Rogers RO4350B is a high-performance PCB material that is particularly suitable for high-frequency applications such as automotive radar systems. Below are some of the key applications and properties of this material in automotive radar systems:
Key Applications:
24GHz millimeter wave radar: for automotive active safety, drone collision avoidance, industrial applications and consumer applications, etc.
Microstrip array antennas: play a key role in radar sensors and are responsible for transmitting and receiving signals.
Material properties:
Low dielectric constant (Dk): 3.48±0.05, which helps reduce signal transmission delay and attenuation.
Low dielectric loss (Df): 0.0037 at 10 GHz, ensuring minimal signal loss during transmission.
Excellent Thermal Stability: Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) of 32 ppm/°C helps maintain board dimensional stability during temperature changes.
Resistance to ionic migration (CAF): Suitable for use in harsh environments.
Flame retardant rating: UL 94V-0 to meet safety standards.
Design Advantages:
Precise impedance control: contributes to signal integrity.
Compatible with standard PCB processing: facilitates manufacturing and reduces costs.
Performance Advantage:
Stability over a wide frequency range: ensures consistent performance across frequencies.
High Tg value: Glass transition temperature higher than 280°C provides good thermal stability.
Practical Application Examples:
Borealis Circuits has produced and manufactured numerous 24 GHz microstrip antenna arrays, microstrip power dividers, matching networks, and mixing networks using RO4350B sheet.
Technology Development:
With the progress of technology, millimeter wave radar is more and more widely used in the automotive market, and the product technology realizes the leap from 3D to 4D.
Industry Chain:
The millimeter wave radar industry chain includes upstream core hardware and technology, midstream finished radar manufacturing and downstream OEMs.
Cost-effectiveness:
RO4350B provides a balance between high performance and cost-effectiveness and is suitable for mass production.
Development trend:
With the development of autonomous driving technology, the demand for millimeter wave radar as a key sensor will continue to grow.
Processing Cost:
RO4350B’s PCB processing cost is low and compatible with processing of conventional epoxy/glass cloth materials.
Heat treatment capability:
RO4350B has better heat treatment capability than conventional PTFE materials, with a heat dissipation coefficient of 0.6W/m/°K.
Dielectric Constant Stability:
The dielectric constant of RO4350B is quite stable over a wide frequency range, e.g., 3.48 at 10 GHz, decreasing slightly to 3.47 at 24 GHz.
Loss Factor:
At 24 GHz frequency, RO4350B has a larger dielectric loss tangent angle, which may increase the insertion loss of the microstrip line.
Copper Foil Selection:
The use of LoPro copper foils can reduce conductor losses and improve circuit performance.
Surface Finishes:
Surface finishes such as silver-immersion, gold-immersion (nickel-free gold), nickel-gold, and tin-immersion all affect conductor loss, with nickel-gold finishes having the highest conductor loss.
Application Scenario:
RO4350B is suitable for close range detection (SRR) and long range detection (LRR) in automotive radar systems.
Comparison with Other Materials:
Compared to RO4835, RO4350B has no added antioxidants and is slightly less resistant to oxidation, but has better temperature stability of dielectric constant.
Mixing Plate Design:
High-frequency hybrid platen design can be based on cost savings, improved flexural strength, EMI control, etc. RO4350B is often used in combination with FR4 materials for hybrid platens.
Supplier services:
Some high-end PCB manufacturers provide customized solutions based on RO4350B, with advanced production equipment and experienced team.
Technical Threshold:
Although RO4350B has excellent high-frequency performance, there is a certain technical threshold in its processing, which requires specialized PCB manufacturers.
Industry Trends:
The rising trend in the use of automotive radar sensors along with increased automotive safety requirements is driving the demand for high-frequency PCB materials such as RO4350B.
This information helps to understand more details about RO4350B’s high-frequency PCB applications in automotive radar systems and how to select the right material and processing technology for different design and performance requirements.