A simple method for separating dissipation factors in microwave printed circuit board

A simple method for separating the dissipation factors associated with conductor losses and dielectric losses of printed circuit boards in microwave frequencies is presented. The method utilizes the difference in dependence of the two losses on the dimensions of bounded stripline resonators using one printed circuit board specimen as a center strip conductor. The experimental results show that the method is very practical for evaluating loss characteristics in microwave applications. Although separation was achieved under the condition that the permittivity of the substrate was known, it may be possible without knowing the permittivity if the dependence of the fringing capacitance at the resonator ends is measured separately.<>