-
- March 28, 2023
- PCB knowledge
- (0)
- 07 mins
10 layer PCB – everything you need to know
PCBs, or “printed circuit boards,” are more than simply connecting electronic components. These high-technology printed board assemblies use various methods to carry power and data from one end to the other.
10 layer PCB has become increasingly popular for prototyping and small production runs.
As such, knowing what goes into creating these durable and functional printed circuit boards is more important than ever.
Discover everything about 10 layer PCBs.
What is 10 layer PCB?
10 layer PCB is a printed circuit board made by hand or machine. It has 10 layers of copper foil, and each layer is about 100μm.
The copper foil is used as the conductive material, and the silkscreen ink is used as the insulation layer. The copper foil is printed on one side of the board. Then it will be etched with acid to remove the copper foil from the other side and make holes for inserting components.
How thick is a 10 layer PCB?
Most commonly a 10 layer PCB has a thickness of 1.3mm, 1.6mm, 2.0mm, 2.4mm, or 3.0mm. It all depends on the users which thickness they want in their project or what will suit the project.
What are the advantages of 10 layer PCB?
The 10 layer PCB has several advantages. The first and most important is that it is more durable than a double layer PCB.
The other advantages include the following:
- Improved signal integrity
A PCB with a higher number of layers has better signal integrity. A lower signal loss is achieved because the traces are narrower and have higher density.
The signal travels faster and with less distortion, leading to improved circuit performance.
- Improved power integrity
Power integrity refers to the ability of a PCB to provide sufficient power to all components on the board. When there are more traces on a board, it is easier for them to carry the current needed by each component.
This results in an efficient use of the available power supply and ensures that no power is wasted from insufficient current carrying capacity.
- Reduction in electromagnetic interference (EMI)
The more layers a PCB has, the less interference it will have. This is because each layer acts as a barrier between different signals.
Therefore, by adding more layers, you can reduce EMI significantly.
- Higher component density and miniaturization
This is because the number of components that can fit on a PCB increases with each layer added. For example, if you want to fit 100 components on your board and it has 4 layers, then you can only fit 25 components per layer.
However, if you add another layer to this design, you can fit 50 components per layer, which means there is more room for other things, such as traces and vias (holes).
- Increased reliability and durability
The increased number of layers means greater reliability because the circuit board will be able to withstand wear and tear.
You can also expect an increase in durability since there are fewer connections between the layers, which means less chance of them breaking down.
Applications of 10 layer PCB
There are many applications for 10 layer PCBs. Here, we are listing some of the applications of 10 layer PCB.
- High-performance computing and data centers
The 10 layer PCB boards are used in high-performance computing and data centers as they can support a large amount of computation with high bandwidth requirements.
These boards are also used in networking and telecommunications equipment due to their low noise immunity and high reliability.
- Networking and telecommunications
The 10 layer PCB boards are used in the networking and telecommunications industry due to their high-performance capability, low noise immunity, and reliability.
These boards are made of copper foil laminated onto two sides of insulating substrate material, such as fiberglass-reinforced epoxy glass or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), providing good thermal conductivity between copper foil layers.
- Aerospace and defense
10 layer PCBs are used in aerospace and defense by companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. These companies require high-quality boards that can withstand extreme temperature changes during flight.
This is a very critical application, and only the best quality materials should be used.
- Automotive electronics
The automotive industry also uses 10-layer PCBs for its products. Since automobiles must withstand extreme weather conditions, it is important to use high-quality components to ensure they last long enough for their lifetime warranty period (typically about 6 years).
- Industrial automation and control systems
PCBs are used in industrial automation and control systems because they allow for high-speed signal processing, which is necessary for real-time control.
For example, they are used in aircraft or spacecraft control panels, ships and submarines’ navigation systems, and the automobile industry. A high-speed signal processor such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) may be mounted on a PCB in these fields.
- Consumer electronics and mobile devices
PCBs are widely used in consumer electronics such as televisions, LCD monitors, smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, and game consoles.
They can provide high reliability at a low cost compared to other types of printed wiring boards, such as fiberglass-reinforced phenolic resin (FRP) boards or ceramic substrates.
10 layer PCB stackup
10 layer PCB design
10 layer PCB design is the most common type of PCB. It can be produced using the standard process and used for all types of electronics.
The 10 layer PCB has 5 layers of copper, 2 ground planes, and 3 signal layers. The signal layers are usually thick enough to provide sufficient current capacity to handle all signals.
10 layer PCB design is often used as a base for other designs, such as multilayer PCBs with more than 8 layers.
10 layer PCB cost
10 layer PCB cost is much higher than a 2 or 4-layer PCB. This is because of the many layers and the fact that more components are on the board. However, this does not mean that 10 layer PCBs are only used in high-end applications.
Most boards with more than 4 layers have unique features and benefits.
In summary, the cost of a 10 layer PCB will depend on the specific requirements of the application and the factors mentioned above. It’s important to consider both the benefits and the cost when deciding whether a 10 layer PCB is the right choice for your application.
How to select a 10-layer PCB manufacturer?
While looking for a 10-layer PCB manufacturer, users need to remember that not all services are created equal.
Some companies charge more than others, and some companies may be able to provide higher-quality products.
While these are important factors, they do not tell the whole story.
The following are some other considerations when looking for a manufacturer of 10-layer PCBs:
- Production costs – Production costs vary from one manufacturer to another. You should find one affordable, so you don’t have to spend too much money on your project.
- Design techniques – The design techniques used by different manufacturers can affect the quality of your product. Some use outdated methods, while others use modern ones that produce better results.
- Perfect production equipment – You must also check if the company has perfect production equipment because this will impact how well your boards look after manufacturing.
- Storage condition used – When selecting a 10-layer PCB manufacturer, selecting one that uses an appropriate storage condition is important. This helps in ensuring that your printed circuit boards remain intact at all times. The storage condition also determines how long the printed circuit boards will last after they have been manufactured.
- Delivery time – The delivery time refers to the time the manufacturer takes to deliver your order to you after placing it. You must select a company with a fast delivery time to avoid delays in getting your order delivered on time. You can check their customer reviews to learn more about their delivery times.
What is 10 layer PCB?
10 layer PCB is a printed circuit board made by hand or machine. It has 10 layers of copper foil, and each layer is about 100μm.
How thick is a 10 layer PCB?
Most commonly a 10 layer PCB has a thickness of 1.3mm, 1.6mm, 2.0mm, 2.4mm, or 3.0mm. It all depends on the users which thickness they want in their project or what will suit the project.
What are the applications of 10 layer PCB?
- High-performance computing and data centers
- Networking and telecommunications
- Aerospace and defense
- Automotive electronics
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Consumer electronics and mobile devices
Conclusion
Overall, even if you’re not now, 10 layer PCB manufacturing is an option. 10 layer PCB boards are perfect for prototyping applications ranging from wireless connections to medical devices.
While there are still some catches with 10 layer boards, like cost and lead times, the benefits make it a healthy choice for many applications.
