In the field of electronics, printed circuit boards are essential for implementing various functions in electronic devices. With advancing technology, the demand for high-performance PCBs capable of handling increasingly complex applications is continuously increasing. Among numerous available materials, Rogers PCB stands out as a game-changer.
What is Rogers PCB?
Rogers Corporation is an American advanced materials and technology company headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. Established in 1832, Rogers has become a leading innovator and manufacturer of high-performance circuit materials for electronic applications. Rogers PCB refers to a printed circuit board manufactured by Rogers Corporation, composed of high-performance materials. It is named after Rogers Corporation and is a type of circuit board made using specialty materials, primarily based on ceramic-filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This combination provides excellent electrical performance, low dielectric loss, high thermal conductivity, and outstanding dimensional stability for the PCB.
Traditional PCBs are typically made from a material called FR-4, which is a composite of fiberglass and epoxy resin. While FR-4 is widely used and cost-effective, it has limitations in high-frequency applications due to signal loss and variable dielectric constant. In contrast, Rogers materials offer significantly better performance at higher frequencies (above 2 GHz).
Rogers Corporation is a leading manufacturer of high-frequency laminates, offering multiple series of PCB materials, each designed to meet specific requirements for dielectric constant, loss tangent, and other key characteristics. Here are some notable series of Rogers PCBs and their suitable application domains:
Rogers RO3000 series: Known for high-frequency performance and low loss, RO3000 features a ceramic-filled PTFE composite material with a primary matrix of woven glass and nylon. It operates at frequencies up to 50 GHz and is designed for commercial microwave and RF applications. These materials exhibit low loss tangent and are suitable for applications requiring low insertion loss, such as patch antennas, power amplifiers, and other high-frequency systems.
Rogers RO4000 series: Introduced as the first low-loss high-frequency material, RO4000 is based on a polyester matrix. It operates at frequencies up to 18 GHz and is well-suited for RF power amplifiers, cellular base station antennas, and direct broadcast satellite LNBs.
Rogers TMM series: The TMM series of thermoset microwave laminates combines high thermal conductivity, low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion), and rigid mechanical properties. With a working temperature range of -55°C to 260°C, it is an ideal choice for heat sinks or mounting surfaces in power amplifiers or oscillators.
Rogers RT/duroid series: With PTFE as the primary component and utilizing the reverse-treated PTFE technology, this series of high-frequency laminates offers excellent electrical and mechanical stability. It operates at frequencies exceeding 110 GHz and is suitable for complex multilayer boards and microwave circuits used in military radar systems, broadband wireless networks, and more demanding applications requiring high thermal conductivity and high power.
Rogers AD series: Specifically designed for high-frequency integrated circuit applications such as 5G communications and radar chip applications, these high-frequency circuit materials deliver excellent performance in safety-critical radar sensors.
Rogers ULTRALAM 2000 series: With a working frequency of up to 40 GHz and a temperature range of -55°C to 260°C, ULTRALAM 2000 series exhibits stable Dk characteristics within the frequency range. It is suitable for microwave communication systems, radar technology, electromagnetic interference systems, industrial applications, and communication networks.
Each series is designed to cater to different applications and can be selected based on specific design requirements.
