ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Surface-mount technology

Surface-mount technology (SMT) is a way of making electronic devices, like cell phones and computers. In the past, electronic devices were made using big, bulky parts that were put together by hand. But with surface-mount technology, tiny parts are attached to a flat surface instead. This makes the device much smaller and easier to use.

Think of it like building a house. In the past, people would build homes by stacking big bricks on top of each other, one at a time. But with SMT, the bricks are much smaller, and they are all connected to a flat surface, like a wall. This makes the house much smaller, but also much stronger and more sturdy.

The parts used in surface-mount technology are very small, and they are attached to a board using special machines. Instead of using big wires to connect the parts together, tiny bits of metal are used. These bits of metal are so small that you can't even see them with your eyes!

Overall, surface-mount technology is a way of making electronic devices smaller, easier to use, and more efficient. It's like making a puzzle with really small pieces, but when you finish, the result is much better than anything you could have made with big pieces.