If you’re looking for a new microwave PCB material, check out the Rogers AD250C. This microwave high-frequency PCB material is made from ceramic hydrocarbons, has a dielectric layer, and is relatively inexpensive. Let’s take a closer look at this material. What makes it so effective? Read on to discover more! Also, remember that it is only slightly more expensive than its predecessor.
Rogers AD250C is an insulating layer
The Rogers AD250C insulating layer is a high-performance insulating material that you can make from a blend of FR-4 and a durable, cost-effective composite. The insulating layer is an excellent choice for multilayer circuit boards, as it offers low thermal expansion coefficients and minimal dielectric losses. In addition to its excellent thermal management, it features a high dielectric constant range and a lamination of ceramic hydrocarbons.
When comparing FR-4 and Rogers materials, you will notice that the former has a higher dielectric constant range, which results in less signal loss and greater dissipation factor. Rogers material is also more stable at high temperatures, so it is better for many applications. If you need the highest sensitivity for your radio, Rogers is a better option for high-frequency devices.
This dielectric material also exhibits good thermal conductivity, making it an excellent choice for circuit boards. However, because it’s dielectric, it’s a poor conductor of electricity. Materials that have a high dielectric constant are good for insulating layers. However, materials with higher dielectric loss are unsuitable for conducting high currents. This phenomenon is known as dielectric breakdown and Rogers AD250C is less likely to show this effect than similar materials.
Another type of PCB can come from Rogers AD250C insulating layer. This insulating material comes from a fluoroplastic base, but it is better for RF and microwave applications. The Rogers laminates are more expensive than FR4 materials, but they have better high frequency properties. In addition, compared to fiber glass, they are less lossy and provide greater electrical performance.
It has ceramic hydrocarbons
The industry-leading, low-cost RO4000 series of ceramic hydrocarbon laminates are an excellent choice for controlled or coordinated impedance transmission lines and RF microwave circuits. These materials offer various dielectric constants, low thermal conductivity, and high electrical signal integrity. As a result, this laminate is suitable for a wide range of applications, including power amplifiers for cellular base station, automotive sensors, microwave point-to-point links, RFID tags, etc.
This dielectric PCB material is good for high-frequency applications. The high dielectric constant of the Rogers material allows the PCB to achieve better results in the electronics industry, while maintaining low fabrication costs. As a result, the Rogers PCB material is compatible with FR-4 and has a wide range of dielectric constants (DK) from 2.50 +/-.04.
Because the CTE of this material is less than that of copper, it is ideal for multiple-layer designs. As a result, the Rogers PCB suffers less thermal strain when the CTEs of different layers are mismatched. In addition, its dimensional stability is similar to that of copper, but it does not contain lead. Further, Rogers AD250C laminates are available in both traditional and custom laminates.
The high dielectric constant of the Rogers material makes it ideal for high-frequency PCBs. With minimal signal losses, this material also offers good thermal management. Its high-temperature stability is also a plus for temperature-sensitive projects. A large range of dielectric constants means that the Rogers PCB is ideal for use in various environments, including high-temperature areas.
It has a dielectric layer
The dielectric layer of Rogers AD250C is responsible for minimizing signal losses and a considerable range of dielectric constant values. Despite its low conductivity, the material is a good insulator that provides excellent thermal management. The Rogers material also exhibits good control of impedance and minimizes signal outgassing. Unlike FR-4 material, Rogers PCBs have a higher dielectric constant than FR-4 material.
A typical Rogers AD250C has a dipole moment of 0.010 m. This dipole moment is equivalent to about one thousand kV, an extremely low temperature. You can typically make a Rogers AD250C board with the FR4 material, an epoxy composite / glass fiber alongside copper foil lamination. You can get FR-4 laminates with high frequency features. While they cost more compared to fiber glass, they become less lossy when exposed at high frequencies.
FR-4 is another common material for PCBs. This material is used for single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer boards, and is ideal for various applications. FR-4 also has decent mechanical strength, and it can be modified to eliminate lead usage. The dielectric layer of Rogers PCBs comes from a thin film of FR-4, which has excellent thermal properties and low dielectric loss.
Another type of PTFE-compatible PCB material is Rogers AD250C. It combines a fluoropolymer resin’s thermal and mechanical properties with glass fiber reinforcement. Combining these materials results in an RF laminate material with a lower loss, lower thermal expansion, and reduced passive intermodulation. A Rogers AD255C is compatible with both PTFE and glass fiber-reinforced base platens.
It is cost-effective
Among the many benefits of the Rogers AD250C is its low price. In addition, this model features an automatic level sensor, a cutting bed that securely holds the material, and a routing tool that shapes the part.
Rogers PCBs are usually FR4 or standard FR4 materials. These boards have a Tg of one hundred to two hundred and eighty degrees Celsius. The Rogers 4003C and 4350B have higher Tg ratings. These PCBs are common for high-frequency applications, including RF PCBs at frequencies 6 GHz and higher. The FR4 material minimizes electrical noise.
The Rogers AD250C is an excellent choice for microwave high-frequency applications. Its chemistry and construction make it a cost-effective choice. In addition, its outstanding performance is present in a wide range of applications. The AD250C is suitable for high-frequency and high-gain applications, while the AP-Series and DuPont AP-series products offer superior thermal and mechanical properties.
A high-frequency PCB needs a good material with good RF properties. The AD250C is a cost-effective option for high-frequency PCBs. It offers high-frequency performance while minimizing dielectric loss. And it is compatible with PTFE printed circuit boards. In addition, it has excellent mechanical toughness and a low z-axis thermal expansion. This PCB material also features high-frequency dielectric and thermal resistance.
Besides its competitive price, the AD250C also features low dielectric loss. The company claims that its RO4830 high-frequency laminate is cost-effective while maintaining competitive performance. It is processed using standard epoxy/glass (FR-4) circuit fabrication techniques. In addition, Rogers’ RO4830 high-frequency laminates have the mica material, which provides a higher-frequency range at a lower cost. The laminate also features a wider dielectric constant range than other laminates.
It has greater temperature stability than FR4
A PCB’s dielectric constant is crucial in the RF and Microwave industry, and Rogers PCBs are made on a fluoroplastic base. Because Rogers PCBs have greater thermal-mechanical stability than FR4, they are ideal for high-frequency circuit designs. These PCBs are also cheaper than FR4 materials, making them ideal for complex high-frequency circuit designs.
Compared to FR-4, Rogers material exhibits better thermal management and dielectric constant range. Moreover, it has a lower dissipation factor than FR-4, resulting in less signal loss and better temperature stability. These factors are critical when designing driver circuits, especially for high-frequency applications. In addition, the Rogers material operates at 50O impedance for high-frequency circuits, ensuring maximum power transfer. Moreover, a high-frequency circuit should not exhibit standing waves or low-waves, ensuring optimum power transfer.
Besides FR-4, Rogers material is more durable. It’s also more durable, with better temperature stability than FR4. Rogers AD250C is also easier to work with, making it an ideal choice for PCB manufacturing. First, you form the conductive layers directly on the surface of the PCB. Then, there is depositing of the conductive layers using an electro-less copper process. The Rogers 4835b support this process.
In addition, Rogers materials are compatible with FR-4. The dielectric constant, indicates how well a material conducts electrical charge. Hence, a higher dielectric constant means more electrical charge capacity. In other words, a higher dielectric constant means greater capacitance. This translates into greater power and voltage handling. In addition, a higher dielectric constant means a higher temperature stability.
