Hi once we learn to think in terms of partial inductances it becomes a very useful concept. Assuming that we have a rectangular loop, then its inductance (loop) is given by L(loop) = Lp_11 + Lp_22 + Lp_33 + Lp_44 - 2 Lp_13 - 2 Lp_24 where Lp_ij are the partial inductances. Intuitively, we have the partial self inductances which have a flux associated with them to infinity. However for each of the partial self inductances, there is a partial mutual inductance associated to subtract the flux to infinity (from the other side) so that only the flux in the loop remains. So, partial inductances are very useful for inductance computations. Now assume that we have a solder ball and we know its partial self inductance. Is this number useful or not? So essentially we have Lp_11 and we don't exactly know where the return current is going to be. If the distance to the ground return is large compared to the length of the via, then the partial mutual inductance Lp_13 is relatively small and we can estimate the loop inductance as L(loop) as Lp_11 + Lp_33. If there are many ground returns, Lp_33 may be small. Also, we have assumed a quasi- 2D situation with respect to the top and bottom loop closure. However, the point I am trying to make is that the solder ball partial inductance can be a good rough estimate for the inductive discontinuity. Another point I want to make is that we don't need closed loops for partial inductances. We can make a PEEC model for a lambda/4 antenna where the end is open, from a direct current path point of view. So the partial inductances of the antenna wires do not form a loop. Regards, Al Albert Ruehli ruehli@xxxxxxxxxx 914-945-1592 TL 862-1592, Fax 914-945-4244 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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