking the layers properly also helps in proper heat regulation.
Why is a 6-layer PCB important?
A 6-layer PCB is vital because it maximizes performance and creates better layer configurations. Also, it prevents the difficulties of crosstalk and impedance.
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