This is a very professional question. Choosing a supplier for PCB high-frequency circuit boards (typically referring to circuit boards used for RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave applications).
The definition of “good” includes: material stability, process precision, consistency, technical support capability, price, and delivery time.
Below, I will outline several dimensions for you.
1. Core Considerations: Clarify Your Requirements First
Before looking for suppliers, please clarify the following points:
1. Frequency Range: Is it several GHz, tens of GHz, or even higher? The higher the frequency, the more stringent the requirements for materials and processes.
2. Substrate Used:
Rogers: The gold standard in the industry, such as the RO4000 series, RO3000 series, RT/duroid series.
Taconic: Such as Taconic RF-35, TLY series, etc.
Panasonic: Such as Megtron 4, Megtron 6, Megtron 7.
Isola: Such as IS680, etc.
Do you have a specified material? It is also important whether the supplier has stock of this material.
3. Process Requirements:
Dielectric constant stability: Should vary little with frequency/temperature.
Loss factor: The lower, the better.
Line width/spacing precision: Is impedance control required?
Number of layers: Single-sided, double-sided, or multilayer?
Surface treatment: Gold immersion, gold plating, OSP, etc.
Copper thickness: 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz?
Quality of hole metallization: Crucial for high-frequency signal transmission.
4. Budget and Quantity: Is it for prototyping, small batch, or mass production?
Shenzhen Xincheng’er Manufacturer usually has deep cooperation with Rogers, Taconic, Wangling F4B, TP-2 and other raw material manufacturers, focusing on high-end technology.
Advantages: Strong capabilities in aerospace, defense, high-end communication equipment, communication base stations, and medical electronics. High-frequency and high-speed boards are their strengths, especially in RF PCBs and phased array radar antenna boards, with very mature technology and top-notch process capabilities, able to handle very complex and high-layer boards.
Shenzhen Xincheng’er Manufacturer is also suitable for: R&D prototyping, small batch production, and projects with high delivery requirements. It is the first choice in the R&D stage, with fast prototyping speed and smooth technical communication.
1. Do not only look at the price: The material cost of high-frequency boards is very high, and a price that is too low may indicate compromises in materials or processes.
2. Technical communication is key: Before inquiring about prices, actively communicate your technical requirements with the supplier’s technical support or sales engineers. A professional supplier will proactively ask about your frequency, loss requirements, etc., and provide material suggestions.
3. Be sure to test prototypes: For critical projects, regardless of which supplier you choose, it is strongly recommended to first prototype and conduct comprehensive high-frequency performance tests such as impedance, insertion loss, and return loss.