RF PCB designs – challenges, solutions and tips

The RF frequency range is usually from 300 kHz to 300 GHz, with microwave being anything above 300 MHz. There’s a considerable difference between RF and microwave circuitry versus typical digital and analog circuits. In essence, RF signals are very high-frequency analog signals. Therefore, unlike digital, at any point in time, an RF signal can be at any voltage and current level between the minimum and maximum limits. Moreover, a single band of signal can be very narrow or very wide and carried upon a very high-frequency carrier wave.

RF PCB design is also very much different and difficult, compared to high-speed digital-signal board design. When handling RF boards, there are many new challenges for PCB designers.