PCBs AT MICROWAVE FREQUENCIES: DESIGN GUIDELINES

摘要

Laminate PRINTEDCIRCUIT BOARDS (PCBs) are a commonly used substrate for designing low-cost subsystems that can operate to 40 GHz. With their ability to support high-performance surface-mount technology packages (SMTs) containing RF integrated circuits (ICs) while supporting a wide range of interface connections, PCBs are ideal for many RF/microwave applications. However, significant considerations must be applied to every step of the design to ensure proper operation. Such considerations have grown due to the reduction in size of RF ICs, which has led to a reduction in parasitic capacitance and a subsequent increase in attainable frequencies of operation. In a seven-page application note titled "Technology Overview Designing Laminate PCBs at Microwave Frequencies," Plextek details some of these critical design considerations.