The Advanced Circuit Materials (ACM) Division of Rogers Corp. recently introduced its RO3730™ laminates, tailored for the special needs of high-frequency antenna designers requiring cost-effective PTFE laminates. These ceramic-filled laminate materials are reinforced by woven fiber glass with optimized glass and filler loading for excellent structural stability and outstanding electrical performance. The optimized blend of filler materials results in consistent dielectric constant across even large laminate panels, with low dissipation factor (0.00159 at 10 GHz/0.00128 at 2.5 GHz) and high power-handling capabilities. The RO3730 laminates boast the low passive intermodulation (PIM) distortion valued by engineers developing antennas for complex digital communications formats, including in 3G and 4G base stations.

These robust RO3730 laminate materials with a dielectric constant of 3.0 are ideal for high-frequency circuit boards in a wide range of communications antennas, including in cellular base stations. RO3730 laminates are compatible with standard PTFE fabrication processes and feature improved mechanical rigidity for easier handling and PTH processing. The reliable, low-cost laminates are environmentally friendly, lead-free, and RoHS-compliant and well suited to large-volume manufacturing requirements.