PCB design glossary
Via
AKA: vias
A plated hole that electrically connects a net between two or more layers of a PCB.
A via is a small plated-through hole that connects copper from one PCB layer to another. Through-hole vias span the whole board; blind vias connect an outer layer to an inner one; buried vias connect two inner layers and aren't visible from outside.
Vias add inductance and take up routing space, so good layout minimizes them — especially on high-speed signals. They're also a budget item: blind and buried vias cost extra at fabrication.
Designing a board that uses via?
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