The Ground Myth

Bruce Archambeault, Ph.D.

IBM Distinguished Engineer, IEEE Fellow
[email protected]
18 November 2008
I EEE
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 2
Introduction
Electromagnetics can be scary
Universities LOVE messy math
EM is not hard, unless you want to do the
messy math
Goal:
Intuitive understanding
Understand the basic fundamentals
Understand how to read the math
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 3
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 4
Overview
What does the derivative mean?
What does integration mean?
Weird vector notation
In the beginning Faraday and Maxwell
Inductance
Ground
Primary cause of EMI problems on
PCBs
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 5
Derivative
How fast is something
changing?
[ ] something
dt
d
Changing with
respect to time
[ ] something
dx
d
Changing with respect
to position (x)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 6
Partial Derivative
How fast is something changing for
one variable?
[ ] ) , ( x t something
t

Changing with respect

to time (as x is
constant)
Changing with respect
to position (x) (as time
is constant)
[ ] ) , ( x t something
x

November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 7

Integration
Simply the sum of parts (when the parts
are very small)
Line Integral --- sum of small line segments
Surface Integral -- sum of small surface
patches
Volume Integral -- sum of small volume blocks
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 8
Line Integral
(find the length of the path)
) ( dl E V
stop
start
=

dl
piece of E field
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 9
Line Integral -- Closed

= box around path nce Circumfere

x
y

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
+ + + =
0
0
0 0
y
w y
x
l x
w y
y
l x
x
dy dx dy dx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 10
Line Integral -- Closed
Closed line integrals
find the path length
And/or the amount of
some quantity along
that closed path length
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 11
Surface Integral
(find the area of the surface)

=
=
=
dy dx Area
dy dx da
da Area
As dx and dy become
smaller and smaller, the
area is better calculated
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 12
Volume Integral
(find the volume of an object)

=
=
=
] [ dz dy dx Volume
dz dy dx dv
dv Volume
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 13
Electromagnetics
In the Beginning
Electric and Magnetic effects not
connected
Electric and magnetic effects were due to
action from a distance
Faraday was the 1
st
to propose a
relationship between electric lines of force
and time-changing magnetic fields
Faraday was very good at experiments and
figuring out how things work
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 14
Maxwell
Maxwell was
impressed with
Faradays ideas
Discovered the
mathematical link
between the electro
and the magnetic
Scotlands greatest
contribution to the
world (next to Scotch)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 15
Maxwells Equations
Maxwells original work included 20
equations!
Heaviside reduced them to the existing
four equations
Heaviside refused to call the equations his
own
Hertz is credited with proving they are
correct
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 16
Maxwells Equations
are NOT Hard!
t
B
E
t
D
J H

=
+ =
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 17
Maxwells Equations are not Hard!
Change in H-field across space Change
in E-field (at that point) with time
Change in E-field across space Change
in H-field (at that point) with time
(Roughly speaking, and ignoring
constants)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 18
Current Flow
Most important concept of EMC
Current flow through metal changes as
frequency increases
DC current
Uses entire conductor
Only resistance inhibits current
High Frequency
Only small part of conductor (near surface) is used
Resistance is small part of current inhibitor
Inductance is major part of current inhibitor
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 19
Skin Depth
High frequency current flows only near the
metal surface at high frequencies
Frequency Skin Depth Skin Depth
60 Hz 260 mils 8.5 mm
1 KHz 82 mils 2.09 mm
10 KHz 26 mils 0.66 mm
100 KHz 8.2 mils 0.21 mm
1 MHz 2.6 mils 0.066 mm
10 MHz 0.82 mils 0.021 mm
100 MHz 0.26 mils 0.0066 mm
1 GHz 0.0823 mils 0.0021 mm

f
1
=
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 20
Inductance
Current flow through metal =>
inductance!
Fundamental element in EVERYTHING
Loop area first order concern
Inductive impedance increases with
frequency and is MAJOR concern at
high frequencies
fL X
L
2 =
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 21
Current Loop => Inductance
Courtesy of Elya Joffe
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 22
Inductance Definition
Faradays Law

= S d
t
B
dl E
t
B
A V

=
V
B
Area = A
For a simple rectangular loop
The minus sign means that the induced
voltage will work against the current that
originally created the magnetic field!
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 23
Self Inductance
Isolated circular loop

2
8
ln
0
0
r
a
a L

+ + +
+
+ +
=
2
2
0
1
1
2 1
1
2 1
1
ln
2
p
p p
p p
a
L

Isolated rectangular loop

Note that inductance is directly influenced
by loop AREA and only less influenced by
conductor size!
radius wire
side of length
p =
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 24
Partial Inductance
Simply a way to break the overall loop
into pieces in order to find total
inductance
L3
L4
L2
L1
L
total
=L
p11
+ L
p22
+ L
p33
+ L
p44
- 2L
p13
- 2L
p24
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 25
Important Points About
Inductance
Inductance is everywhere
Loop area most important
Inductance is everywhere
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 26
Decoupling Capacitor Mounting
Keep as to planes as close to capacitor
pads as possible
Height above Planes
Via Separation
Inductance Depends
on Loop AREA
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 27
Via Configuration Can Change
Inductance
Via
Capacitor Pads
SMT Capacitor
The Good
The Bad
The Ugly
Really Ugly
Better
Best
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 28
Comparison of Decoupling Capacitor Impedance
100 mil Between Vias & 10 mil to Planes
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000
1.0E+06 1.0E+07 1.0E+08 1.0E+09 1.0E+10
Frequency (Hz)
I
m
p
e
d
a
n
c
e

(
o
h
m
s
)
1000pF
0.01uF
0.1uF
1.0uF
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 29
Comparison of Decoupling Capacitor
Via Separation Distance Effects
10 mils
Via Separation
0603 Typical
Minimum
Dimensions
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 30
Connection Inductance for Typical
Capacitor Configurations
3.2 nH 3.7 nH 4.2 nH 100
3.0 nH 3.5 nH 3.9 nH 90
2.8 nH 3.2 nH 3.6 nH 80
2.6 nH 3.0 nH 3.4 nH 70
2.3 nH 2.7 nH 3.1 nH 60
2.1 nH 2.5 nH 2.8 nH 50
1.9 nH 2.2 nH 2.5 nH 40
1.6 nH 1.9 nH 2.2 nH 30
1.3 nH 1.6 nH 1.8 nH 20
0.9 nH 1.1 nH 1.2 nH 10
0402 typical/minimum
(106 mils between via
barrels)
0603
typical/minimum
(128 mils between via
barrels)
0805 typical/minimum
(148 mils between via
barrels)
Distance into board
to planes (mils)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 31
Ground
Ground is a place where
potatoes and carrots thrive!
Earth or reference is more descriptive
Original use of GROUND
Inductance is everywhere
fL X
L
2 =
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 32
What we Really Mean when we
say Ground
Signal Reference
Power Reference
Safety Earth
Chassis Shield Reference
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 33
Ground is NOT a Current Sink!
Current leaves a driver on a trace and
must return (somehow) to its source
This seems basic, but it is often forgotten,
and is most often the cause of EMC
problems
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 34
Grounding Needs Low Impedance
at Highest Frequency
Steel Reference Plate
4 milliohms/sq @ 100KHz
40 milliohms/sq @ 10 MHz
400 milliohms/sq @ 1 GHz
A typical via is about 2
nH
@ 100 MHz Z = 1.3 ohms
@ 500 MHz Z = 6.5 ohms
@ 1000 MHz Z = 13 ohms
@ 2000 MHz Z = 26 ohms
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 35
Where did the Term GROUND
Originate?
Original Teletype connections
Lightning Protection
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 36
Ground/Earth
Teletype
Receiver
Teletype
Transmitter
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 37
Ground/Earth
Teletype
Receiver
Teletype
Transmitter
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 38
Lightning striking house
FIG 7
Lightning
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 39
Lightning effect without rod
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 40
Lightning effect with rod
Lightning rod
Lightning
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 41
What we Really Mean when we
say Ground
Signal Reference
Power Reference
Safety Earth
Chassis Shield Reference
Circuit
Ground
Chassis
Ground
Digital
Ground
D
Analog
Ground
A
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 42
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 43
Schematic with return current
shown
IC1
IC2
IC3
Return currents on ground
Signal trace currents
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 44
Actual Current Return is 3-Dimensional
Ground Layer
Signal Trace
IC
Ground Vias
Ground Layer
Signal Trace
IC
Ground Via
BOARD STACK UP:
Ground Layer
Signal Trace
CURRENT LOCATION:
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 45
Low Frequency Return Currents
Take Path of Least Resistance
Ground Plane
Driver
Receiver
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 46
High Frequency Return Currents Take
Path of Least Inductance
Ground Plane
Driver
Receiver
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 47
PCB Example for Return Current
Impedance
Trace
GND Plane
22 trace
10 mils wide, 1 mil thick, 10 mils above GND plane
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 48
PCB Example for Return Current
Impedance
Trace
GND Plane
Shortest DC path
For longest DC path, current returns under trace
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 49
MoM Results for Current Density
Frequency = 1 KHz
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 50
MoM Results for Current Density
Frequency = 1 MHz
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 51
U-shaped Trace Inductance
PowerPEEC Results
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
0.45
0.5
0.55
0.6
1.0E+03 1.0E+04 1.0E+05 1.0E+06 1.0E+07 1.0E+08
Frequency (Hz)
i
n
d
u
c
t
a
n
c
e

(
u
H
)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 52
Microstrip Transmission Line
Stripline Transmission Line
Dielectric
Reference Planes
Signal Trace
Traces/nets over a Reference Plane
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 53
Signal Traces
Reference Planes
(Power, Ground, etc.)
Traces/nets and Reference Planes
in Many Layer Board Stackup
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 54
Microstrip Electric/Magnetic Field Lines
(8mil wide trace, 8 mils above plane, 65 ohm)
Electric Field Lines
Vcc
Courtesy of Hyperlynx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 55
Microstrip Electric/Magnetic Field Lines
Common Mode
8 mil wide trace, 8 mils above plane, 65/115 ohm)
Electric Field Lines
Vcc
Courtesy of Hyperlynx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 56
Microstrip Electric/Magnetic Field Lines
Differential Mode
8 mil wide trace, 8 mils above plane, 65/115 ohm)
Electric Field Lines
Vcc
Courtesy of Hyperlynx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 57
Electric/Magnetic Field Lines
Symmetrical Stripline
Vcc
GND
Courtesy of Hyperlynx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 58
Electric/Magnetic Field Lines
Symmetrical Stripline (Differential)
Vcc
GND
Courtesy of Hyperlynx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 59
Electric/Magnetic Field Lines
Asymmetrical Stripline
Vcc
GND
Courtesy of Hyperlynx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 60
Electric/Magnetic Field Lines
Asymmetrical Stripline (Differential)
Courtesy of Hyperlynx
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 61
What About Pseudo-Differential
Nets?
So-called differential traces are NOT truly
differential
Two complementary single-ended drivers
Relative to ground
Receiver is differential
Senses difference between two nets (independent
of ground)
Provides good immunity to common mode noise
Good for signal quality/integrity
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 62
Pseudo-Differential Nets Current in
Nearby Plane
Balanced/Differential currents have
matching current in nearby plane
No issue for discontinuities
Any unbalanced (common mode) currents
have return currents in nearby plane that
must return to source!
All normal concerns for single-ended nets
apply!
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 63
Pseudo-Differential Nets
Not really differential, since more closely
coupled to nearby plane than each other
Slew and rise/fall variation cause common
mode currents!
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 64
Differential Voltage Pulse with Skew
1 Gbit/sec with 95 psec rise/fall time
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time (nsec)
V
o
l
t
a
g
e
Complementary -- Line1
Complementary -- Line 2
Skew=2ps
Skew=6ps
Skew = 10ps
Skew = 20ps
Skew = 30ps
Skew =40ps
Skew =50ps
Skew =60ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 65
Common Mode Voltage
From Differential Voltage Pulse with Skew
1 Gbit/sec with 95 psec rise/fall time
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time (nsec)
V
o
l
t
a
g
e
Balanced
Skew=2ps
Skew=6ps
Skew =10ps
Skew =20ps
Skew =30ps
Skew =40ps
Skew =50ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 66
Common Mode Current
From Differential Voltage Pulse with Skew
1 Gbit/sec with 95 psec Rise/fall Time
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time (nsec)
L
e
v
e
l

(
m
a
)
Balanced
Skew=2ps
Skew=6ps
Skew =10ps
Skew =20ps
Skew =30ps
Skew =40ps
Skew =50ps
Skew =60ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 67
Common Mode Current
From Differential Voltage Pulse with Skew
1 Gbit/sec with 95 psec Rise/fall Time
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
1.E+08 1.E+09 1.E+10 1.E+11
Frequency (Hz)
L
e
v
e
l

(
d
B
u
A
)
Skew=2ps
Skew=6ps
Skew =10ps
Skew =20ps
Skew =30ps
Skew =40ps
Skew =50ps
Skew =60ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 68
Differential Voltage Pulse with Rise/Fall Variation/Unbalance
1 Gbit/sec with 95 psec Nominal Rise/Fall Time
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time (ns)
L
e
v
e
l

(
v
o
l
t
s
)
Original Pulse rise=95ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=90ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=80ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=105ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=115ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 69
Common Mode Voltage
From Differential Voltage Pulse with Various Rise/Fall Unbalance
1 Gbit/sec with 95 psec Nominal Rise/Fall Time
-0.2
-0.15
-0.1
-0.05
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time (ns)
V
o
l
t
a
g
e
Complementary Pulse Rise=90ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=80ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=105ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=115ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 70
Common Mode Current
From Differential Voltage Pulse with Various Rise/Fall Unbalance
1 Gbit/sec with 95 psec Nominal Rise/fall Time
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time (ns)
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
m
a
)
Complementary Pulse Rise=90ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=80ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=105ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=115ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 71
Common Mode Current
From Differential Voltage Pulse with Various Rise/Fall Unbalance
1 Gbit/sec with Nominal 95 psec Rise/fall Time
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
1.E+08 1.E+09 1.E+10 1.E+11
Frequency (Hz)
L
e
v
e
l

(
d
B
u
a
)
Complementary Pulse Rise=90ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=80ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=105ps
Complementary Pulse Rise=115ps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 72
Antenna Structures
Dipole antenna
PCB GND planes
Non-Dipole antenna
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 73
Board-to-Board Differential Pair
Issues
C
o
n
n
e
c
to
r
P
C
B
P
la
n
e
1
P
C
B

P
l
a
n
e

2
M
ic
ro
s
trip
M
ic
r
o
s
tr
ip
V
Ground-to-Ground
noise
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 74
Example Measured Differential
Individual Signal-to-GND
Individual Differential
Signals ADDED
Common Mode Noise
170 mV P-P
500 mV P-P (each)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 75
Measured GND-to-GND Voltage
205 mV P-P
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 76
Pin Assignment Controls
Inductance for CM signals
Signal Pin Related Ground Pins
37.17 nH 25.21 nH
16.85 nH 20.97 nH
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 77
Different pins within Same Pair may
have Different Loop Inductance for CM
Ground pins Differential pair
2 1
3 4
Ground pins Differential pair
2 1
3 4
pin 1 -- 26.6nH
pin 2 -- 23.6nH
pin 3 -- 31.8nH
pin 4 -- 28.8nH
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 78
Pseudo-Differential Net Summary
Small amounts of skew can cause
significant common mode current
Small amount of rise/fall time deviation
can cause significant amount of common
mode current
Discontinuities (vias, crossing split planes,
etc) and convert significant amount of
differential current into common mode
current
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 79
Return Current vs. Ground
For high frequency signals, Ground is a
concept that does not exist
The important question is where does
the return current flow?
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 80
Referencing Nets
(Where does the Return Current Flow??)
Microstrip/Stripline across split in
reference plane
Microstrip/Stripline through via (change
reference planes)
Mother/Daughter card
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 81
Dont Cross Splits with Critical Signals!!!
Bad practice
Stitching capacitor required across split to
allow return current flow
must be close to crossing
must have low inductance
limited frequency effect --- due to inductance
Major source of Common Mode current!
Microstrip/Stripline Across Split
in Reference Plane
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 82
Splits in Reference Plane
Power planes often have splits
Return current path interrupted
Consider spectrum of clock signal
Consider stitching capacitor
impedance
High frequency harmonics not
returned directly
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 83
Split Reference Plane Example
PWR
GND
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 84
Split Reference Plane Example
With Stitching Capacitors
PWR
GND
Stitching Capacitors
Allow Return
current to Cross
Splits ???
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 85
Capacitor Impedance
Measured Impedance of .01 uf Capacitor
0.1
1.0
10.0
100.0
1.E+06 1.E+07 1.E+08 1.E+09
Frequency (Hz)
I
m
p
e
d
n
a
c
e

(
o
h
m
s
)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 86
Frequency Domain Amplitude of Intentional Current Harmonic Amplitude
From Clock Net
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
freq (MHz)
l
e
v
e
l

(
d
B
u
A
)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 87
MoM Microstrip Model Current
Distribution Example
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 88
MoM Microstrip Model Current
Distribution Example
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 89
Emissions From Board
Far field emissions not important unless it
is an unshielded product
Near field emissions above board ARE
important
Example of emissions from board with
critical net crossing split reference plane
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 90
Near Field Radiation from Microstrip on Board
with Split in Reference Plane
Comparison of Maximum Radiated E-Field for Microstrip
With and without Split Ground Reference Plane
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
10 100 1000
Frequency (MHz)
M
a
x
i
m
u
m

R
a
d
i
a
t
e
d

E
-
F
i
e
l
d

(
d
B
u
v
/
m
)
No-Split
Split
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 91
With Perfectly Connected Stitching Capacitors
Across Split
Comparison of Maximum Radiated E-Field for Microstrip
With and without Split Ground Reference Plane and Stiching Capacitors
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
10 100 1000
Frequency (MHz)
M
a
x
i
m
u
m

R
a
d
i
a
t
e
d

E
-
F
i
e
l
d

(
d
B
u
v
/
m
)
No-Split
Split
Split w/ one Cap
Split w/ Two Caps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 92
Stitching Caps with Via Inductance
Comparison of Maximum Radiated E-Field for Microstrip
With and without Split Ground Reference Plane and Stiching Capacitors
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
10 100 1000
Frequency (MHz)
M
a
x
i
m
u
m

R
a
d
i
a
t
e
d

E
-
F
i
e
l
d

(
d
B
u
v
/
m
)
No-Split
Split
Split w/ one Cap
Split w/ Two Caps
Split w/One Real Cap
Split w/Two Real Caps
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 93
Example of Common-Mode Noise Voltage Across Split Plane
Vs. Stitching Capacitor Distance to Crossing Point
0
5
10
15
20
25
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Distance (mils)
G
a
p

V
o
l
t
a
g
e
100MHz
200MHz
300MHz
400MHz
500MHz
600MHz
700MHz
800MHz
900MHz
1000MHz
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 94
Are Stitching Capacitors
Effective ???
YES, at low frequencies
No, at high frequencies
Need to limit the high frequency current
spectrum
Need to avoid split crossings with ALL
critical signals
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 95
Pin Field Via Keepouts??
Return Current must go around
entire keep out area --- just as bad
as a slot
Return current path
deviation minimal
s
d
Recommend s/d > 1/3
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 96
Changing Reference Planes
Six-Layer PCB Stackup Example
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Plane
Plane
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 97
Microstrip/Stripline through via
(change reference planes)
Trace
Via
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 98
How can the Return Current Flow
When Signal Line Goes Through Via??
What happens to Return Current
in this Region?
Return Current
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 99
How can the Return Current Flow
When Signal Line Goes Through
Via??
Current can NOT go from one side of the
plane to the other through the plane
skin depth
Current must go around plane at via hole,
through decoupling capacitor, around second
plane at the second via hole!
Use displacement current between planes
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 100
Reference Planes
What happens to Return Current in
this Region?
Return Current
Trace Current
Displacement Current
Return Current Across
Reference Plane Change
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 101
Return Current Across
Reference Plane Change
With Decoupling Capacitor
Reference
Planes
Return Current
Decoupling Capacitor
Displacement Current
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 102
Return Current Across
Reference Plane Change
With Decoupling Capacitor (on Top)
Return Current
Decoupling Capacitor
Reference Planes
Displacement Current
Common-Mode Current
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 103 June 2007 103
Location of Decoupling
Capacitors (Relative to Via) is
Important!
One Decoupling Capacitor at 0.5
Two Decoupling Capacitors at 0.5
Two Decoupling Capacitors at 0.25
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 104 June 2007 104
RF Current @ 700 MHz with One
Capacitor 0.5 from Via
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 105 June 2007 105
RF Current @ 700 MHz with One
Capacitor 0.5 from Via
(expanded view)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 106 June 2007 106
RF Current @ 700 MHz with Two
Capacitors 0.5 from Via
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 107 June 2007 107
RF Current @ 700 MHz with One
Capacitor 0.5 from Via
(Expanded view)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 108 June 2007 108
RF Current @ 700 MHz with Two
Capacitors 0.25 from Via
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 109 June 2007 109
RF Current @ 700 MHz with Two
Capacitors 0.25 from Via
(expanded view)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 110 June 2007 110
RF Current @ 700 MHz with One
REAL Capacitor 0.5 from Via
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 111 June 2007 111
RF Current @ 700 MHz with Two
REAL Capacitors 0.5 from Via
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 112 June 2007 112
RF Current @ 700 MHz with Two
REAL Capacitors 0.25 from Via
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 113
Bad
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Reference Plane
Reference Plane
Bad
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Reference Plane
Reference Plane
Good
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Signal Layer
Reference Plane
Reference Plane
Possible Routing Options
Six-Layer Board
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 114
Compromise Routing Option for
Many Layer Boards
Good Compromise
Reference
Plane
Gnd
Vcc1
Lots of Decoupling caps
near ASIC
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 115
Typical Driver/Receiver Currents
switch
IC load
IC
driver
V
DC
GND
C
L
V
CC
Z
0
, v
p
GND
IC load
IC
driver
V
CC
V
CC
charge
logic 0-to-1
Z
0
, v
p
IC load
IC
driver
GND
V
CC
0 V
discharge
logic 1-to-0
Z
0
, v
p
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 116
Suppose The Trace is Routed Next
to Power (not Gnd)
V
cc1
V
cc1
Fuzzy Return
Path Area
Fuzzy Return
Path Area
Return Path Options:
-- Decoupling Capacitors
-- Distributed Displacement Current
TEM Transmission
Line Area
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 117
Suppose The Trace is Routed Next
to a DIFFERENT Power (not Gnd)
Return Path Options:
-- Decoupling Capacitors ??? May not be any nearby!!
-- Distributed Displacement Current Increased current spread!!!
V
cc1
V
cc2
Fuzzy Return
Path Area
Fuzzy Return
Path Area
TEM Transmission
Line Area
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 118
Via Summary
Route critical signals on either side of ONE
reference plane
Drop critical signal net to selected layer close
to driver/receiver
Many decoupling capacitors to help return
currents
Do NOT change reference planes on critical
nets unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!
Make sure at least 2 decoupling capacitors
within 0.2 of via with critical signals
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 119
Mother/Daughter Board
Connector Crossing
Critical Signals must be referenced to
same plane on both sides of the connector
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 120
Mother/Daughter Board
Connector Crossing
Connector
GND
PWR
Signal Layers
Signal Path
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 121
Return Current from Improper
Referencing Across Connector
Return current
Connector
Decoupling
Capacitors
Displacement
Current
GND
PWR
Signal Layers
Signal Path
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 122
Return Current from Proper
Referencing Across Connector
Connector
GND
PWR
Signal Layers
Signal Path
Return current
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 123
How Many Ground Pins Across
Connector ???
Nothing MAGICAL about ground
Return current flow!
Choose the number of power and ground
pins based on the number of signal lines
referenced to power or ground planes
Insure signals are referenced against
same planes on either side of connector
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 124
Think about Return Currents!!
Reference plane should be continuous
under all critical traces
When Vias are necessary make sure there
are two close decoupling capacitors
When crossing a connector to a second
board, make sure the critical trace is
referenced to the same reference plane as
the primary board
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 125
Ground-Reference Plane Noise
(Voltage Difference Across Plane)
Connection of large PC ground planes
to chassis important
ESD current can result in voltage difference
across ground plane
Looks like input pulse to circuits
More connection to chassis will reduce this
voltage difference
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 126
Connection to Chassis
Good connection in
I/O area important
for emissions
control!!
Connection to chassis away
from I/O area NOT important
for emissions control
Chassis
PCB gnd plane
Screw post
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 127
Connection to Chassis
for ESD Control
Distributed Connection to chassis
away from I/O area very
important for ESD control
Chassis
PCB gnd plane
Screw post
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 128
Contacts for Chassis
Connection
Screw head contact pad
on top of PC Board
Vias to Ground plane Copper pad
Screw head
Want this!
NOT this!
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 129
Model for Current Simulations
Chassis
PCB gnd plane
Screw post
Trace Source
Trace Load
ESD Voltage
Between Chassis and
gnd plane
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 130
Comparison of Trace Load Noise Voltage
for 1 Kv ESD Pulse from PCB GND to Chassis
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Time (ns)
L
o
a
d

V
o
l
t
a
g
e

(
v
o
l
t
s
)
No Connection to Chassis
One connection to Chassis (Near I/O)
Four Connections to Chassis (Near I/O)
Eight Connections to Chassis
16 Connections to Chassis
20 Connections to Chassis
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 131
Comparison of Trace Load Noise Voltage
for 1 Kv ESD Pulse from PCB GND to Chassis
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Time (ns)
L
o
a
d

V
o
l
t
a
g
e

(
v
o
l
t
s
)
No Connection to Chassis
One connection to Chassis (Near I/O)
Four Connections to Chassis (Near I/O)
Eight Connections to Chassis
16 Connections to Chassis
20 Connections to Chassis
Eight Connections to Chassis (4 @
each end)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 132
Current Flow w/One Screw Post
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 133
Current Flow w/Eight Screw Posts
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 134
Current Flow w/20 Screw Posts
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 135
Current Flow w/Eight Screw Posts (4 each end)
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 136
Number ONE Problem
Intentional signal return
current
November 2008 Bruce Archambeault, PhD 137
Where to Go for More?
Limited selection of EMC design books
Beware of some popular books!!!
PCB Design for Real-World EMI Control (good choice)
Bruce Archambeault
EMC experts
Experience is important
Again, beware ---- ask questions and understand WHY
Cookbooks do not work! Every case is
special and different