In
the aerospace industry, every component must be highly reliable, safe and have
particularly stable performance. The printed circuit board (PCB) is precisely
the core of these systems. It is like the brain and nervous system of aerospace
devices, responsible for connecting and driving various critical functions.
Compared with common consumer electronic products, the design and assembly
requirements of aerospace PCBs are much stricter and must comply with various
regulations and standards.
This
article will take you to understand the aerospace PCB design standards and
common aerospace PCB applications. It will also tell you why it is particularly
important to choose a reliable aerospace PCB manufacturer.
What Is an Aerospace PCB?
The
Aerospace PCB is a circuit board specifically designed for aircraft, spacecraft
and military equipment. This type of PCB should be capable of continuous and
stable operation in harsh environments such as high altitudes, drastic
temperature differences, strong vibrations and radiation. Therefore, they will
use special materials and be manufactured through precise processes to ensure
that both the electrical performance and the structure are highly reliable.
A
standard aerospace PCB usually has a multi-layer structure, may contain
embedded components, and also has the function of anti-electromagnetic
interference. From navigation, flight control to communication and engine
monitoring, PCBs in aerospace components are almost applied in all important
systems and are an indispensable core part of the entire equipment.
Aerospace
PCB Applications
Aerospace
PCBs' applications span a wide variety of mission-critical systems, including:
•
Flight control systems
•
Navigation and GPS modules
•
Avionics and instrumentation
•
Radar and communication systems
•
Satellite technology
•
Power distribution units
•
Environmental monitoring and sensing devices
•
Defense and surveillance systems
The
importance of PCBs for the aerospace industry is self-evident. Since they are
usually used for critical tasks such as flights, satellites or national
defense, any problem could have serious consequences. Therefore, the role of
the aerospace PCB manufacturer is of crucial importance. Every aerospace PCB
assembly must undergo strict testing and quality inspection before delivery.
About PCBasic
Time is money in your projects – and PCBasic gets it. PCBasic is a PCB assembly company that delivers fast, flawless results every time. Our comprehensive PCB assembly services include expert engineering support at every step, ensuring top quality in every board. As a leading PCB assembly manufacturer, we provide a one-stop solution that streamlines your supply chain. Partner with our advanced PCB prototype factory for quick turnarounds and superior results you can trust.
Aerospace
PCB Design Standards
To
manufacture highly reliable PCBs for aerospace components, the most crucial
step is to strictly follow the globally recognized aerospace PCB design
standards. These standards not only stipulate what materials should be used but
also provide detailed guidance on how circuits should be designed, how thermal
management should be carried out, and how the structure of circuit boards
should be laid out. These aerospace PCB design standards ensure stability and
reliability in complex environments such as flight or space.
IPC Standards
IPC
is a globally recognized standard-setting organization for the electronics
industry. It has issued a number of important design and manufacturing
standards related to aerospace PCBS, including:
•
IPC-A-610: It defines the quality standards for
electronic assemblies and is the primary reference for evaluating soldering
quality and appearance
•
IPC-2221/2222: It provides general rules for PCB
design and guidelines for categorized design. It serves as a fundamental
reference for circuit planning and stack structure design.
•
IPC-A-600: It is used to assess the
acceptability of PCBs, including quality judgments on aspects such as the
board, copper foil, and solder pads.
•
IPC-6012DS: This is a standard specifically
formulated for military and aerospace-grade rigid circuit boards with high-reliability
requirements, which puts forward stricter requirements for performance and
testing.
MIL-Spec and Aerospace-Specific Standards
In
addition to the IPC standards, PCBs in aerospace also need to comply with the
relevant regulations established by military and aerospace institutions, such
as:
• MIL-PRF-31032:
This is the performance certification requirement proposed by the US military
for high-reliability PCBs, with a focus on long-term durability and consistency
control.
• AS9100D:
It is a quality management system standard recognized by the global aerospace
industry, which sets out comprehensive requirements for the entire
manufacturing process and document traceability.
• NASA-STD-8739.1:
Formulated by NASA, it covers standards for aviation PCB soldering, assembly
processes and quality control.
These
aerospace PCB design standards jointly ensure that aerospace PCBs can still
operate stably for a long time in extreme environments such as high
temperatures, vibrations, pressure changes and radiation. It is the fundamental
guarantee for the security and performance of the entire system.
Key
Features of PCBs in Aerospace Components
In
order to operate reliably in extreme environments, PCBs in aerospace components
must possess the following features:
1.
High-Temperature Tolerance
Avionics
often operate in high-temperature environments and requires the use of
high-temperature resistant substrates such as polyimide and PTFE to manufacture
aerospace PCBs.
2.
Vibration and Shock Resistance
PCBs
for aerospace components must have a structure that is resistant to vibration
and shock.
3.
Lightweight and Compact Design
In
the aerospace field, every gram is of vital importance. Aerospace PCB
manufacturers need to optimize weight and space to maintain a balance between
reliability and compactness.
4.
Radiation Resistance
In
space and high-altitude applications, aerospace PCBs need to resist the
influence of radiation on the performance of devices. Therefore, dedicated
shielding and conformal coating techniques are
required.
Why
Aerospace PCB Assembly Requires Expertise
Compared
with general industrial applications, aerospace PCB assembly has extremely high-process
requirements and must be carried out by manufacturers with many years of
experience. The key points are as follows:
Precision
Soldering Techniques
In
aerospace PCB assembly, processes such as laser soldering and selective soldering
are commonly used to handle micro-pitch components to ensure the quality of
solder joints.
Advanced
Inspection and Testing
Each
aerospace PCB needs to go through the following testing process:
• Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
• Flying Probe Testing
• In-Circuit Testing (ICT)
• Burn-in and Thermal Shock Testing
Compliance
and Traceability
A
qualified aerospace PCB manufacturer can provide full-process records of
materials and production processes and meet compliance requirements.
Cleanroom
and Anti-Static Environments
All
aerospace PCB assembly must be completed in a Class 10,000 clean room and
anti-static area to prevent contamination.
PCBasic:
Your Reliable Aerospace PCBA Manufacturer
PCBasic
is a leading mid-to-high-end PCBA manufacturer in China, specializing in
providing customized circuit board solutions for high-reliability fields such
as aerospace, medical, industrial control, and automotive electronics. We not
only have complete aerospace PCB assembly capabilities, but also have
accumulated profound experience in the processing of high-difficulty boards
such as multi-layer boards, HDI boards, high-frequency boards, and flexible
boards. It is a reliable aerospace PCB manufacturer.
Core
Advantages of PCBasic
•
15+ years of PCB design and project management experience
A seasoned engineering team proficient in the full process—from
schematic design and layout to DFM (Design for Manufacturability) optimization.
• Dual-factory
operation for flexible production capacity
Shenzhen facility focuses on quick-turn prototyping and
small-batch customization
The Huizhou facility is equipped with automated production lines
for medium and large-scale standardized manufacturing.
•
Intelligent electronic components warehousing system
Centralized warehouse with automated control for rapid material
location and BOM one-click import.
Guaranteed original components with transparent, traceable
procurement.
•
In-house stencil, fixture, and CNC machining capabilities
Stencil delivery in as fast as 1 hour; support for custom
fixtures and precision parts machining.
•
Advanced inspection and certification system
Equipped with full-process testing equipment, including AOI,
X-Ray, flying probe test, functional testing, and burn-in testing.
Certified with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, and
UL.
An IPC member with over 20 technical patents in manufacturing
and quality systems.
•
One-stop manufacturing solution
Complete in-house control from PCB fabrication, SMT, and DIP
assembly to testing and packaging.
Ideal for customers in aerospace, medical, and industrial
sectors with high standards for quality and delivery.
Conclusion
With
the evolution of technology, the tasks undertaken by aerospace PCBs are
becoming increasingly complex and the requirements are getting higher and
higher. High-quality aerospace PCB design standards and reliable aerospace PCB
assembly processes are the cornerstones to ensure the error-free operation of
the system.
If
you are looking for a reliable aerospace PCB manufacturer to meet the diverse
aerospace PCB applications, Then PCBasic, which has rich experience, will be
your ideal partner. We provide complete design, manufacturing and inspection
solutions for PCBs for the aerospace industry to help your system operate
stably in harsh environments.
