What are the advantages and applications of flexible microcircuits?

What is a flexible PCB microcircuit?

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) continue to reach new levels of innovation as the demand for small electronic devices increases. Flexible PCBs, commonly referred to as flex circuits, SMT processing improves on traditional circuit boards by placing conductive tracks on a flexible polyimide substrate instead of a rigid glass reinforced substrate. Now, flexible PCB microcircuits offer further improvements, reducing the size of flexible circuits and opening the industry to smaller, higher-performance technologies. Learn more about these small circuit boards and their applications below.

A flex PCB microcircuit is essentially a miniature version of a flex circuit. They are available in single-sided, double-sided and multi-layer configurations, allowing them to provide different levels of functionality. 

Some of the benefits of flexible PCB microcircuits include:

• Flexible Structures: Like larger flex circuits, flexible microcircuits are designed to withstand bending, twisting, and folding. This construction allows flexible PCB microcircuits to fit in tight and irregular spaces, ideal for small devices.

• Small size and light weight: Flexible microcircuits take the compact size and weight of flexible circuits to another level. They greatly reduce weight and space requirements while maintaining circuit functionality.

• Good Signal Integrity: Using specialized etching equipment, flexible microcircuits with strong signal integrity can be fabricated. These microcircuits are often used in applications that require reliable, high-speed connections.

• High Vibration and Shock Resistance: The flexible base of the microcircuit makes it more resistant to shock and vibration, which proves useful in small consumer electronics that are frequently used.

Flexible microcircuits can be used in many industries, with the two most common uses being small technology and high performance technology. You can find flexible PCB microcircuits in:

• Hearing aids and other medical equipment

• Electronic medical implant

• Wearable Technology

• Mobile devices

• Industrial Sensors

• RFID tags and readers

• High-speed digital or microwave connectors