High Frequency PCB

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High-Frequency PCB Manufacturer You Can Count On

PCBAndAssembly manufactures high-frequency printed circuit boards using low-loss laminates, precision-milled copper, and impedance-matched RF stackups to support GHz-class signal transmission across complex RF and microwave systems.

What is High Frequency PCB ?

High-frequency PCBs are printed circuit boards designed to transmit signals above 1 GHz with minimal loss, distortion, or reflection. These RF circuit boards utilize low dielectric constant (Dk) and low dielectric loss (Df) laminates, such as RO4350B, RO3010, and PTFE, to maintain impedance accuracy and minimize insertion loss across GHz frequency ranges.

Precise control over dielectric thickness, copper roughness, and trace width is required to achieve consistent impedance and prevent signal degradation. Unlike standard FR4 PCBs, high-frequency designs use engineered materials with stable dielectric constants across temperature and frequency bands to minimize phase delay and signal dispersion.

High frequency PCB manufacturers make these boards for RF and microwave systems such as radar, antennas, satellite receivers, and millimeter-wave circuits, where signal integrity and consistent frequency performance are required.

High Frequency PCB

Parameters To Consider For High-Frequency PCB Design:

Frequency Range: High-frequency PCBs typically operate above 1 GHz, with applications in radar systems, military equipment, aerospace, telecommunications, and high-speed digital systems.

Dielectric Constant (Dk): The dielectric constant of the PCB material affects the propagation speed of signals. Lower Dk values are preferred for high-frequency applications to minimize signal distortion and ensure accurate signal transmission.

Dissipation Factor (Df): Df represents the loss of signal energy as it travels through the PCB material. Lower Df values are desirable for high-frequency PCBs to reduce signal attenuation and maintain signal integrity.

Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion (CTE): CTE is crucial for high-frequency PCBs as it impacts the stability of the board’s dimensions under temperature variations. Low CTE materials help prevent issues like warping or delamination.

Signal Integrity: High-frequency PCB designs must minimize signal reflections, crosstalk, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) to preserve signal quality and reliability.

A High-Frequency PCB Requires the Use of Specialized Materials

Special materials are required to achieve the high frequency provided by this type of printed circuit board – any changes in the Er value of these materials can affect the impedance of the board. Many PCB designers turn to Rogers dielectric material for its lower dielectric loss, reduced signal loss, lower cost of circuit fabrication and better suitability for fast-turnaround prototyping applications.

Rogers

PCBAndAssembly is an experienced full service PCB manufacturer who provides a reliable, superior-performing high-frequency PCB fabrication services.

We manufacture high-frequency PCBs with frequency typically in the range from 500MHz to 2GHz. The following table shows some of our common-use materials for High-Frequency PCBs manufacturing.

Material Dielectric Constant
RO4350B 3.48±0.05@10 GHz
RO4003C 3.38±@10 GHz
Ro3003 3.00±0.04@10 GHz
Ro3010 10.2±0.03@10 GHz
RT5880 2.20±0.02@10 GHz

Check our capabilities by viewing the table found below:

Feature Capability
Quality Grade Standard IPC 2
Number of Layers 2 – 24layers
Order Quantity 1pc – 10000+pcs
Build Time 2days – 5weeks
Material RO4003C, RO4350B, Ro3003, Ro3010, RT5880
PP Rogers 4450F, Domestic-(25FR), Domestic-(RF-27), Domestic-(6700)
Board Size Min 6mm x 6mm | Max 457mm x 610mm
Board Thickness 0.4mm – 5.0mm
Copper Weight(Finished) 0.5oz – 2.oz
Min Tracing/Spacing 3mil/3mil
Solder Mask Sides As per the file
Solder Mask Color Green, White, Blue, Black, Red, Yellow
Silkscreen Sides As per the file
Silkscreen Color White, Black, Yellow
Surface Finish Electroless nickel/immersion gold (ENIG) – RoHS
Immersion silver – RoHS
Immersion tin – RoHS
Organic solderability preservatives – RoHS
Min Annular Ring 4mil
Min Drilling Hole Diameter 6mil
Impedance tolerance ±10%
Other Techniques Peelable solder mask
Gold fingers
Carbon oil
Countersink holes
High-Frequency PCB

We fabricate high-frequency multilayer PCBs using symmetrical and hybrid stackups, including microstrip and stripline configurations.

Dielectric layers are laminated with prepreg-controlled resin flow and vacuum press cycles, maintaining interlayer registration accuracy within ±25 µm and dielectric thickness tolerance to ±10%.

These constructions enable high-frequency circuit routing with stable impedance over wideband RF ranges.

Capability Specification
Build Time 2 days to 5 weeks
Order Volume 1 piece (prototype) to 10,000+ pcs
Scalability Supports prototyping to mass production.
Lead Time Factors Based on board complexity, material, and finish.
Standard ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, IPC-A-610H, UL
Test E-test, visual inspection, AOI inspection, X-ray, 3D microscope, ICT, High-voltage test, impedance control test, Micro section, soldering capacity, thermal stress test, shocking test

Our high-frequency circuit boards support minimum trace widths and spacing down to 1.8 mil using laser direct imaging (LDI) for resist patterning. 

This resolution enables dense RF routing while maintaining controlled impedance with ±10% deviation on 50 Ω and 100 Ω differential lines. 

Copper roughness is reduced via reverse-treated or rolled copper options to minimize insertion loss above 10 GHz.

We support mechanical via drilling down to 0.08 mm and laser microvias to 3 mil (0.075 mm), with support for blind and buried via layers in 1+n+1 and 2+n+2 stackups. 

For RF signal layers, backdrilling removes unused via stubs up to 16 mil deep, reducing reflection and improving insertion loss at frequencies above 6 GHz. 

Aspect ratios of up to 40:1 are achievable, depending on the stackup.

We source and laminate Rogers RO4350B, RO3003, and RO3010; Taconic TLX and RF-35; and Arlon 85N. 

These materials offer Dk values between 2.2 and 10.2 and Df as low as 0.0013, with z-axis CTEs under 40 ppm/°C and thermal conductivity from 0.20 to 0.95 W/m·K. 

Material selection is guided by your specific frequency range, target impedance, and thermal loading profile. 

Each high-frequency PCB stackup is modeled using Polar SI9000 or equivalent field solver tools with specified dielectric and copper parameters. 

Test coupons are panelized and impedance-tested using time-domain reflectometry (TDR) to confirm ±10% accuracy. 

We support both single-ended and differential impedance test structures across high-speed and RF signal layers.

We support PCB panel formats from 2 mm × 5 mm to 22.5 × 47.2 inch. Finished board thicknesses range from 0.1 mm to 12 mm, controlled to ±10% across all builds. 

Copper weight options include 0.5 oz, 1 oz, and 2 oz finished per layer, with surface roughness controlled to reduce dielectric loss in frequency-sensitive layers.

PCBAndAssembly offers ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) for stable RF pad metallization, as well as Immersion Tin, Immersion Silver, and OSP, all RoHS compliant.

For connector contacts and edge launch interfaces, hard gold and gold finger plating are available. Peelable solder mask and carbon ink printing are supported for switch pads and keyboard matrix circuits operating at low frequency.

Our production lines accommodate low-volume prototype runs (1 to 10 pieces) with lead times as fast as 48 hours for standard stackups and stocked materials. 

High-volume production (10,000+ pieces) is supported with panelized processing, X-ray registration, inline AOI, and 100% electrical testing. 

Turnkey PCB assembly is available for qualified RF applications, including BGA and QFN-mounted RF chipsets.

High Frequency Material Properties

Material ARLON 85N Rogers 4350B Rogers RO3003 Rogers RO3010 Taconic TLX
Tg (°C) 250 280
CTE-z (ppm/°C) 55 32 25 16 135
Peel Strength (N/mm) 1.2 0.9 1.2 1.6 2.1
Td (°C) 387 390 500 500
Dk (@10GHz) 4.2 3.5 3.0 10.0 2.5
Loss Tangent 0.0100 0.0037 0.0013 0.0022 0.0019
Thermal Cond. (W/m·K) 0.20 0.69 0.50 0.95 0.19
Surface Resistivity (MΩ) 1.6 × 10⁹ 5.7 × 10⁹ 1 × 10⁵ 1 × 10⁵ 1 × 10⁷
Electric Strength (KV/mm) 73 31

High Frequency PCB Manufacturer FAQs

Designing a high-frequency PCB requires impedance-controlled traces, reduced trace lengths, and consistent dielectric properties across layers. Use microstrip or stripline configurations for predictable frequency transmission, apply tight trace width and spacing (eg. 3 mil / 3 mil), and avoid 90-degree bends that cause signal reflection. 

Maintain clear return paths, isolate high-speed nets, and use ground planes to reduce EMI and crosstalk. Via count should be minimized, and all layout decisions should follow validated PCB design guidelines specific to RF frequency ranges.

Common challenges for high frequency PCB manufacturers include copper foil roughness, which increases insertion loss; solder mask with high dissipation factor, which adds dielectric loss; and via stub reflections in high-speed RF layers.

Dimensional instability and thermal expansion can also shift impedance values. Managing these issues requires smoother copper surfaces, low-loss solder mask, backdrilled vias, and thermally stable laminates like Rogers RO3003 or Arlon 85N.

Controlled PCB fabrication, verified impedance testing, and tight layer registration are essential for performance at microwave frequencies.

Selection depends on frequency range, dielectric constant (Dk), dissipation factor (Df), thermal performance, and cost. PTFE-based materials offer excellent signal integrity above 10 GHz, while hydrocarbon-ceramic blends like RO4350B balance performance and manufacturability. 

For lower-frequency applications under 6 GHz, Isola IS620 or Taconic TLX may be sufficient. Always factor in coefficient of thermal expansion, moisture resistance, and laminate availability during the PCB design process.

Yes, we offer DFM reviews and engineering guidance for PCB layout, impedance modeling, stackup planning, and material matching. Our team will advise on trace geometry, layer structure, and thermal strategies to optimize frequency performance and manufacturability for your RF PCB design.

Contact Us

Contact us for all your PCB, PCBA, and custom service needs!

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