Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1449048
70 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2022 tor. Collaborating with them from the outset about materials will help avoid production issues related to copper surfaces, materials varying by layer, blind and buried vias, and surface prep for solder mask. All these ele- ments are interrelated, and decisions made in one area can ripple through your design. For example, designers must consider how the fabricator's copper treatments will impact RF performance. It's also important to factor in via structure as it relates to copper surface thickness. Multilayer RF PCBs can have lay- ers whose properties differ a great deal, so it is vital to work closely with your manufacturer to balance performance with manufacturability. e real key to optimizing your RF PCB designs is to choose tools, processes, and a manufacturing partner that meet your unique needs. Treat your PCB fabricator as a member of your design team—prioritizing open and persistent collaboration with each. Best Practices at Work Trust is everything in these relationships. We have adhered to the open channels man- tra working with RF solutions-provider Krytar over the years. Offering the highest standard of RF test and measurement services available to the broadband industry, Krytar supports development of all types of systems, including radar and satellite. For Krytar's microwave components and test systems to work as designed, the RF cir- cuit function must be optimal. If the board specs deviate from the PCB design by even a tiny fraction of millimeter, it can compromise functionality. e higher the frequency, the smaller the wavelength—making it critical to maintain tolerances and stick to design specifi- cation. at's no small feat, even in the best of circumstances. As Krytar's PCB manufacturing partner, we evaluate the customer's design to ensure the manufactured RF circuit will function as intended and are not afraid to provide input on the design if we think we have a better idea about how to build a board that will do what it's supposed to do. is commitment to each other is what ensures positive outcomes. Focusing on Continuous Improvement RF applications will keep growing in num- ber and increasing in complexity. For design- ers and manufacturers alike, this requires con- tinuous evaluation of capabilities and improve- ment of processes. As RF applications became a bigger part of our business, our focus on con- tinuous improvement grew in importance. Commitment to quality is just as important as the commitment to the customer relation- ship. How we deliver quality matters, and that is never truer than during collaboration with designers. ose interactions are where we constantly find new ways to improve both pro- cess and product in the RF arena. Designers should expect their manufactur- ing partners to exceed their expectations and create value in every aspect of the produc- tion process by fostering communication and constantly evaluating customer needs. e production process is not unlike the symbi- otic relationship between components on a board. Each element of production should be viewed by all parties as part of a larger ecosys- tem where individual processes are managed as part of the interrelated whole. e margin for error in the RF arena is tiny. Even a pixel-width flat spot on an arc can become a false antenna and create bad behav- iors. e designer and manufacturer working together—able to focus on granular detail with- out losing sight of the bigger picture—have the best outlook for producing a quality RF PCB cost-effectively. DESIGN007 Matt Stevenson is the VP of sales and marketing at Sunstone Circuits. To read past columns or contact Stevenson, click here.