ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the types of printed circuit boards (PCB) along with layout design considerations and basic processing techniques. The design of integral components within a PCB is the responsibility of the mechanical/layout designer. The basic building block of any electronic system or assembly is the printed wiring board (PWB). PWBs are made of a dielectric material and are patterned with a conductor. The dielectric board materials used to fabricate organic PWBs consist of glass fibers suspended within an organic medium. The most convenient method for mounting and interconnecting electronic components is by using a PWB. The manufacturing process for PWBs involves combinations of a few basic operations. The chapter outlines the fabrication process for a double-sided organic board and briefly discusses testing and assembly of such a board. The copper-clad laminate material is supplied in sheets that are much larger than required by PWB fabrication.
