PCBMASTER Takes You to Explore the Technological Innovations and Requirements in the Four Major Future Industries of PCBs

Author: Jack Wang

As the "skeleton" and "nerves" of electronic products, the technological evolution of printed circuit boards (PCBs) has always been deeply intertwined with the requirements of cutting - edge industries. With the rapid development of fields such as 5G communication, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and medical devices, the PCB industry is facing unprecedented technological challenges and market opportunities. This article will delve into the new requirements of these four major fields for PCBs and reveal future technological trends.

I.Core Requirements

1. High - Frequency Materials

2. Multi - Layer and High - Density Design

Massive MIMO antennas need to integrate a large number of RF channels, driving the number of PCB layers to increase to 12 - 20 layers, and the use of HDI (High - Density Interconnect) technology to reduce the aperture size (<100μm).

3. Heat Dissipation and Reliability

The harsh outdoor environment of base stations requires PCBs to have high - thermal - conductivity metal substrates (such as aluminum substrates) and high - temperature - resistant coatings (such as OSP + immersion gold).

Market Data

According to Prismark's forecast, the global 5G base station PCB market size is expected to exceed $5 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 12%.

II. AI and Data Centers: High - Computing Power Spurs Ultra - Complex PCBs

Core Requirements

1. Ultra - High - Density Interconnect (HDI/Substrate - like PCB)

AI chips (such as GPUs/TPUs) have tens of thousands of pins, requiring PCB line widths/spacings ≤ 40/40μm, and the use of the mSAP (Modified Semi - Additive Process) process.

2. High - Speed Signal Integrity (SI)

 SerDes interfaces above 112Gbps require PCBs to achieve ultra - low loss (Df < 0.0015) and strict impedance control (±5%).

3. Heat Dissipation and Power Integrity (PI)

Kilowatt - class AI servers are promoting the popularity of thick - copper PCBs (6 - 20oz) and embedded copper block heat - dissipation technology.

Typical Case

The NVIDIA H100 GPU uses a 16 - layer HDI substrate, integrating more than 5,000 capacitors. The wiring density per unit area is 300% higher than that of traditional PCBs.

III. Electric Vehicles: The Battlefield for High - Voltage and High - Reliability PCBs

Core Requirements

1. High - Voltage Withstand Capability

The 800V high - voltage platform requires the PCB insulation layer to withstand a voltage of ≥ 3kV. Ceramic - filled base materials (such as Isola I - Tera MT40) or polyimide flexible boards are used.

2. High - Temperature Resistance and Vibration Resistance

The motor control unit (MCU) requires the PCB to operate stably in the environment of - 40°C to 150°C. High - Tg materials (Tg ≥ 170°C) and rigid - flexible boards are used.

3. Lightweight and Integration

On - board sensors and domain controllers are driving the application of flexible PCBs (FPCs) and PCBs with embedded components (embedded resistors/capacitors).

 Market Trends

It is expected that the global automotive PCB market size will exceed $12 billion in 2025. Among them, the demand for battery management system (BMS) PCBs will grow the fastest (CAGR 18%).

IV. Medical Devices: The Ultimate Challenge of Miniaturization and Biocompatibility

Core Requirements

1. Miniaturization and High Precision

Wearable medical devices (such as pacemakers) require the PCB size to be ≤ 10mm × 10mm, with line widths/spacings reaching 50/50μm, and support for any - layer HDI.

2. Biocompatible Materials

Implantable devices require the PCB surface coating to comply with the ISO 10993 biocompatibility certification. Commonly used coatings are gold plating + parylene encapsulation.

3. Long - Term Reliability

Medical devices have a lifespan of over 10 years. PCBs need to pass the HAST (Highly Accelerated Stress Test) and the 85°C/85%RH double 85 aging verification.

 Technological Breakthroughs

The cardiovascular monitoring device of the German company Biotronik uses a 4 - layer flexible PCB with a thickness of only 0.2mm and a bending life of over 100,000 times.

V. Coping Strategies for PCB Suppliers

1. Technological Reserves

2. Certification Barriers

Lay out industry - specific certifications such as IATF 16949 (automotive) and ISO 13485 (medical).

3. Service Upgrades

Provide DFM (Design for Manufacturability) analysis and rapid prototyping for small batches (such as 5 - piece delivery within 48 hours).

Future Outlook

Material Innovation

Low - loss hydrocarbons, glass - fiber - reinforced LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer).

Process Revolution

3D - printed PCBs, nano - silver - paste conductive inks.

Intelligent Manufacturing

AI - driven automated defect inspection (AOI).

Conclusion

The booming development of the four major fields of 5G, AI, electric vehicles, and medical devices is reshaping the technological landscape of the PCB industry. For PCB enterprises, only by keeping up with industry trends and deeply cultivating niche markets can they gain the upper hand in the new round of competition.

（For customized PCB solutions, please feel free to contact us at www.pcbmaster.com - - specializing in the manufacturing of high - frequency, high - density, and high - reliability PCBs!）

Author: Jack Wang