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In today's world where the wave of artificial intelligence is sweeping across the globe, we talk about large-scale language models, autonomous driving, and scientific discoveries, and behind these grand narratives, there is a silent giant - AI servers. It is no longer a traditional data storage and processing unit, but has transformed into "computing power plants". As the neural networks and skeletal systems of these 'power plants', PCB technology is undergoing an unprecedented evolution and challenge.
PCB: The 'Computing Heart' in Data Centers
The uniqueness of AI servers: why do they have such strict requirements for PCBs?
Unlike traditional general-purpose servers, the core task of AI servers is to perform massive parallel computing, especially matrix multiplication and convolution operations.
This determines that its hardware architecture is built around GPUs or dedicated AI acceleration cards.
This transformation poses three core challenges to PCBs:
1.Ultra high density interconnection:
A motherboard may integrate multiple GPUs, high core CPUs, and massive amounts of memory. These components require ultra fast data channels between them,
just like building "data highways" on PCBs. This requiresPCB to have more layers, finer line width and spacing, and extremely high wiring density.
2.Ultimate signal integrity:
Data is transmitted at high speeds in the GHz range, and any impedance mismatch, loss, or crosstalk at any point can cause signal distortion, seriously affecting
computational accuracy and efficiency. This requires PCB to use low loss materials and achieve extreme precision in design.
3.Powerful heat dissipation capability:
Dense computing power units mean astonishing power consumption and heat generation. PCB is not only a carrier of signals, but also a pathway for heat conduction.
Advanced technologies such as PCB materials with high thermal conductivity, embedded copper blocks, and heat dissipation holes have become the lifeline to ensure
the stable operation of servers.
It can be said that the performance ceiling of AI servers is largely determined by the advanced level of their internal PCBs at the hardware level.
Application case: AI server PCB in action
1. Large scale language model training cluster
Taking OpenAI's GPT series or similar LLMs as an example, training them requires thousands of GPUs to work together for weeks or even months. These GPUs are directly
interconnected through technologies such as NVLink,and their backboards and multi card interconnect boards are the pinnacle of HDI PCB technology.
They ensure that every GPU can seamlessly "talk" and work together to complete complex model training under massive data streams.
2. Autonomous driving data center
The 'virtual drivers' of autonomous driving companies need to learn and evolve by simulating millions of miles of driving scenarios in the cloud. Supporting these simulations is
a massive cluster of AI servers. These servers process fused data from LIDAR, cameras, and radars,requiring PCBs to be able to handle heterogeneous computing tasks stably
and efficiently, ensuring real-time and reliable simulation decisions for each one.
3. Medical imaging and drug development
In the medical field, AI servers are used to analyze massive amounts of medical images (such as CT and MRI) to assist doctors in lesion identification. Meanwhile, in drug discovery,
it screens candidate drugs by simulating molecular interactions. These applications require extremely high computational accuracy, and any signal errors caused by PCBs
may lead to misdiagnosis or incorrect screening results. Therefore, the server PCB used here meets the requirements for reliability and signal integrity at the military level.
PCB - the unsung hero of the intelligent era
When we cheer for every breakthrough of AI, we should not forget to support the hardware foundation of all of it. From ordinary FR-4 materials to high-end M4, M6,
and even M7 high-speed materials, from simple multi-layer boards to ultra high density interconnect boards with over 40 layers, every small advancement in PCB
technology is injecting stronger vitality into AI servers.
AI motherboard PCB: Dense wiring for computing power password
As practitioners in the PCB industry, we are standing at the starting point of a golden age. The challenges of the future are still enormous, but the relentless pursuit of
higher computing power, lower power consumption,and smaller size will continue to drive our traditional and crucial industry, constantly breaking through the limits of
physics and weaving a smarter future in every inch.