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28 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2024 Knowledge is the key to identifying the small details that makes the big cost difference for your printed circuit board. ere are many types of printed circuit boards and multiple choices between the development of sche- matic and BOM to PCB technology selection, electronic PCB design, mechanical and physi- cal properties, and PCB specification. Component Technology and BGA Size e component size and technology have the most significant influence on the PCB cost. Most surface-mounted microchips can be designed into standard PCBs with plated through-holes. If the same microchip comes in a BGA package, it might need microvias and buried vias using a higher wiring density to be designed into an HDI PCB. Generally, PCBs containing BGAs become HDI PCBs when the ball center-to-center pitch is below 0.8 mm. If your physical board properties allow it and the component availability is equal, you should strive to find the BGA with the largest pitch to reduce the component and PCB cost. For example, the same BGA microchip can be found with pitch 0.8 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.5 mm. e 0.8 mm pitch BGA can be routed on an eight-layer standard PCB with a price index of 100. e 0.6 mm pitch can be routed on a (1-6-1) eight-layer, one-step HDI PCB with a price index of 200. e 0.5 mm pitch BGA can be routed on a (2-4B-2) eight-layer, three- step HDI PCB with a price index of 350. e number of lamination steps is the most signifi- Cost-optimize Your PCB Design and Specifications Article by Erik Pedersen and Richard Koensgen, Illustrations by Hervé Chevaleyre ICAPE GROUP