Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer electronic circuit board 136 having electroplated apertures 96, 98 which may be selectively and electrically isolated from an electrically grounded member 46 and further having selectively formed air bridges and/or crossover members 128 which are structurally supported by material 134.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic circuit assembly (e.g., a circuit board) from an etched tri-metal-layer structure which provides air bridge crossovers and specially designed bumps etched from a middle layer of the tri-metal-layer structure. The bumps are formed at particular circuit locations in order to provide interconnects for (1) heavy wirebonding, (2) fine wirebonding, or (3) direct chip attachment; or, to provide (4) lifters for assuring a minimum solder joint standoff height or (5) barriers for retarding solder joint crack propagation.

Abstract: A method 10 for making multi-layer electronic circuit boards 148, 248 having aperture 146, 246 which may be selectively connected to an electrical ground potential.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic circuit assembly (e.g., a circuit board) from an etched tri-metal-layer structure which provides air bridge crossovers and specially designed bumps etched from a middle layer of the tri-metal-layer structure. The bumps are formed at particular circuit locations in order to provide interconnects for (1) heavy wirebonding, (2) fine wirebonding, or (3) direct chip attachment; or, to provide (4) lifters for assuring a minimum solder joint standoff height or (5) barriers for retarding solder joint crack propagation.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer electronic circuit board 136 having electroplated apertures 96, 98 which may be selectively and electrically isolated from an electrically grounded member 46 and further having selectively formed air bridges and/or crossover members 128 which are structurally supported by material 134.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a flexible multilayer substrate having integral electrically-conductive traces that also includes, as a lowermost layer, a metal foil. A plurality of uppermost layers, likewise including a metal foil, form a thin barrier member that is sealingly attached to the substrate's other layers. In this manner, a plurality of electronic components, mounted on the substrate's other layers so as to be electrically interconnected with the traces before sealingly attaching the barrier member, are encapsulated within metal foil to provide an environmentally-sealed assembly featuring improved resistance to moisture diffusion and penetration/permeation of other substances characteristic of the assembly's service environment into the assembly. A filler material, also encapsulated within the metal foil, is operative to neutralize a predetermined amount of a penetrant, further improving the operability and service life of the assembly.

Abstract: A method 10, 110 for making multi-layer electronic circuit boards 82, 148 having metallized apertures 18, 20, 118, 120 which may be selectively and electrically connected to a source of ground potential.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer circuit board 116 having apertures 96, 98 which may be selectively and electrically isolated from electrically grounded member 46 and further having selectively formed air bridges and/or crossover members 104 which are structurally supported by material 112. Each of the apertures 96, 98 selectively receives electrically conductive material 114.

Abstract: A method 10 for making a multi-layer electronic circuit board 110 having electroplated apertures 18, 20 which may be selectively and electrically isolated from electrically grounded member 12 and further having selectively formed air bridges and/or crossover members 50 which are structurally supported by material 54, and further having certain exposed connection surfaces 112, selectively and electrically connected to certain electrically conductive members 34, 42, and 44.

Abstract: An article and method for making and repairing connections between first and second circuits, such as flex circuits. The article 10 includes: a flexible dielectric substrate 12 having first and second edges 14/16, and a plurality of conductive circuit traces 18 arranged on or within the substrate, wherein each of the traces extends from proximate the first edge 14 to proximate the second edge 16. Each of the circuit traces 18 includes: a first connection feature 20 disposed proximate the first edge 14; a second connection feature 22 disposed proximate the second edge 16; and at least one third connection feature 24 disposed between the first and second edges 14/16. Each of the first, second, and third connection features 20/22/24 is a plated through hole, a plated blind via, or a mounting pad. This article 10 may be used to connect together the first and second circuits 50/60 using the first and second connection features 20/22, such as by soldering.

Abstract: An article and method for making and repairing connections between first and second circuits, such as flex circuits. The article 10 includes: a flexible dielectric substrate 12 having first and second edges 14/16, and a plurality of conductive circuit traces 18 arranged on or within the substrate, wherein each of the traces extends from proximate the first edge 14 to proximate the second edge 16. Each of the circuit traces 18 includes: a first connection feature 20 disposed proximate the first edge 14; a second connection feature 22 disposed proximate the second edge 16; and at least one third connection feature 24 disposed between the first and second edges 14/16. Each of the first, second, and third connection features 20/22/24 is a plated through hole, a plated blind via, or a mounting pad. This article 10 may be used to connect together the first and second circuits 50/60 using the first and second connection features 20/22, such as by soldering.

Abstract: A multi-connectable printed circuit assembly, comprising: (a) a printed circuit substrate 11 having a first edge 22 and first and second edge regions 44/55, wherein at least the first edge region 44 is defined along the first edge 22; (b) a first array 77 of electrical connection features 66 disposed on or within the substrate proximate the first edge region 44; (c) a second array 88 of electrical connection features 66 disposed on or within the substrate proximate the second edge region 55, wherein the second array 88 is substantially a duplication or a mirror image of the first array 77; and (d) a plurality of circuit traces 99 disposed on or within the substrate such that each electrical connection feature 66 of the first array 77 is connected by one of the circuit traces 99 to a corresponding electrical connection feature 66 of the second array 88.

Abstract: A multi-connectable printed circuit assembly, comprising: (a) a printed circuit substrate 11 having a first edge 22 and first and second edge regions 44/55, wherein at least the first edge region 44 is defined along the first edge 22; (b) a first array 77 of electrical connection features 66 disposed on or within the substrate proximate the first edge region 44; (c) a second array 88 of electrical connection features 66 disposed on or within the substrate proximate the second edge region 55, wherein the second array 88 is substantially a duplication or a mirror image of the first array 77; and (d) a plurality of circuit traces 99 disposed on or within the substrate such that each electrical connection feature 66 of the first array 77 is connected by one of the circuit traces 99 to a corresponding electrical connection feature 66 of the second array 88.

Abstract: The invention is an aluminum etchant and method for chemically milling aluminum, according to one embodiment, from a copper-aluminum-copper tri-metal layer to form electronic circuits. The tri-metal comprises copper circuit patterns present on opposing surfaces of an aluminum foil, one of the copper patterns being laminated on a substrate. The etchant comprises an aqueous solution of 50 to 500 g/l base selected from (a) sodium hydroxide, (b) potassium hydroxide, and (c) their mixture; and 60 to 500 g/l nitrate salt. The method comprises contacting the tri-metal with the etchant at a temperature between 25 and 95.degree. C. for a time sufficient to remove a desired amount of the aluminum layer and provide electronic circuitry (rigid/flexible/3-dimensional circuitry) which contains multiple conductive circuit layers.

Abstract: An an electronic circuit having improved protection against harsh environments, a preferred embodiment thereof including: a substrate 10 having a top surface 12; an electronic component 14 attached to the top surface of the substrate; a plastic and metal foil laminated barrier 16 having an outer periphery 18 thereabout, the outer periphery being sealably attached to the top surface 12 of the substrate so as to define a closed pocket 20 between the top surface 12 and the barrier 16 within which the electronic component 14 is enclosed; and a desiccant element 50.