Is the TP980 PCB Suitable for Your High-frequency Design?

May 23, 2025

In the realm of PCB design, material selection is often the decisive factor in circuit performance—especially for high-frequency and high-reliability applications. TP980 PCB, a unique high-frequency thermoplastic substrate material, is gaining traction as the preferred choice for cutting-edge applications like satellite communications, missile guidance systems, and miniaturized antennas, thanks to its exceptional dielectric properties and stability.

Core Characteristics of TP980

TP980 belongs to the TP series substrate family, featuring a dielectric layer composed of ceramic and polyphenylene oxide (PPO) resin—without fiberglass reinforcement. This unique formulation delivers:
Stable Dielectric Constant (Dk=9.8±0.2 @10GHz): Ensures signal integrity at high frequencies with minimal phase distortion.
Ultra-Low Loss (Df=0.0012 @10GHz): Ideal for millimeter-wave and satellite communication systems.
Superior Thermal Stability: With a TCDK as low as -40 ppm/°C and near-isotropic CTE (x/y/z-axis), it performs reliably across a wide temperature range (-55°C to 150°C).
High Reliability: UL 94-V0 certified, moisture absorption of just 0.01%, and excellent performance in harsh environments.

Why Should PCB Engineers Pay Attention to TP980?

1.The Ideal Choice for High-Frequency Designs
While traditional FR4 materials suffer from increased loss at high frequencies, TP980 maintains consistent dielectric performance up to 10GHz, making it perfect for 5G, radar, and satellite navigation circuits.
2.Simplified Impedance Control
With a customizable dielectric constant (adjustable between 3 and 25), designers can fine-tune ceramic/PPO ratios to meet precise impedance requirements, reducing debugging time.
3.No Fiberglass Structure Eliminates signal resonance issues caused by traditional fiberglass weaves, ensuring consistent high-frequency signal transmission.

Typical Applications

Aerospace & Defense: Missile seekers, satellite communication modules.
High-Frequency Antennas: Compact antenna designs that maintain performance while reducing size.
High-Reliability Industrial Equipment: Oil exploration sensors, automotive radar systems

Key Design Considerations

Special Lamination Process: TP series substrates come in non-copper (TP), single-sided copper-clad (TP-1), or double-sided copper-clad (TP-2) variants—coordinate with your PCB manufacturer early.
Thick-Board Challenges: The 7.62mm thickness demands precision drilling and careful thermal stress management.

Final Thoughts

TP980 represents a leap forward in high-frequency PCB materials, offering unmatched performance for advanced applications. For PCB designers and engineers, mastering this specialty material could be the key to unlocking next-generation high-frequency, high-reliability products.

TP980 represents a leap forward in high-frequency PCB materials, offering unmatched performance for advanced applications. For PCB designers and engineers, mastering this specialty material could be the key to unlocking next-generation high-frequency, high-reliability products.