Double-sided flexible circuits are one of the most common types of flexible circuits, and are used in many modern day electronic applications. With the demand to incorporate more components on a single circuit, and increasing power handling capabilities, these double sided flexible circuit boards are in demand. Read the post below to understand how these flexible circuit boards can be an asset to your electronic application.
Introduction to Double-Sided Flexible Circuit Boards
A double sided flex circuit features two conductive layers, which are placed one on each side of the polyamide conductive layer. The outer layers may have exposed pads, or covers. The connection is made by plated through holes, and component terminations are provided on both the sides.
However, these circuits can also be made without plated through holes with connection features accessible from only one side. These no plated through holes circuits are known as type 5 as per the military specifications.
Types of Double Sided Flex Circuits
Depending on the circuit design requirements, double sided flex circuits can be fabricated with a protective layer on a single side, both sides, or neither sides. These flexible circuits are differentiated into the following categories based on the cover layer, and Plated Through Holes (PTH).
- With PTH and Cover layer
- With PTH without Cover layer
- With Cover layer, without PTH
- Without PTH or Cover layer
Benefits of Double Sided Flex Circuits
These flex circuits are considered ideal for some applications due to various benefits that they offer. These benefits include:
- Design Flexibility: The circuit boards provide ability to access circuit traces from top and bottom. This helps provide flexibility in terms of functionality, and design. When properly designed, these circuits provide the same degree of repetitive flexing as most single-sided flexible circuits. Also, these circuits offer great range of application uses due to its ability to contain more complex circuit layouts.
- Wiring Error Reductions: With automated production, and emphasis on accurate PCB designs, flexible circuits with double sided conductors have small human errors in comparison to hand built wire harnesses.
- Can Mount all Component Types: The circuit boards can be mounted for all component types – surface mount, through-hole, and wire bonding.
- Small Footprint: Most of the flexible circuit boards are designed with thinner dielectric substrates than rigid circuit boards. These thin substrates allow more streamlined designs. The flexibility, and elasticity of these substrates lead to overall package size reduction. Along with package size, package weight reduction is also a benefit. With increasing demands for lightweight electronics, the flexible circuit boards are always in demand.
- Ideal for Special Conditions: The circuit boards can be designed for special conditions such as
- Complex interconnections
- Hostile operating environments
- Dense surface mounted devices
- Power plane and ground applications
- Shielding applications
Above-mentioned are only a few benefits that these double sided flex circuits boards have to offer. However, to know more you can always approach a reliable industry leader like Rigiflex. The company provides double side flexible PCBs for various industries.
