Printed Circuit Boards
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are key electronic components that are found inside computers, cell phones, radios and a slew of other electronic devices. They have been in use for over 70 years and have evolved considerably since first being used for military purposes.
Some circuit boards are rigid in nature while the flexible PCBs are pliable so that they can be fitted into oddly shaped electronic devices. There are three basic types of these circuit boards used today.
A single layer printed circuit board is used for rather simple electronic devices and is comprised of one substrate. A thin layer of conductive material is applied to the board wherein electronic components are soldered to a series of circuits that interconnect.
The double sided board is a bit more complex as more components can be soldered to the flip slide of the substrate. The components on either side of the board are connected via a series of holes that allows for an electrical connection between the two.
A mult-layered board is just that: a circuit board that is comprised of several layers which are separated by special insulation material. PCB manufacturing is done by many electronic companies that are easily located on the internet. The boards can be custom made to suit a particular application desired by engineers or hobbyists.