Elementary, Mr. Watson: Design Data Packages—Circle of Concern or Circle of Influence?
Fresh PCB Concepts: The Power of a Lunch & Learn for PCB Professionals
The Shaughnessy Report: Solving the Data Package Puzzle
RF PCB Design Tips and Tricks
May 8, 2025 | Cherie Litson, EPTAC MIT CID/CID+Estimated reading time: 1 minute
There are many great books, videos, and information online about designing PCBs for RF circuits. A few of my favorite RF sources are Hans Rosenberg, Stephen Chavez, and Rick Hartley, but there are many more. These PCB design engineers have a very good perspective on what it takes to take an RF design from schematic concept to PCB layout.
Here’s a quick summary of the common suggestions that I’ve learned from them and others over time:
- A schematic shows the “ideal” functionality of the RF circuit. When creating a schematic in the PCB layout, the “real” physics of the copper strips, dielectric material, and adjacent circuits and metal features create parasitic influences: resistance, inductance, and capacitance.
- It is the responsibility of the layout engineer to minimize the differences between the “ideal” and “real.”
- Electronic devices and systems operate at frequencies ranging from a few megahertz to several gigahertz. Finding the best method to control the parasitic influences requires only a few basic guidelines.
- Identify and understand the current loops in the circuit
- The shorter the loop, the lower the impedance and resistance ratios
- Use an uninterrupted ground plane as close as possible to the referenced signal
- Give each ground connection its own via as close as possible to the pad
To do this in a PCB, remember it is a 3D environment. Uninterrupted ground plane layers close to their signal, impedance calculations, material selection, copper thicknesses, trace thicknesses, shielding, and spacing become the tools to control the parasitic influences of the “real” circuit.
Methods for applying each of these tools in your PCB design are available for all designers. Then download a tool such as Saturn’s free PCB Toolkit and see how switching to different parameters in the “differential pairs/XTALK” tab will change the values of your target impedances. This will get you in the ballpark of creating a good RF design.
To continue reading this article, which originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Flexible PCB Market to Reach $61.75B by 2032, Driven by the Demand for Compact Electronics, Automotive and Medical Applications
05/16/2025 | Globe NewswireAccording to the SNS Insider, “The Flexible PCB Market was valued at USD 21.42 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $61.75 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.52% over the forecast period 2024-2032.”
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/16/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007My picks for the week include—as a complement to the trade agreement news—SEMI's public support of a bill including new tax credit eligibility for semiconductor manufacturers. This provision feels quite similar to the current PCB investment bill that's been introduced to the current Congress; here’s hoping Congress takes a more holistic approach to electronics manufacturing.
The ICAPE Group Announces a 13% Growth in Revenue to €51.1M for Q1 2025
05/15/2025 | ICAPE GroupThe ICAPE Group, a global technology distributor of printed circuit boards (PCB) and custom-made electromechanical parts, announced its sales for the first quarter of 2025.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Defect Reduction—May 2025 PCB007 Magazine Now Available
05/15/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamFor bare PCB board fabrication, defect reduction is a critical aspect of a company's bottom line profitability. In the May 2025 issue of PCB007 Magazine, we examine the imaging, etching, and plating processes, as well as product traceability on the shop floor, providing information and insight into how you can reduce your defects and increase yields.
Canadian Circuits Inc. Unveils Rapid Prototype PCB Assembly Service to Accelerate Innovation
05/14/2025 | Canadian Circuits, Inc.Canadian Circuits Inc. (CCI), a leading provider of high-quality, made-in-Canada, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its Prototype PCB Assembly (PCBA) service. This new offering enhances CCI’s commitment to empowering engineers and OEMs by accelerating the journey from concept to product launch with precision and efficiency in electronics manufacturing.