PCB copper thickness and RF Effects

Community PCB Design
1

I’m not sure where this should be more, under PCB or RF, but I’m curious as to the effects of altering the thicnkess of the copper on a PCB and how it plays with RF ground return currents. (for this isntance ignore the effects on actual RF traces, just the RF ground return currents, especially in the case of having a printed F antenna which relies on the ground plane)

Would reducing the copper thicnkess to 0.5 oz from 1 oz make a significant difference for low power 2.4 GHz signals? I realise this is a pretty broad question with vague inputs, but a general answer would be greatly helpful from someone experienced in RF design. I’m wondering if there are any effects I’m not aware of which will come into play.

Thanks.

2

I think the effect will be negligible. It makes a difference if you are calculating strip-line and micro-strip dimensions, though.

Leon

3

At 2.4 GHz the skin depth is about 1.35 um. The trace is about 35 um thick for one ounce copper. Therefore there would be a negilable effect going to 1/2 ounce