[SI-LIST] Re: RF loss due to Nickel plating.

Dave,

I think the following references are useful to you although they include 
not PCB-level information but package-level.

1.  C.-T. Tsai, et. al, "High-Frequency Inductance Measurement and 
Characterization of Alloy42 and Copper Packages," 43rd  ECTC, pp. 
635-640, 1993.  This paper includes comparison results of measured 
inductance of five package interconnection materials: bare Cu, bare 
Alloy42, Pd/Ni-plated Cu, Pd/Ni-plated Alloy42, and Au-plated Alloy42.  
In addition to this, this paper shows estimated relative permeability of 
Alloy42 (Fe-Ni alloy) leadframe material in the IC packaging at 7 
different frequencies to give an answer to your question #1.

Frequency (MHz)     Estimated relative permeability
2.6                         75
5                            60
8.85                       52
20                         45
80                         26
200                       12
300                        8

2.  Brian Young, "Determination of the Frequency-Dependent Complex 
Permeability of Alloy42," 44th ECTC, pp. 978-980, 1994.  
This paper includes complex permeability for Alloy42 derived from 2-D 
simulations.

3.  O. Kagaya, et. al, "A Very Thin Power Amplifier Multichip Module for 
1.9 GHz Cellular Phone System," IEEE Trans. Advanced Packaging, pp. 
40-45, Feb. 1999.  This paper shows relationship between the Q-factor 
and the thickness of the Ni layer in the Cu/Ni/Au conductor for MCM 
applications.

I hope this helps you.

-Seol

---------Included Message----------
>Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 15:11:10 -0700
>From: "Smith, David TQO" <dsmith@xxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: <dsmith@xxxxxxx>
>To: <si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: [SI-LIST] RF loss due to Nickel plating.
>
>
>I have been asked to look at how much 
>loss one might expect from nickel plating
>on a transmission line on FR-4 (or similar
>material with lower loss tangent) PCB.  
>Operating frequency is in the 1-3 GHz range.
>
>I have found values published for Nickel 
>resistivity and permeability (about 450!)
>and it is reported to be ferromagnetic, with
>a coercivity depending on the metallurgy.
>However, I have not been able to find any
>information about how these characteristics
>depend on frequency.  I know that the 
>plating is magnetic because I can pick up
>small pieces with a magnet.
>
>I am left with these questions:
>
>1. Does the high magnetic permeability hold up to 
>   GHz frequencies or does it roll off in the MHz?
>
>2. Is there any published references on this
>    phenomena?
>
>3. Is there a suitable commercial simulator that could 
>    calculate the expected losses accurately? (I am going 
>    to try to get credible results using Ansoft HFSS).
>
>Any sage advice, pointers to publications, or anecdotes 
>about using nickel plating  on PCBs operating in the 
>GHz frequency range would be much appreciated.
>
>Dave Smith
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