| If you've ever used a computer, pager, cell | | | | necessary for additional electronic components to |
| phone, or any other device requiring electronic | | | | be soldered to the other side of the substrate. |
| components, then underneath all of those layers | | | | Now that there are circuits on each side of the |
| of metal you will eventually find a printed circuit | | | | board, the components are connected via a series |
| board. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) have been | | | | of strategically placed through-holes which allow |
| used for more than 40 years, but today's models | | | | for an unimpeded electrical connection between |
| are so technologically-improved that they bear | | | | the two. The holes must therefore be coated |
| only the most basic resemblance to their | | | | with a conductive material to allow the PCB to |
| forebears. Here's a little information about the 3 | | | | work correctly. |
| different types of printed circuit boards. | | | | 3. Multi-layered board: With these printed circuit |
| 1. Single-sided board: Adequate for simple games | | | | boards, the substrate is actually compromised of |
| and other non-complex electronics, a single-sided | | | | multiple layers of printed circuits. Separated by |
| board is compromised of just one substrate with | | | | layers of specialized insulation, these printed circuit |
| a fairly straight-forward set of components. An | | | | sheets are also connected via plated holes and |
| extremely thin layer of conducting material is | | | | allow for more complex applications. |
| applied to the board and electronic components | | | | PCBs have revolutionized our world in so many |
| are soldered to a set of interconnecting circuits. A | | | | ways that their influence is mind-boggling. |
| series of contact fingers along the edges of the | | | | Improvements in manufacture procedure as well |
| board serve to either connect this PCB to | | | | as technology are continually evolving; so much |
| another or to a power source. | | | | so, perhaps, that in another 40 years they just |
| 2. Double-sided board: As its name implies, an | | | | may bear no more than a passing resemblance to |
| increase in application complexity may make it | | | | today's models. |