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HDI Design

HDI & Microvia Engineering

We design the tiny, tightly packed circuit boards found inside phones and smartwatches, fitting microscopic connections into a space smaller than a fingernail.

1 min readhdimicroviavia-in-padstackup
Outcome

Reliable HDI stackups that break out fine-pitch BGAs without yield-killing aspect ratios.

Via types
Blind, buried, stacked, staggered
Microvia dia
Down to 0.075 mm laser
Lamination
1-N sequential build-up
Aspect ratio
Managed < 0.8:1 microvia

High-Density Interconnect is what makes modern fine-pitch BGAs, CSPs, and SoCs routable. We engineer HDI stackups and via architectures that hit density targets while staying inside the fabricator's lamination and plating window.

Microvia architecture

Microvias are laser-drilled, typically 0.075-0.15 mm, connecting adjacent layers. We design:

  • Staggered microvias — offset between layers for maximum reliability.
  • Stacked microvias — vertically aligned and copper-filled for the tightest escape, at higher process cost.
  • Skip vias — spanning two dielectric layers where the fab qualifies it.

Sequential lamination

HDI is built in stages. An N build-up (e.g. 2-N-2, 3-N-3) laminates and drills sub-cores in sequence around a laminated core. Each cycle adds cost and thermal history, so we minimize build-up count while meeting the breakout demand.

StructureTypical use
1+N+1Single fine-pitch BGA
2+N+2Dense SoC, 0.4 mm pitch
Any-layerMobile, maximum density

Via-in-pad

Via-in-pad is mandatory below roughly 0.5 mm BGA pitch. We specify copper-filled and planarized microvias to prevent solder wicking and void formation, and coordinate the fill/cap process with the fab.

Engineering noteStacked, copper-filled microvias buy density but demand a mature fab. We match the via strategy to your chosen fabricator's qualified process rather than the theoretical maximum.

Aspect ratio governs plating throw and reliability. We keep microvia aspect ratios conservative and validate every buried-via plating path, then hand off to controlled-impedance tuning where signal integrity is in play.

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FAQ

Common questions

Yes — HDI microvia stackups and via-in-pad, high-density interconnect, and single-ended and differential controlled impedance held to ±5% with test coupons embedded in every panel.

Standard rigid stacks, HDI builds with sequential lamination and microvias, and specialized ATE loadboards up to 110 layers routing 40,000+ nets. Density, controlled impedance and heavy power in one board are the kind of problem we're built for.

Extended Gerber (RS-274X) or ODB++ (preferred), a netlist (IPC-D-356 if you're sending Gerber), fabrication notes (material, finished thickness, copper weight, surface finish, IPC class), and your stackup with any controlled-impedance targets. A complete package lets the work start without a round of back-and-forth.

First-pass DFM findings for a standard design typically come back within hours to one business day. Complex HDI builds and ATE loadboards are scheduled with a dedicated engineer rather than a ticket queue, so you always know who is on your board.

See all pre-manufacturing FAQs →