What are the layers of PCB printed circuit boards, and what are the meanings and functions of each layer?
Sep 09,2024
1. Signal layer
The signal layer is mainly used to arrange wires on printed circuit boards. Protel99SE provides 32 signal layers, including Top layer, Bottom layer, and 30 MidLayer layers.
2. Internal plane layer (internal power/ground layer)
Protel99SE provides 16 internal power/ground layers. This type of layer is only used for multi-layer boards and is mainly used for arranging power and ground wires. We call them double-layer board, four layer board, and six layer board, generally referring to the number of signal layers and internal power/ground layers.
3. Mechanical layer
Protel99SE provides 16 mechanical layers, which are generally used to set the external dimensions, data labeling, alignment labeling, assembly instructions, and other mechanical information of circuit boards. These information may vary depending on the requirements of the design company or PCB manufacturer. Executing the menu command Design | Mechanical Layer can set more mechanical layers for the printed circuit board. In addition, the mechanical layer can be attached to other layers to output and display together.
4. Solder mask layer
Apply a layer of paint, such as solder mask, to various areas outside the solder pad to prevent tin deposition on these areas. The solder mask is used to match solder pads during the design process and is automatically generated. Protel99SE provides two solder mask layers, Top Solder and Bottom Solder.
5. Paste mask layer
Its function is similar to that of a solder mask, but the difference is that it corresponds to the solder pads of surface bonded components during machine welding. Protel99SE provides two solder paste protective layers, Top Paste and Bottom Paste.
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