I have read some e-books available on Sierra Circuits. There are figures in the e-books representing losses with frequencies for different dielectric materials. There is also a table for cost comparison. I also have seen the online material selector.
I was reading somewhere that Rogers 4350 which is very suitable for RF applications but their price is high compared to FR4 but there is another material called Megtron 4 or Megtron 6 having performance similar to Rogers 4350 and not very expansive compared to FR4. I do not have the reference. I have tried to find Megtron 4 or Megtron 6 in the online material selector and also in the e-books Sierra Circuits but I did not find it.
Do we have any cost and performance comparison between Megtron and Rogers ?
In order to reduce the cost you can do use dual material for your application, High cost Roger 4350 or Megtron 6 on outer layers where you have very high speed signal and for rest of the layers where you have normal Speed application you can use FR4 material.
this Approach will drastically reduce your cost. you could ask your fab house to give a customised stackup.
Below is the detail explanation about the material.
When comparing Rogers 4350B and Megtron 6 for high-speed performance in your design, Rogers 4350B demonstrates notable advantages in specific properties. For instance, its dielectric constant indicates lower energy storage and loss within the material, while factors like dissipation and copper peel strength align closely with Megtron 6.
An essential distinction of Rogers lies in its composition, devoid of glass cloth common in most materials. This attribute contributes to its uniformity and smoothness, resulting in reduced signal loss and variations during signal transmission.
However, it’s crucial to consider other parameters beyond these material properties. Rogers tends to be approximately three times more expensive than Megtron 6, a significant cost difference that warrants careful consideration. Contacting your fabrication house to assess your design’s specific requirements becomes crucial. They can provide insights into whether the unique characteristics offered by Rogers are indispensable for your project.
Additionally, it’s wise to delve into factors such as supplier availability, lead times, and any manufacturing constraints or compatibility issues that could influence the material choice. While prioritizing high-performance characteristics, ensuring cost-effectiveness and practicality aligned with your project’s needs is pivotal for a well-informed decision.
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