RF PCB Design Basics
RF PCB
What is Radio Frequency Printed Circuit Board?
We can generally define RF PCB as printed circuit boards designed to operate on medium to extremely high frequencies.
Any high frequency printed circuit board which operates above 100MHz, therefore, falls in the category of radio frequency PCB.
However, when talking about RF PCBs, the actual frequency range of reference is usually from 300MHz and above.
RFs PCBs operating above 2GHz are known as Microwave PCBs.
PCB Design for RF Applications
There are several applications that depend on RF PCB design.
You can attribute this to the unique capabilities that the RF PCBs have. Here are some of these applications.
i. Security Systems
Radio Frequency circuit boards are widely used in security systems and devices.
RF security system
These devices usually depend on RF PCBs for effective functioning and endurance to fluctuating thermal and environmental conditions.
This helps in ensuring that security is not compromised regardless of the environmental or thermal condition.
Devices such as full body scanners, backscatter scanners and metal detectors use RF PCBs.
ii.Communication Industry
Radio frequency printed circuit boards are also able to sustain high bandwidth transmission of data systems. This makes them a favorite in the communication industry.
RF PCBs are also used in the manufacture of remote controls which aid in wireless communication.
Communication satellites are also manufactured using RF PCBs. Usually, they are used in conveying information in thermally and environmentally unfriendly conditions.
With RF PCB, there is the assurance that such fluctuations will not affect performance.
Another common area of application of RF PCBs in this industry is in the manufacture of smart-phones
iii.Consumer Electronics
Radio frequency circuit boards also come handy in the production of consumer electronics. This is mainly due to their thermal and electrical performance.
Again, RF PCBs tend to be comparatively cheaper, hence affordable to most consumers.
Devices such as smartphones, smart watches, microwaves and radios are manufactured using RF printed circuit boards.
iv. Military Applications
Military applications are often exposed to fluctuating weather and thermal conditions. As such, RF PCBs are widely used in their manufacture.
This preference is based on its ability to endure thermal and environmental fluctuations.
Such military applications include satellites, radio phones, security scanners, military planes and vehicles.
v.Medical Applications
Radio frequency PCBs have time over been used in the medical industry. Usually, medical devices such as x-ray machines and medical scanners are manufactured using RF PCBs.
The same can be said of medical implants such as pacemakers.
vi.Automotive Industry
Motor vehicles need improved electrical performance. The automotive industry is also regulated to ensure that it complies with the set manufacturing standards.
RF PCBs makes these set standards achievable.
Fully automatic vehicles assembly plant
vii.Industrial Applications
In the industries, there is usually the desire to manufacture effective and dependable products.
This means that the demands for products that can endure both thermal and environmental fluctuations are high.
RF PCBs effectively meet these conditions.
In short, all these electrical electronic gadgets use RF PCB circuits to transmit signals.