In recent years, there has been a great deal of study on the creation of low loss materials that are capable of carrying high-speed digital signals inside PCBs while minimizing signal attenuation. This research led to the development of high-frequency PCB materials — Rogers 4350B and Panasonic Megtron6 being two of the most popular ones. In this article, we will explain how these two high-frequency PCB materials compare to one another.
What Are High-Frequency PCB Materials?
Electronic connections between various board components are made via conductive tracks and channels on printed circuit boards. On the board, which is laminated to the substrate material, primarily formed of epoxy resin, copper is employed to provide the conductive channel.
In electronic projects, signal communication is crucial, especially when it comes to Wi-Fi and satellite systems. However, certain applications, such as mobile, radio, microwave, and other high-speed design applications involve the transmission of signal between two or more points. As a result, these applications require high-frequency printed circuit boards (PCBs) and cannot function with traditional PCBs due to slower transmission speed and inferior thermal characteristics.
Due to the sensitivity of the signal and the need to preserve thermal heat transfer of the application, high frequency PCBs require exclusive high frequency laminates which are quite challenging to manufacture compared to traditional PCB laminates. Furthermore, to achieve the high frequency sustained by high frequency PCBs, special materials are employed, which we refer to as high-frequency PCB materials.
The properties of a high frequency PCB can significantly influence the performance of the signal. Likewise, the dielectric value (Er) of the high frequency PCB material used can affect the board’s impedance.
Two of the most popular high frequency PCB materials in the industry are Rogers 4350b and the Panasonic Megtron6 dielectric materials. These materials are preferred by most professionals because it is less expensive, has low relative permittivity (DK) and dissipation factor (DF) values, reduces signal loss, and is appropriate for prototyping and fabrication applications.
Rogers 4350B vs. Panasonic Megtron6 (R-5775) High-Frequency PCB Material
When comparing high frequency PCB materials, one needs to consider more than just the laminate datasheets and costs to choose the low-loss material that would offer the optimum performance and board cost balance for a certain application.
When we compare Rogers 4350B and Panasonic Megtron6 PCB materials, the two most preferred high frequency materials in use today, we find that there are both similarities and differences between them. Let’s look at both, the similarities and differences between the two materials.
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The Similarities Between Rogers 4350B and Panasonic Megtron6
One of the biggest similarities between Panasonic Megtron6 and the Rogers 4350B is that both materials have low Dk and Df values which are comparable to one another. In addition, both materials have been widely employed in RF applications and are increasingly being used for high-speed digital goods.
Although the Rogers resin has a ceramic filler, both PCB materials are based on hydrocarbon resins. Moreover, both laminates do not offer the option of a quarter-ounce copper coating and for both the high frequency PCB materials, the thinnest foil now available is one third ounce. Additionally, low-profile foils are available for both materials to stop signal reflections at high frequencies.
The Differences Between Rogers 4350B and Panasonic Megtron6
For bonding the 4350B laminates, Rogers offers three prepreg options which include a 3.6-mil prepreg with one glass option and a 4-mil prepreg with two glass type options. Moreover, Rogers disapproves of Etchback of the 4350B material and suggests cap construction instead of utilizing a single layer of prepreg in high-layer-count, single-lamination stackups.
Since Rogers discourages the utilization of a single layer of prepreg, manufacturers who employ Rogers material must modify the lamination cycle for fabricating boards.
The Panasonic prepregs, which process identically to regular FR-4 materials, require higher pressure for proper lamination than the Rogers prepregs for the 4350B cores. Furthermore, Panasonic Megtron6 material is somewhat less flat and repeatable than the Rogers core material, which helps with impedance control. However, the cost of the Rogers material is at least two times that of Megtron6. The Rogers 4350B offers eight available laminate thicknesses.
In comparison, Megtron6 laminates are available in 18 different thicknesses, and they are supplemented by a variety of glass styles prepreg thicknesses, which include several finely woven, flat-glass styles, which help minimize variations in impedance brought on by the fiber-weave effect. Those dense weaves are uniformly coated with resin. The Megtron6 prepreg glass designs offer even more customizability by allowing you to choose from three distinct resin content percentages.
The biggest difference between Megtron6 and Rogers is that the former laminates just like regular FR-4 materials. This means that there are no incompatible temperatures, pressures, movements, or bonding times involved. With outside layer(s) of Megtron6 and interior layer(s) of comparatively inexpensive FR-4, hybrid boards can also be created in a single lamination employing cap or foil construction.
Additionally, the broader range of Megtron6 core and prepreg thicknesses and resin content makes it easier to construct stackups and manage impedance.
Rogers 4350B material has been used to construct numerous PCBs for extremely fast digital circuitry. It is a well-tested option in terms of functionality and a very predictable material in terms of manufacture, with well-defined fabrication methods. However, it is somewhat more difficult to process than Megtron6, despite its widespread use.
Applications of High-Frequency PCB Materials
Here are some of the most common applications of high-frequency PCBs:
- Cellular Telecommunications Systems
- Scientific instruments (photometers, microscopes, and control systems)
- Global Positioning Satellite Antennas
- Automotive, Airborne, and Ground-Based Radar Systems
- Direct Broadcast Satellites
- RFID Tags (Radio-Frequency Identification)
- Missile Guidance Systems
- Millimeter-Wave Applications
- E-band Point-to-Point Microwave Links
- Space Satellite Transceivers
- Personal or Healthcare Monitors
- Power Indicators and Control Devices
- Medical Scanners (MRI, Ultrasound, CT, and more)
- Industrial and measuring equipment
Conclusion
High-frequency PCBs are specialized circuit boards designed to minimize signal loss and improve thermal properties. Rogers 4350B and Panasonic Megtron6 are two of the most preferred high-frequency PCB materials used in the industry today to manufacture laminates for high-frequency circuit boards. While Rogers is more established and commonly used of the two materials and also offers better frequency speeds than Megtron6, the latter is easier to process and design and offers a greater range of thickness and glass style options.
Hemeixin is an industry leading electronics manufacturer that specializes in a variety of PCBs and circuitry. Our services include semi rigid-flex PCB, rigid PCB, Flex PCB, blind via and high frequency PCBs. Call us now to learn how we can help you or to get a quote.
