Flying tail (also flying lead or flying connection) refers to an exposed, flexible connection area on a Rigid-Flex printed circuit board that protrudes beyond the rigid sections of the board. The end is often reinforced with a stiffener to create the basic rigidity and desired thickness. For ZIF connectors, for example, thicknesses of 0.20mm / 0.030mm are popular.
The pads / exposed conductors at the end of the flying tail can be connected directly to other components such as connectors, sensors or glass displays - often by soldering or plugging into a connector without the need for an additional mating system. The end can also be mechanically attached via drill holes in the stiffener.
Special features:
- Space-saving: The elimination of separate connectors makes the design particularly suitable for compact devices such as wearables, smartphones or medical devices.
- Improved signal integrity: Minimising interruptions in the signal path can improve electrical performance.
