Multi-Board Systems
Multi-board systems represent the architectural approach of partitioning complex electronic designs across multiple interconnected printed circuit boards rather than integrating all functionality onto a single board. This approach provides flexibility, scalability, and manufacturability advantages while introducing unique signal integrity, power distribution, and mechanical design challenges that must be carefully managed to ensure reliable system operation.
As electronic systems grow in complexity and scale, multi-board architectures become increasingly common across applications ranging from telecommunications infrastructure and data center equipment to aerospace systems and industrial control platforms. Understanding the principles of multi-board design, including backplane architectures, board-to-board interconnections, distributed power systems, and thermal management across assemblies, is essential for engineers developing contemporary high-performance electronic systems.