Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is today out with a new investor note, he says Apple is working to integrate faster and more versatile circuit boards across its product lineup come 2018.At present, both the iPhone 8 and iPhone X use a new flexible circuit board made from liquid crystal polymer.
Both phones use liquid crystal polymer in their antenna designs, while the iPhone X also uses it in its TrueDepth camera. This LCP FPCB technology allows for high-speed and low-latency data transfer. For example, LCP is a likely candidate to enable a smooth transition to USB 3.2 and next-generation Thunderbolt specifications.
KGI explains that Apple is working with manufacturer Career on integrating the technology into the MacBook lineup. This would allow Apple to save a considerable amount of internal space and make it easier to adopt USB 3.2 and other I/O connections.
Additionally, the company is also said to be working on new Apple Watch LTE antenna designs that integrate LCP as a base material. Watch's existing cellular antennas, also made by Career, are built on polyamide FPCBs. Currently, the LTE antennas in Apple Watch are PI-based.
Kuo says that design and production of LCP FPCB is very challenging and says it will likely be 2019 until any competitors are able to integrate it, giving Apple a one year jumpstart. The new LCP circuit boards will allow Apple to do other things previously impossible due to the newfound internal space and speed improvements.
Via 9to5Mac And AppleInsider
Both phones use liquid crystal polymer in their antenna designs, while the iPhone X also uses it in its TrueDepth camera. This LCP FPCB technology allows for high-speed and low-latency data transfer. For example, LCP is a likely candidate to enable a smooth transition to USB 3.2 and next-generation Thunderbolt specifications.
It order to address future hardware form factor design requirements (e.g. saving more internal space) and to keep abreast of potential data transmission spec upgrades (e.g. USB 3.2), we believe Apple is now working with Career, its FPCB supplier for MacBook, in exploring LCP FPCB designs for future MacBook models.
Additionally, the company is also said to be working on new Apple Watch LTE antenna designs that integrate LCP as a base material. Watch's existing cellular antennas, also made by Career, are built on polyamide FPCBs. Currently, the LTE antennas in Apple Watch are PI-based.
Kuo says that design and production of LCP FPCB is very challenging and says it will likely be 2019 until any competitors are able to integrate it, giving Apple a one year jumpstart. The new LCP circuit boards will allow Apple to do other things previously impossible due to the newfound internal space and speed improvements.
Via 9to5Mac And AppleInsider
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