Home - Blog

Signal Integrity-How To Do It In PCB Design?

Signal integrity is a set of quality measurements of signal parameters at the transmission and receiving end. Signal integrity is applied both on IC chip design and PCB design domain. We talk about signal integrity in the PCB domain. In digital systems, the transmission of a signal is in binary form. Signal integrity is the problem that arises in the digital electronics domain. But is solved in the analog domain.

Signal Integrity1
Signal Integrity1

The digital signals can be transmitted and received over small distances without losing shape and level. However, at high frequencies, low voltage signal levels, long-distance signals travelling can affect the electrical signal.

At high frequencies, the other factors affect signal health. PCB material signal absorption. Extension of signals from the signal carrying tracks, rise and fall time of the signal, overshoot and undershoot at signal edges, etc. As the signal frequency increases, the effect of parasitic inductance becomes prominent.

Signal Integrity 2
Signal Integrity2

Content

1.Signal integrity For a good PCB design

2.Signal integrity In PCB layout and design

3. Signal integrity issues are resolved at the very first level of circuit design and PCB layout.

1.Signal integrity For a good PCB design

From the signal analysis point of view on the PCB, one should note the maximum frequency. The corresponding rise and fall times of the signal. Inputs and outputs at the signals sourcing and sinking end, respectively. And single and differential-ended signals, analog and clock signals.

Signal Integrity3
Signal Integrity3

From a power supply point of view, the number of power supplies and their levels. And the required current, VCC sag, types of decoupling capacitors network, return or ground path and the ground bounce. Make thickness of power supply and ground tracks.

2.Signal integrity In PCB layout and design

The digital, analog, and power supply components should be placed apart and appropriately. The analog and digital grounds should be separately managed and connected at a single thin point. The power supply plane should be split properly.

Signal Integrity4
Signal Integrity4

The signal layers should be routed at right angles to each other so that minimum crosstalk between signals would be minimized.

Avoid right angle traces to reduce the radiation, separate the analogue, high-speed digital and clock signals, provide sufficient clearance.

Between two tracks to reduce signal crosstalk and interference. Avoid vias whenever possible in the single-ended tracks; avoid vias in differential signals.

If necessary, add the same number of vias in both signals of the differential ended signals, route differential ended signals side by side.

3. Signal integrity issues are resolved at the very first level of circuit design and PCB layout.

Once the PCB is manufactured, the signal integrity issues are tough to resolve and require the next design review and manufacturing.

Signal Integrity5
Signal Integrity5

An IC package or PCB designer removes signal integritys problems through these techniques:

  • Placing a solid reference plane adjacent to the signal traces to control crosstalk
  • Controlling the trace width spacing to the reference plane to create consistent trace impedance
  • The route traces perpendicular on adjacent layers to reduce crosstalk
  • Providing sufficient ground (and power) connections to limit ground bounce (this subdiscipline of signal integrity is sometimes called out separately as power integrity)
  • Adding a preemphasis filter to the transmitter driving cell
  • Improved clock and data recovery (CDR) circuitry with low jitter/phase noise

Each of these fixes may possibly cause other problems.

This type of issue must be addressed as part of design flows and design closure.

YouTube video

Avatar photo
Emma Lu
Our professional engineering support saves our customers a lot of trouble and loss. >>>>>> After you place the order, our engineer will conduct technical reviews to make sure the parts can be mounted well/correctly on the boards. We will check if the component packages match well with the Gerber footprints, if the part numbers you provided match well with the descriptions, and if the polarity is clearly marked. >>>>> When your design is ready, please send your Gerber and BOM so we can quote and start!

Services