Choosing the Right Board-Level Components for High-Reliability Applications

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the foundation of nearly every sophisticated electronic, connecting items through conductive pathways etched from copper sheets. Think of them as essentially a conduit for power and signals to flow through, with performance actually being dictated by the board-level components attached to them. Consequently, selecting the appropriate parts to attach is what will ultimately determine the success and longevity of an electronic device, so this blog will cover a few options worth putting on your PCB components list for assemblies that cannot risk failure.

Passive Components

Passive components do not require an external power source to function, but they are imperative for stabilizing electrical characteristics. For setups that must exhibit completely predictable behavior while being subjected to thermal cycling, repetitive vibration, or humidity, consider implementing high-grade passives like:

• Thin-Film Resistors: An upgrade over standard thick-film resistors, thin-film options are manufactured with a vacuum deposition process that creates a very uniform resistive layer. This achieves tighter tolerances and superior temperature coefficients, meaning thin-film resistors will be more resilient against resistance drift caused by heat or aging. As such, sensitive analog circuits will remain calibrated and uphold signal integrity as the board experiences significant temperature fluctuations.
• Tantalum Capacitors: In general, capacitors are intended to filter power supplies and eliminate voltage ripples that could cause erratic behavior or permanent damage in sensitive logic gates and microprocessors. Since ceramic variants may be prone to aging or microphonic effects, tantalum capacitors are a better option for establishing consistent capacitance across a wide range of temperatures.

Active Semiconductors

As the primary drivers of logic and power regulation, active semiconductors are essential electronic assembly components. To make sure they will be able to carry out their tasks in unpredictable environments, look for options like:

• Integrated Circuits (ICs) with Extended Temperature Ratings: Some ICs are rated for temperature ranges from -55°C to 125°C, which has been meticulously verified through "burn-in" testing.
• Power MOSFETs with Low Drain-Source On-Resistance: Power MOSFETs are specialized switches that control the flow of power to different areas. Should you need them to manage assemblies like motors or high-intensity lighting, choose MOSFETs with exceptionally low internal resistance to protect the entire circuit board from the undesirable effects of these elements overheating.

Interconnects

Physical stressors like sustained vibration or repetitive shocks can cause fatigue in solder joints and unintended decoupling, undermining even the most sophisticated units. Always aim to choose interconnect technologies that are specifically meant to counteract these forces, such as: 

• High-Retention Connectors: As an alternative to standard friction-fit options, high-retention connectors contain integrated locking features that prevent them from rocking or shifting. These may come in the form of screw-down connectors with threaded inserts or mounting ears that go through pre-drilled holes in the board, or versions that present broader solder tabs or snap-on housings that grip the board’s edge.
• Press-Fit Technology for Solderless Reliability: Press-fit connectors have elastic pins that slot directly into plated through-holes on the PCB, creating a cold-weld connection that does not require the use of solder. This technique is inherently stronger, as it avoids the issue of solder weakening from differing thermal expansion rates between it and the board materials.

Turn to Expansive Electronic Components for High Reliability Electronics

While these are not the only parts you should consider, nor the only forms they come in, prioritizing top-notch passives, semiconductors, and interconnects is sure to help your systems perform well under pressure. No matter how sophisticated or simplistic you are hoping to make your builds, Expansive Electronic Components is a great resource for board-level components and beyond. As an ASAP Semiconductor-owned purchasing platform, we exclusively source from reputable manufacturers and carry out numerous quality-control practices to ensure only the best products reach our customer’s hands. We stand ready to serve you with competitive procurement solutions for anything you need, so take the time to browse our extensive inventory and connect with our team to learn more.