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Power Integrity

Browse our library of resources to learn more about pcb design and power integrity.

PDN Impedance Analysis and Modeling: From Schematic to Layout We talk a lot about signal integrity around here, but signal integrity is intimately related to power integrity. This is about more than just reducing switching noise or ripple from your power supply/voltage regulator. This is where the impedance of your PDN in your PCB can rear its ugly head in certain designs, causing components in your board to fail to work as designed due to power problems. Here’s where it helps to understand some basic Read Article

Length Matching for High-speed Signals: Trombone, Accordion, and Sawtooth Tuning Length matching for high-speed signals is all about synchronization... Once upon a time, length matching for high-speed signals required a designer with enough skill to remain productive when manually applying different trace length turning schemes. Now, with the advanced interactive routing features in modern PCB design tools, designers no longer need to manually length tune every trace in their layout. The remaining choice for a designer is Read Article

Never Cross a Ground Plane Gap in High Speed PCB Design Make sure none of these traces crosses a ground plane gap I often browse electronics and PCB forums, and I see the same question asked over and over: Why shouldn’t I route a trace over a split in my ground plane? This question gets asked by everyone from makers to professional designers who are just dipping their toes into high speed PCB design. For the professional signal integrity engineer, the answer should be obvious. Whether you’re a long Read Article

The Role of a Decoupling, Inductance, and Resistance in a PDN Some designers might overlook the role of a decoupling, inductance, and resistance when designing their power distribution network. Read Article

What Size Decoupling Capacitor Should You Use For Digital ICs? Are these capacitors sized properly? Something that comes up repeatedly in PCB design guidelines, including high speed digital design "gurus", is the need to properly size decoupling capacitors. This is sometimes addressed without a full understanding of what these caps are supposed to do in a PDN or their role in ensuring power integrity. I've also seen many application notes that default to the decades-old guideline of placing three decoupling Read Article

Embedded System Power Supply Guidelines for Power Integrity This system will require its own power supply and regulation Embedded systems that require a significant amount of processing power and that need to interface with analog components require important embedded system power supply guidelines in order to ensure power and signal integrity. Whether you design your own external power supply, or embed a power supply directly alongside your board, you’ll need to follow some important power integrity Read Article

Datasheet Reliability with Ben Jordan When are datasheets accurate and can we rely on them? Ben Jordan is back on the show to discuss datasheets and how to achieve reliability for your use case. We also cover an unusual question from the forum about gilding that you won’t want to miss. Ben always enjoys catching up with the Lounge Forum, and this week, one of our users, Tim Philips, posted a datasheet that he had come across for an inductor. Listen in to explore these topics in this Read Article

Power Integrity Analysis for Your Power Delivery Network The first time I built a simple mixed signal board for powering and collecting data from a small group of sensors, I was astounded at the level of noise in my analog measurements. Surely, the $5,000 meter and DAQ card setup I was using couldn’t be faulty, and the output fluctuations from my power supply must be lower than the noise being measured. How could I be seeing such noise problems? Little did I know, some poor design decisions on my mixed Read Article

PCB Design Tips for SRAM Users: How to Prevent Data Loss SRAM loses its data when power is removed. One of the best inventions in editing software is the autosave feature, which prevents Murphy’s Law from striking at the worst time. Decades ago, I nearly cried when several pages of an important university assignment were literally wiped out, as the non-existence of the autosave feature was made worse by my reluctance to hit the ‘Save’ button. In electronics, you risk losing the entire data stored in a Read Article

When Trace Resistance Trumps Trace Impedance Unless you have a photographic memory, you probably don’t have every single design formula memorized. It’s understandable; looking throughout the compendium of knowledge in physics and engineering, there are far too many formulas for any one person to memorize. Thankfully, some folks have created useful calculators that help you save time when designing a new system. The resistance and impedance of traces in your PCB have major impacts on power Read Article

22:01 Introduction To PDN Analyzer Webinar Power Delivery Network (PDN) Design Issues Low supply voltage at load components A low supply voltage at your loads Watch Video

Coupled Versus Uncoupled Inductors: Which is Right for Your Switching Power Supply? I recently took a deep dive into the various types of topologies surrounding switching power supplies. This article examined the benefits and downfalls of some of the most common topologies and aimed to assist you in the process of choosing how to power your design. The SEPIC topology is a very common switching mode power supply that can operate as both a Buck and a Boost converter. In other words, the SEPIC can act as a step-down (Buck converter Read Article

Smart Self-Check Process to Optimize Power-Up for Embedded Systems I’ve been obsessed with morning routines ever since I started sending my son to kindergarten in the morning. From making breakfast to ensuring that his schoolbag is properly packed, I rarely mess up, except for a rare occasion where I forgot to place his water bottle in his bag. Despite the rarity of that occurrence, my son wasn’t impressed with my forgetfulness even though I promised it wouldn’t happen again. Now, when checking through his Read Article

Managing Your Audio Power Supply Designs: Tips for Circuit Design As I get older, I suspect I’m gradually getting deafer. My hearing was pretty sharp during my teenage years but these days, I miss out on conversations and need to frequently ask people to repeat themselves. Perhaps my hearing ability is deteriorating due to age; however, when I hear static noise creeping out of an amplifier, I know to trust my ears. In electronics, the power supply of audio circuits can mean the difference between perfect audio Read Article

Introduction To PDN Analyzer Webinar Recap May 10, 2018 If you joined us for the May 10th, 2018, PDN Analyzer^™ webinar then the following will be a recap, if not here’s what you missed. You can also view the presentation slides and recording. Key Takeaways about PDN Power Delivery Network () Design Issues Low supply voltage at load components. A low supply voltage at your loads can cause issues like processors outputting faulty logic. These things happen when there is an unexpected voltage drop Read Article

DC Power Supply Protection from Unexpected Damage and Inconvenience When it comes to parenting, I might not be the best role model. This isn’t because I don’t take good care of my only son; it’s because I’m the stereotypical overprotective dad. I fuss over tiny bruises and rush for a digital thermometer at the slightest hint of a fever. Unable to stop worrying about how my son will adapt and get along with other preschoolers, I even become an occasional nuisance at his nursery. Over time, I’m starting to realize Read Article

Tips for Minimizing Power Consumption in Your Embedded System For years, I always forgot to turn off the lights and fans at my house. Despite initially denying that constantly using these appliances significantly increased my electricity usage, I eventually broke my bad habit and began turning off every little switch. After all, being more prudent about my electricity usage reduces my monthly bills and promotes a greener earth. Unfortunately, minimizing system power consumption in an embedded system Read Article