Routing Digital Boards to Avoid Problems

There are many ways to route a PCB, some much more effective for signals than others. The first design rule is that the board must work properly, so it is important to have a plan that addresses... [more]

The Case for Split Ground Planes

Some experts say you should never use a split ground plane. Others say you should use a split ground plane to control noise. When is the right time to split a ground plane? We will explore the... [more]

IoT PC Board Design and Layout

Circuit boards for the IoT world (Internet of Things) are often driven by the need for low power dissipation, low cost (which drives very low layer count), moderate to high-density and mixed-signal... [more]

Does a Differential Pair Need a Return Plane?

A differential pair is any two transmission lines. When each transmission line has a return plane, its pretty clear how the differential impedance is related to the geometry. But what if there is no... [more]