difference between microstrip and stripline | microstrip vs stripline
This page compares microstrip vs stripline and mentions tabular difference between microstrip and stripline. The basic structures, advantages, disadvantages, applications of microstrip and stripline are also mentioned.
Microstip line
Fig.1 microstrip line
• Microstrip line is a simple structure consisting of single ground plane,
conductive trace and dielectric layer separating single conductor and ground plane.
• It uses quasi-TEM mode of propagation in which dispersion occurs as functions of frequency
and transmission line length.
Refer Microstrip line basics >> and
microstrip line types >> for more information.
Stripline
Fig.2 Stripline
• Stripline is a simple structure consisting of a center conductor surrounded
by dielectric material with top and bottom metal ground planes.
• It uses fully transverse Electro-magnetic (TEM) propagation which is dispersion free and frequency independent.
• The conductors in stripline are isolated well by dielectric around and hence they do not radiate.
Hence they are regarded as nondispersive in nature.
• They are difficult to manufacture due to additional layers compare to microstrip.
Refer Stripline basics and types >> for more information.
Difference between microstrip and stripline
Following table mentions difference between microstrip and stripline.
| Features | Microstrip | Stripline |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Conducting layer, dielectric layer and ground layer | Top and bottom ground plane, dielectric layer, embedded conducting layer within dielectric |
| Types | • Normal microstrip line • inverted microstrip line • suspended microstrip line • shielded microstrip line |
• Normal stripline • Double conductor stripline • Offset stripline • Suspended stripline |
| Characteristic Impedance | 20 to 120 Ohm | 35 to 250 Ohm |
| Width of line at same impedance | Wider | Narrower |
| Manufacturing tolerances | Tighter | Lighter |
| Radiation Loss | High for low ε and Low for high ε | Low |
| Dielectric Loss | Less | More |
| Dispersion | Low | None |
| Component mounting | Easy for series and difficult for shunt | Very difficult because of totally covered structure |
| Quality factor | 250 | 400 |
| Advantages | • Smaller size • Easy to fabricate • Easy to troubleshoot |
• Good EM shielding can be achieved with this structure • Low attenuation loss • Wider bandwidth • Better isolation |
| Disadvantages | • Unwanted radiation in uncovered microstrip based configuration • Higher loss • Poor isolation among adjacent lines |
• Complex and expensive in fabricating it. • Stripline Trace width is smaller compare to microstrip line of same impedance and height. • Tuning or troubleshooting is complex. |
| Applications | It is preferred to use in miniature microstrip patch antennas due to their radiating structures. | It is preferred to use in multilayer circuits via PTHs (Plated Through Holes) since it is easy to route signals between layers. |
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