May somebody provide me with any theoretical-practical application note (articles, web pages ...) regarding RF ground planes layout (up to 1.2 GHz)?
I certainly know about the characteristic PCB layout guidelines. A continuous ground plane on the back side of a printed circuit board as an ideal arrangement, the RF signal traces should be well terminated and kept short, careful decoupling of the power supplies, etc
Even though I am confused about the topside ground planes requirement and disposition. I believe for sure that a number of different strategies could be adopted. That there is not a unique answer for the best. In my design I am considering three synthesizers involving a couple of mixers and filters.
I have observed in some designs a different disposition of topside ground planes. Off course these grounds should be connected to the bottom side ground using plated through holes.
In some cases these topside planes looked as big as possible. Getting almost "indiscreetly" all the given leads under the common ground on that plane.
At the same time I have seen other layouts where the topside ground planes configured little islands. On these ground islands the leads of several components of particular functional network were placed
I believe that the last strategy considering as many vias as possible could be really convenient .Is this correct?
I do not have at this moment any simulation tool to test a given layout configuration.
I would sincerely appreciate any hint.
Thanks,
JB
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