What should your multilayer PCB consider in the 5G era?

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology. it has been elevated to belong to the most essential inventions by the modern man,

—the handful of technologies throughout history that transform industries across every sector of the economy … redefining work, elevating living standards, and having a profound and sustained impact on our global economic growth." But it can't do without PCB. everything revolving around us and our way of life are in some way or another influenced by Printed Circuit Boards or PCBs. Even future inventions and innovations in science and technology will surely require the need for PCB manufacturing companies. Basically, these amazing pieces of design and circuitry are and will always be part of our everyday lives.

PCB Material Considerations for the Different Bands of 5G

Choosing a circuit material for a high-frequency printed-circuit board (PCB) is generally a tradeoff, often between price and performance.

The general frequency can be FR-4 plate, but high-frequency materials should be used around 1-5G frequency, such as semi-ceramic materials, more commonly used are ROGERS 4350 series, 4003 series, 5880 series, etc....but If it is already higher than 5 G frequencies, it is best to use PTFE material, that is, polytetrafluoroethylene. This material has good high-frequency performance.

Most boards in the 5G era will be multilayer PCBs

In most cases, hybrids will be used, Hybrid constructions are sometimes used to get technology benefits from combining different materials, but mostly for cost benefits

The drill is one of the important components of a multi-layer PCB

A number of different mechanical processes are required as part of high-frequency PCB fabrication. In general, the most critical of these would be drilling, plated-through-hole (PTH) preparation, multilayer lamination, and assembly. The drilling process is typically concerned with creating clean holes, which will later be metalized to form via holes for electrical connections from one conductive layer to another.

Some concerns with the drilling process include smear, burring, and fracturing of the material. Smearing can be lethal to PCB fabrication using a PTFE based material since there is no way to remove the smear. Fracturing can be fatal for some of the nonwoven glass hydrocarbon materials; however, most of the woven glass hydrocarbon materials do not have this concern.

The PTH preparation process is relatively well defined and straightforward for most non-PTFE materials, although special processing is required when forming PTHs for PTFE-based materials. Ceramic-filled PTFE-based materials offer PTH preparation options which are more forgiving. However, non-ceramic-filled PTFE materials require a special process which can limit final circuit yields.

Impact of Final Plated Finish on RF PCB Performance

Most printed circuit boards are shipped from the fabricator with a final plated finish over the copper conductor in order to prevent oxidation and long-term reliability issues. The final plated finish typically affects the conductor losses and ultimately the insertion loss of the circuit.

From early coins to state-of-the-art aerospace parts, silver and silver plating have proven their use over and over again. As the most affordable precious metal with a low melting point and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, it's no wonder that silver is such a popular and cost-effective choice when it comes to plating for RF and microwave components.

Far more affordable than gold, platinum or palladium, silver's natural attributes of being lightweight and highly conductive make it one of the most useful elements in the manufacturing and plating of microwave components. With their ability to conduct high currents and perform well at frequencies common to microwaves, silver-plated metal components are also highly effective at diminishing distortions resulting from PIM (passive intermodulation).

Do you know where the important point of the 5G board is?

PCB upstream high – frequency high – speed copper-clad plate material is the core, import replacement space. PCBASTORE has been ready for embracing 5G by providing custom high-quality manufacturing services to better lead electronic products to be able to serve 5G in the new era. if you have any further queries or require any further assistance. please send them to sales07@pcbastore.com