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Many initially hoped that this shortage would pass quickly, but several issues have converged, making the situation worse. The global pandemic introduced new problems into the supply chain and exacerbated the pre-existing. The important thing now is to focus on repairing the damage to move forward. Here are some updates on the electronic component supply shortage and what to expect next.

When autorouters were first introduced, they were often difficult to use and delivered questionable results. Because of this, auto-routing was quickly labeled as “black-box magic,” and many designers hesitated to use it. Instead, they would choose to work long hours manually routing their designs. Today’s autorouters, however, are vastly improved from their predecessors and deserve a second chance. As you will see, they can exponentially increase your productivity as a PCB designer.

Whether you need a small proof of concept design built, or a large run of full turnkey assemblies, finding the right PCB contract manufacturer to build your circuit boards is essential. There are many PCB CMs that can provide various services, and you need to know the exact capabilities of the assembly shop that you plan on using.

As signal speeds continue to get faster and faster in circuit boards, designers must do more to ensure the best signal integrity in their layouts. One of those areas that require diligence in design is controlled impedance traces. High-speed transmission lines must have a carefully created trace structure to guide their path without differences in impedance that can distort the signal. Not only does this affect how the trace is routed, but also how the board layer structure is set up. Here is a brief look at impedance control in PCB design and how you can successfully set up your board for routing controlled impedance lines.

PCB manufacturing requires raw materials for circuit board fabrication and electronic components for final assembly. Currently, the industry is experiencing shortages in both materials and components, and these shortages have a significant effect on the production of printed circuit boards. Here is a closer examination of the ongoing electronics material shortage in PCB assembly and what you can do to protect yourself.

Printed circuit boards can now be manufactured using green technology lead-free solder to protect against these hazardous materials. Not only is this a more environmentally friendly option, but it also complies with the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) regulations mandated for electronics sold in Europe. Here are more details on these sustainable electronics materials and processes in use by local PCB contract manufacturers.