"ESA Revolutionizes Printed Circuit Design with Cutting-Edge Technology"
The European Space Agency (ESA) has achieved the first qualification of high-density interconnect (HDI) printed circuit boards (PCBs) for space missions, addressing the reliability issues associated with microvias. Microvias are laser-drilled holes that connect multiple functional layers on PCBs, but they can suffer from reliability problems when exposed to elevated temperatures. PCB manufacturer ACB in Belgium has received ESA qualification for HDI PCBs, marking a significant step forward in quality control for space projects. The ESA-led consortium's research has resulted in several papers and the formation of a European working group to investigate microvia reliability.