[SI-LIST] Ethernet magnetics question

  • From: Joel Brown <joel@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:59:37 -0700

The following is from an Intel Ethernet  controller app note:
*The magnetics module chassis or output ground (secondary side of 
transformer) should be
separated from the digital or input ground (primary side) by a physical 
separation of 100 mils
minimum. Splitting the ground planes beneath the transformer minimizes 
noise coupling between
the primary and secondary sides of the transformer and between the 
adjacent coils in the magnetics.
This arrangement also improves the common mode choke functionality of 
magnetics module.


Figure 9 illustrates the split plane layout for a discrete magnetics 
module. Capacitors are used to
interconnect chassis ground and signal ground.
Figure 10 below shows the preferred method for implementing a ground 
split under an integrated
magnetics module/RJ-45 connector. The capacitor stuffing options (C1 
through C6) are used to
reduce and filter high frequency emissions. The values of the capacitor 
stuffing options may be
different for each board. Experiments will need to be performed to 
determine which values provide
best EMI performance.
The placement of C1 through C6 may also be different for each board 
design (in other words, not
all of the capacitors may need to be populated). Also, the capacitors 
may not be needed on both
sides of the magnetic module.

*I sent this app note to our EMI consultant he said it does not work. 
Plane splits cause EMI problems, they not solve them.
Adding capacitors across the plane split effectively creates an RF short 
across the plane split which defeats the isolation that is trying to be 
achieved in the first place.
Our EMI consultant recommends using a solid continuous  plane underneath 
the Ethernet magnetics. I have also seen this plane split recommendation 
for other types of I/O connectors. Does anybody know the origin of this 
idea and if it has any practical validity?

Thanks - Joel

*
* 


-- Binary/unsupported file stripped by Ecartis --
-- Type: text/x-vcard
-- File: joel.vcf


------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from si-list:
si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field

or to administer your membership from a web page, go to:
//www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list

For help:
si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field

List FAQ wiki page is located at:
                http://si-list.org/wiki/wiki.pl?Si-List_FAQ

List technical documents are available at:
                http://www.si-list.org

List archives are viewable at:     
                //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list
or at our remote archives:
                http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages
Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at:
                http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu
  

Other related posts: