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Application vs Frequency in PCB Stackup Generation

Reference list of application → default frequency (GHz) and typical range used when generating PCB stackups. Keep this in sync with the code sources below. All frequencies in GHz unless noted in notes.

Source of truth

  • Standard-defined bands and power (preferred): frontend/src/data/applicationStandardBands.ts — APPLICATION_STANDARD_BANDS, getDefaultBandForApplication(application), getDefaultPowerForApplication(application). When an application has standard bands, Phase I uses the default band’s defaultFreqGHz, defaultBandwidthMHz, and typicalPowerMax_dBm when the user selects that application.
  • Fallback default frequency: frontend/src/constants/defaults/specs/common.ts — APPLICATION_DEFAULT_FREQUENCY (used when no standard band is defined for the application).
  • Typical frequency range per application: frontend/src/types/rfComponents/application.ts — APPLICATION_METADATA[app].typicalFrequencyRange
  • Usage in stackup: frontend/src/utils/stackup/stackupGenerator.ts uses config.frequency || config.maxFrequency || 1; StackupForm.tsx and CollapsibleStackupForm.tsx pass frequency from Phase I or form; applicationPreselectionService.ts exposes getDefaultFrequencyForApplication(application).

List: Application → Default (GHz) and range (GHz)

Application Default (GHz) Range (GHz) Engineering notes
5g_cellular 3.5 0.6 – 40 n78 sweet spot; FR1 sub-6; FR2 mmWave (24–40 GHz). mmWave ≥24 GHz.
wifi_wlan 2.4 2.4 – 7.1 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz bands
satcom 12 1.0 – 40 Ku-band downlink typical. Bands: L 1–2, S 2–4, C 4–8, X 8–12, Ku 12–18, Ka 26.5–40 GHz.
civilian_radar 3.0 1.0 – 40 S-band marine/weather/ATC; most civilian ≤35 GHz (77–81 GHz is automotive).
drones 2.4 0.4 – 6.0 ISM
ism_band 2.4 0.4 – 5.8 2.4 GHz ISM
iot_devices 2.4 0.4 – 5.8 2.4 GHz typical
test_measurement 2.4 0.1 – 67 Conservative; modern RF test gear to 110 GHz
point_to_point 12 5.0 – 40 Licensed microwave backhaul 10–15 GHz typical; mmWave ≥24 GHz
repeaters_das 2.5 0.7 – 5.9 Cellular
broadcast 0.1 0.05 – 1.0 FM 88–108 MHz; FM/AM/TV, cap ~1 GHz (excl. broadcast satellite)
land_mobile_radio 0.45 0.4 – 1.0 UHF LMR
rfid_nfc 0.9 0.013 – 5.8 HF NFC (13.56 MHz), UHF RFID
wireless_audio_video 0.6 0.4 – 6.0 Wireless mics
medical_devices 1.4 0.4 – 2.5 WMTS
automotive 77 0.3 – 81 24 GHz legacy SRR; 77–79 GHz LRR (modern ADAS)
ultra_wideband 6.8 3.1 – 10.6 Channel 5 (6.5 GHz) / 9 (8 GHz) common (for example Apple/Samsung)
short_range_devices 0.433 0.3 – 5.8 433 MHz SRD
amateur_radio 0.144 0.1 – 250 2 m band (144 MHz); most activity below 10 GHz; experimental bands higher
marine_communications 0.156 0.156 – 0.162 VHF marine 156–162 MHz
gnss_navigation 1.575 1.1 – 1.6 L1 = 1.575 GHz, L2 = 1.227 GHz
custom 2.4 0.1 – 100 Fallback; no preset

Frequency-dependent stackup behavior

  • mmWave threshold: Stackup category switches to mmwave at ≥24.25 GHz (5G FR2 start), not 20 GHz, to align with commercial filter and component availability. Standardized at ≥24 GHz across application notes. See frontend/src/services/stackup/applicationStackupRecommender.ts — HIGH_FREQUENCY_GHZ = 24.25.
  • applicationStackupRecommender: For 5g_cellular and point_to_point, if frequency > 24.25 GHz the stackup category becomes mmwave; otherwise sub6ghz_rf.
  • stackupGenerator: Uses config.frequency (or config.maxFrequency or 1) for material selection.
  • Thresholds: MID = 6 GHz, HIGH = 24.25 GHz (FR2), MM_WAVE = 40 GHz; materials (for example Rogers RO4350B/RO4450T) forced or preferred above these.