A Comprehensive Comparison of Stripline vs. Microstrip

RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY
A Comprehensive Comparison of Stripline Vs. Microstrip
In Printed circuit Boards, traces are generally given two names depending
on their placement in the stack of a PCB; Microstrip and Stripline. In a
circuit board, both microstrip and stripline offer two distinct structures of
line used in the layout of a PCB. Both strip lines and microstrips come in
differential varieties and coplanar. Each of them gives off specific types of
benefits while using high-frequency and high-speed signals. This article
helps you understand the difference between strip lines and microstrips
and guides you through the different benefits and routing styles each of
them incorporates.
However, before getting into the details, it is crucial to understand the
basic factor that makes both strip lines and microstrips differ from each
other. For the strip lines located inside the stack of a PCB, the traces are
fully disclosed to the material of the dielectric. At the same time, the
properties of dielectric material will have a better impact on the
propagating signal along the strip lines. Read along; you will get to know
what factors cause differences between both types of traces.
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Table of Contents
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What Is A Stripline?
Edge-Coupled Stripline (symmetrical) pcb impedance control
A stripline lies inside the material substrate with around two planes
(ground) sandwiching the substrate and stripline. This impregnation
depicts that the transmission lines can only be available in the internal
routing layers of a PCB. Thus, strip lines are mostly found in multilayered
printed circuit boards. Also, the structure protects the stripline, reducing
emissions.
What Is A Microstrip?
A microstrip refers to a planar communicating line that lies outside the
material of the dielectric. The material of the PCB insulates and splits the
tace signal from the ground plane. This means that the transmission line
possesses air over it. Hence, the transmission line can only lie over the

lower and upper PCB layers. Moreover, the air constant of the dielectric
and the material of the board affect the impedance of the trace.
Differences: Stripline Vs. Microstrip
However, it’s hard to directly say which routing style suits you better or
perfectly. Therefore, the difference helps you determine to choose the
right one for your application. So, let’s discuss different areas that depict
differences.
Location
As discussed above, the main difference between both strip lines and
microstrips is their placement or location. Striplines lie inside the internal
layers, particularly between two ground planes, whereas microstrips lie on
the outer layers of a PCB.
Usage
Typically, you can select between whether to go with microstrips or
stripline while routing the designs. Though, you need to consider some
things before selecting between any routing styles.
1. Choose a stripline routing style if you are looking
for high-density tolerance impedance for your application. A
stripline possesses greater density for impedance-controlled

routing as compared to a microstrip. Thus, a thin and small stripline
will offer the same value of impedance as a wider and bigger
microstrip gives.
2. Whereas you don’t have to choose any routing method if your
circuit board contains short traces between close electronic
components. However, you can still choose microstrips only if you
need impedance control in your application.
3. Furthermore, strip lines do not go well with ultra-high frequencies.
Unfortunately, the Via integrating with the internal layer will behave
like a distinct transmission line. This allows the surrounding
parasitic capacitance to develop impedance continuity and signal
losses.
4. You can go for strip lines also if you want greater isolation between
the layers of your design. This stripline routing style develops
isolation in the internal layer, which seems impossible with
microstrips. At the same time, this style of design doesn’t guarantee
greater isolation between straplines of the same layer. Hence, you
have to consider crosstalk before moving forward with the design.
5. Last but not least, you can use both routing methods with high
pin-count electrical components.
Characteristics Impedance

The characteristic impedance of the strip lines relies on the dielectric
constant, the center conductor of the strip, and the cross-sectional
geometry of ground planes. Furthermore, the characteristic impedance of
the stripline decreases when the width of the strip increases. Whereas on
the contrary, the characteristic impedance of the microstrip changes with
increasing frequency.
Stripline Vs. Microstrip: Transmission Line
The calculation of routing requires parameters like the dielectric constant
used in the dielectric layer of the PCB.
Microstrip
The microstrip routing on the upper and lower level of the circuit board
reduces dielectric losses greater than stripline routing. This occurs
because of negligible losses of air. Moreover, in microstrip routing, the
conductor strip lies at the outside layer, which makes the fabrication
process simple.
Whereas microstrip radiates greater energy because of air exposure.
However, the constant of dielectric inside the layers of PCB is generally 1.4,
whereas 1 for air. These variations determine the difference in impedance
value between microstrips and strip lines.

Striplines
On the contrary, the stripline routing method has the benefit of
sandwiching the traces of signals between planes (reference). This
structure allows the manufacturing of narrower transmission lines over
the same values of impedance needed for microstrip routing.
Furthermore, the sandwich structure makes better insulation with the
material of dielectric. Thus, allowing you to compress the trace routing.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Stripline Vs. Microstrip
Stripline PCB
Both microstrip and stripline offer their own types of benefits. Let’s see a
glimpse of the pros of each routing style.
Stripline Benefits

1. Striplines can protect and shield traces of signals from unknown
invasive frequencies.
2. The performance of this routing method will enhance up to 50MHz.
3. Moreover, strip lines also offer low impedance, which leads to
minimum crosstalk and emissions.
4. Furthermore, this certain routing method also offers
greater EMI characteristics.
Microstrip Benefits
1. Microstrips contain open transmission line structures which make
connections between the electrical components and the surface of
the PCB easily.
2. Moreover, you can also stack up microstrips on HD channels with
lesser crosstalk. This makes it the perfect design for microwave IC
and RF.
3. Microstrips contain planar topology, which gives them a little
immunity to circuit board fabrication tolerances.
4. Furthermore, they also offer faster times of propagation.
5. Last but not least, this routing method offers mechanical support
and heat sinking simultaneously.
Cons

Similarly, each method of PCB routing does have disadvantages too. Let’s
dive into the details to know more about them.
Stripline Drawbacks
Tough microstrips come in compact sizes and less price, but they seem
loosier as compared to strip lines, waveguides, CPW, and coaxial lines.
Microstrip Drawbacks
1. Striplines have implanted signal traces which makes them complex
to debug. Generally speaking, it makes the prototyping
and troubleshooting of the PCB more difficult.
2. Striplines can not decouple easily.
3. Moreover, proper matching leads to low impedance.
Which One Should You Select? Stripline Vs. Microstrip

Each transmission line of a PCB comes with its own advantages and
disadvantages. Most PCBs with high frequency and high-speed needs
high-density circuits. Therefore, you may end up using both of them in
your application.
Modern printed circuit board tools aid in simplifying the routing
configuration of stripline and microstrip. Moreover, the impedance
calculators for PCBs also greatly help in determining the perfect layer
configuration and width of the trace. Whereas the stack-up editors also
facilitate using the right material and width of the board.
The combination of these tools aids you in choosing the best microstrip
and stripline routing approach and configuration of layers with the routing
layers.
Conclusion
Both microstrips and strip lines possess a slight structural distinction that
changes their nature and properties greatly. However, every transmission
line has certain properties that may tend you to use both in your
high-speed and high-frequency circuit board to reduce
losses. RayPcb hopes this clears all your doubts, yet if you still have any
queries, then reach out to us.
Related Posts:

1. Benefits, features, and application of a Microstrip antenna
2. 5G Microstrip Antenna Optimizes Network Performance
3. The Design and Analysis of Rogers TMM 13I Microstrip Multilayer
Transistor
4. Comparison Between Countersink Vs. Counterbore For PCB
https://www.raypcb.com/stripline-pcb-vs-microstrip/

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RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

A Comprehensive Comparison of Stripline Vs. Microstrip

on their placement in the stack of a PCB; Microstrip and Stripline. In a

benefits while using high-frequency and high-speed signals. This article

However, before getting into the details, it is crucial to understand the

properties of dielectric material will have a better impact on the

what factors cause differences between both types of traces.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Edge-Coupled Stripline (symmetrical) pcb impedance control

(ground) sandwiching the substrate and stripline. This impregnation

A microstrip refers to a planar communicating line that lies outside the

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Differences: Stripline Vs. Microstrip

perfectly. Therefore, the difference helps you determine to choose the

microstrips is their placement or location. Striplines lie inside the internal

layers, particularly between two ground planes, whereas microstrips lie on

the outer layers of a PCB.

Typically, you can select between whether to go with microstrips or

things before selecting between any routing styles.

1. Choose a stripline routing style if you are looking

for high-density tolerance impedance for your application. A

stripline possesses greater density for impedance-controlled

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

routing as compared to a microstrip. Thus, a thin and small stripline

will offer the same value of impedance as a wider and bigger

2. Whereas you don’t have to choose any routing method if your

circuit board contains short traces between close electronic

components. However, you can still choose microstrips only if you

need impedance control in your application.

3. Furthermore, strip lines do not go well with ultra-high frequencies.

like a distinct transmission line. This allows the surrounding

parasitic capacitance to develop impedance continuity and signal

the layers of your design. This stripline routing style develops

isolation in the internal layer, which seems impossible with

microstrips. At the same time, this style of design doesn’t guarantee

greater isolation between straplines of the same layer. Hence, you

have to consider crosstalk before moving forward with the design.

pin-count electrical components.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

The characteristic impedance of the strip lines relies on the dielectric

constant, the center conductor of the strip, and the cross-sectional

geometry of ground planes. Furthermore, the characteristic impedance of

the contrary, the characteristic impedance of the microstrip changes with

Stripline Vs. Microstrip: Transmission Line

The calculation of routing requires parameters like the dielectric constant

used in the dielectric layer of the PCB.

reduces dielectric losses greater than stripline routing. This occurs

because of negligible losses of air. Moreover, in microstrip routing, the

Whereas microstrip radiates greater energy because of air exposure.

whereas 1 for air. These variations determine the difference in impedance

value between microstrips and strip lines.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

On the contrary, the stripline routing method has the benefit of

sandwiching the traces of signals between planes (reference). This

structure allows the manufacturing of narrower transmission lines over

the same values of impedance needed for microstrip routing.

Furthermore, the sandwich structure makes better insulation with the

material of dielectric. Thus, allowing you to compress the trace routing.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

Advantages and Drawbacks of Stripline Vs. Microstrip

glimpse of the pros of each routing style.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

1. Striplines can protect and shield traces of signals from unknown