Hi, friends welcome to the new post. This post will look at the Four Layer PCB Layout: Design Process and Cost of Manufacturing. The 4-layer PCB board is defined as a board that has 4 copper layers that are used for routing signals and distributing power. Stacking 4-layer PCB accurately is needed make sure good signal quality, reduce noise and crosstalk, and handle power power distribution.. so let’s get started 4 Layer PCB
What is a 4 layer PCB
- The 4 layer PCB comes with four layers for routing electrical signals, that are Top Layer, Inner Layer 1, Inner Layer 2, and Bottom Layer.
- Upper and lower layers are called external layers where components are connected and routed. Inner layer 1 and inner layer 2 are part of the core and are used for power planes and signal routing.
- So 4 layer boards come with 3 signal layers and a GND layer or 4-layer PCB = 2 signal layers + a VCC layer with a ground layer
4 Layer Stackup Configurations
Signal-Ground-Power-Signal
- It is a common stack-up used for mixed-signal or digital boards
- Layers use the upper layer 2 ground plane layer, 3 power planes, and lower signals.
- The ground plane offers protection between the top and lower signal layer and the power plane provides power efficiently.
Signal-Power-Ground-Signal
- Another option is to swap power and ground planes
- Layer uses upper signals layer 2 power plane layer 3 is a ground plane and lower layer.
- it is best to offer good power dissipation and maintain a grounding plane at the middle for protection
Ground-Power-Ground-Signal
- The board with high speed or RF signals stack up having ground planes between the power plane used
- The layer used top ground plane layer 2 power plane layer 3 ground plane and lower layer.
- This configuration double ground plane avoids noise coupling and enhances signal integrity at high frequencies.
How to do 4 Layer PCB Routing
Four-layer PCB layouts come with differnt advantages than single-layer and double-layer boards
- Routing signals on internal layers to the ground plane is possible and offers shielding and isolation
- Route traces are orthogonally configured between layers to avoid overlapping traces and crosstalk.
- Flood not used part of a signal layer having ground for offering protection and EMI reduction.
- Use vias for transition signals between layers and reduce the number of vias used.
- Try to avoid routing signals through cutouts in power planes. It can cause noise coupling.
- Use thick traces for high-current power nets, for connectors.
- Use stitching vias about the edges of the board for connection ground and power planes. It provides bypassing.
- The route traces at 90 degrees to slots or openings in planes. Try to avoid signals in parallel configuration with slots.
- Apply blind and buried vias for optimizing routing in internal layers.
- Check RF designs for transmission line effects. Control impedance through trace width
Example 4 Layer PCB stackups
Digital Electronics Board
This board comes with digital and analog circuits and is needed for handling moderate-speed signals and power demands. The signal ground power signal stack up used for
Layer uses upper digital and analog signal layer, 2 ground plane layer 33.3V and 5V Power Bottom Mixed Signal Routing
The Ground plane operates upper and lower layers, and the power plane distributes many voltages
RF Transceiver Board
For maintaining signal quality for high RF frequencies, this wireless board uses ground power-ground-signal stack up:
Top, ground plane, layer 23.3V Power DistributionLayer 3Ground Plane lower is RF Circuits and Traces
Double ground plane protects RF components and trees from EMI and crosstalk.
High Speed Data Acquisition Board
Using different gigabit data channels signals ground signal power features used for
Use Top Analog Signals Layer 2 Ground Plane Layer 3 Digital Signals lower 5V and 3.3V Power
It offers isolation between analog and digital signals and reduces interference.
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Calculate Your Savings for 4-Layer PCBs
Let’s use an order of 1 square meter as an illustration.
Through placing an order for 100mm*100mm 100pcs 4-layer PCBs with basic details on the JLCPCB online quotation page, you’ll find board prices of $70.60 and that the 4-layer PCBs will cost a total of $106.30. Compared to the market, you might save more than $100.
if you order five square meters.
The cost for an order for a 100mm*100mm 500pcs 4-layer PCB with basic settings is about $421.10, with the board costing just $353. On this order, you may save more than $300
The efforts made by JLCPCB on the production side have always been aimed at helping engineers worldwide overcome cost barriers in their pursuit of innovation.
Lower Prices, Same Quality
JLCPCB offers cost-effective solutions for PCB production without affecting operation durability and board reliability. Their main feature is based on JLCPCB 5 intelligence make bases which continuously strive for increment.
With the use of accurate featues, they optimize ineffective processes increase the layout of PCB manufacturing lines, and use an automated intelligent management system. These features offer the best small-batch production of 4-layer PCBs.
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Key Promises of JLCPCB Manufacture’s Quality Focus
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