Embedded Microstrip Impedance Calculator

Provide values for the four parameters h₁, h, t, w, and the relative permittivity of the dielectric. Click the button corresponding to the characteristic impedance to calculate its value. ( 0.1< w/h < 3.0; 1 < ε_r < 15 )

Select the units for all dimensions: mm mils

h₁ (Dielectric thickness)

mm mils

h (Height above reference plane)

mm mils

t (Trace thickness)

mm mils

w (Trace width)

mm mils

ε_r (Relative permittivity)

 (Characteristic impedance)

ohms

C₀ (Capacitance)

pF/cm pF/inch

T_pd (Propagation delay time)

psec/cm psec/inch

Notes

• The formulas used here are taken from the Design Guide for Electronic Packaging Utilizing High-Speed Techniques (4th Working Draft, IPC-2251, February 2001)
  
• Range of valid parameters specified in the Design Guide: 0.1< w/h < 3.0; 1 < ε_r < 15
• Note the equations used here are proposal currently being evaluated by IPC. The embedded microstrip impedance formula is an approximation and the results are highly sensitive to the values of the variables. The accuracy of the equations was observed to be slightly better for higher permittivities.
• For typical PCB parameters (ε_r = 4, h₁ = 61.37 mil, h = 30 mil and t = 1.37 mil), the deviation of the calculated results obtained using a 2D numerical field solver, is listed below:

  Z₀

  0.1 < w/h < 1.0

  within 20%

  1.0 < w/h < 3.0

  20%--40%

  C₀

  0.1 < w/h < 1.0

  within 5%

  1.0 < w/h < 2.2

  within 20%

  2.2 < w/h < 3.0

  20%--40%