How to Design High-Frequency RF PCBs: A Case Study in Altium Designer

Engineering Challenge: RF Modules and PCB Antennas

Quarterwave, specializing in antenna and RF solutions, works with ultra-wideband (UWB) systems for IoT, industrial, and defense applications. One of their key challenges was integrating multiple RF modules onto a single PCB, ensuring a proper impedance structure that prevented signal distortion and mutual coupling, while minimizing size and cost.

Altium Designer as the Solution

Instead of relying on standard online impedance calculators, the team used the integrated Field Solver in Altium Designer to model PCB traces directly in the “Layer Stack Manager.” Signal Integrity Analysis enabled them to detect reflections, line-to-line interaction, and cross-current before the board was manufactured.

ECAD and MCAD integration ensured component placement accuracy and mechanical alignment. Collaboration with clients became simpler — Quarterwave could receive projects in Altium format, modify them without file conversions, and return a ready Altium file.

“Many of our customers work with Altium, so it’s much easier to use the same system rather than converting files from other tools. It’s very convenient when we receive an Altium file and can immediately use it for antenna development and simulation, then return the ready file to the customer. The workflow becomes much more efficient.” — Nikola Dobric, Co-Founder & CEO, Quarterwave.

Benefits of Altium Designer

Altium Designer allows teams to:

• minimize human errors in early design stages,
• quickly integrate multiple RF modules on a single board,
• create compact and efficient antennas without additional components,
• collaborate with team members and clients in a unified environment without conversions or delays,
• reduce costs and accelerate development cycles — critical for defense and dual-use projects.

Speed of response and adaptability are key challenges for engineers. Altium Designer provides technical tools previously available only to large companies, allowing teams to solve complex RF engineering tasks locally and efficiently.

The Quarterwave case demonstrates that for complex RF systems, antenna designs, and multi-layer multi-radio boards, Altium Designer is not just a tool — it’s a critical platform enabling fast, precise, and efficient development of modern electronic solutions. Tools for impedance modeling, signal integrity analysis, and cloud collaboration allow teams to complete tasks that previously required significant resources.

Softprom is the official distributor of Altium. We provide consultations, supply licenses, and assist you in selecting the optimal configuration for your project requirements.