Buried Resistor vs. Surface-Mounted Resistor

Key Takeaways

• A buried resistor refers to a resistor that is embedded or incorporated into the substrate rather than being a separate component on the surface.

• Buried resistors offer an alternative to surface-mounted resistors and differ in their placement and integration within the PCB.

• Buried resistors are often employed to save space, reduce the footprint of the circuit, and improve the performance of the PCB.

PCB embedded components, such as buried resistors, can save space and improve performance

A buried resistor refers to a resistor that is embedded or incorporated into the substrate rather than being a separate component on the surface of the PCB. This integration allows for more compact and integrated circuit designs. Buried resistors are often used in integrated circuits where space is critical, and designers need to maximize functionality within a limited area.

Buried resistors offer an alternative to surface-mounted resistors for PCB designers. They differ in their placement and integration within the circuit. As the name implies, surface-mounted resistors are mounted on the PCB’s surface. Here are the key distinctions between buried and surface-mounted resistors:

Buried Resistors and PCB Design

Buried resistors are often employed to save space, reduce the footprint of the circuit, and improve the performance of the PCB. Some key points about buried resistors that PCB designers should consider include:

• Space Saving: Embedding resistors within the layers of the PCB allows for a more compact design, which can be important in applications where space is limited or a high-density circuit is required.
• Reduced Parasitic Effects: Placing resistors closer to the components they interact with can reduce parasitic effects such as inductance and capacitance, which can be critical in high-frequency applications where minimizing signal distortion is essential.
• Improved Thermal Performance: Buried resistors can benefit from the PCB material's thermal properties, helping dissipate heat more effectively, which can be advantageous in applications where thermal management is a concern.
• Manufacturing Considerations: Incorporating buried resistors in a PCB design requires specialized manufacturing processes. Techniques such as laser ablation or thin-film deposition are often employed to embed resistors within the layers of the PCB.
• Design Challenges: While buried resistors offer advantages, they pose particular challenges. Accessibility for testing and potential difficulties in repairing or modifying the circuit must be addressed in the design process.
• Material Selection: Choosing materials for the PCB becomes crucial when incorporating buried resistors. Materials with good thermal conductivity and suitable electrical properties are often preferred.
• Applications: Buried resistors are commonly used where miniaturization, high performance, and reliability are critical, such as in mobile devices, communication systems, and high-frequency circuits.

Collaboration between the design and manufacturing teams is crucial when considering buried resistors in PCB design to ensure that the manufacturing processes meet the design requirements. Additionally, simulations and testing should be performed to verify the circuit's performance with embedded resistors.

Cadence Has the Tools You Need

No matter what configuration you require for your buried resistor and other components, Cadence can give you the PCB Design and Analysis Software tools, including the  OrCAD PCB Designer,  you need for your PCB design.

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