Re: [SI-LIST] : Plane Splits Inspection

About this list Date view Thread view Subject view Author view

From: Michael Nudelman ([email protected])
Date: Thu Nov 09 2000 - 11:22:29 PST


Impedance, maybe?

"Loyer, Jeff W" wrote:

> Just a quick question...
>
> If you have the extra plane available, why would you choose to put a split
> plane directly under your signal layer?
>
> Jeff Loyer
> (253) 371-8093
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Zabinski, Patrick J. [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 5:42 AM
> To: [email protected]; [email protected]
> Subject: RE: [SI-LIST] : Plane Splits Inspection
>
> Abe,
>
> In the general sense, I agree with your comments. However, I
> have found exceptions.
>
> As an example, if your board cross section looks something like:
>
> --- Microstrip
> Dielectric
> -------------- Split Plane
>
> then the statements you make below are true.
>
> However, through empirical experimentation, we have found that
> many of the issues you discuss (crosstalk, discontinuity, etc.)
> can be drastically reduced. By inserting a solid plane under the
> split plane, like:
>
> --- Microstrip
> Dielectric
> -------------- Split Plane
> "Thin" dielectric
> -------------- Solid Plane
>
> we have noticed dramatic improvements in performance. We have not
> taken our studies to the point of being able to engineer the
> effects of the solid plane, but by inserting a solid plane under the
> splits, much of what you discuss is no longer an issue (we did not
> test for EMI, but I suspect it improves as well).
>
> You also mention the stitching capacitors. We have found them to
> be useful. However, what I did not predict is the frequency
> (spacing) in which you must place them. Using one test board,
> we placed an ideal stitching capacitor (shorting bar) across the split,
> and slid the capacitor along the split. We then injected signals
> of various edge rates ranging from 35 psec to 1 nsec. Prior
> to making the measurements, I predicted that there would be
> a relationship between the edge rate and how far the cap could be
> away from the trace. What I found was that the regardless of
> edge rate, the stitching cap needed to be within 2 mm of the
> trace! This was quite unexpected.
>
> Most members of this list should be well aware of the potential
> issues associated with splits (it's been discussed SEVERAL
> times), but it does seem like we haven't quite explored
> the entire issue quite yet.
>
> Pat
>
> > Dear Scholars:
> >
> > It is well known that when a high-speed signal crosses a slot
> > of an adjacent reference Ground or Power plane, several
> > undesirable effects can occur. For instance, a disturbance of
> > return current path takes place which can cause a glitch,
> > increased crosstalk and EMI radiation. The rule that routing
> > of high-speed nets over voids or cuts of neighboring plane
> > layers must be avoided is firmly established in the SI
> > literature. Yet, the complexity of modern high speed designs
> > imposes many violations of above guideline.
> >
> > To make matters more complicated, many simulation programs
> > assume continuous Ground and Power planes and do not
> > accurately take into account effects of plane discontinuities
> > on the return current path. It is therefore, important to
> > visually inspect a PCB database for the signals crossing
> > plane slots (and voids), before generating the Gerber files
> > and releasing the design for fabrication.
> >
> > Figure 1 illustrates several concepts associated with such
> > examination. A section of a power plane is shown having gap G
> > (due to presence of multiple powers) and several traces (T1,
> > T2, T3 and T4) of an adjacent signal layer which are routed
> > over the splits. C1 and C2 represent two stiching
> > capacitors. In this example the gap width is 20 mils.
> > Smaller widths (such as 10 mils) can be preferable since the
> > break should be as narrow as feasible. Majority of crossings
> > occurs at 90 degree angle with respect to axes of slot in
> > order to minimize the segment length over the void. Some of
> > the traces contain serpentines but are routed to pass
> > boundaries only once. Stiching capacitors are utilized to
> > minimize undesirable effects of the cuts.
> >
> > Certain rules of thumb have been formulated for determination
> > of the required number and values of stiching capacitors; an
> > example follows:
> >
> > For every five traces which cross a plane slot, insert
> > approximately one or more capacitors within each 0.250 in.
> > 0.01uF is an acceptable value for "stiching" capacitors,
> > though it is preferable to mix several
> > 2251 Lawson Lane
> > Santa Clara, CA 95054
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> **** To unsubscribe from si-list or si-list-digest: send e-mail to
> [email protected]. In the BODY of message put: UNSUBSCRIBE
> si-list or UNSUBSCRIBE si-list-digest, for more help, put HELP.
> si-list archives are accessible at http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu
> ****
>
> **** To unsubscribe from si-list or si-list-digest: send e-mail to
> [email protected]. In the BODY of message put: UNSUBSCRIBE
> si-list or UNSUBSCRIBE si-list-digest, for more help, put HELP.
> si-list archives are accessible at http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu
> ****

**** To unsubscribe from si-list or si-list-digest: send e-mail to
[email protected]. In the BODY of message put: UNSUBSCRIBE
si-list or UNSUBSCRIBE si-list-digest, for more help, put HELP.
si-list archives are accessible at http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu
****


About this list Date view Thread view Subject view Author view

This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue May 08 2001 - 14:30:01 PDT