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