A double-sided PCB (printed circuit board) has copper layers and components on both sides of the board. Unlike single-sided PCBs with a conductive layer on one side only, double-sided PCBs allow for more intricate circuitry and fitting more components in a compact space. Double-sided PCBs have top and bottom layers of traces, while single-sided PCBs have just one conductive layer. Double-sided PCBs can mount components on both sides, giving higher wiring density without the need for point-to-point soldering.

Why is Double-Sided PCB Important?

Double-sided PCBs provide several advantages over multilayer PCBs, making them important for many applications:

Cost-Effective - Double-sided PCBs have relatively lower fabrication costs and offer cost advantages.

Higher Density - With two-sided component placement, double-sided PCBs effectively increase circuit density. Shifting some connections to the bottom layer enables more compact layouts.

More Flexible and Reliable - double sided printed circuit boards have both top and bottom layers, allowing the use of a full bottom ground plane for flexibility. Plated through-holes ensure reliability between layers.

Smaller Size - Using two sides instead of one allows for an overall smaller PCB, critical for integrated devices.

Broad Applications - The circuit complexity supports using cost-effective double-sided PCBs in many common electronics.

Current Sinking and Sourcing - The bottom layer of a double-sided PCB can act as a ground plane for sinking and sourcing current flows.

How Does Double-Sided PCB Work?

The double sided printed circuit board design process involves:

Creating Schematics - High-quality schematics show how circuit elements interconnect.

Specifying Ground/Power - Ground and power nets are defined directly on the double-sided PCB instead of internally like in multilayer boards.

Capturing Layout - Components are arranged following design rules, routing constraints, and mechanical packaging limits.

Routing Traces - Traces are efficiently routed between components on both layers considering signal integrity.

Plating Through-Holes - Holes are plated to connect top and bottom layers reliably.

Checking Design Rules - Spacing, widths, and other constraints are verified for manufacturability.

In summary, double-sided PCBs deliver increased density, flexibility, and reliability over multilayer boards at lower costs. This makes double-sided PCB an important technology option. Understanding the full double-sided PCB design flow enables creating an optimized board layout.