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Elementary Mr. Watson: The Road Ahead—Advances in PCB Design Technology

This year introduces a new generational group, likely to be dubbed Generation Beta, since Generation Alpha was born between 2010 and 2024 and is considered the first generation born in the 21st century. Generation Alpha grew up in a world dominated by smartphones, artificial intelligence, and rapid technological advancements. It is anticipated that Generation Beta will live to see the 22nd century. 

As a baby boomer, I’m amazed by technological advancements. I am a huge science fiction fan, and what was once found only in books, TV shows, and movies is now reality. Take the 1966 classic movie “Fantastic Journey,” about a team of scientists miniaturized and injected into the body of a dying diplomat. Their mission was to navigate through his bloodstream, to reach his brain, and destroy a blood clot threatening his life. As they journeyed through arteries, veins, and organs, they had to complete the mission before time ran out. Except for the miniaturization of humans, “Fantastic Journey” is now a reality thanks to nanotechnology.

I thought the sky was the limit when asked to discuss our industry’s future. However, sometimes, the advancements we imagine don't unfold as we expect, or they take longer than anticipated. Is anyone else still waiting for their jet pack and flying car? Instead of the immediate breakthroughs we hope for, progress tends to come incrementally and then surprises us with how these advances impact our everyday lives. Innovations often exceed our expectations, leading to unexpected breakthroughs that change the world in ways we couldn't have imagined.

Here are my expectations for the future:

AI-driven PCB Design Automation
If you have attended any technological conferences in the past year, AI (artificial intelligence) has been the topic of discussion. AI is in its infancy and growing too fast, but I have accepted that it is here to stay. I know academia struggles to implement this new tool in the classroom, and I’m developing a part of my curriculum to do that. I do not believe AI will completely take over the PCB design process, but it will make inroads. It’s expected to change how we design these boards, making the process faster, more intelligent, and more accurate.

AI is helping significantly by automating parts of the design process. Currently, several companies are taking the next steps in developing schematics. In traditional schematic design, engineers manually arrange components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors, then connect them to a circuit. AI automates component placement, suggesting the most efficient layout for each component, reducing human error, and accelerating the design process. AI also helps by proposing optimal connections between components, ensuring that circuits function efficiently.

Furthermore, to complete designs, AI-driven models recommend specific blocks of components within a schematic design, which simplifies and accelerates the design process. Rather than manually selecting individual components and figuring out how to connect them, the system suggests pre-assembled functional blocks of components that typically work together in a specific circuit or application. These recommended blocks are based on the designed circuit type, such as power supplies, amplifiers, or signal processing units.

Further Miniaturization and Advanced Circuitry
The industry will continue to push the envelope, and the goal is to fit more functions into smaller spaces without sacrificing performance. Today's devices are becoming thinner, lighter, and more capable, and miniaturization is the key to this trend.

A significant advancement in this area is the development of UHDI (ultra high density interconnect) and HDI (high density interconnect) circuits. These circuits pack more connections and components into smaller spaces. HDI and UHDI circuits are essential to create small, powerful devices. They provide precisely what the industry demands: faster data transfer, better performance, and smaller overall sizes.

In the future, UHDI and HDI will improve PCB design. They will allow more components to fit on a smaller board, making devices faster and more powerful. For PCB designers, devices can be more compact without losing performance. UHDI and HDI also allow data to move more quickly between the parts because the connections are closer. As UHDI and HDI technologies improve, designers can create smaller, lighter devices while increasing speed and performance. This will lead to better products, from entertainment devices to health gadgets. These advancements will also make it easier to create smart wearables and autonomous cars by fitting more functions into smaller spaces. As UHDI and HDI become more common in PCB design, we can expect smaller, more innovative, and more efficient devices.

Sustainable and Smart PCBs
A growing industry trend is the focus on improving things for our planet, including creating sustainable and smart PCBs. Sustainable PCBs utilize eco-friendly materials and manufacturing methods. These recyclable materials will promote responsible PCB designs.

Innovative PCBs are also changing how electronics work. A smart PCB can do more than connect parts. Going beyond built-in sensors, we will combine those sensors with AI, UHDI, and HDI chips to create advanced PCB design features and capabilities.

Countless possibilities lie ahead for PCB design. As technology advances, we will see more innovative and efficient designs with the help of AI and new materials. The growth of miniaturization, sustainability, and advanced circuitry will lead to smaller, more powerful devices that help reduce waste and improve performance. Recyclable materials will also play an essential role in creating a greener planet. As UHDI and HDI circuits become more important, electronics will become faster, smaller, and more connected. The future of PCB design is bright and will shape how we live and use technology.

John Watson is a professor at Palomar College, San Marcos, California.