Harnessing the Power of TRF-45 for High-Performance RF Designs

In the ever-evolving world of high-frequency electronics, the choice of PCB material can make all the difference in the performance and reliability of your designs. One material that has been gaining traction among RF engineers is Taconic's TRF-45 – a low-loss, thermally-stable laminate with exceptional capabilities.

Let's dive into the technical details and explore how TRF-45 can elevate your next RF project.

Robust Construction and Tailored Properties
This double-sided rigid PCB features a TRF-45 core material with the following key specifications:

1. Board dimensions: 50mm x 50mm, with a tight tolerance of ±0.15mm
2. Minimum trace/space: 4/5 mils
3. Minimum hole size: 0.3mm
4. Finished board thickness: 0.9mm
5. Copper weight: 1oz (1.4 mils) on the outer layers
6. Via plating thickness: 20μm
7. Surface finish: Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG)

The 2-layer stackup consists of the TRF-45 core material with 35μm copper layers, providing a robust and dimensionally-stable foundation for high-frequency circuits.

Exceptional Electrical Performance
The TRF-45 material is designed to excel in RF and microwave applications, with the following standout electrical characteristics:

1. Stable dielectric constant (Dk) of 4.5 ± 0.15 at 10GHz
2. Low dissipation factor of 0.0035 at 10GHz
3. Moisture absorption of just 0.06%

These properties enable designers to achieve precise impedance control, minimize signal integrity issues, and maintain consistent performance across a wide range of temperatures and frequencies.

Thermal and Mechanical Reliability
In addition to its electrical prowess, TRF-45 also boasts impressive thermal and mechanical properties:

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE):

1. X-axis: 9 ppm/°C
2. Y-axis: 9 ppm/°C
3. Z-axis: 40 ppm/°C (50°C to 150°C)
4. Thermal conductivity: 0.43 W/mK
5. Flammability rating: UL 94-V0

This combination of low CTE, high thermal conductivity, and excellent dimensional stability ensures your high-frequency circuits can withstand the rigors of manufacturing and operate reliably in demanding environments.

Versatile Applications
With its exceptional RF performance and robust construction, TRF-45 is well-suited for a variety of high-frequency applications, including:

1. Satellite radio antennas
2. RFID antennas
3. GPS antennas

Other wireless communication systems
By leveraging the capabilities of TRF-45, engineers can push the boundaries of size, weight, and power optimization while maintaining the integrity of their designs.

To learn more about how TRF-45 can benefit your next RF project, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of technical experts. We're here to help you harness the power of this innovative PCB material.