Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 5

Figure 1. Rigid circuit boards, long implemented in traditional electronic device
applications, lack the flexibility needed for many advanced applications.
(Image: DuPont Interconnect Solutions)
All of which underscores the most critical factor - longevity.
Because board swap-out in these applications is often impossible,
the board and associated materials must undergo vigorous
qualification to ensure that they can perform reliably over
much longer periods than required by consumer applications.
Rigid boards, like the example shown in Figure 1, are wellknown.
Solid and inflexible in structure, they are made up of
several different layers and are known for their durability, high
density and cost-effectiveness. Alternatives to rigid boards offer
properties that accommodate product design requirements
rigid boards can't.
Flex Circuits
Flexible circuits are critical to use when the circuit design
requires lightweight 3D electronics (see example in Figure
2). Made on non-reinforced polyimide films, lighter-weight
flex circuits are called for when form factor is an essential
consideration. They enable use of 3D electronics, which is
Aerospace & Defense Technology, December 2024
especially key for defense applications such as guided munitions,
handheld radios, and airplanes, in which the design
is pushing boundaries and packing a high amount of electronics
into a small space. Flex circuits are an enabling factor
for this trend toward miniaturization of electronics.
Another reason to use a flex circuit is when rigid boards
can't accommodate the form factor, e.g., the board is in a
non-flat state (bent or folded), or the application involves
motion and requires a non-rigid board in order to maintain
stable connections. Handheld and space/aerospace devices
are key applications for flex circuits. In the defense arena,
they're implemented to enable development of faster missiles
or planes, communications infrastructure, and personal
devices - particularly those used by soldiers to help lessen
the physical burden they must bear.
Often a viable option to a flex circuit, rigid-flex boards are a
hybrid construction that combines the stability of rigid PCBs
with the benefits of flex circuits. Removing the connectors elimmobilityengineeringtech.com
5

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Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024

Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - Intro
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - Sponsor
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - Cov1
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - Cov2
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 1
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 2
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 3
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 4
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 5
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Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 7
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 8
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 9
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 10
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 11
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 12
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Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 40
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - Cov3
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - Cov4
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT12
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT10
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT09
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT08
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT06
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT05
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT04
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/24ADT02
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT12
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT10
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT09
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT08
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT06
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT05
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT04
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/23ADT02
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT12
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT10
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT09
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT08
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT06
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT05
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT04
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/22ADT02
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT12
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT10
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT09
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT08
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT06
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT05
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT04
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/techbriefs/21ADT02
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