A Designer’s Guide To Stripline Circuits Equations, data, and conclusions from many sources are compiled to define transmission characteristics. Discussions center on loss, circuit Q, fabrication tolerances, and conductor discontinuities. The popularity of a May, 1977 techni- al article titled, “A Designer's Guide To Microstrip Line" has prompted us to publish this sequel. Written in the ‘same style as the original, it offers a summary of the best ideas available in stripline design data "TBE sowing dependence on stripline transmission media in UF, micro- wave, and millimeter-wave integrated cireuit applications creates a need for simplified, yet accurate, design formulas. ‘There are hundreds of volumes and references" on stripline design containing formulas ranging from simple character- istic impedance expressions to complex compiiter-aided design synthesis equations. What follows isa review of some of the most useful formulations and results Consider for a moment what a stripline transmission system actually is. It is interesting to note the similarities between coaxial transmission line and stripline. Both rely on condueting ground planes separated by a dielectric material to confine a field created by exciting a center conductor. The dielectric material has the ability to reduce the physical size of the line for any operating frequency. ‘The electromagnetic properties of stripline and coax are Quite similar; both propagate in the TEM mode. Computing Z, for thin and thick tino: Energy propagates along a stripline (Fig. 1) in a pure transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode. Therefore, phase velocity, Vp and characterstie impedance, Zq are given by: a @ where ¢ is the velocity of light in a vacuum, e is the dielectric constant of the material relative to air, and C is the capacitance per unit length of the lin. Capacitance analysis is simpler if the strip thickness, 4, is assumed to be zero. This assumption is made often, but it results ina significant error for high-impedance lines. Accurate, yet manageable closed-form expressions for t = O-as well as t 0 are presented here jahl and Ramesh Garg, Research Engineer itute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering, Kanpur-208016, india. 90 Perhaps the best starting point is work reported Cohn’, who derived « eapacitance expression for s with t = 0 using conformal mapping techniques, This to a very accurate, basie formula for characteristic Pedance: 2 Ve = 02 Ke) Ko) where k = sech ( W/2b). K i « complete elliptic func ofthe first kind, while Kis its complementary fun given by Kil) = Kk) = K (VIR), ‘Two forms of an exprétsion for K/K’ (accurate to 8 9 can be used with EqS'to accurately characterize ee [ tine Lt) ero sks K [2 ae (for 0 < k < 0.7) 4 n2(LtY) Gor on sk <9. Cap ). ¢ ‘There are many cases in which the thickness of transmission line cannot be assumed to be zero, Anal for thick stripline has been reported by many author but the best known and most accurate of these approxi formulas is suggested by Coh Vi = EL = 2) (hm) * Wo/b + Cpr 1. The strip conductor is sandwiched by dialectrle s strates, and confined by two ground planes (a). Since field lines are confined by the ground planes, the intensity falls off with Increasing distance from the ducting strip (0) MICROWAVES * Jonua)Chis independent of W and is rpreented hy 1 ‘ 1 = 2m ttn . 1b b (1-t/P Bruatons 6 through 8 yield data that is accurate to within Tpereent for W/(b-2035 and t/b<0.25. An empirical formula for Wa/b has been derived for 0.05: ren gif [oo mses susoncio-aise ]* an oe of BE ys gen hy Ba, 7 and ein hn The acarcy of . Assia hn tron inl 1 erent approximat Evaluate loss, then calculate Q BFS san icparnt prancter to enna ais, ohm) since it is used to compute cireuit Q. The total loss in stripline, a:, as in other transmission lines, can be divided into two parts, conductor loss and dielectrie loss: ‘ar = ae + ag (dB/unit length) a2, Conductor loss is determined by considering the in- tremental inductance associated with the penetration of magnetic flux into each of the conducting surfaces. For ‘ariplin, it may be evaluated by the relation‘ a3) q Sl a hb Wt where R, is the sheet resistivity (chm/square) of the ‘eduetor and is given by V'xfuy/¢. Using Eqs. 6 through for Zy; ae becomes: Z_(A+B) ay mato) - Act + M41 bit (BL), sy Bee bee 2. The low-loss tangent of quartz substrate produces @ Tow attenuation of stripline conductors at high frequen- cles (above 1 GHz). For Zy-e (1428 t/b) 2 120 ohms: p ~ 1085-W (bt (+12 bP [in 4sp+9w)-aW-sas-a2ae7> ] 6) For Z, Ve, (1423 t/>) < 120 ohms: (16b) B-0. Equation 14 shows that for a given characteristic im- pedance, conductor loss decreases inversely with substrate thickness, and increases with the square root of frequency through Ry Dielectric loss is given by ag = 7.8 Ve tan O/y a where tan 5 is the loss tangent of the dielectric. Equation IT shows that the dilectrie loss is directly proportional to frequency and loss tangent, Dielectric loss is normally very small when compared to the conduetor loss at microwave frequencies. At millimeter wavelengths, however, dielectric loss becomes comparable to conductor loss because it increases proportionally with frequency, whereas conduetor loss is proportional to the square root of frequency. ‘The total loss of a stripline (a guide wavelength long) on polystyrene, quarts, and alumina substrates as a function of impedance at 1 GHz, 9 GHz, and 25 GHz is compared in Fig. 2. At higher frequencies, stripline on quartzsubstrate hhas lower loss than conductors on polystyrene due to the substrate’s low-loss tangent. Stripline conductors on ‘lumina have larger loss than those on quartz and polystyrene due to smaller ground plane spacing which leads to higher copper loss. ‘The total loss given by Eqs. 12 through 17 ean be used todetermine the quality factor, Q ofa stripline conductor" (continued on nezt page) 1Xo oT ‘The maximum frequeneyof operation for stripline is limited by the excitation of the TE modes." For wide lines, the eutot for the lowest order TE-mode is given by Q as) fy (GH) = 2. —1 (19) GH) ie Wit) , where W and bare in em, Itmiay be observed that the cutot? Trequency, fr, decreases when either the spacing between the ground planes or the dielectric constant is increased thas been shown that for the TE-mode, Q-value, and cutoff frequency for stripline depend on the ground plane spacing, b, in addition to several other parameters. A wider Spacing will inerease Q, but it simultaneously decreases the cutoff frequeny of the TE-mode. The designer must choose f compromise spacing that minimizes Q degradation, yet inaintains & high cutoff frequency for TE-mode operation. Variations of TE-mode cutoff as a function of b are shown in Fig. 3 for a typical crose-linked polystyrene substrate ({q = 253). The line impedance is assumed to be 50 ohms. ‘Alto shown in this figure are eonstant-Q curves for Q = 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000, Note that the useful range of tround-plane spacings lies between the broken curve (min- imum Q-value) and the solid curve (upper frequency Ii ite, TE-mode cutoff). For example, for Q>100 and ¢-=2.58, bis found from Fig. 3 to be: 0m < 05) (23a) Kw) Ww + 2% nz (for W/ > 05) * (230) Power rating hinges on heating and breakdown ‘The power handling capability of stripline, like that of ‘uy other dielectric-filled transmission line, is limited by delectric breakdown and dielectric heating, ‘Dielectric breakdown occurs between the strip conductor fd one of the ground planes, and limits peak power Capability. Heating of the center conductor and dielectric, the to RF power loss in the line, limits the average power TThe breakdown process in stripline is more complicated than that in waveguide and coaxial lines. The breakdown ay be due to air gaps (corona effect) and sharp strip edges hich concentrate fields. Tnthese cases, power handling eapability can be inereased JAVES * January, 1978 4. With a set of fabrication tolerances, itis possible 10 Sompute VSWR performance (a). And a known VSWR can Giso determine the fabrication tolerances (). by simply filling air gaps with dielectric paint or silica grease, and rounding off sharp conductor edges. In other ‘cases, connectors or launchers may decide the peak power ca- pability. For example, $-mm subminiature connectors and their transitions may break down before the line itself. An ‘additional factor which may significantly reduce the power hhandling capability is the effect of internal impedance mismatches, These mismatches give rise to high VSWR, resulting in peak power points far in excess of the average power. Data for peak power handling eapability of stripline is not readily available, However, some data for an sir stripline with a rounded center conductor has been reported. Howe'® has noted that a 50-ohm line using 0.125-in. teflon fiberglass can withstand 25-kW peak power in C-band, while fa similar line with a 0.25-in, dielectric ean withstand 40 kW "The average power capability of a stripline is determined by the temperature rise of the strip conductor. It i therefore, related to the properties of the substrate such as loss tangent and thermal conduetivity. The cross section of the line and the ambient temperature also influence the average power eapability. If the circuit enclosure is a good heat sink and the dielectric has good thermal conductivity, the heat generated in the strip conductor will be dissipated through the substrate, The rise in temperature will be less, and the average power capability ofthe eircut will inrease. (oontinued on next page) 93A DESIGNER'S GUIDE TO STRIPLINE CIRCUITS Approximate closed-form discontinuity expressior (@) Open end aac en [ 2M tan 29 | where ¢ = BIN? | and’ g = 4420 : (b) Round hole in center strip py = 1+84 cot ot (ar) ~ By 2p, = 1428p cot (or) cot (2r)-28, (©) Gap in center strip 148, cot (88) cot (38)-8, ee oe where AgBi= — 2b In cosh (r Sib) cot (9S}(28,+8,) AyBe.= — b In coth (x Sib) {¢) Step in width In cosec (x0'/20) bing gle bend D [ 1756+ «ony ] a X= 0 [ 00725-0159 ayo?) () T4unction Aa =D’ (0.78597 B20 2D D Do Big 20 Pinot ne (tor > < 08) as [ © ee fe Dt in 1890 ] wo B05 55 5 8, - 20 dy xD" tn cose 22.pressions | with normalized reactances and susceptances DISCONTINUITY foe oe 5, Stripline discontinuities can be described by straight- Forward equivalent circuits, JAVES * January, 1978 EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT : i 4 3 z | pean ees PA ee et 1 a, ae C (eontinued on next page) 95Travels Anywhere. Our Model 585 8 Digit, 250 MHz Counter, $345 Complete. 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Comes complete with rechargeable NiCd bates, ‘AC ine charger and vinyl carying cases wel as aul instruc thon manal, Cerifcate of Conformance and final est data. fll line of optional accessories i also avaiable For futher informatio or demonstration, contac your lal Data Precision: ative or Data Precision Corporation, ‘Audubon Rood, Wakefield, MA 01880, (617) 246-1600 TELEX (0650) 99 ‘Price USA DATA PRECISION years ahead DESIGNER'S GUIDE TO STRIPLINE CIRCUITS] 6. When frequency is incr verage power handling capabity drops by about ‘The EM-field configuration shown in Fig. 1(b) can dl be used for thermal analysis of stripline; electric field li are analogous to heat flow lines, while magnetic field ls are comparable to isotherms. Average power capability be obtained from the relation"* Pay = (Tmax ~ Tent) / 4 T where (°C/W) is the rise in temperature of the conductor per unit watt of power flow, Tyas the maxim operating temperature of the circuit or substrate, and is ambient temperature. Howe'!* has plotted 4 Tv frequency curves for a 50-ohm line using various subst ‘and these curves have been used to calculate the av at power capability assuming Tmax ~ 100°C and Tamp ~ 2 Variations of Pyy with frequency for 60-ohm striplins various substrates are shown in Fig. 6. When the freq is increased from 3 to 10 GHz, average power capa drops by about one-third. For example, a 50-ohm line polyolefin substrate (with 125 mil ground plane spacing) Pyy of $10 W at 3 GHz and 105 W at 10 GHzee Acknowledgement Bese vat oan PTE en ent La. W fa nt, soe Const ERS, Sonate nmr ne ae eps sp echani a Bae ine Can cae once rs theta Be ae -ceesrs nee Thy Sil re fe conser PS oa ents eH = Bor een ael a i zoe estat 12 5.5 ca, “robe rip raeminne,” IRE Traction nd We Ets ner hn a Do WANE AE pn” Meme rt 8 Pt” one ot Teg ge Mercy, Ur nt Ba i TS Pe ta nan Re OR a a a 44 READER SERVICE NUMBER 48 AMCROWAVES © Jenuary, EEEROVin to spectrum analysis Can you define a spectrum? Does thing existing In nature nave What can you discover about a by analyzing its spectrum? ly, every physical phenome 1, in every system, has its own spectrum. Starting with the ental concepts of aspectrum, age paperback text by Rock: ‘Systems Corporation, "Spec Analysis—Theory, Implementa-” and Applications’, progresses gh Fourier transforms, fund: ils and harmonics, and random- spectras all the way to practical plcations. Esty sections outline the spectrum a's constraints due to limits id by nature and not to circuit gn. For example. since an ar imately measures the out- ofa fter as a means of plotting 10 resolve spectra variations all filters have a finite undwidth. Detailed in these sections ‘continuous and discrete Fourier transforms and the architecture of a fast fourier transform (FFT) spectrum analyzer. Signal conversion and vari (ous types of averaging are handled, begining with the simple arithmetic averaging of a series of numbers. These analytical modes proceed to describe instantaneous vs. averaged spectra, “exponential,” and peak averaging, transient spectra, tran- sient capture and spectrum computa- tion, trigger circuits, and logarithmic frequency axis. ‘Another section tells how the time ‘domain signals can be converted into spectrum displays that accurately represent their Fourier transforms. Here, the authors study which spec- trum parameters can be measured, ‘and how those measurements can be expressed, This mini-text is adequately sprin- kled with formulas, diagrams and pic- tures. It is availabie free until March 31, 1978, $6 after that date, Rockland Systems Corporation, 230 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994 (614)'623-6686. ' itstone bridges span many microwave octaves’ ‘The Wheatstone bridge has been for microwave impedance jeasurements for quite some time. major challenge has been design- g the balance-to-unbalance trans- ation circuits, called baluns, to the VSWR into the bridge ports. of these problems have been 1, and the result is a new ration of bridges that compete thdirectional couplers. Aninterest- ‘comparison of bridges and plers is published in the latest da Probe, (Vol. 9, No. 2, October, The note begins with a basi iption of a microwave bridge, and ees on to compare its operation with of a coupler. In network analyzer tellectometer work, the bridge bly. The only major ce is that the bridge has a 6- insertion loss at both the input- and test-to-input paths, while coupler has a near zero loss in path and a loss equal to the changes in system per- nce, and do not influence urement accuracy. finite directivity of either de- is the primary index of meas- nt error. This directivity is /AVES * January, 1978 ‘equal to the input-to-output insertion loss (In dB) with an ideal termination at the test port, minus the sum of the insertion losses of the two individual lly, the directivity would be jut in practice it isn't, and a finite directivity measurement error may be expressed as a reflection- coefficient phaser (ro) of a specific amplitude (pp=(10)-0/20) that adds to the true reflection coefficient. A con- venient nomogram can be used to estimate errors due to directivity, The note examines measurement ‘errors due to test port reflections by considering calibration and inputioutput port VSWR. An often neglected error source deals with “low-retlection” adapters and their effect on VSWR measurements. These effects come from an apparent decrease in the bridge directivity and the increased interaction between the device and test port reflection. There are applications where each device offers distinct advantages. For example, a high-directivity coupler could be used to minimize the input- to-test port insertion loss to produce maximum power at the test port. It also has the ability to minimize power at the input of a low-power amplifier without reducing sensitivity. The Narda Microwave Corporation, Plainview, NY 11803 (516) 433-9000, READER SERVICE NUMBER 49