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Current IssueThe Hole Truth: Via Integrity in an HDI World
From the drilled hole to registration across multiple sequential lamination cycles, to the quality of your copper plating, via reliability in an HDI world is becoming an ever-greater challenge. This month we look at “The Hole Truth,” from creating the “perfect” via to how you can assure via quality and reliability, the first time, every time.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Defect Reduction
For bare PCB board fabrication, defect reduction is a critical aspect of a company's bottom line profitability. In this issue, we examine how imaging, etching, and plating processes can provide information and insight into reducing defects and increasing yields.
Voices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
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Trace Currents and Temperature, Part 4: Via Heat
Part 1 this series discussed the role of resistance and then formulated a basic model for analysis. Part 2 explored various results that were empirically obtained. Part 3 explored how to use the melting temperature of a trace to our advantage. In this fourth and final part of the series, I examine a way to deal with vias.
Recall the model developed in Part 1. I hypothesized that trace heating was a function of the i2R power dissipated in the trace, and trace cooling was a function of surface area. Perhaps these same fundamental principles can be applied to vias when looking at their current-carrying capacities.Read the full article here.This column originally appeared in the March 2013 issue of The PCB Design Magazine.
More Columns from Brooks' Bits
Brooks' Bits: Internal Trace Temperatures—More Complicated Than You ThinkBrooks' Bits: Electromagnetic Fields, Part 3 - How They Impact Coupling
Brooks' Bits: Electromagnetic Fields, Part 2: How They Impact Propagation Speed
Brooks' Bits: How Electromagnetic Fields Determine Impedance, Part 1
Trace Currents and Temperature, Part 3: Fusing Currents
Trace Currents and Temperature, Part 1: The Basic Model
The Skinny on Skin Effect, Part 3: Crossover Frequency
Brooks' Bits: The Skinny on Skin Effect, Part 2