-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Excerpts from Prismark’s Presentation at CPCA 2018
June 29, 2018 | I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Prismark Partners LLC presented a detailed report at the recent CPCA meeting and show in Shanghai, China, on the challenges and opportunities for the PCB market. Part of the discussion was on 5G and is excerpted here with permission.
5G promises exciting new capabilites. The objective is to achieve the following goals, although not necessarily all in the same device or use scenario: User data rates 10x faster, num bers of connections 10x greater, latency 10x shorter and battery life 100x longer. It enables new applications in virtual/augmented reality and artificial intelligence; ultra-dense connections mean massive IoT capability; among other things, autonomous cars can become a reality (Figure 1).
Realizing the full potential of 5G will require the use of new frequency bands. Cellular networks currently use frequencies below 3.5 GHz because these offer a good tradeoff between performance and cost. Sub-1GHz frequency bands are particularly good for indoor penetration (going through walls), and as legacy standards are being phased out (starting already with 2G) these bands will be re-allocated to 4G and 5G.
Lower frequencies offer longer range and thus broad coverage at lower cost, but the available bandwidth is too limited to provide full 5G services. Extreme data speed and capacity can only be provided with wider frequency bands, and these are only available at much higher frequencies (>20 GHz). Unfortunately, these higher frequencies also suffer from short range and higher costs; they are most useful for local high-traffic hot spots and backhaul services. In addition, WiFi already complements 4G/5G with higher data rates at short range, and the convergence of WiFi and cellular networks will continue.
5G commercial service will be starting in 2018 initially with fixed wireless, often at high frequencies (e.g., 28 GHz or 39 GHz). Mobile network deployments will gradually start by 2020 and sub-6 GHz will remain the most common frequency. Figure 3 illustrates high speed and high frequency applications.
PCB Market Opportunities and Challenges
The PCB market will continue to expand in the next few years. Prismark forecasts 3.8% growth in 2018 and 3.2% CAAGR from 2017 to 2022. Some of the key growth opportunities include:
- High-speed and high-frequency circuit boards for high data rate and RF applications such as automotive, 5G, AI, and others
- Fine line/space HDI and FPC boards; mSAP technology is fully recognized
- Fine pitch packaging substrates; <5 µm line/space is desired
- Low loss materials, e.g., PTFE-like and LCP-like
- PVD processing technologies for fine pitch or special applications
- Processing automation and intelligent manufacturing
To read the full version of this article which originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Technica USA Presents Inaugural Supplier Alliance Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/24/2024 | Technica USADuring IPC APEX EXPO 2024, Technica USA took the opportunity to thank all of their supply partners that made the effort to join them for the exhibition in their booth, as well to all of our SMT partners that had their own booths, with the latest in automation and process technology.
IDTechEx Report Unveils 3D Electronics Status and Opportunities
04/22/2024 | PRNewswire3D electronics is an emerging manufacturing approach that enables electronics to be integrated within or onto the surface of objects. 3D electronic manufacturing techniques empower new features, including mass customizability, greater integration, and improved sustainability in the electronics industry.
IDTechEx Examines the Opportunities for Wearables in Digital Health
04/19/2024 | IDTechExIDTechEx’s report, “Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence 2024-2034: Trends, Opportunities, and Outlook”, covers this ongoing trend in the consumer health wearables market and includes analysis of the opportunities and roadmap for biometric monitoring.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Pluritec's Expansion and Growth in the North American Market
04/19/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPONicola Doria, president of Pluritec, discusses the company's strategic focus on the North American market, their investment in a new sales organization, service expansion, and a new process integration line. The conversation also covers market response and future installations, as well as Pluritec's new partnership with IEC.
Mycronic Releases Interim Report January–March 2024
04/18/2024 | MycronicNet sales increased 39 percent to SEK 1,692 (1,219) million. Based on constant exchange rates, net sales increased 42 percent.