Microwave Tech - RF/Microwave PCB materials and properties Evaluation

In general, the specific properties of circuit board materials have a great deal to do with the performance of the final circuit board (PCB), especially at RF/ Microwave frequencies. The parameters such as the dielectric constant (DK), the dissipation factor (DF), and even the thickness of the material can affect the performance of different transmission lines (such as microstrip lines, strip lines, coplanar waveguides) in high-frequency circuits. Fortunately, there is simple and efficient tool software that can predict the expression of different high-frequency transmission lines processed on different line plates, namely the microwave impedance (MWI) calculation software supplied by Rogers Enterprises.

This evangelist conveyance line performance simulation computing tool software can visit the Rogers Enterprise official website "Rogers technical support core", free download to the EXE style executable file. The software can be installed on any personal computer running Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system (OS), or it can be run from a website. The latest version of the software, MWI-2019, uses the folding equation to calculate the performance of a specially designated transmission line based on the differences in the basic line sheet material parameters (e.g. DK, thickness, and other material parameters). According to the special properties of different materials, the software can also calculate the different performance and office parameters of transmission lines, including characteristic indicator impedance, damage and quality factor (Q), etc. The software allows users to select different sheets from the circuit sheet stock and perform calculations based on a variety of high-frequency transmission line technologies, including microstrip lines, strip lines, grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW), edge-coupled microstrips, edge-coupled strip lines (or different-pair strip lines) and wide-side coupled strip lines.

The user manual is also available for free download from the Rogers Support Core to help users better use the MWI-2019 software. The closing equation of the software can provide a very accurate simulation based on a large number of test values in the point used to propagate the transmission line. In most cases, the final simulation results of the given line and the given transmission line technology are in good agreement with the actual survey results of the manufactured transmission line on the vector network analyzer (VNA). This is especially true for some of the most common transmission line types, such as microstrips, strip, and grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW).

Rapid running speed

The tool software MWI-2019 has many advantages, apart from the fact that it is free of charge and can successfully achieve high precision on an ordinary PC, its one notable unique feature is its efficient running speed. In the simulation of the transmission line of different lines of plate materials, if you think appropriate and use other commercial 3d full-wave electromagnetic (EM) field simulation software, even if you think appropriate and use the top match and the latest PC, a simulation may also need a few hours. But the creators of the MWI-2019 software originally wanted it to run quickly and efficiently on ordinary PCS made with common sense. Basically, after setting the relevant parameters, just press the "calculate" button of the software, and the software can give very accurate simulation results almost immediately.

Of course, EM field simulation software can generally provide 3d full wave calculation, can provide much higher precision than MWI-2019 so convenient free software, its cost is to think appropriate and use a longer simulation time. But MWI-2019 is not meant to replace EM field simulation software. Mwi-2019 software can provide a very useful reliable reference to the final results, its rapid calculation of optimal position can in a very short time, help circuit preset engineers in the default of different transmission line circuits, accurately and quickly select the line plate DK value, thickness and confirm the indicators of other line plates. For a given high-frequency transmission line technology and circuit preset, the simulation speed of MWI-2019 enables engineers to find the best circuit parameters across a wide range of circuit board materials. When higher simulation precision is required and sufficient calculation time is available, engineers can use EM field simulation software to solicit more precise and detailed simulation results at any time.

MWI-2019 software can fast transmission lines in different PCB material expressions, allowing users to compare and choose between a variety of materials. For example, different lines of plate material at different frequencies, microstrip circuit transmission line damage is affected? When modifying PCB materials, the software will use the closest standard thickness of each material, as well as the best type of copper foil for each material, to simplify comparisons. If the user is interested in analyzing and comparing specific parameters of the material (e.g. DK and thickness), the software can also correct these acquiesced standard values, allowing the user to define the Settings.

Reliable computational precision

Although the simulation speed is fast, mWI-2019 can still provide very accurate simulation final results after specially specified closing equations and plate shape optimization of transmission lines. Users can use the software built-in tacit standard material parameters, can also be fine-tuning circuit board material parameters (including preset DK, thickness, and even the definition of copper wire) to transmit the transmission line circuit and material simulation calculation (MWI-2019 contains a variety of copper surface finish plate). Before the circuit board material transmission line analysis and calculation, the software allows the user to correct the default value and input their value, to have an interest in the frequency of up custom calculation, so quickly test how different transmission lines with the selection of materials and frequency and change.

When users choose from MWI - 2019 circuit board materials, as well as the frequency, the thickness of the PCB material, office software MWI - 2019 after more than set the number of numerical library materials depending on a parameter (according to the thickness of the material or the z-axis) found in specific DK of the specified value, the DK values is based on the frequency of the different materials to conduct the actual survey. The frequency variation of DK values for each material is based on the actual survey of hundreds of circuits tested at different frequencies and with different thicknesses of circuit board materials. These preset DK values are also available over a wide frequency range: the latest version of the software's preset DK values are suitable for 100 MHz to 110 GHz frequencies, with support for 60 GHz and higher. Examples include the recent rise of 5G millimeter-wave applications, cellular communication networks, radar safety systems for vehicles, etc. Compared with earlier versions of the software, MWI-2019 also contains a larger selection of circuit board materials, as well as the corresponding number of preset DK numerical library and has been optimized for the materials of the transmission line plate.

The two most widely used high-frequency transmission lines, namely microstrip lines and strip lines, are also the two most accurate plate types in MWI-2019. According to the simulation results provided by the software, the actual survey value of the transmission line processed on the actual circuit board material is almost absolutely the same as the simulation value. For other types of transmission lines, such as edge-coupled microstrips and edge-coupled strip lines, the plate and closing equations provide very, very accurate final results, although there are not many survey values to enhance the reproducibility and accuracy of the simulation.