How to Select Low-Loss Materials for RF and MW Applications

Alex Ippich

Technical Director Signal Integrity
Isola Group

Amit Bahl

CRO
Sierra Circuits

In this webinar, we’ll explore the impact of PCB materials on RF prototype performance, breaking down key considerations like dielectric constant (Dk), dissipation factor (Df), and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). We’ll discuss the challenges of working with RF materials, from signal propagation to board warping, and compare the advantages and limitations of PTFE versus non-PTFE materials.

Isola will take you through the latest on low-loss RF materials and the critical role copper roughness plays in insertion loss. We’ll explore the importance of oxide replacement, loss tangent, and via stubs in your design choices, as well as how to select the best surface finishes for RF applications.

Best practices for testing Dk/Df values and the evolution of test methods will also be covered, along with insights into TDR and VNA measurements to characterize laminate and PCB performance.

This webinar will equip you with the knowledge to optimize your RF designs and navigate the intricacies of material selection and fabrication.

What you’ll learn:

• PCB material significantly impacts RF prototype performance
• Key factors to consider when selecting laminates for radio frequency
• Fabrication challenges associated with RF materials
• Comparison between PTFE and non-PTFE materials
• Why choose hybrid stack-ups for RF designs?
• How copper roughness affects insertion loss in RF/MW boards
• Impact of oxide replacement, loss tangent, and via stubs
• How to choose surface finishes for RF applications
• Best practices for Dk/Df testing of RF materials
• Evolution of test methods for blank PCBs

Meet the presenters

Alex Ippich, SI Technical Director at Isola

Alexander Ippich, technical director signal integrity and advanced technology in the OEM marketing group is the product manager for the RF/microwave materials of Isola and a specialist for RF applications.

Previously, he worked 20 years on the PCB manufacturing side, holding various positions in the corporate technology group, application engineering and R&D.

Mr. Ippich received his ‘Diplom Engineer’ degree in Electrical Engineering from University Stuttgart, Germany.

Amit Bahl, CRO at Sierra Circuits

Amit Bahl, widely recognized as the PCB Guy, currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at Sierra Circuits. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from UCLA in 1997, launching his career in Silicon Valley’s tech industry. In 2009, he assumed the role of Director of Sales and Marketing at Sierra Circuits, with a dedicated focus on democratizing design for manufacturing best practices and guidelines for PCB designers and engineers.

Within a short span, Amit successfully propelled Sierra Circuits to become a leading educational platform for all aspects of PCBs. Under his leadership, Sierra expanded to offer blogs, design guides, webinars, calculators and design tools, and a vibrant forum, SierraConnect. Amit remains committed to ensuring the community has access to the essential resources, whether they are developing standard products or boards with specifications for medtech or military applications.