2an0%s (CA Design > Printed Circuit Beard (PCB) Design, Printed Circult Board (PCB) Layout ana Printed Cireut Boar (PCB) Training (707) 843-4646 PCB Design Services & Training Homa | Design Tips & Artcls POB Design Ser AboutUs Fabrication & Assembly Blog Contact Us NEW! Online PCB aT Pe ees Avera in) set EMC PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD DESIGN SERVICE BUREAU Design Tips and Articles Relative Permitivity(Dielectic Constant) Before one can understand how signal propagation occurs within a PCB, we must consider the Importance ofa primary elecical parameter, Er, idonified as rolaive permitvity or dielectic constant ray stored in a dislectic insulator per unt electric field, and hence a measure ofthe capacitance between a pair of conductors (tace-ai, lracestrace, wire-wire, race-wire, etc.) in the vicinity ofthe dielecine compared othe capacitance ofthe ‘same conductor pair in a vacuum. The relative dielectric constant of vacuum is approximately equal 1.0. All materials nave a clelectic constant significant greater han one. The larger fre number, the more energy stored per unitinsulator volume. The higher te capacitance, the slower the electromagnetic feld travels through the transmission line. Electromagnetic waves propagate ata speed thats dependent onthe electical properties of he ssurounding medium, Propagation delay is typically measured in units of picosecandsidistance (inch or ‘om). Propagation delay isthe inverse of velocity of propagation (the speed at which data is transmited ‘trough conductors). The electric constant varies with material parameters. Factors tratnfuence the relative permitivity ofa given material inckide the electrical frequency, temperature, extent of water absorption (also forming a dissipative oss), and electical character zation technique. In addlion ifthe PCB material isa composite of wo oF more laminates, th value of ' may vary sgnicanly, as the relative amount of resin and glass of the composite varies. In air, or vacuum, the velocity of propagation isthe speed oflight. Ina dielectric material, the velocity of| propagation is slower (approximately 08 times the speed of ightfor comman PCB laminates). Bath he Velocity of propagation and the effecive dielectric cansiantare given by tre equation below. c Vo = 2 (etetyofpropegatin) VE €) el (Giolecrc constant second, or about 30 emvns (12 inins) cffecve dielacine constant velocity of propagation ‘The effective relative permittivity. Er, 's what s experienced by an electical signal transmitted along a conductive path. Effective relativity permitiviy can be determined by using a Time Domain Refectometer (TDR) or by measuring the propagation delay fora known length line and calculating he value. FR-4, curently the most common material used in the fabrication of a PCB, has a dslectic constant that varies with he frequency of te sighal within the material, Most engineers generally assume that "ris in the range of 45 104.7. These values, referenced by designers for many years and are based on ‘measurements taken with a 1-MHz reference signal. Measurements wore not made on FR-4 material Under actual operating conditions, especially with today’s high-speed designs. Whal worked over 20 years ago is insuffciert fr todays products. A mare accurate value of Eris determined by measuring the ‘ctual propagation delay ofa signal na race using a TOR. ‘The figure below shows the “eal” value of E*rfor FR-4, based on research by the Institute for Inlerconnecting and Packaging Electonics Circuits Organization (IPC). This charts provided in document IPC-2141, Convalled Impedance Circut Boards and High-speed Logie Design. ip shwwrw cadesignneatclsieative_permitvty him we2an0%s (CA Design > Printed Circuit Beard (PCB) Design, Printed Circut Board (PCB) Layout ana Printed Cireut Boar (PCB) Training Bevermus Feequency FRA = NIN a “OMNIA aa hy oa 1 11) 6010 LS reueny inl Sign up to receive a copy of our 2007 Schedule of Classes and Pricing Email Submit (CA Design ©2015. lights reserve. Pree! Crcut Boara (PCB) Desig, Pibted Crcut Board (PCB) Layout and Printed Grcut Board (PCB) Trang wie: ip shwwrw cadesignneatclsieative_permitvty him