The Basics of PCB Design

Technical sessions at conferences often emphasize the latest techniques and technologies, but those classes are often too in-depth for a novice designer, and don’t speak to the questions from the... [more]

The Butterfly Effect in PCB Design: Optimization of High-speed Lines for an FMC Carrier Board

When signals start to get affected by the physical characteristics of the PCB, things start to get a little tricky. A simple point-to-point connection won’t be enough to keep the integrity of the... [more]

Best DFM Practices for Board Engineers

There is more to board design than placing parts and connecting the signals electrically. Those who design the board can make a huge impact on the ease of fabrication and assembly just by adhering... [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]