What is Dissipation Factor in High Frequency PCB?

January 12, 2025

In the intricate world of high-frequency PCBs, which resembles a mysterious universe, the dissipation factor emerges as a crucial navigational star. It serves as a measure for the energy loss in dielectric materials resulting from their inability to perfectly store electrical energy, and it exerts a vital influence on the performance of these complex electronic components.

1. Dissipation Factor Influences Signal Integrity in High

Frequency PCB

In high frequency applications, dissipation factor holds significant sway over signal integrity and overall electrical performance. A low dissipation factor is highly desirable as it indicates less energy loss and better signal transmission. When the dissipation factor is high, it can lead to signal degradation, reduced efficiency, and potential issues with the functionality of the PCB. Dissipation factor affects parameters such as impedance control, signal propagation speed, and the reliability of the PCB.

1-1.Effects of Dissipation Factor on PCB Parameters

2.Characteristics of Dissipation Factor in Different High Frequency PCBs

Among the leading suppliers of high frequency material for PCBs are Rogers, Wangling and Taconic . These companies offer a wide range of materials with different dissipation factors to meet the diverse needs of various industries.

2.1 Rogers Materials

*Extremely-Low-loss : Many materials of Rogers company, such as RT/duroid 5880, RO4003, RO4350B, etc., have excellent low-loss characteristics.

Their dissipation factors are usually between 0.0004 - 0.002, which is much lower than that of ordinary FR-4 plates. Among them, RT/duroid 5880 has the lowest dielectric loss, which is only 0.0004. This enables signals to be transmitted with low loss in high-frequency circuits, ensuring signal integrity and transmission efficiency.

*The Features of RT/duroid 5880: It has the lowest electrical loss among reinforced PTFE materials. It exhibits low moisture absorption and is isotropic. Moreover, it has uniform electrical properties over frequency and excellent chemical resistance.

*The Application of RT/duroid 5880: It is used in commercial airline broadband antennas, microstrip and stripline circuits, millimeter - wave applications, military radar systems, missile guidance systems, and point - to - point digital radio antennas.

2-1. Rogers RT/duroid 5880

*Stability: In a relatively wide frequency range, the dissipation factor of Rogers materials can remain relatively stable and will not fluctuate greatly with the change of frequency. This characteristic makes it perform well in multi-frequency band or broadband high-frequency circuit design and can provide a stable and reliable medium environment for signal transmission.

2.2 Wangling Materials

*Ultra-low-loss.:Wangling's high frequency materials for high frequency applications offer controlled ultra low-loss properties. The dissipation factors are mostly between 0.001 and 0.002（F4BM,F4BME），which ensures efficient signal transmission and reduces energy loss.

*Stability:Wangling's materials also exhibit stability in dissipation factor across different frequencies,so It ensures the PCB can operate effectively over a wide range of frequencies.This makes it suitable for applications that demand high signal integrity and minimal signal degradation.

2.3 Taconic Materials

*Low to ultra-low loss: Some high-end high-frequency laminates have a dissipation factor as low as 0.001 - 0.003 or less, belonging to the category of low loss or even ultra-low loss. It can effectively reduce the energy loss of signals during transmission.

*Stability: In different batches of production, the dissipation factor can maintain good consistency. This is crucial for the mass production of high-frequency PCBs, as it is suitable for high-frequency communication, radar and other systems with harsh requirements for signal quality.

2-2. Comparison of dissipation factors of materials from different suppliers

3. Summary
Whether you are designing telecommunications equipment, aerospace systems, or medical devices, choosing the right PCB material with an appropriate dissipation factor is essential. Through grasping the significance of dissipation factor and considering materials from trusted suppliers like Taconic, Rogers, and Wangling, you can ensure the success of your high frequency PCB projects.