Outstanding Radio PCB Manufacturer in China

The Radio PCB That Meets Today’s Requirements

Radio use is still popular in the internet age. There is still a huge market for radios in all its forms. PCBMay has adequate capacity to produce all types of Radio PCBs for you

• Support different signal waves for AM and FM tuning
• Assured quality control for clear transmission by radio antennae
• Expedite the link between radio device and microphone
• Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) and HD compatible
• Reinforce device capacity for webcasting

PCBMay accurately follows quality assurance procedures to manufacture your PCB. We can design the Radio PCB for you using Kicad, Solidworks, and other means. But if you already have the PCB design, we can fast-track your order.

Just in case you need an expert to answer your engineering question about your PCB, we will get back to you in 1-2 hours. Whatever question it is about Radio PCB or any other PCB, we’ve got your back!

Aside from Custom PCBs for radio, we also make Quick-turn PCBs, if you have an urgent need. Relax! Even if it is a rush order, PCBMay can handle it. After all, we have more than 500 workers committed to making you happy.

Our quality service is top-notch—no other company can give you such a low price for such a great product. With our Radio PCB, you can boost your profit. Alternatively, if you just have one Small PCB order, we will provide the same quality service.

Lastly, our payment terms are very agreeable. You can pay through convenient channels, as we prioritize your comfort above all.

So, call PCBMay now! Let’s get your Radio PCB order ready.

Radio PCB: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Radio PCB is one of the most significant PCBs in the PCB sector. Its name highlights its objective in the PCB sector. PCB mainly works with radiofrequency which is the main element of radio PCB.

PCBs with radiofrequency in the PCB industry is notably increasing day by day in the PCB industry. There is no doubt that the radio circuit board has special significance. Do you want to search for more information about radio PCBs?

Then you are in the right place. In this article, you will get many answers to your question about radio PCB.

What Is A Radio PCB?

The number of occurrences of a repeating occasion of the swaying of a substituting flow in a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic field or mechanical framework is alluded to as radiofrequency (RF). The operation range of radiofrequency is from 20KHz to 300GHz. The PCB that features radio frequency is called radio PCB.

When a radio PCB works at a frequency of more than 1000 MHz, it is classified as a high-frequency PCB. In PCBs, however, any frequency operating over 2 GHz is referred to as a microwave.

High-Frequency Radio PCB Board

In communication technology, radio PCBs frequency sends and receives radio waves. Radio PCB circuits and microwave circuits can be found in a variety of wireless communication systems. RF and microwave PCBs are used in industrial applications, medical applications, radar, systems, global positioning, and so on.

What Is The Process Of Radio PCB Design?

While you are going to start a radio PCB design, you have to complete several design steps. Now, here we are going to briefly describe step-by-step radio PCB circuit design to show the design process.

Designing Schematic

In simple words, a schematic is a diagram that shows the plan and drawing of the whole PCB. It describes how the PCB will be. It shows the placement of the components, traces design, and the shape of the PCB. Draw the schematic first for the next move.

PCB Schematic Diagram

PCB Layout Design

Now create a blank PCB layout on your computer PCB design software. Import the SchDoc file of the schematic, and design the layout of the radio PCB. The layout will be the exact visual transformation of the schematic.

Making Of The Radio PCB Board

Make your PCB board with high-quality PCB materials to print the PCB layout. You also can purchase radio shack PCB boards from vendors.

Printing The Layout On The Board

Now, print the PCB layout on the board you make ready. You can either print the layout out chemically or by 3D printing. Check the following video on how a PCB layout is printed on the PCB board with chemical printing.

Etching PCB Traces

Clean your printed board, and dry it properly. Now etch conductive traces on your printed board to ensure the current flow across the radio PCB to the components. Proper etching will ensure the proper current flow to the components.

PCB Assembling

After finishing the etching process, now your PCB is ready to assemble. You can assemble your PCB in different ways. Through-hole technology, surface mounting technology, and press-fitting technology are three types of components assembly technologies available.

After successfully assembling the PCB, your PCB is ready to use in real life.

What Are The Applications Of Radio PCB?

Mainly, radio PCBs are used for wireless communications. Wireless communications include hundreds of applications in the electronic sector. Following are the significant uses of radio PCB.

Wireless Communication

Wireless communication such as walkie-talkie, remote control for AC, TV, audio uses radio PCBs. In the defenses, such as the army, navy, or air force, radio communication is the main communication method during the operations.

Radio PCBs Are Used In Wireless Communications

Home Appliances And Consumer Electronics

Home appliances such as wireless entertainment use radio frequencies. Also, smartphones, tablets, and other devices vastly use radio frequencies through the radio PCB. Basically, most of the apps on smartphones are dependent on radiofrequency.

Entertainment

Radio music PCBs are used in entertainment that uses radio PCBs. Besides this, any other types of entertaining radio devices such as am radio, FM radio, etc., use radio PCBs.

Health Sector

Radiofrequency is used in the health sector for different types of therapy such as radiotherapy for cancer. On the other hand, monitoring system, other diagnosis systems also use radio PCBs.

Robotics And Security

Radiofrequency is the main power hub of robotics. Different security systems such as security cameras, military-grade security uses radio PCB frequency.

Automotives

Automotives use radio frequencies in sensors. Sensors help auto-controlling systems of cars.

Which Materials Are Used To Make Radio PCB Boards?

PCB board materials are the most important substances. A big portion of the durability, performance are dependent on the PCB materials. There are several materials used to make PCB boards.

Designers face some durability and flammability issues when choosing PCB materials. Materials must pass the Underwriters Laboratories flame suppression characteristics test to be selected for the PCB.

Typically, resins and laminates are used to form a radio PCB board. Laminates are made of resins and thin cloth fabrics. laminates include FR4 epoxy laminate, Polyamide laminate, and Teflon laminate.

In the PCB sector, FR4 laminate is the most widely used PCB material. It is constructed of glass cloths and epoxy resin and is flame retardant. FR4 has excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. FR4 is the material of choice for multilayer PCBs with less than 14 layers.

Polyamide laminates, on the other hand, are more strong laminates with better heat resistance and somewhat increased electrical performance. During thermal cycling, they are more stable than FR4. Despite being more costly than FR4, Polyamide’s lower expansion properties make it ideal for high-frequency and high-layer-count PCBs.

Teflon is also more sustainable and suitable for higher frequency circuits as well as speedy circuitry. Teflon is more expensive even than Polyamide but more dependable than other materials. To improve mechanical properties, Teflon can be put into glass cloth or produced as unique additives and reinforcements.

Teflon Is Used In High-Frequency PCB Boards

There is also flexible laminate that is used to make flexible boards. It is made of plastic film instead of glass cloth.

What Is The Working Principle Of Radio Frequency?

Radiofrequency or radio waves are electromagnetic waves that generate so much speed through the air which is equal to the light speed.  When an AC current flows through the circuit’s conducting materials, RF is created.

The frequency and length of the signal wave are measured. When the electromagnetic wave is absorbed by the PCB surface, effective transmission cannot occur. This is due to the decreased electromagnetic frequency below 1000KHz.

Radiofrequency Is Created With Analog Signal Flow

When an electromagnetic wave is created at a frequency greater than 1000 kHz, it spreads through the air and produces a long-distance transmission. Radiofrequency is the name given to this long-distance wave.

High frequency is made up of passive components such as capacitors, resistors, and inductors, as well as active and passive networks. Low-frequency circuits are not the same as high-frequency circuits.

What Is The Effect Of Dielectric Constant On Radio PCB?

Electrical conductivity is utilized to arrange the materials utilized in PCBs. Conductive parts incorporate electric fields such as wires, semiconductors, and insulators. The capacity of a substance to hold electrical energy in an electric field is measured by the dielectric constant.

FR4 Is An Ideal Dielectric Material

The two most critical factors that influence the electrical performance of radio PCBs are signal integrity and impedance. The dielectric constant of PCB materials ranges from 3.5 to 5.5. To ensure the high frequency of the PCBs, a steady and low dielectric constant is required.

What Is The Loss Tangent Of A Radio PCB Board?

Loss tangent is related to power loss of the PCB materials. If the loss tangent is low, the power loss will also be lower. Loss tangent impacts the high-frequency signal, whereas it doesn’t impact the low-frequency signals of radio PCBs.

The loss tangent materials that are used in PCBs are ranged between 0.02 to 0.001.

What Is A Radio PCB Antenna And How Does It Work?

A radio PCB antenna is a device that transforms current pulses into electromagnetic waves that are directed towards high-frequency PCB circuits. The transformed wave is subsequently distributed into the air by the antenna. The waves are then broadcast or received by another antenna in a different device.

Typically two PCB antennas exist in a PCB. One transmits the frequency towards other devices and another one receives the signals from other devices. The size of the PCB antenna is so compact and small that it is integrated into the circuits. The compact and smaller size of the antenna increases its efficiency to transmit and receive the radiofrequency.

PCB Antenna Receives And Transmit Radio Signals

The high-frequency circuits on a radio PCB create the radiofrequency, which is primarily the signal that generates device functionality. The signals are then sent to the antenna by the PCB’s base materials. With the collaboration of high-frequency circuits and the antenna, the full radiofrequency system is formed in high-frequency radio PCBs.

What Are The Types Of Radio PCB Antenna?

There are different types of PCB antennas that are used in radio PCBs. The working processes of the antennas are different based on their types. Following are the 5 types of antennas that are used in different types of radio PCBs.

Loop Antenna

It is the most primary antenna of radio PCBs that are used. The loop of the antenna is connected with the transmitter and receiver terminal of the PCB. It looks like a round or rectangular shape.

Patch Antenna

A patch antenna is incorporated on the PCBs and has the shape of a circle or rectangle. The patch antenna’s spread is half the board’s radiofrequency. Because of allowing for the creation of tiny patches of short wavelengths, patch antennas operate with microwave antennas.

Inverted-F Antenna

To guarantee maximum efficiency, the inverted-F antenna includes a large ground plane. While some sections of the antenna are made of copper, others are made of a planar surface. The planar surface contributes to the antenna’s increased bandwidth. Inverted-F antennas are used in phones and other sorts of WLAN gear.

In this plan, a monopole radio antenna is used, which runs corresponding to the ground plane and has one end grounded.

Meander Line Antenna

Meander line antenna is made of bending conductors so that the size of it is smaller and compact. But the compactness reduces the power of radiation resistance, efficiency, and bandwidth.

Slot Antenna

A slot antenna consists of various metal plates with openings in them. The magnetic and electric fields of a slot antenna are entirely against those in a dipole. Slot antennas are used in radar and staged cluster systems.

What Are Different Radio Frequency Materials Applications?

In the electronic industry, there are several demands for PCBs in several applications. The designing engineer team can help you with the exact material selection for your specific radio PCB. But the following recommendation could help you to get an idea about the material selection.

What Are The Design And Manufacturing Considerations For A Radio PCB Circuit Board?

As the radio PCB circuit design is a little more critical than other typical circuits, extra care should be taken care during the designing phase. Following are several key factors to consider designing a radiofrequency circuit PCB.

• Consider the thermal properties of the board material so that they can comply with high heat. It is crucial during the drilling phase of the board to play a significant role in the thermal characteristics of materials. Because drilling will create high-temperature to the layer stack of multilayer radio PCBs.
• Material choosing is another most critical fact in PCB design. You have to carefully choose the high-grade material that can comply with high heat and high frequency.

Using High-Grade Material Should Be The First Priority

• Select dielectric materials that have low dielectric constant. Low dielectric constant helps to keep the constant high frequency.
• Proper spacing among the components is another vital fact. If you place the components nearby each other, they will interfere. If you set them with a large distance, the frequency will get obstacles to generate proper signal passing.

What Are The Types Of Radio PCB?

In terms of use, there are several types of radio PCBs used in different sectors. Some of them are briefly described below.

Radio Music PCB

Radio music PCBs are used in FM and Am radios to entertain people. Generally, radio stations that operate music PCB are for only entertainment purposes.

Car Radio PCB

Car or automobile PCBs are used for automated controlling, autopilot, and security. Also, car radio PCBs control the audio signals of the control system.

DAB Radio PCB

Digital audio broadcasting is a digital radio station that broadcasts digital audio services worldwide. DAB radio PCBs are used in DAB radio station signaling.

Walkie-Talkie Radio PCB

In defense or other security, walkie-Talkie is the main medium of communication. Walkie-talkies facilitate direct contact between the walkie-talkie holders in a certain range of areas.

Walkie-Talkie PCB

Smartphone Radio PCB

The main communication system of smartphones and other phones are powered by radiofrequency. Also, there are FM radio PCBs in most smartphones to facilitate FM radio station broadcasting.

What Is The Impedance Matching Of A Radio PCB Circuit  Board?

The joint impacts of ohmic resistance and reactance give the successful obstruction of an electric circuit or part on the PCBs to AC flow. This resistance is known as impedance. Impedance is an AC property that is relative to recurrence.

Impedance Matching Is Important For Flawless Signals

Controlled impedance is the suitable impedance that prevents the signal integrity of a circuit from being compromised. Impedance matching is another term for controlled impedance. To maintain signal assurance and integrity of the information at high frequencies, controlled impedance of PCB traces should be employed.

What Is The Importance Of Thermal Characteristics In Radio PCB?

The thermal properties of the PCB materials play one of the most vital roles in the performance and physical structure of the PCBs. Let’s check the significance of the different thermal properties of the PCB materials.

Glass Transition Temperature- TG

A temperature that softens the PCB materials. After the temperature is removed from the material, the material gets hardened to its previous state. This temperature is known as glass transition temperature. The range of typical Tg for materials should be 200 to 250° C. The materials should comply with this temperature.

Decomposition Temperature- Td

When a certain temperature gets higher so that it decomposes and changes the mass of PCB materials permanently, it is known as decomposition temperature. With the effect of decomposition temperature, materials lose up to 5% of their total mass. The range of the Td should be more than 250° for your radio PCB materials.

The Effect Of Decomposition Temperature Is Permanent

Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion- CTE

CTE is the rate of the physical expansion of the PCB materials. When the materials exceed its Tg, the CTE will also be raised. The normal expansion rate is generally 10 to 20 parts per million for the materials. Also, up to 70ppm is acceptable for the CTE. The range of CTE should not go beyond 7-0 ppm.

How Is High Heat Generated In Radio PCB?

There is no doubt that excessive heat causes severe harm to the PCB materials, for instance, the PCB itself. There are many reasons beyond the rising of high heat on the radio PCBs. Following are the most common reasons for generating high heat.

• When any of the PCB components fails to generate proper power, a malfunction happens. Malfunction then occurs dissipation. As a result, the surrounding components generate more power, which generates high heat.
• If the heatsink of the PCBs is soldered improperly, high heat is generated.

Malfunction Of PCB Components Occurs High Heat

• Through-hole components and surface mount devices must be placed in the correct position.  Their inconsistent positioning and soldering cause high heat.
• High frequencies in the radio PCB generate high power. The high power passing generates high heat.
• Using lead-free solders needs high heat to flow flawlessly. This is one of the reasons behind high heat generation.

What Are The Most Common Problems In Radio PCB Circuit?

As high-frequency PCBs, radio PCBs generate a number of challenges as expected. You may have the following challenges using radio PCBs.

• Digital circuits and analog circuits work independently. There is no problem if there are no interactions between them. But if they are mixed together, the whole circuit will be unstable.

Mixture Of Digital And Analog Circuits Causes Interference

• If you fail to apply proper power decoupling, serious noises will arise.
• If proper grounding is not applied, circuits will fail to generate accurate functionality.
• If you process the ADC input terminal incorrectly, ADC deviation will occur. Furthermore, radiofrequency waves will self-excite within the ESD diode.

How To Reduce High Heat In Radio PCB?

So, you already understand why high heat is generated in the radio PCBs. To reduce and prevent the high heat, you have to resolve the heating generating issues. Taking the following steps will help you to prevent generating high heat on your radio PCBs.

• Place and solder heat sink properly so that it can consume the high heat in an efficient way.

Heatsink Consumes The High Heat

• Be careful while you are soldering the components on the surface of the board.
• Use cooling fans to drive the heat outside of the board.
• Consider high-grade materials and components to use in your radio PCB.
• Increase the thickness and width of your PCB boards.
• Lamination is the final step to prevent high heat. Use proper surface and conductive area lamination to prevent high heat.

Why Is Grounding Important For Radio PCB?

The return channels of current flow from the PCB components are known as grounding. It’s a section of the radio PCBs linked to the power supply ground connector to return current to the ground or earth.

PCB Grounding Protects The Electronics

A single ground on the PCB is connected with a ground plane. The ground plane is a conductive electrical surface area that is connected to the power supply terminal actually.

PCB grounding is important to protect the electronics from unwanted and abnormal electric shocks. Grounding also reduces noises and interference, and crosstalk. These help the PCBs to ensure the pick performance with any flaw.

What Is Multilayer Radio PCB?

Multilayer radio PCBs are circuit boards that have numerous conducting layers. To build a multilayer PCB, at least three conductive layers are required.

To create a multilayer stack, core materials and prepreg are joined together under high pressure and temperature one into another. Additionally, you must ensure that no air remains between the layers. You must also make certain that the glue and resins are fully heated and dried. Laminating resin should be used to adequately enclose conductors. From simple epoxy glass to sophisticated ceramic or Teflon materials, the material combinations are endless.

Let’s check on the video how multilayer stackup is designed:

How To Choose A Reliable Radio PCB Manufacturer?

When you are ready to go for your radio PCB production, you must look for a reliable and skilled manufacturer who can meet your needs. So, how can you find a good PCB manufacturer? You should check the following features to have on PCB manufacturers.

• Industry experience
• IPC certification
• Bulk production capabilities
• Rich research department
• Deadline meeting capacity
• Vast working area with the latest technology
• Sincerity

If you find these certain features on a PCB manufacturer, you can move forward with the manufacturer.

Conclusion

Radio PCBs are high-frequency PCBs that need high technology to design. To go for the production, you should study more about the industry, manufacturer, and surroundings. As a leading PCB manufacturer, PCBMay offers you the quality services you desire.

You can contact us. We have been entrusted by numerous clients from many countries worldwide. We assure you the best and quality services for your desired radio PCBs.