In millimeter-wave radar systems, the radar antenna manufacturing cost represents a large portion of the total cost, with PCB material costs accounting for about 60%. In this context, ROGERS has introduced the RO4830™ material, which, with its excellent performance and lower cost, has become a key solution in driving the widespread adoption of 77 GHz millimeter-wave radar technology.

RO4830™: Low-Cost, High-Performance Millimeter-Wave Radar Material

RO4830™ is a hydrocarbon resin-based high-frequency laminate material made from a thermoset resin system, designed specifically for millimeter-wave applications such as 76-81 GHz automotive radar sensors, 60 GHz traffic radar, and industrial radar. Compared with traditional PTFE laminate materials, RO4830™ not only significantly reduces material costs (30% lower than RO3003™) but also delivers outstanding performance, especially for high-frequency applications such as 77 GHz automotive radar sensors.

Outstanding Electrical Performance

In millimeter-wave radar systems, low-loss circuit materials reduce the receiver noise figure and increase the transmission power, thereby enhancing radar detection range and resolution. Compared to traditional glass-reinforced PTFE laminate, RO4830™ has a slightly higher dielectric constant of 3.2 and an insertion loss of only 2.2 dB/inch at 77 GHz, ensuring efficient radar signal transmission and accurate detection.

High Reliability and Consistency

For automotive radar sensors, material reliability and batch consistency are crucial. RO4830™ undergoes strict quality management and meets the high standards of the automotive industry, with IATF16949 certification, ensuring stable performance in every batch. As the ideal choice for high-reliability and high-performance consistency requirements, RO4830™ material meets the demands of various harsh application environments.

Excellent Machinability

In terms of machinability, RO4830™ offers excellent laser drilling performance. Its flat E-glass fiberglass and more uniform, smaller particle size filler make the material highly suitable for the precise manufacturing of millimeter-wave radar sensors. Additionally, RO4830™ provides two dielectric thickness options (0.005” and 0.0094”), making it compatible with FR-4 multi-layer board designs to meet the requirements of different radar sensors.

Below is a suggested design for a performance comparison table between RO4830™ and Traditional PTFE Materials. This table highlights key performance parameters and their values for each material:

Oxidation Resistance and Environmental Features

RO4830™ material not only boasts excellent oxidation resistance but also meets UL-V0 flammability standards and supports lead-free soldering processes. These features ensure stable operation in complex and high-temperature environments, in line with modern automotive industry requirements for environmental protection and sustainability.

Conclusion

RO4830™ material provides a low-cost, high-performance solution for the design of millimeter-wave radar sensors, with particularly outstanding performance in the 77 GHz frequency band. Its excellent electrical properties, reliability, consistency, and good machinability make RO4830™ the ideal choice for driving the widespread adoption of automotive radar sensors. With the growing use of RO4830™, the future of automotive active safety systems looks more efficient and safer.