Electronic devices become faster and smaller causing a strong increase of interference. The "fast edges" of modern electronic devices cause a lot of signal integrity (SI) problems. It is more and more difficult to use components within their specifications. The SI problems result in unexpected behavior of the hardware, reset problems, latch-ups, software hang-ups caused by the hardware and, last but not least, very noisy boards not compliant to FCC (USA), CISPR (EU) or VCCI (Japan).

In this very practical course for electronic designers, board- and IC designers, the theory behind signal integrity is explained and illustrated, practical problems are modelled, simulated and analyzed, solutions are discussed, a way of working is proposed to minimize SI-problems. Electronic designers and board layout designers need to be aware of each other’s problems and approaches to solve and prevent SI-problems.

Demonstrations of analysis of problems are given with Altium and Hyperlynx. During the hands-on sessions the course participants use Hyperlynx software to analyze system parts with SI problems and the effect of measures to reduce the SI-problems. Hyperlynx is a high quality tool (in combination with technology files) for EMC, SI and PI-simulation. The course is by far not a tool training course.

Measures to improve SI cannot been done in isolation without paying attention to EMC and Power Integrity (PI). These SI measures can have a negative impact on EMC and PI. SI is the main topic of this course but potential negative consequences for EMC and PI are also discussed. The design of a power distribution network on a board is the main topic of the PI-course.

This training is available for open enrollment as well as for in-company sessions. For in-company sessions, the training can be adapted to your situation and special needs.

Objective

After the course, the participant will:

  • be able to recognize signal integrity problems of modern fast electronic systems;
  • be able to analyze the signal integrity of a PCB;
  • know and be able to apply methods to improve the signal integrity of a PCB;
  • know IC characteristics that may cause signal integrity problems of a PCB;
  • know a way of working to improve the SI;
  • know which SI measures have a negative impact on EMC and PI.
  • know how timing analysis is performed for DDRx.
  • learn how trending topology like SerDes will be analyzed, Return and Insertion loss budgeting will be discussed.

Intended for

This training is for system architects, electronic designers as well as board layout designers and IC-designers.

Required is at least BSc in electronics / electrical engineering and a working relation with EMC.

Frequency

Once per year

Location (1)
Start date (1)
Duration 3 consecutive days
Frequency Once per year
Score
8.3
Price per participant € 1,750 excl. VAT *
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Program

Signal integrity problems may arise at many levels: within an IC, at the package level, on a PCB, at the backplane of boards, at inter-system communication.

There are issues that hold at various of these levels. This course concentrates on signal integrity on the PCB and around the interface between IC and PCB and is therefore highly relevant both for a board designer and an IC designer. The examples applied during the course, however, stem from the PCB area. The course does not cover aspects as architectures for fast systems.

There are problems on signal integrity (and power integrity) that manifest themselves on a PCB but that should have been resolved on an IC. In case an IC strongly radiates (EMC), there are additional costs at PCB-level such as with housing or a metal shield, possibly the required performance may even not be reached. To prevent these problems the board designer might choose a chip set from another supplier.

Furthermore, a relationship exists between the pinning of an IC and the number of layers of a PCB. For financial reasons there is a strong preference for e.g. a 4 layers board compared with a 6 layers count board (costs are rising sharply with the number of layers). However, this can make demands on the pinning. If these demands are not handled properly, a 6 layer PCB might be necessary because of SI reasons. An alternative is to select an IC from another supplier.

Lessons:

  • Signal integrity: high speed signal propagation, reflection, ringing, transmission-lines, termination, balanced lines, edge control, crosstalk, stack-up, simulation of high speed nets;
  • Power integrity: high speed power distribution, power planes topology, board stack-up planning, PCB production and materials, bypassing capacitors, embedded passives, power supply noise classes, power integrity simulation demo;
  • IBIS modelling: creating IBIS models, modifying models, understanding the most important parameters of an IBIS model;
  • EMC introduction: EMC compliance tests, emission, immunity to RF fields, EFT, bursts, pre-compliance testing, ESD, latch-up;
  • EMC signals: identify the sources of radiation, narrow spectra signals versus wide spectra signals, clamping noise, board stack-up improvements for EMC, crosstalk;
  • EMC coupling and cabling: ground bounce, VCC coupling, optimization of cable connections to a board, antenna's, radiation gain caused by cavities;
  • EMC advanced partitioning: noise sources, SNR, common mode radiation versus differential mode, common mode isolation, unshielded housing, aperture antennas, creating common mode quite islands (moats).
  • Signal Integrity and Timing analysis for DDRx. Layout guideline for first time right DDRx implementation.

Hands-on sessions:

  • Transmission line termination simulations, simulation of different board layer stack-ups;
  • IBIS modelling, IBIS modelling theory, debugging IBIS models + IBIS editor;
  • Topology simulation, board partitioning, crosstalk analysis.
  • Power Integrity Simulation- DC Drop, AC Decoupling analysis and optimization to suppress inductive peaks.

Methods

Lectures, demonstrations, hands-on PC exercises & Lab files. Course material: course notes.

Certification

Participants will receive a High Tech Institute course certificate for attending this training.

Download brochure

Remarks from participants

‘Good training with practical approach.’

Erik van Eeden – Betronic B.V.

‘Good training, sufficient mix of theory/practical.’

Axel Smits – NXP Semiconductors

"I'm from the analog world. Nice to see things from a digital perspective. For instance, series termination: as an analog guy, I have never used it."

Ronald Buijs – Vrije Universtiteit Amsterdam