Ground-Plated VeroBoard for RF-Circuits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: SaabFAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 07:24:19 pm
content: While waiting for the last components for my DIY Spectrum-Analyzer to arrive, I was thinking about what kind of building-technique I could use.One would be Dead Bug/Manhattan-Style on copper-plated boards, but years ago, my father brought home a whole box full of prototyping-boards. Most are just Epoxy or Resin-Paper with copper-pads attached, but a few have a big ground-plane on the component-side, solder-mask, rows of holes to fit Euro-Card Connectors...So I was thinking: Can I use these boards to build RF-Circuits up to 1Ghz?The board in question is this one (and another one that is basically two of those boards joined by a 1/3 wide middle-area):http://www.verotl.com/de/product/222-26492-3u-pth-square-pad-boardAnd I would also like to know: Is only Vero making these boards? Searching for "Prototype Board with Ground Plane" or something similar only turns up discussions about Ground Planes, but no actual products.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 08:40:50 pm
content: I build lots of RF circuits on boards like those but I only go to 500 MHz, so I suggest that you try it anyway. I use SMT parts soldered to the pads with short lengths of wire through the holes to the groundplane when required. All connecting wires are on the groundplane side.Now, regarding the physical construction of your spectrum analyzer (been there, done that):1) Each section of the SA should be in its own screened box with connections to the outside made by BNC or SMA plugs and sockets. Seam solder the PCB all the way around to the box so that there is a solid connection and the PCB is mechanically stable2) Power and control lines should enter and leave the box through feedthrough capacitors.3) Use lots of ferrite beads on all cables including lengths of coax4) Use a linear supply rather than a switched mode unit, it's less RF noise.5) Pieces of conductive anti-static foam on the insides of the top and bottom of the box lids will stop RF bouncing around inside the box.6) Mount all your RF boxes on one side of a metal plate or sheet of PCB material. On the other side of the plate mount any digital logic and your power supply. The plate then goes inside your case and is connected to a solid ground.7) At some point you WILL blow your front end. make sure it's easy to get to and unsolder.

author: bitslice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 08:52:13 pm
content: Quote from: SaabFAN on October 07, 2015, 07:24:19 pmYou might be interested in this then:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pnmini/speedyproto-the-only-protoboard-with-a-ground-plan

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 08:58:13 pm
content: My protoboard has a groundplane over the through-hole areashttp://whitewing.co.uk/protoboard.html

author: bitslice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 11:22:26 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on October 07, 2015, 08:58:13 pmHi Mikehave you ever thought of making one of those with a 100pin LQFP in the middle?Actually a plain board with a DIN41612 would be handy too