[SI-LIST] Re: Traces don't cause EMI - really?

  • From: MikonCons@xxxxxxx
  • To: weirsp@xxxxxxxxxx, leeritchey@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 11:18:46 EST

Steve:
You (and Lee) are absolutely correct that techniques have changed (for the 
better), and indeed a "buried microstrip" will reduce the radiated emissions 
relative to a surface microstrip. I also use that technique when appropriate. 
The 
tests I referred to only had a soldermask thickness of ~3 mils, but the 
relative dielectric constant was ~5.5. The present day soldermasks tend to fall 
in 
the 1.5-2.0 mil thickness and have an Er value of ~3.5, which would worsen the 
test results I obtained for surface microstrips.

Equally important is the placement of surface high-speed traces in-board of 
the PCB edges. As much as 20 dB reduction in emissions can be achieved relative 
to traces very near (<50 mils) to the PCB edges. My tests were of traces 
in-board by more than 500 mils; therefore, the results would have been far 
worse 
for traces near the PCB edges.

Note that these not so obvious details are critical to achieving acceptable 
performance as Lee has reported. Again, my concern is that less experienced 
designers will ignore the radiation potential of surface traces and fail to 
meet 
regulatory requirements without a respin of the PCB.



Mike

Michael L. Conn
Owner/Principal Consultant
Mikon Consulting


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