{"id":11381,"date":"2025-06-13T22:10:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T02:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/electronic-systems-design\/?p=11381"},"modified":"2026-03-27T09:47:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:47:07","slug":"cutting-through-the-noise-modern-strategies-for-rf-pcb-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/electronic-systems-design\/2025\/06\/13\/cutting-through-the-noise-modern-strategies-for-rf-pcb-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Cutting through the noise: Modern strategies for RF PCB design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In season three of the Printed Circuit Podcast<\/em>, host Steph Chavez sat down with Per Viklund, Director of IC Packaging and RF Product Lines at Siemens, for a focused discussion on one of the most complex\u2014and increasingly common\u2014areas of board design: RF PCB design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With over 45 years in electronics hardware and EDA software, Viklund brought both historical depth and a modern lens to a domain often described as \u201cblack magic.\u201d But as he and Chavez made clear, today\u2019s RF design is less about mysticism and more about systems thinking, simulation, and smart tooling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radio Frequency (RF) PCB is everywhere<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBack in the day, RF was rare and siloed. Only specialists touched it,\u201d Viklund explained. \u201cBut with 5G, digital beamforming, and IoT, almost every designer will face RF challenges at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recounted his own journey, starting with ham radios and tube amplifiers as a teenager. \u201cI\u2019ve always been a radio nerd,\u201d he said. That passion ultimately translated into building RF and IC packaging solutions for Siemens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chavez noted a similar trajectory. \u201cRF was intimidating when I started. It was mythical. We learned through scars\u2014by trial, error, and respins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though governed by the same physics, RF behaves differently at high frequencies\u2014and that matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne example is the use of quarter-wavelength conductors,\u201d Viklund said. \u201cYou might intentionally connect a signal to ground after a certain distance to create a specific effect. But traditional tools interpret that as a short circuit and start flagging errors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This mismatch between RF design logic and digital EDA assumptions caused headaches for years. But as Viklund explained, Siemens tools like Xpedition and PADS Pro now natively understand RF design principles, reducing the friction between intent and implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chavez added, \u201cYou don\u2019t have time for tool fights anymore. The goal is to get it right the first time, with high yield and low cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analog\/digital\/RF co-design: It\u2019s all one system now<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Modern PCBs rarely contain isolated RF, digital, or analog sections. They\u2019re tightly integrated systems\u2014and must be designed as such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEach domain has to see the full picture,\u201d Viklund emphasized. \u201cYou can\u2019t design RF in isolation. You need to consider how digital and analog signals will impact each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This integrated approach is what Siemens calls co-design<\/strong>, and it’s critical to success. \u201cPassing designs over the wall doesn\u2019t work anymore,\u201d Chavez said. \u201cConcurrent, contextual collaboration is the only path forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simulation is no longer optional<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the past, companies would skip simulation and just expect three board spins,\u201d Chavez observed. \u201cNow, simulation is the first step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viklund agreed: \u201cAll designs are simulated today\u2014RF especially. And not just for signal integrity, but for EMI, resonance, and multi-domain effects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With growing complexity, simulation becomes the safeguard against invisible design flaws. \u201cIt\u2019s not about perfection,\u201d Viklund said. \u201cIt\u2019s about visibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most PCB tools were historically built for digital logic. RF structures\u2014especially curved traces, odd impedance tapers, and grounded stubs\u2014were often flagged as errors or treated as dumb metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s changed,\u201d Viklund explained. \u201cTools like Xpedition Layout and PADS Pro have RF support built in. They understand what you’re trying to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tools also integrate directly with simulation environments like ANSYS HFSS and Keysight PathWave. \u201cThere are usually five to ten design round trips between layout and simulation,\u201d he noted. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to manually clean up data every time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This tight loop can cut total PCB design time by more than 50%<\/strong>, making intelligent tool integration a competitive advantage\u2014not a luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advice for new RF designers: Learn the why before the what<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Asked for guidance to the next generation, Viklund was direct: \u201cRF isn\u2019t black magic. Everything has a scientific reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recommends starting with RF fundamentals<\/strong>: electromagnetic fields, resonance, standing waves, and transmission line effects. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to master the math, but you do have to understand the behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And just as important, he emphasized the practical<\/em> side: \u201cLearn how these concepts apply to a PCB layout, not just to equations in a textbook.\u201d Chavez and Viklund agreed that modern RF design is as much about community as it is about capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAttend conferences like PCB West, IPC events, or PCEA meetups,\u201d Viklund urged. \u201cThat\u2019s where theory meets practice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chavez echoed that sentiment: \u201c90% of my growth came from these conferences. The golden nuggets you get from industry experts are priceless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They both emphasized the need for continuous education and professional development, especially in a fast-moving space like RF and microwave design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Viklund summarized: \u201cRF isn\u2019t something only specialists do anymore. It\u2019s becoming a standard part of PCB design. That means designers need the right tools, the right mindset, and the right education to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With tighter board real estate, increasing signal speeds, and rising system complexity, RF-aware design isn\u2019t optional\u2014it\u2019s essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more expert advice on <\/strong>RF PCB design<\/strong><\/a>, and listen to the  <\/em><\/strong>Printed Circuit Podcast<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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