Active illumination source and PCB components having mountings for reduced Z-height and improved thermal conductivity

A printed circuit board assembly comprising:

• a printed circuit board (PCB) including a body interposed between a top surface of the PCB and a bottom surface of the PCB, the body defining an aperture passing completely through the body;
• processing circuitry mounted to the top surface;
• a mounting substrate mounted to the bottom surface of the PCB with one or more mounting elements interposed between the bottom surface and the mounting substrate, the mounting substrate having mounted thereon:
• an active illumination source that includes a light element and a lens, the active illumination source being physically connected to the mounting substrate, wherein the lens is positioned at least partially within the aperture such that at least a portion of the active illumination source extends from below the bottom surface of the PCB to above the top surface of the PCB;
• and
• a camera component physically connected to the mounting substrate;
• and
• one or more conductive elements passing through the body, electrically connecting the processing circuitry to the active illumination source and the camera component.