Critical Aspects of Dielectric Constant Properties for High Frequency Circuit Design

Having a good understanding of dielectric constant (Dk or ε_r) is critical for high frequency PCB design. This topic is deceivingly simple for those less familiar with the intricacies and the multiple dependencies which dominate design Dk. The term design Dk is related to the dielectric constant value of a circuit material and should be used for high frequency circuit design and modeling.

The design Dk of high frequency circuit material is frequency dependent, thickness dependent and copper surface roughness dependent. These dependencies do interact with each other and – to make matters more complicated – anisotropy may or may not play a significant role in the design variables for a particular application.

This webinar will address all issues associated with design Dk, give examples with measured data, discuss the test method used to determine design Dk and give direction as to where to find the design Dk data for Rogers Corporation’s high frequency circuit materials.

Topics to be addressed:

• Overview of frequency dependent dielectric constant
• Anisotropy
• Copper surface roughness effects
• Thickness dependencies
• Design Dk examples
• Where to find design Dk information