Yes (sort of in the first order) there is a spec on the amount of common mode signal allowed for some serdes standards. The spec is given as a return loss of x dB form some xfreq to some yfreq. So by making the common mode return loss measurement with a reference impedance of 25ohms will give us the first order S21 = sqrt(1-S11^2). Is this good enough? By the way how would one measure the interconnect/package/on-chip circuitry to evaluate the conversion of the differential signal into common signal (SCD21)? -Jory Guys- If there is so much concern about the presence of the common signal on the interconnect, and its rattling around, shouldn't there be a spec on the amount of common signal allowed at the receiver? Anyone have a feel for what a reasonable value is, before it starts to affect the jitter, as Steve Weir pointed out? Lynn Greene suggested that any common signal present could be converted back to diff and screw up the diff signal. If the source of the comm. signal is from asymmetries in the interconnect, then isn't this the first order problem to fix? Shouldn't there be a spec on the SCD21 performance of the interconnect to evaluate the conversion of the differential signal into common signal? This is the first order problem, the second order one being the conversion of "rattling around" common signal back into differential signal, further screwing up the diff signal. Steve Weir suggests that a spec for the SCC11 and SCC21 of an interconnect is related to the fact it is easy to do, not that it is the most reasonable approach. It is sort of like the joke where the punch line is, "because the light is better over here" (only if I am publicly encouraged will I provide the rest of the joke) I am still trying to understand the importance of the SCC11 and SCC21 spec, as opposed to a spec on the magnitude of the common signal, or on SCD21 or SCD11. Does anyone have any insight on the discussions that went on at the committee meetings for the specs? Thanks --eric ******************************************************* Eric Bogatin Signal Integrity Evangelist Bogatin Enterprises Setting the Standard for Signal Integrity Training 26235 W 110th Terr Olathe, KS 66061 e: eric@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx v: 913-393-1305 cell: 913-424-4333 f: 913-393-0929 www.BeTheSignal.com San Diego: EPSI, BBDP, July 28-31, 2008 San Jose, SICT, Aug 12-13 San Jose, EPSI, BBDP, Sept 29-Oct 2 *********************************************** -----Original Message----- From: si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Instone Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:16 AM To: olaney@xxxxxxxx Cc: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [SI-LIST] Re: Relevance of Common Mode Return Loss Orin, As Lynne pointed out in her posting on this subject, part of the common mode energy can get converted to differential. Surely then, reflecting the common mode back to the Tx, even if the Tx is a good CM match, would give it twice the opportunity to interfere with the differential. How much this matters of course depends on how imbalanced the differential lines are and how imbalanced the signal is. Centre tapping the differential terminating resistor, at the Rx, to ground only fully terminates the common mode if there is little coupling between the lines, if they are coupled then three resistors are required, 1 from each line to gnd to terminate the even mode and 1 across the lines, which in parallel with the other two terminates the odd mode, how necessary this is depends on how tightly coupled the lines are. Currently SATA and PCIe implementations that I have seen have the Rx termination inside the chip which makes the 3 resistor termination difficult to achieve. This makes a common and differential return loss specification at the Rx relevant as it enables the traces and cable to be designed to match the termination in both modes. Regards Dave Instone +44 (0)1235 824963 OXFORD SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED 25 MILTON PARK ABINGDON OXFORDSHIRE OX14 4SH Registered in England no 2733820 Registered Address: As above olaney@xxxxxxxx wrote: > Since we don't want them, common mode signals can be treated > differently than for differential mode. Given that common mode is > undesirable, at the transmit end we often use a deliberate mismatch > (CMC) to reflect this signal back to the transmitter. This energy can > be absorbed by the transmitter if there is an adequate common mode > backmatch, or it can be left to ring between the driver and choke if > that is considered harmless. At the receiver, the intent of providing > a common mode termination is simply to prevent unwanted CM energy from > returning up the line, giving it an additional chance to radiate. > If the common mode signal is terminated before the differential signal > passes through a CMC to reach the DM termination at the receiver, then > the best of both worlds is achieved: the CM signal is both absorbed > and suppressed. The receiver common mode range becomes much harder to > violate. For coding with a zero at DC (accepts AC coupling), a center > tapped inductor is an easy way to provide the CM termination: > > Orin Laney > > ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 technical documents are available at: http://www.si-list.net 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 technical documents are available at: http://www.si-list.net 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