As technology keeps advancing, there has been a rising demand for faster network services. Telecom carriers now demand more for much faster network services. Also, consumer electronics and telecommunication devices require high-frequency circuits to perform well. Therefore, the manufacturer of these devices integrate millimeter wave PCB.
Millimeter wave PCB has contributed to the advancements in some electronic devices like computers, phones, and more. This PCB ensures faster data connection and network services in these devices.
What is a Millimeter wave PCB?
A millimeter wave PCB comprises a high-frequency circuit and a control circuit in a unit. This PCB enhances wiring freedom for high-frequency boards. Millimeter wave frequencies are crucial for communications and other applications. This is because these frequencies offer broad bandwidths.
However, it is challenging to find PCB materials that offer high performance levels for good prices at these frequencies. Millimeter wave PCBs are commonly used in automotive radars and now 5G wireless networks. However, before these frequencies can be popular, there must be low-loss circuits at frequencies like 60 and 77 GHz. Therefore, fabricating these circuits will demand for ideal circuit materials.
Choosing circuit materials at these frequencies will rely on determining the material parameters. The material parameters have a huge impact on performance. Millimeter wave is an electromagnetic spectrum ideal for use in a wide array of products such as broadband access. The millimeter wave PCB is ideal for use in various service on wireless networks. These PCBs allow higher data rates
Applications of Millimeter Wave PCB
Millimeter wave PCBs are widely used in several applications in the modern world. These applications include security, telecommunications, and automotive radars.
Automotive
In the technology world, autonomous driving is becoming popular. Also, it requires detecting passengers and obstruction in real time. Correct detection is crucial and decisions need to be made in a short time frame. Therefore, millimeter waves PCBs are the perfect option for detection radar.
Also, millimeter waves are available in various automotive applications like automatic lane keeping and pedestrian detection. Millimeter waves also help to communicate with other vehicles. Therefore, it improves safety.
The radar technology is one of the applications that integrates millimeter microwave. This technology integrates a property of millimeter waves known as beamwidth. Compact sized radar use sophisticated semiconductor technology. Millimeter waves PCBs are suitable for use in radar applications due to their high resolution and short range. Also, millimeter waves can easily detect objects and any changes in the environment. Therefore, this makes them a great option in surveillance and security systems.
Medical applications
According to researchers, millimeter wave technology is crucial in medical applications like acute pain treatment. Also, millimeter wave therapy utilizes frequency ranging from 40 GHz and 70 GHz. Millimeter waves serves different purposes in medicine. These include tissue regeneration and cancer treatment.
Satellite communication
Millimeter wave PCBs are a perfect option for satellite communication. These PCBs operate well with low latency at higher altitudes. Millimeter wave PCB features a much higher frequency than radio wave PCBs. Therefore, this indicates that they have the ability to carry more data.
Also, millimeter waves travel in a straight line. This makes them suitable for satellite communication. Millimeter wave PCBs have really contributed to the high performance of satellite communication in our world today.
Other Applications of Millimeter Wave PCB
- Weather mapping device
- Nanometer
- Radio astronomy
- Medical treatments
- Snow gauge
- Tensiometers
- Hygrometers
Benefits of Millimeter Wave PCB
Millimeter wave PCB is widely integrated among electronic device manufacturers. Some devices deliver high throughput data.
Bandwidth and scalable capacity
The frequency of millimeter wave ranges from 26.5 to 300 GHz. This bandwidth can be as high as 273.5 GHz. Millimeter wave PCBs offer faster speed. Millimeter wave transmit signals in very focused beams and this enables several deployments in tight proximity. Also, this enables a density of about 15 times more.
Communication applications need wide bandwidths. This means the ability to handle simultaneous communication channels for a particular data rate. Due to the high data rates and wide bandwidths of these PCBs, they are ideal for use in satellite communication.
Increased resolution
Increased bandwidth and higher frequency of millimeter wave signals help to support more accurate velocity measurement. This is very crucial in radar systems and other applications.
Low latency
One of the greatest benefits of integrating millimeter wave PCBs in devices is its low latency. In terms of one-way communication, latency refers to the time a source sends a data to the time the destination receives the data packet. Millimeter waves offer higher frequencies.
Therefore, this indicates the transmission of more data in a shorter time. A high-frequency system will feature a lower latency. Also, low-latency is very crucial for several time-sensitive applications such as wireless augmented and automated driving systems.
Limited range and reflection
The limited range and reflections provided by millimeter wave PCBs is beneficial to telecommunications. These benefits allow the placement of several small cells near each other without any interference. Also, this allows higher bandwidth consumers in an area.
Disadvantages of Millimeter Wave PCBs
Regardless of the benefits of millimeter waves, they have their limitations. Moisture and gasses in the atmosphere absorb millimeter waves. Therefore, this minimizes the strength and range of the waves. Also, humidity and rain can minimize their propagation distance and signal strength.
A millimeter wave usually travels by line of sight and physical objects like buildings and trees can block them. Also, closeness to animals and humans affect their propagation due to the content of water. Millimeter waves have negative impacts on the brain due to their penetrating effects. Therefore, they generate EEG changes and some neurological changes in the body.
The absorption of millimeter waves in the body is a major concern. The major concern here is the heating of the skin and eyes.
Conclusion
Millimeter wave PCBs offer some benefits to some applications like telecommunication and medicine. Also, these boards feature exceptional electrical and mechanical properties that make them suitable for use in advanced circuit boards. However, these boards could be dangerous to human lives. Human bodies are reflective and as such, don’t absorb much radiation from millimeter waves.
