Designing Flexible Circuits

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	The course was written by John Michael Pierobon, who has an advanced engineering degree from Purdue University. John Michael has taught hundreds of technical courses throughout the world, and speaks several languages fluently.

Go to the outline of:
Course Introduction	Flexible Circuits	Design Options	Flexible Circuit Materials	Flexible Circuit Requirements
Design Guidelines For Flexible Circuits	Light Emitting Diodes In Flexible Circuits	Flexible Heaters	Conclusion	Glossary

Chapter 0 Course Introduction

Chapter 1 Flexible Circuits

What Are Flexible Circuits
Origin Of Flexible Circuits
Advantages Of Flexible Substrates
Applications
Industrial Applications

Automotive
Computer Peripherals
Consumer
Instruments
Medical
Military
Telecom

Types Of Flexible Circuits

Main Benefits Of Flexible Circuits

Thermoelectric
High Reliability

Repeatable installation.
Harsh environments.
Long duty cycles.
High vibration.

Superior Packaging

Flex Versus Wiring Harness
Flex Versus Printed Circuit Board
Advantages Of Rigid-Flex

Double side component mounting.
Improved impedance control.
Vibration resistance.
High mass component mounting.

Chapter 1 Review Questions
Chapter 1 Review

Chapter 2 Design Options

Association Connecting Electronics Industries

Single-Sided Flexible Circuits

When To Use Single-Sided Flexible Circuits

Double-Sided Flexible Circuits

When To Use Double-Sided Flexible Circuits

Multi-Layer Flexible Circuits

When To Use Multi-Layer Flexible Circuits

Rigid-Flex Flexible Circuits

Rigid-Flex Features

Multi-Layer Not Plated Flexible Circuits

Connectors

High Density Connectors

Types Of Pins

Flexible Coil Circuits

There are three basic types of flexible coil circuits.

Simple, flat coils with wire leads.
Coils laminated inside flexible circuits.
Rim coils that are built up along the Z-axis.

Design Considerations For Rigid Flex

More Design Considerations For Rigid Flex

Chapter 3 Flexible Circuit Materials

Components Of Flexible Circuits

Characteristics Of Flexible Circuit Laminates

Types Of Base Material

Types Of Adhesive

Circuit Lay Out To Conserve Material

Nesting

Chapter 4 Flexible Circuit Requirements

Steps To Defining Flexible Circuit Requirements

Operating Temperature Ranges

Steps To Build A Flexible Circuit Mock Up

Create CAD Data

Chapter 5 Design Guidelines For Flexible Circuits

More On Cost Impact Of Layer Count

Manufacturing Cost Of A Flex Circuit

Manufacturing Steps

Ways To Control Impedance And Electrical Noise

Conductor Routing

Sharply Angled Conductors

Ways To Prevent Tearing

Chapter 6 Light Emitting Diodes In Flexible Circuits

Light Emitting Diodes

A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is based on the semiconductor diode.
Light Emitting Diodes have been primarily concentrated in consumer electronics markets.

Benefits Of Light Emitting Diodes
Types Of Light Emitting Diodes
Light Emitting Diodes Today
The Effect Of Temperature
Thermal Management
Material And Light
Chapter 6 Review Questions
Chapter 6 Review

Chapter 7 Flexible Heaters

What Are Flexible Heaters

Flexible heaters are thin, bendable devices that can be shaped to fit any object to be heated.

Temperature Range Of Flexible Heaters
The Principle Of Joule Heating

Flexible heaters work on the principle of Joule heating.

Watt Density

Chapter 8 Conclusion