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SIMPLE RF PCB LAYOUT TIPS


Pratik Panda (http://iot-bits.com/author/iotbitadmin/)  October 29, 2017
 No comments (http://iot-bits.com/simple-rf-pcb-layout-tips-tricks/#respond)

Ultra high frequency traces and antennas are an integral part of wireless designs built
for the Internet of Things.
RF PCB layout may seem tricky and confusing, but it is not! There are just a few things
that you need to know and watch out for and you are usually good to go from there.

Some illustrated RF PCB layout tips

Here are some tips on how to do it right – with images to illustrate them!

1. No RF layout can be perfect

It is not your fault if your antenna does not perform like it was expected to perform in
your simulations. It is perfectly normal because the antenna impedance is in uenced
objects surrounding it and may shift in a way that cannot be predicted in software
simulations.
The best you can do is add a matching network that lets you tune the antenna in your
nal product.

Matching is not just required for antennas, but also for proper interfacing between
di erent RF components or subsections on board.

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2. Make everything 50 ohms

If you have never tried out RF PCB layout before and you do not have access to proper
tools for simulating your design in 3D, the best you can do is pick components that have
a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms on RF ports.

The trace impedance on your PCB that carries RF signals can also be made 50 ohms by
adjusting its width appropriately. You can calculate the trace width using online trace
impedance calculators (https://www.eeweb.com/tools/microstrip-impedance)or
microstrip impedance calculators.

It is also easy to nd parts (such as lters, ampli ers, antennas, etc) with 50 ohms
characteristic input/output impedance.

3. Lay out RF rst - ALWAYS

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Remember, RF traces are EXTREMELY high frequency signal carrying structures. If you
lay them out last, or if you try to lay them out when the board has already gotten rather
clumsy,
Interfacing youCodec
an Audio will make compromises
with ESP32 with theErase
– Part 2 (http://iot- traceESP32
layout that
ash can make
completely your design fail.
(http://iot-bits.com/erase-
bits.com/interfacing-audio-codec-esp32/)
For example, here is the RF stripline (markedesp32- ash-completely/)
in yellow) with a sharp bend (90 degrees)
just because there was no other way to route it. This is NOT how RF traces should be
laid out!

Always leave adequate space around the signal trace for smooth bends and isolation of
the RF signal.

4. Isolation is important
Isolating an RF trace is important. An RF trace must be properly isolated from other high
speed signals (such as clock traces for crystals, USB di erential pairs, HDMI, ethernet,
etc).

This is often done by “via stitching”, i.e. stitching vias around the RF trace to prevent it
from interfering with other components on board.
Note that improper isolation will not render your design defunct, but it deteriorates the
receiver performance and average data throughtput in most cases.

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5. Keep inductance low

The ground inductance really makes a huge di erence in RF design. If your RF chipset is
grounded through a single via or narrow ground trace – you have a massive ground
inductance. And as you know, high frequency does not like inductance. Therefore,
always ground the RF chipset adequately. If it is a QFN with ground pad, use at least 9
power vias. Ensure a large, continuous ground plane under the chip and RF trace as well.

If you have free space on the top layer, you should always have a ground ll that is
connected to the inner ground layer through as many vias as practically possible (your
PCB manufacturer would be mad at you, don’t add a thousand vias!).

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6. Don't break the ground plane

You may sometimes nd yourself designing an RF system where you also have audio or
analog circuitry on the same circuit board – and close to RF system.
It may be tempting to have a di erent ground plane to isolate the ground for the analog
section. But by doing that, you are probably a ecting your RF section severely. Also, note
that if you break the ground plane under the RF trace, you may have a design that does
not work.

Here is an example of what you should NOT do:

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Need help with RF design?

We would love to help you design your own RF systems, especially Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
enabled designs. If you need help with RF layout, antenna tuning or troubleshooting, we
o er consulting services for the whole development cycle.

Contact Us (http://iot-bits.com/contact/) if you want us to help design an RF system for

you, manufacture a couple of prototype PCBs and analyze its performance – we can do it
all!

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Part 1: Designing a WiFi Another ESP32 nano32 Finally Received the ESP32
PCB trace antenna for update! (http://iot- Nano32 (http://iot-
ESP8266
Interfacing or ESP32
an Audio bits.com/esp32-nano32-
Codec with ESP32 – Part 2 (http://iot- Erase ESP32 ash bits.com/closer-look-
completely (http://iot-bits.com/erase-
bits.com/interfacing-audio-codec-esp32/)
(http://iot-bits.com/wi - update/) esp32- ash-completely/)
esp32-nano32/)
pcb-trace-antenna-esp32- October 1, 2016 December 13, 2016
esp8266/) In “ESP32 news and In “ESP32 news and
July 13, 2017 updates” updates”
In “Electronics Design
Blog”

 Posted in Electronics Design Blog (http://iot-bits.com/category/electronics-design-blog/)

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