RE: [SI-LIST] : Re: approximations for partial self inductance

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From: Jian X. Zheng ([email protected])
Date: Wed Mar 14 2001 - 11:44:02 PST


Hi, Howard:

I like your comment on via inductance.

-------------------------------------------------------
For a signal which pops from one side of the
plane, through a via, to the opposite side
of the same plane (i.e., the return current
doesn't have to jump planes), the via
inductance is very, very low. This is a best-case
scenario. I don't know a good way to make this
calculation except with a true 3-D E&M field solver.
-------------------------------------------------------

Many people consider a via can be approximated by an inductance. However, I
believe it might not be a very good approximation. It does seem to me the
via inductance can be quite low and there might be significant capacitance
involved. I can use our full wave electromagnetic simulator IE3D to confirm
it in seconds or minutes.

I published a paper on the IEEE Trans. on Antennas and Propag. vol. 39, No.1
January. The paper is on a coaxial fed probe (or via). The structure is not
exactly the same as in the multiple layered board. However, it is very
similar. Accurate L and C can be obtained analytically. It is quite
complicated and I would not put it here. The interesting thing is that the L
and C involved have the frequency dependency of log(f). Interested users can
find the formulas from the literature. Thanks!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jian-X. Zheng, Ph.D
Zeland Software, Inc., 48890 Milmont Drive, 105D, Fremont, CA 94538, U.S.A.
Tel: 510-623-7162, Fax: 510-623-7135, Web: http://www.zeland.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Howard Johnson
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 10:22 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [SI-LIST] : Re: approximations for partial self inductance
>
>
> Dear Itzhak Hirshtal and Brian Young,
>
> The difficulties with approximating the inductance
> of a via are even worse than you
> may have suspected. Both approximations are flawed whether
> you use +1 or -3/4, (or, as I have also seen, -1).
>
> The issue of the exact constant (1, -3/4, or something
> else) depends critically on your assumption about
> the path of returning signal current. (Current always
> makes a loop; when signal current traverses the via,
> a returning signal current flows SOMEWHERE in
> the opposite direction.). It is a principle
> of Maxwell's equations that high-speed returning signal
> current will flow in whatever path produces the
> least overall inductance.
>
> Let's do an example involving a signal via that
> dives down through a thick, multi-layer board.
> If the signal in question changes reference
> planes as it traverses the via,
> then the returning signal current will also have to
> change planes, meaning that the returning signal
> current will flow through one or more vias (often
> leading to bypass capacitors) as it moves from
> plane to plane. For example, if the signal starts
> out on the top layer, the returning signal current
> is flowing on the nearest reference plane (call it
> layer 2). If the via conducts the signal current
> down to the bottom layer (16), then the returning
> signal current at that point must be flowing on
> the nearest (bottom-most) reference plane, call it 15.
> Somehow the returning signal current has to hop from
> reference plane 2 to reference plane 15 in the
> vicinity of the via.
>
> If you examine the space between the planes, the
> magnetic fields within are created partly by
> the signal current, and in equal measure (but in
> differnt locations) by the returniing signal
> current, which flows on different vias. The
> total magnetic flux between the outgoing and
> returning vias defines the inductance.
> Specifically, to calculate the effective
> inductance of via (A), you must first specify the
> location of the return path, via (B), and then
> calculate the total magnetic flux in the area
> between the two vias. The total magnetic flux
> generated by a signal current of one amp, in units
> of webers, equals the inductance.
> In the case of more complex return-path
> configurations, other considerations apply.
> I think at this point that the following
> formulii for the effective series inductance
> of a via are pretty good:
>
> For a signal which pops from one side of the
> plane, through a via, to the opposite side
> of the same plane (i.e., the return current
> doesn't have to jump planes), the via
> inductance is very, very low. This is a best-case
> scenario. I don't know a good way to make this
> calculation except with a true 3-D E&M field solver.
>
> For a signal which first uses reference-plane A,
> and then changes (through a via) to use
> reference-plane B, I'll do several examples. In
> all cases the separation between reference planes
> is H. (It doesn't matter if there are other
> unused reference planes in the way, only the
> spacing between the two reference planes A and B
> matter).
>
> If the return current is carried mainly on one nearby
> via, where the spacing from signal via to return via
> is S and the via diameter is D:
>
> L = 5.08*H*(2*ln(2*S/D)) [1]
>
> If the return current is carried mainly on two vias
> equally spaced on either side of the signal via,
> where the spacing from signal via to either return via
> is S and the via diameter is D:
>
> L = 5.08*H*(1.5*ln(2*S/D) + 0.5*ln(2)) [2]
>
>
> If the return current is carried mainly on four vias
> equally spaced in a square pattern on four sides
> of the signal via, where the spacing from signal via
> to any return via is S and the via diameter is D:
>
> L = 5.08*H*(1.25*ln(2*S/D) + 0.25*ln(2)) [3]
>
> If the return current is carried mainly on a
> coaxial return path completely encircling the signal
> via, where the spacing from signal via
> to the return path is S and the via diameter is D:
>
> L = 5.08*H*(ln(2*S/D)) [4]
>
> The last formula I hope you will recognize as the
> inductance of a short section of coaxial cable with
> length H and outer diameter 2*S. I hope this
> recognition will lend credence to the idea that
> the position of the returning current path is
> an important variable in the problem.
>
> My earlier formula was a gross approximation which
> ignored the position of the returning current path,
> and omission which I greatly regret. It made the
> crude assumption that the return path was approximately
> coaxial and located at a distance S=5.43*H. As you
> note, when the inductance really matters a
> more accurate approximation is needed.
>
> To obtain a result as low as 5.08*H*(ln(2*S/D)-1)
> you would have to assume the return path were coaxial
> and located at a ridiculously small separation of
> S=.735*H, or that the return path were a single via
> located at some even closer distance.
>
> On my web site http://signalintegrity.com under "articles"
> there is a write-up about calculating the inductance of
> a bypass capacitor that includes the above formulas for
> vias, as well as some handy ways to estimate the
> inductance of the capacitor body.
>
> By the way, if you find a flaw in THIS write-up,
> please let me know.
>
> Best regards,
> Dr. Howard Johnson
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >>On the two versions of the equation, it looks to me like the version
> >>in Johnson's book has a typo. When d>>r, the external partial
> >>self-inductance of a straight round wire is
> >>
> >>L=5.08d*{ln(2d/r)-1}nH,
> >>
> >>where d is the length in inches, and r is the radius in inches.
> >>The external inductance is a good approximation at high frequencies
> >>where the skin effect shields the internal metal of the wire. At
> >>low frequencies, the internal self-inductance needs to be
> >>added to the external partial self-inductance to obtain
> >>
> >>L=5.08d*{ln(2d/r)-3/4}nH,
> >>
> >>which is the formula from Gover, as Eric pointed out.
> >>
> >>It seems that Johnson's book has the first (high-frequency) version
> >>with a sign error on the 1 because he has
> >>
> >>L=5.08h*{ln(4h/d)+1}nH,
> >>
> >>where h is the length in inches, and d is the diameter in inches.
> >>
> >>
> >>This formula should not be used for vias because it assumes that
> >>the length is much greater than the diameter. To compute partial
> >>self-inductance for vias, you should use the more complex formula
> >>that does not have this assumption built in. The correct formula
> >>is (5.49) from my book. This is the external partial self-inductance,
> >>so if you want the low frequency inductance, you need to add the
> >>internal inductance from (5.45).
> >>
> >>Finally, Grover does not actually derive much in his book. If you
> >>are interested, the round wire formula above and many others are
> >>derived in my book.
> >>
> >>Regards,
> >>Brian Young
> >>
> >>
> >>Eric Bogatin wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Itzhak-
> >>>
> >>> you asked the question about the difference in the approximations
> >>> for the partial self inductance of a via that were given by
> >>> myself and Howard Johnson. I wanted to provide some
> >>> clarification. You wrote:
> >>>
> >>> (4) While calculating vias inductance, I've encountered 2 similar
> >>> but
> >>> different equations for this parameter. One is given by Mr. H.
> >>> Johnson
> >>> in his famous book (page 259), as follows:
> >>>
> >>> L=5d*{ln(2d/r)+1}nH.
> >>>
> >>> The other is given by Mr. Bogatin in one of his articles, and is:
> >>>
> >>> L=5d*{ln(2d/r)-3/4}nH.
> >>>
> >>> Can somwone explain the reason for the difference, or who is
> >>> right? The
> >>> difference starts to be quite critical when dealing with u-Vias!
> >>>
> >>> The approximation is for the partial self inductance of a round,
> >>> solid rod, of radius, r and length d. The length is in units of
> >>> inches, while the inductance is in units of nH.
> >>>
> >>> This is the approximation that was originally derived by Fred
> >>> Grover, in his classic book, Inductance Calculations", in 1946. I
> >>> just re-checked the one I offered, and it is correctly reproduced
> >>> above. It is listed on page 35, eq 7, of his book. I think it has
> >>> since been reprinted as a Dover Book.
> >>>
> >>> Keep in mind two things when using this approximation: 1st, it is
> >>> an approximation. Grover says it is good to about 2%. I have
> >>> found good agreement to better than 5% for wire bond structures.
> >>> Approximations are wonderful tools to assist you in exploring
> >>> design space, run in a spread sheet and play what-if trade offs.
> >>> They give you good answers and let you see the geometry and
> >>> materials trade offs. However, they are APPROXIMATIONS. You
> >>> should never use an approximation in a situation where the
> >>> accuracy of the answer may cost you significant time and expense.
> >>> You should be using a 3D field solver that you have confidence
> >>> in. One of the second order effects in this approximation, for
> >>> example, is that it includes the "internal" self inductance. As
> >>> the skin depth gets to be comparable to the geometrical cross
> >>> section, the partial self inductance will decrease and reach a
> >>> constant value when all the current is in the outer surface.
> >>>
> >>> The second thing to keep in mind when using this approximation is
> >>> that it is for the PARTIAL self inductance of the via, under the
> >>> assumptions of uniform current flow down the long axis. If you
> >>> are using it in a situation where the length of the structure is
> >>> comparable to the diameter, ie, d ~ 2r, the current distribution
> >>> through the structure may not be even close to parallel to the
> >>> long axis. Further, the actual loop inductance, which is what
> >>> matters in a real circuit, is probably dominated by other
> >>> elements than this small, squat element. The partial self
> >>> inductance may depend strongly on the proximity of other
> >>> conductors and how it affects the current flow through this via.
> >>> If you are in a regime where worrying about the presence of the
> >>> -3/4 term is important, you probably want to use a 3D field
> >>> solver before any design signoff. A good 3D solver will calculate
> >>> the actual current distribution through the via structure and the
> >>> rest of the current path.
> >>>
> >>> I hope this helps.
> >>>
> >>> If anyone is interested, I have various application notes related
> >>> to approximations to inductance and general principles related to
> >>> inductance posted on our web page. These are listed as app notes
> >>> with index numbers: 33, 32, 29, 25, and 9. You can find them
> >>> under application notes at www.gigatest.com
> >>>
> >>> As always, comments are welcome.
> >>>
> >>> --eric
> >>>
> >>> From: Itzhak Hirshtal [mailto:[email protected]]
> >>> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 09:33
> >>> To: si-list
> >>> Subject: [SI-LIST] : Inductance and Decoupling
> >>>
> >>> Hello, all
> >>>
> >>> I've recently started to calculate the de-coupling needed for
> >>> efficiently supplying the spike currents needed by high-speed
> >>> devices.
> >>> During this task, I've encountered several ambiguities and
> >>> results that
> >>> I would like to share with you and perhaps hear some (useful)
> >>> feedback
> >>> from you.
> >>>
> >>> (1) I tried to evaluate the situation for one high-pin-count
> >>> device with
> >>> several buses connected to it (essentially a bus bridge). Even
> >>> calculating for just one synchronous bus (with 144 bits overall)
> >>> I
> >>> arrived to the result that a few Amps (maybe even 5) are drawn
> >>> when all
> >>> or most of this bus bits change state. I wonder what will be the
> >>> result
> >>> if I would calculate for an additional bus (assuming it's
> >>> synchronous
> >>> with the first). And what about the internal changes? They might
> >>> be
> >>> contributing even more than the external bus! (e.g., the Motorola
> >>> PowerPC HW manual states that 90% of the power consumption of
> >>> this
> >>> device is drawn internally, not externally).
> >>>
> >>> (2) I've also tried to calculate the inductance of the decoupling
> >>> capacitors connections to the device. Even assuming a 40-mil wide
> >>> 50-mil
> >>> long trace right above a reference plane for the connection I
> >>> have app.
> >>> L=150-200pH. If I can't connect at least one of the capacitor
> >>> pads so
> >>> short I might have to do a direct connection via to a reference
> >>> plane. I
> >>> calculated this to have more than L=1nH!
> >>>
> >>> (3) I assumed the calculated peak currents change at a rate
> >>> equivalent
> >>> to the rise time of the device's output buffers. I don't know if
> >>> it's
> >>> true, but this seems to me the most logical thing to do. Even if
> >>> I take
> >>> it to be 2ns (1 ns is closer to worst-case, I believe), I get
> >>> the
> >>> result that I need 40 to 50 low-ESL decoupling capacitors for the
> >>> case
> >>> where L=1nH. Only if I succeed to connect the capacitors directly
> >>> and
> >>> close enough to both GND and VDD pins (L=150-200pH) do I get the
> >>> result
> >>> that it is sufficient to use 4-6 decoupling capacitors.
> >>>
> >>> (4) While calculating vias inductance, I've encountered 2 similar
> >>> but
> >>> different equations for this parameter. One is given by Mr. H.
> >>> Johnson
> >>> in his famous book (page 259), as follows:
> >>>
> >>> L=5d*{ln(2d/r)+1}nH.
> >>>
> >>> The other is given by Mr. Bogatin in one of his articles, and is:
> >>>
> >>> L=5d*{ln(2d/r)-3/4}nH.
> >>>
> >>> Can somwone explain the reason for the difference, or who is
> >>> right? The
> >>> difference starts to be quite critical when dealing with u-Vias!
> >>>
> >>> Thanks for anyone who makes the effort to read this email.
> >>
> >>
> >>--
> >>***************************************************************
> >>* Brian Young phone: (512) 996-6099 *
> >>* Somerset Design Center fax: (512) 996-7434 *
> >>* Motorola, Austin, TX [email protected] *
> >>***************************************************************
> >>
> >>**** To unsubscribe from si-list or si-list-digest: send e-mail to
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> >>****
> >>
> >>
> >_________________________________________________
> >Dr. Howard Johnson
> >tel 425.556.0800 fax 425.881.6149
> >Signal Consulting, Inc.
> >16541 Redmond Way #264
> >Redmond, WA 98052
> >http://signalintegrity.com -- High-Speed Digital Design
> >books, tools, and workshops
> >
>
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