11.1 Layout Guidelines

Place supply bypass capacitors as close to V_CC pin as possible and avoid placing the bypass caps near the signal traces.

The high-speed traces should always be of equal length and must be no more than 4 inches; otherwise, the eye diagram performance may be degraded.

Route the high-speed signals using a minimum of vias and corners which will reduce signal reflections and impedance changes. When a via must be used, increase the clearance size around it to minimize its capacitance. Each via introduces discontinuities in the transmission line of the signal and increases the chance of picking up interference from the other layers of the board. Be careful when designing test points on twisted pair lines; through-hole pins are not recommended.

When it becomes necessary to turn 90°, use two 45° turns or an arc instead of making a single 90° turn. This reduces reflections on the signal traces by minimizing impedance discontinuities.

Do not route signal traces under or near crystals, oscillators, clock signal generators, switching regulators, mounting holes, magnetic devices, or IC’s that use or duplicate clock signals.

Avoid stubs on the high-speed signals because they cause signal reflections.

Route all high-speed signal traces over continuous planes (VCC or GND), with no interruptions.

Avoid crossing over anti-etch, commonly found with plane splits.

For high frequency systems, a printed circuit board with at least four layers is recommended: two signal layers separated by a ground layer and a power layer. The majority of signal traces should run on a single layer, preferably Signal 1. Immediately next to this layer should be the GND plane, which is solid with no cuts. Avoid running signal traces across a split in the ground or power plane. When running across split planes is unavoidable, sufficient decoupling must be used. Minimizing the number of signal vias reduces EMI by reducing inductance at high frequencies. For more information on layout guidelines, see High Speed Layout Guidelines (SCAA082)