Technical Library | 2019-02-06 22:02:08.0
The High Density Packaging (HDP) user group has completed a project to evaluate the majority of viable Dk (Dielectric Constant)/Df (Dissipation Factor) and delay/loss electrical test methods, with a focus on the methods used for speeds above 2 GHz. A comparison of test methods from 1 to 2 GHz through to higher test frequencies was desired, testing a variety of laminate materials (standard volume production with UL approval, low loss, and "halogen-free" laminate materials). Variations in the test board material resin content/construction and copper foil surface roughness/type were minimized. Problems with Dk/Df and loss test methods and discrepancies in results are identified, as well as possible correlations or relationships among these higher speed test methods.
Technical Library | 2015-02-05 23:23:40.0
Ball grid arrays are the boon and bane of engineers and printed circuit board designers the world over. Their unparalleled pin density and low lead inductance are essential in today's high pin count, high frequency integrated circuits. However, that same pin density and unique interface create a challenge unique unto themselves. These challenges need to be faced head on since the ball grid array (BGA) is prevalent in modern PCBs. While there are entire textbooks that cover the topic of BGAs, their use and fanout techniques, the quick overview provided here offers an engineer a good starting point for improving BGA designs.
Technical Library | 2012-11-01 20:54:49.0
First published in the 2012 IPC APEX EXPO technical conference proceedings. The continuous progression toward portable, high frequency microelectronic systems has placed high demands on material performance, notably low dielectric constants (Dk), low loss tangent (Df), low moisture uptake, and good thermal stability. Epoxy resins are the workhorses of the electronic industry. Significant performance enhancements have been obtained through the use of PPE telechelic macromonomers with epoxy resins. However, there is a ceiling on the performance obtainable from epoxy-based resins. Therefore, non-epoxy based dielectric materials are used to fulfill the need for higher performance.
Technical Library | 2016-03-24 17:37:09.0
Today's Electronic Industry is changing at a high pace. The root causes are manifold. So world population is growing up to eight billions and gives new challenges in terms of urbanization, mobility and connectivity. Consequently, there will raise up a lot of new business models for the electronic industry. Connectivity will take a large influence on our lives. Concepts like Industry 4.0, internet of things, M2M communication, smart homes or communication in or to cars are growing up. All these applications are based on the same demanding requirement – a high amount of data and increased data transfer rate. These arguments bring up large challenges to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design and manufacturing.This paper investigates the impact of different PCB manufacturing technologies and their relation to their high frequency behavior. In the course of the paper a brief overview of PCB manufacturing capabilities is be presented. Moreover, signal losses in terms of frequency, design, manufacturing processes, and substrate materials are investigated. The aim of this paper is, to develop a concept to use materials in combination with optimized PCB manufacturing processes, which allows a significant reduction of losses and increased signal quality.
Technical Library | 2020-10-08 00:55:22.0
This article presents the development of a stretchable sensor network with high signal-to-noise ratio and measurement accuracy for real-time distributed sensing and remote monitoring. The described sensor network was designed as an island-and-serpentine type network comprising a grid of sensor "islands" connected by interconnecting "serpentines." A novel high-yield manufacturing process was developed to fabricate networks on recyclable 4-inch wafers at a low cost. The resulting stretched sensor network has 17 distributed and functionalized sensing nodes with low tolerance and high resolution. The sensor network includes Piezoelectric (PZT), Strain Gauge(SG), and Resistive Temperature Detector (RTD) sensors. The design and development of a flexible frame with signal conditioning, data acquisition, and wireless data transmission electronics for the stretchable sensor network are also presented. The primary purpose of the frame subsystem is to convert sensor signals into meaningful data, which are displayed in real-time for an end-user to view and analyze. The challenges and demonstrated successes in developing this new system are demonstrated, including (a) developing separate signal conditioning circuitry and components for all three sensor types (b) enabling simultaneous sampling for PZT sensors for impact detection and (c)configuration of firmware/software for correct system operation. The network was expanded with an in-house developed automated stretch machine to expand it to cover the desired area. The released and stretched network was laminated into an aerospace composite wing with edge-mount electronics for signal conditioning, processing, power, and wireless communication.
Technical Library | 2019-02-13 13:45:11.0
Development of information and telecommunications network is outstanding in recent years, and it is required for the related equipment such as communication base stations, servers and routers, to process huge amount of data in no time. As an electrical signal becomes faster and faster, how to prevent signal delay by transmission loss is a big issue for Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) loaded on such equipments. There are two main factors as the cause of transmission loss; dielectric loss and conductor loss. To decrease the dielectric loss, materials having low dielectric constant and low loss tangent have been developed. On the other hand, reducing the surface roughness of the copper foil itself to be used or minimizing the surface roughness by modifying surface treatment process of the conductor patterns before lamination is considered to be effective in order to decrease the conductor loss. However, there is a possibility that reduction in the surface roughness of the conductor patterns will lead to the decrease in adhesion of conductor patterns to dielectric resin and result in the deterioration of reliability of PCB itself. In this paper, we will show the evaluation results of adhesion performance and electrical properties using certain type of dielectric material for high frequency PCB, several types of copper foil and several surface treatment processes of the conductor patterns. Moreover, we will indicate a technique from the aspect of surface treatment process in order to ensure reliability and, at the same time, to prevent signal delay at the signal frequency over 20 GHz.
Technical Library | 2014-01-09 16:40:33.0
Embedded Passive Technology is a viable technology that has been reliably used in the defense and aerospace industry for over 20 years. Embedded Passive (Resistors and Capacitors) Technology have a great potential for high frequency and high density applications. It also provides better signal performance, reduced parasitic and cross talk. This paper summarizes the selection of resistor embedded materials, evaluations of resistive material (Phase 1) and duplication of a complex digital design (Phase 2). Phase 1 –resistive materials (Foil 25Ω/sq NiCr and 1kΩ/sq CrSiO) and resistive-Ply materials (25Ω/sq and 250Ω/sq NiP) were chosen for evaluation.
Technical Library | 2021-05-26 00:53:26.0
This paper describes a copper electroplating enabling technology for filling microvias. Driven by the need for faster, smaller and higher performance communication and electronic devices, build-up technology incorporating microvias has emerged as a viable multilayer printed circuit manufacturing technology. Increased wiring density, reduced line widths, smaller through-holes and microvias are all attributes of these High Density Interconnect (HDI) packages. Filling the microvias with conductive material allows the use of stacked vias and via in pad designs thereby facilitating additional packaging density. Other potential design attributes include thermal management enhancement and benefits for high frequency circuitry. Electrodeposited copper can be utilized for filling microvias and provides potential advantages over alternative via plugging techniques. The features, development, scale up and results of direct current (DC) and periodic pulse reverse (PPR) acid copper via filling processes, including chemistry and equipment, are described.
Technical Library | 2015-04-30 20:17:03.0
Higher-speed signal transmission is increasingly required on a printed circuit board to handle massive data in electronic systems. So, signal transmission loss of copper wiring on a printed circuit board has been studied. First, total signal loss was divided into dielectric loss and conductor loss quantitatively based on electromagnetic theory. In particular, the scattering loss due to surface roughness of copper foil has been examined in detail. And the usefulness of the copper foil with low surface roughness has been demonstrated.
Technical Library | 2020-12-16 18:50:42.0
System operating speeds continue to increase as a function of the consumer demand for such technologies as faster Internet connectivity, video on demand, and mobile communications technology. As a result, new high performance PCB substrates have emerged to address signal integrity issues at higher operating frequencies. These are commonly called low Dk and/or low loss (Df) materials. The published "typical" values found on a product data sheet provide limited information, usually a single construction and resin content, and are derived from a wide range of test methods and test sample configurations. A printed circuit board designer or front end application engineer must be aware that making a design decision based on the limited information found on a product data sheet can lead to errors which can delay a product launch or increase the assembled PCB cost. The purpose of this paper is to highlight critical selection factors that go beyond a typical product data sheet and explain how these factors must be considered when selecting materials for high speed applications
