What is RF PCB?
Since challenging with the problems caused due to the complex printed circuit boards (PCB), we have come across some innovative high-frequency PCBs.
This is bliss for us; the young generation, aspiring from the newly tech systems.
The radio-frequency printed circuit board can be integrated into any portable devices from smartphones to sensors to security to robotics and even to the military radars, everything is added!
Unlike, low-frequency PCBs which can range up to (100 MHz), RF PCB does not work along with it.
To design an RF (Radio-Frequency) PCB you need to integrate a range of frequency from medium to extremely high frequency, that somehow ranges in number from (50 Megahertz – 2 Giga Hertz).
Another obvious fact about RF PCB is that they carry two signals, one is the radio frequency signal and the other is the electromagnetic signal.
However, characteristically, they are laminated with all electrical, mechanical and, thermal specifications in lay-out for advanced functionality which differentiates them from other standard printed circuit boards.
The best of an RF (Radio-frequency) printed circuit board is the one with lesser volume and, avoiding any electromagnetic interference between the micro components.
FUNCTIONALITY OF RF PCB:
An RF (Radio-Frequency) printed circuited board comes up with a wide variety of high-standard features, fully functional in its operation and with high-quality design.
Electronic engineers have said a lot about the RF PCB functionality:
- The RF PCBs works with a wide variety of different MegaHertz and GigaHertz application devices.
- RF PCBs are specialized printed circuit boards that operate in a high-level frequency which is more than 100 MegaHertz.
- RF PCBs radio frequency signals travel in fast, high-speed to avoid electromagnetic interference, signals reflections, skin and coupling effect and, also unwanted impedance.
- RF PCBs are multi-layered circuit boards covering a relatively small volume. This unique design of RF PCB provides optimal performance than a conventional printed circuit board.
- The RF PCB is cost-effective. As compared to other circuit board layouts, the multi-layered stack-up printed circuit board is advantageous in the reduction of cost.
- RF PCB is highly reliable to give an excellent performance in high-temperature regions. They can be continually used in high temperatures without any risk of dropout.
- An RF PCB can be easily integrated with fine line pitch components at the time of need.
Other applications where an RF (Radio-Frequency) printed circuit board can be used are in the following major industries:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- ATE
- Smartphones
- Computer Networking Systems
- Wireless Technologies
- Sensors
- Robotics and Security
- Telecommunication, and
- Military.
Features of RF PCB:
The manufacture of an RF (Radio-Frequency) printed circuit board is processed by using highly-equipped machines like; Plasma etches machinery to ensure the high-quality details and anti-interference of the high-frequency PCBs, thus, resulting in low percentage deviance.
Mentioned below are the four incredible features of Radio Frequency Printed Circuit Board:
- Thermo Control:
RF PCBs are relatively weak conductors of thermal energy as compared to a standard printed circuit board produced by an FR-4 material. This means, that in high heat environments, they can seamlessly work for so long without getting destroyed.
- High Frequency:
RF PCBs do not work on a low-frequency range, like other simple printed circuit boards. They are installed in various wireless communication devices, with a high-quality frequency range i.e. above 100 MHz
- Stability:
The layout of an RF printed circuit board is developed from a mixture of PTFE, Hydrocarbon, Ceramics and, other glass forms. All these are low in CTE. These materials regulate the strength and stability of an RF PCB even in high temperatures.
- Reduce Assembly Cost:
An RF PCB is a multi-layered stack-up circuit board that compiles layers of laminated sheets, consuming low surface area (by adding volume to the sheets). This affects the assembly cost constructively, reducing it as possible as can be.
Microwave RF PCB:
Definition:
A micro radio frequency PCB works on a 2GHz range of frequency. It is a higher frequency level than RF PCBs.
Microwave RF (Radio-Frequency) printed circuits boards are manufactured from materials that have great dielectric properties and other metal substrates to form the multi-layer board.
Hence, a micro RF PCB is characterized by high-level thermal conductivity, low dielectric constant, fast speed, and high-grade frequency.
Features:
Micro RF printed circuit board should be excellent in the following properties:
- Heat resistance, chemistry resistance, endurance level, and peel-off resistance.
- Low water absorption level.
- The thermal expansion working simultaneously with the copper foils.
- DF and DK properties should be relatively small and stable, as they will affect the quality and speed of a signal transmit or received.
Applications:
Microwave RF PCB is used in the following applications:
- Microwave Transmission
- Wireless Technology Networking
- Satellite Microwave Communications
- 4G & 5G Networks and
- Automobile Phones.
Concept of RF Circuit Board:
RF is abbreviated for Radio Frequency Printed Circuit Board. It is however different from ordinary printed circuit boards.
The usage and performance of an RF (Radio-Frequency) PCB are regulated by certain indicators like for a basic RF PCB, epoxy glass fiber is integrated into the board whereas, microwave RF PCBs substrates are manufactured from Teflon.
In a standard RF PCB:
- The material used should be uniform and has few notable features like, they are good insulators, and consist of dielectric properties.
- Components of an RF printed circuit board should be closely integrated that provides a fast connection between the micro components.
- In an RF PCB, a mixed signal can be generated by placing the Radio Frequency (RF) and Analog parts far away from the digital part of the printed circuit board. The measured distance should not be less than 1cm.
- Also. This could get a little complicated to understand, but for processing a mixed signal in an RF PCB, the base of the digital part should also remain distant from the RF portion of the PCB.
- The key to the working of RF PCB in the high-frequency surrounding is possible by the use of Surface Mounted Devices (SMD).
Rogers PCB Price:
Definition:
Rogers PCB is not a conventional printed circuit board made of glass fibers like epoxy resin.
They are purely based on ceramics to generate high frequency in the circuit board. Rogers PCB is stable at high-temperature changes and posses a dielectric constant.
An ideal printed circuit board with excellent water absorption properties. The thermal expansion property in Rogers PCB is collateral to the copper foil.
Applications:
Today, many industries use Rogers PCB in different useful applications for various purposes:
- Automotive industry:
Rogers PCB is deployed in the applications of ATE, radars, and sensors.
- Communications System:
Rogers PCB offers services in applications like direct broadcast satellite, antennas, and cellular base stations.
Price:
The factors that determine the pricing value of your Rogers PCB are the materials and size of the printed circuit board. However, the multi-layer stack-up in Rogers PCB is also inevitable in affecting the price range.
Additionally, where a large drill hole can put the prices high, on the other hand, the spaces if fall below 0.006 can score 5 to 10% for the price of Rogers PCB substrate.
Another important factor that might impact price changes is customer requirements and specifications for the Rogers PCB design.
High-Frequency PCB:
Definition:
High frequency or simple HF printed circuit boards are mainly of two types; rigid circuit boards and flexible circuit boards.
Both HF PCBs are similar in their functionality depending on the same type of material used in the manufacturing process.
The frequency range for HF PCB is above 100 GHz – higher frequency. They are designed to operate in optimal thermal conditions. HF PCBs properties are low in all three:
- Thermal Expansion
- Dissipation Factor (DF)
- Dielectric Constant (DC)
Applications:
Many tech industries are now introducing HF PCBs into these applications:
- Telecommunications
- Automotive
- Smartphones
- Military radars
- Aeronautics and aerospace engineering
PTFE PCB:
Definition:
PTFE stands for Poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene. It is popularly called Teflon. Teflon is the high frequency printed circuit board device that has key features for dissipation factor (DF), dielectric constant (DC), thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and thermal coefficient of dielectric constant (TCDk).
Application:
Industries use high-frequency Teflon circuit boards for various applications:
- Automotive Radar
- Radar Gauges
- Radio Frequency Coupler
Merits:
The merits of PTFE printed circuit boards are discussed below:
- Resistant towards the high-temperature environment (250 degrees Celsius)
- Offer greater resistance to corrosion and other chemical substances.
- Strong lubricating property against hard materials.
- Non-adhesive, null viscosity, and non-toxic properties.
Interested to learn more about this material? Just follow More PCB to get the latest updates in the high-frequency PCB design industry.
Conclusion:
Ending here, the limited yet incredible information about this growing Radio Frequency technology. Remember, designing an RF PCB is difficult than designing a conventional PCB.
You need to follow the proper guidelines for the right materials, higher frequency and, high resistance to thermal changes for manufacturing the best Radio Frequency printed circuit board right away.
More PCB is offering innovative solutions catering to your requirements of high-frequency RF PCB designs.
Interested in high-frequency RF PCBs? Just write us at sales@morepcb.com
