Assuming you've ended up with ENIG and not nice thick gold then there may be some consequence depending on frequency and usage.

I like to worry folks with some basic closed form skin effect calcs.

Seriously depends on structure and use.

If we assume a microstrip then at lower RF most current flow is on the side of the trace nearest the plane, so not too bad yet.
At higher MW frequencies it's mostly on the trace edges, which may be plated, so your going to see much more of an effect.


Best Regards

David Greig
______________________________
GigaDyne Ltd
Buchan House
Carnegie Campus
Dunfermline KY11 8PL
United Kingdom
t: +44 (0)1383 624 975
www.gigadyne.co.uk
______________________________

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of ekalgren
Sent: 07 November 2005 16:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] RF Board Finish

Good morning, all.



I've got a question for the RF guys out there.  Is there a significant difference between silver plating and gold plating when
it comes to an RF circuit board assembly?  My drawings call for silver but our vendor sent gold.  I've been asked to find out if
this will have a major impact on performance.



Thanks for your help.



Eric Kalgren

Electrical Engineer

Continental Tool and Microwave Company

603-775-5200  ext. 333

[log in to unmask]




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