Printed circuit boards (PCBs) that operate reliably at high frequencies are critical for applications like 5G, satellites, radars, avionics and other wireless communications systems. Manufacturing such high frequency PCBs requires expertise in specialized materials, stackups, fabrication processes and quality control. This article profiles the top 10 manufacturers of high frequency PCBs based on their capabilities.
1. RayMing Technology
Headquarter Location: Shenzhen, China
RayMing Technology is an expert in high frequency PCB prototyping and volume production using cutting edge fabrication technologies and testing. They manufacture boards up to 24 layers for RF frequencies above 10 GHz such as mmWave antennas, radar systems, satellite communication, electronic warfare and aerospace/defense electronics.
Core Capabilities:
- PCB materials including Rogers, Taconic, Arlon for mw and mmWaves
- Stackups with signal-power-ground layer sequencing
- Fine line PCB fabrication down to 2 mil line/space
- Laser drilling to create microvias for HDI
- Immersion silver plating for optimal HF performance
- Rigid-flex PCBs
- 100% testing for electricals and quality
Industry Segments Served: Defense, avionics, telecom, space, automotive
2. TTM Technologies
Headquarter Location: California, United States
TTM Technologies is among the top high frequency PCB manufacturers in the world headquartered in the United States. They fabricate RF/microwave boards for defense and aerospace applications including radars, electronic warfare systems, satellite communications, telemetry systems etc.
Core Capabilities:
- PTFE, ceramic and hydrocarbon based laminates
- Complex multilayer and HDI boards
- Fine line capabilities down to 2/2 mils
- Laser microvias and back drilling
- ENIG, immersion silver and IPC coatings
- Rigid-flex PCBs
- Testing for HF parameters
Industry Segments Served: Defense, aerospace, industrial
3. AT&S
Headquarter Location: Leoben, Austria
AT&S is Europe’s largest high frequency PCB manufacturer serving the automotive, industrial, medical and aerospace sectors. They produce advanced HDI, multilayer and rigid-flex boards capable of over 100 GHz frequencies.
Core Capabilities:
- PTFE, ceramic, polyimide based materials
- HDI structures with 3 um vias/lines
- Stackups for mmWave applications
- Laser drilling and backplane technology
- AOI, microsectioning and electrical testing
- Prototyping to mass production
- Global manufacturing footprint
Industry Segments Served: Automotive, industrial, medical, aerospace
4. Compeq Manufacturing
Headquarter Location: Taiwan
Compeq Manufacturing is a leading high frequency PCB manufacturer in Asia. They fabricate boards using FR4, Rogers, Teflon, Polyimide for wireless communication applications up to 77 GHz. Their key expertise is in automotive radar PCBs.
Core Capabilities:
- Materials including Rogers 4350, 4003C, TMM 3
- Stackups for 77GHz automotive radars
- HDI with 2 mil lines and 4 mil microvias
- Sequential lamination process
- Fine line printing down to 4 mil
- Rigid-flex PCBs
- IATF 16949 automotive qualified
Industry Segments Served: Automotive, communication
5. Elec & Eltek
Headquarter Location: Taiwan
Elec & Eltek specialize in making high frequency PCBs for communication infrastructure applications including 5G antennas, base stations, small cells and satellite communications. They offer advanced HDI and RF boards.
Core Capabilities:
- Key laminates – Rogers RO4003C, RO4835, Taconic RF-60
- PCBs rated up to 76GHz frequency
- Fractional microvia in pad technology
- 1Oz to 2Oz copper on high TG substrates
- ENIG surface finish for fine pitch components
- RF characterization and testing
- Prototypes through volume production
Industry Segments Served: Communication infrastructure, aerospace
6. Hillmancurtis Technologies
Headquarter Location: Stafford Springs, Connecticut, United States
The Defense and Aerospace division of Hillmancurtis specializes in fabricating complex, high reliability PCBs and substrates for defense electronics operating in extreme environments. They manufacture rigid, rigid-flex and ceramic boards for mission-critical applications.
Core Capabilities:
- High speed digital, RF and thermal management PCBs
- Rigid-flex boards for constrained spaces
- Multilayer build up boards for advanced RADAR
- Ruggedized boards meeting Mil-P and AS standards
- Specialty coatings like parylene conformal coating
- Assembly and testing services
- ITAR registered and AS9100 certified
Industry Segments Served: Defense, military aerospace
7. Park Electrochemical
Headquarter Location: Melville, New York, United States
Park Electrochemical develops advanced materials and designs cutting-edge RF/digital multilayer boards catering specifically to aerospace and defense markets. They also build PCBs for satellite antennae applications.
Core Capabilities:
- PTFE composite materials
- Multilayer RF PCBs with complex routing
- PTFE-based RF antenna boards
- Multilayer digital boards for avionics
- Ruggedized for harsh environments
- Design services leveraging RF expertise
- Testing capabilities like shock, vibration
Industry Segments Served: Defense, aerospace, satellite
8. San Francisco Circuits
Headquarter Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
San Francisco Circuits manufactures advanced RF, microwave and millimeter wave PCBs for communications infrastructure and aerospace/defense applications. Their high frequency PCBs range up to 90 GHz.
Core Capabilities:
- PTFE, quartz and hydrocarbon ceramic materials
- Multilayer RF/digital/mixed signal designs
- Modeling and signal integrity analysis
- ENIG surface finish on exposed pads
- Via stub elimination techniques
- 100% electrical testing
- Low to mid volume production
Industry Segments Served: Aerospace, communication infrastructure
9. Cicor Group
Headquarter Location: Boudry, Switzerland
Cicor Group provides sophisticated PCBs and microelectronics solutions for industries including aerospace, defense, medical and industrial automation. Their PCB technologies support high frequency applications.
Core Capabilities:
- RF designs on substrates like Rogers RO4003
- Multilayer and HDI circuit boards
- Flex and rigid-flex PCB solutions
- Advanced assembly on ceramic substrates
- Clean room assembly and testing
- Prototyping to medium volume production
Industry Segments Served: Aerospace, defense, industrial
10. Probe Test Solutions
Headquarter Location: Irvine, California, United States
Probe Test Solutions offers advanced probe card technologies and HF PCB solutions catering to 5G communications, satellite RF testing and aerospace/defense test.
Core Capabilities:
- High frequency materials including PTFE composites
- Multilayer digital and RF designs
- Micro coax interface on boards
- Millimeter wave antenna in package
- Custom probe cards for IC testing
- Design, fabrication and testing services
Industry Segments Served: 5G infrastructure, aerospace/defense
Comparison of High Frequency PCB Manufacturers
| Provider | Location | Frequency | Materials | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RayMing Technology | China | >25 GHz | Rogers, Taconic, Arlon | Rigid-flex PCBs, laser drilling |
| TTM Technologies | US | Up to 80 GHz | PTFE composites, ceramics | HDI, microvias, rigid-flex |
| AT&S | Austria | >100 GHz | PTFE, PI, ceramics | Fine line PCB, backdrilling |
| Compeq | Taiwan | Up to 77 GHz | Rogers 4000, Taconic | Automotive radar PCBs |
| Elec & Eltek | Taiwan | Up to 76 GHz | Rogers 4000, Taconic | HDI, microvias, ENIG |
| Hillmancurtis | US | Microwave, mmWave | PTFE composites | Ruggedized and flex PCBs |
| Park Electrochemical | US | Microwave, mmWave | PTFE composites | Aerospace materials expertise |
| San Francisco Circuits | US | Up to 90 GHz | PTFE, quartz, ceramics | Modeling and SI analysis |
| Cicor Group | Switzerland | Microwave, mmWave | Rogers 4000, Taconic | Rigid-flex PCBs, EMS |
| Probe Test Solutions | US | 5G, mmWave | PTFE materials | Probe cards, testing |
This comparison shows that leading high frequency PCB manufacturers leverage materials like PTFE composites and ceramics along with processes like laser drilling to achieve very high operating frequencies demanded by modern RF/wireless applications.
How to Choose a High Frequency PCB Manufacturer?
Here are some tips on selecting the right PCB manufacturer for high frequency applications:
- Frequency range – Ensure they can support the target frequency range like >10 GHz mmWave boards.
- Materials expertise – Use of substrates like Rogers, Taconic demonstrating high frequency knowledge.
- HDI capabilities – Availability of HDI technology with microvias, fine features.
- Stackup experience – Ability to design optimal layer stacks separating digital and RF signals.
- Design services – End-to-end design support from schematic to fabrication.
- Modeling and analysis – Simulation of signal, power integrity, impedance and EMI.
- Quality systems – Certifications like IPC, ISO, AS9100 demonstrate disciplined quality.
- Testing capabilities – Range of electrical, RF and functional tests offered.
- Prototyping abilities – Capability for both low volume prototyping and volume production.
- Applications experience – Expertise for the specific product application like radars or 5G.
- Cost effectiveness – Competitive pricing combined with strong technical capabilities.
Future Outlook for High Frequency PCBs
The market for high frequency PCBs will witness strong growth in the coming years driven by:
- 5G infrastructure – mmWave PCBs for 5G base stations, small cells, test equipment
- Aerospace/defense – Satcom, electronic warfare, radar, guidance systems
- Automotive – Radar PCBs for collision detection and autonomous driving
- High speed computing – High bandwidth data centers, supercomputers, AI/ML
- IoT proliferation – Connecting appliances, wearables, sensors wirelessly
- Space communications – Satellite constellations for global broadband access
- Technology advances – Innovations in materials, fabrication and assembly enabling higher performance
To cater to this surging demand, high frequency PCB manufacturers are expanding production capacity, capabilities and forming strategic customer partnerships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What frequencies do high frequency PCBs support?
A: High frequency PCBs operate reliably from microwave bands (~3-30 GHz) up to mmWave frequencies >30 GHz. Materials and processes enable these high frequencies.
Q: What are some key materials used in high frequency PCBs?
A: Common materials are PTFE composites like Rogers 4000, Taconic RF materials, Arlon, Isola Astra. Ceramics like aluminum nitride are also used.
Q: What fabrication processes are critical for high frequency PCBs?
A: Laser drilling, photolithography to achieve fine features, sequential lamination, controlled impedance traces, SI analysis and modeling are key processes.
Q: What are some challenges in high frequency PCB manufacturing?
A: Maintaining signal integrity at high speeds, impedance control, thermal management, PCB distortion control and reliability are some key challenges.
Q: How are high frequency PCBs tested?
A: They undergo electrical testing focused on insertion loss, VSWR, time domain reflectometry, impedance and functional RF testing.
