Part 4 concludes this FAQ with some fabrication issues and at substrates with performance which is multi-GHz-compatible and goes beyond that available using FR-4 material. Q: What’s the set-up situation for PC board fabrication? A: The production-level fabrication process is optimized for runs of tens, hundreds, and thousands of boards, as there is a set-up […]
Analog IC Tips
RF couplers cover 26.5 GHz to 67 GHz range
Fairview Microwave Inc., an Infinite Electronics brand, has debuted a new line of high-frequency couplers that are ideal for point-to-point radios, 5G telecommunications, satellite communication, automotive radars, and aerospace applications. Fairview’s new series of high frequency RF directional couplers is comprised of 24 new models that deliver excellent isolation, low insertion loss, and very good return […]
Printed Circuit Boards, Part 3: Vias and multilayer boards
Part 1 of this FAQ series looked at the ubiquitous FR-4 PC board as well as other PC board issues, and Part 2 reviewed highlighted some of the board issues and the widely used FR-4 PC board substrate. This third part looks at advanced PB board issues such as vias and multilayer boards. Q: How […]
The basics of FR-4 Printed Circuit Boards
Part 1 of this FAQ provided context and background on the PC board, and discussed its first widespread appearance as a phenolic-based board. Part 2 looks at some board issues and the widely used FR-4 PC board substrate. Q: I see the term “solder mask” — what is that? A: Solder mask (also called a […]
Solving the end-of-life headache
by Edel Griffith, Adesto Technologies The technology business rarely stays still as new technologies emerge, and newer versions supersede older products. Semiconductor devices have been around for over half-a-century now, and the pace of technological change is, if anything, increasing. While this pace of innovation brings many benefits in terms of enhanced functionality and increased […]
Printed Circuit Boards, Part 1: Context and phenolic boards
Despite appearances, there’s nothing simple about the materials or fabrication of the ubiquitous PC board, and the requirements of multi-GHz systems are increasing the performance demands placed on these boards. We take the standard, usually green, printed circuit board (PC board or PCB) for granted, but it has an interesting history, alternatives, and future. This […]
Lever-actuated spring pin socket handles BGA ParallelCell (MCP) packages
A new BGA socket addresses high-performance requirements for Multi-Chip Packages – CBT-BGA-6093. The contactor is a stamped-spring pin with 31-gm actuation force per ball and a cycle life of 125,000 insertions. The self-inductance of the contactor is 0.88 nH, insertion loss less than 1 dB at 15.7 GHz, and contact resistance is less than 30m&Ohm;. […]
Coax adapters cover 1.7 GHz to 26.5 GHz
Fairview Microwave Inc. has introduced a new series of waveguide to coax adapters that are ideal for use in 5G, telecommunications, satellite communications, point-to-point radio, automotive radar, and terrestrial communications applications. Fairview’s new line of waveguide to coax adapters consists of 50 models with aluminum construction for reduced weight and compatibility with existing aluminum systems. They support […]
Analog Top Talks in August 2019 on EDABoard.com
Peer-to-peer, engineer-to-engineer questions and answers from the EDABoard.com engineering community around analog ICs and analog design. Click the “Read more” link and follow the entire conversation and maybe add your two cents by logging in to EDAboard.com. LNA circuit not working – I am trying to simulate an LNA circuit from the book “Design of […]
40-GHz bandwidth socket for BGA190 packages
A new high-performance elastomer socket is designed to handle 0.5-mm-pitch BGA packages. The CG15-BGA-1003 socket is designed for a 10×5.7-mm package size and operates at bandwidths up to 40 GHz with less than 1 dB of insertion loss (GSSG configuration). The contact resistance is typically 20 mΩ per pin. Network analyzer reflection measurements for the […]