Tetsushi Watanabe

A simple method for measuring the relative permittivity of printed circuit board materials

This paper presents a simple method to measure the relative permittivity of glass-epoxy printed circuit boards (PCBs). In this method, the relative permittivity as a function of frequency is measured using an actual PCB. In order to estimate the relative permittivity, the reflection coefficient is measured with a network analyzer. The relative permittivity is calculated by observing the frequencies of the resonant cavity modes. We show that the relative permittivity of an FR-4 sample decreases from 4.3 to 4.2 at frequencies from 300 MHz to 2 GHz.

Experimental model validation of mode-conversion sources introduced to modal equivalent circuit

We have developed a modal-equivalent-circuit model with mode-conversion sources for clarifying the mode-conversion mechanism and considering countermeasures against common-mode noise by means of circuit analysis based on the proposed model. The modal equivalent circuit is divided into separate normal-mode and common-mode circuits obtained by applying the mode-decomposition technique to an actual circuit. The separate circuits are connected with the mode-conversion sources at the interface where two transmission lines with different current division factors (h) are connected. This model suggests that the mode conversion that occurs is likely related to the common-mode current and the normal-mode voltage at the interface and the difference in the current division factors (Δh). This paper validates the model experimentally. First, it is validated by changing the grounding conditions of a simple cable interconnection system. Next, the mode-conversion mechanism suggested by the mode-conversion sources is experimentally examined by matching on common mode and replacing a two-wire cable with a coaxial cable so that Δh becomes almost 0. Circuit simulation results obtained using the modal equivalent circuit with the mode-conversion sources agree well with measured results and this also demonstrates the models validity.

High-speed simulation of PCB emission and immunity with frequency-domain IC/LSI source models

Some recent results from research conducted in the EMC group at Okayama University are reviewed. A scheme for power-bus modeling with an analytical method is introduced. A linear macro-model for ICs/LSIs, called the LECCS model, has been developed for EMI and EMS simulation. This model has a very simple structure and is sufficiently accurate. Combining the LECCS model with analytical simulation techniques for power-bus resonance simulation provides a method for high-speed EMI simulation and decoupling evaluation related to PCB and LSI design. A useful explanation of the common-mode excitation mechanism, which utilizes the imbalance factor of a transmission line, is also presented. Some of the results were investigated by implementing prototypes of a high-speed EMI simulator, HISES.

Estimation of common-mode EMI caused by a signal line in the vicinity of ground edge on a PCB

The authors have developed an estimation method of common mode radiation from a PCB. A parameter named current division factor explains a generation mechanism of the common mode. Rigorous analysis, instead of rough approximation, is required to calculate the factor for an asymmetric structure. A 2-dimensional static electric field analysis by the boundary element method (BEM) is applied to this calculation, which requires less time than 3-dimensional simulations. EMI increases when the signal line comes close to the edge of ground pattern. The effect is evaluated with the simulation of the factor. The estimation agrees well with measurement within 1 dB.

Equivalence of two calculation methods for common-mode excitation on a printed circuit board with narrow ground plane

Two models for evaluating the common-mode current on a printed circuit board with a narrow ground plane are compared theoretically and experimentally. One model is the ground inductance model; while the other is a new model we call the imbalance difference model. The structure of the new model is simpler and more convenient for field application. The theoretical equivalence between the two models is demonstrated analytically, and numerical results agreed for two models to the level of 2 dB with experiments made in an anechoic chamber.

Verification of common-mode-current prediction method based on imbalance difference model for single-channel differential signaling system

In a differential transmission line, a large common-mode current is excited due to its asymmetry. In this paper, the authors demonstrate experimentally the common-mode current and verify the imbalance difference model that was proposed for prediction of the common-mode current reduction. Experimental results show that the reduction of common-mode current of about 20 dB is achieved by changing the position of the transmission line. In addition, the differences that are calculated using the imbalance difference model are in agreement with the measured ones within 2 dB.

Prediction of EMI from two-channel differential signaling system based on imbalance difference model

In a differential transmission line, a large common-mode radiation is excited due to asymmetry. To suppress the radiation, the differential line must be designed electrically symmetric. In this paper, the imbalance difference model, which was proposed by the authors for estimation of common-mode radiation, is extended to apply the differential signaling system. The authors focus on two pairs of differential transmission lines with asymmetric property, which consists of an adjacent return plane and signal lines which are placed close to an edge of the return plane. The authors define five transmission modes; two normal modes, two primary common modes and a secondary common mode. In these transmission modes, the secondary common mode radiation is dominant, and the authors evaluate the radiation using the imbalance difference model. To reduce the common-mode radiation, placing a guard trace which has the same potential as that of the return plane, we can control the imbalance and reduce common-mode radiation even the transmission line has asymmetry. The reduction of common-mode radiation can be estimated quantitatively by calculation of the imbalance of the transmission line.

Prediction of electromagnetic emissions from PCBs with interconnections through common-mode antenna model

A motherboard-daughterboard structure with a connector is known to have another source of common-mode radiated emissions, and the emissions depend on the connector’s signal/ground pin configuration. In order to estimate the amount of radiated emissions from the structure, a commonmode antenna model is described. The model consists of an excitation source and an antenna element, and it calculates radiated emissions from PCBs not only quickly but accurately for practical use. In modeling the board interconnection via a connector, we added two common-mode excitation sources at each end of the connector. The electromagnetic emissions estimated by the model agreed with the measurements within an error of 6 dB around peak emission levels between 300 and 600 MHz.

Experimental validation of imbalance difference model to estimate common-mode excitation in PCBs

We have proposed a common-mode antenna model that is designed specifically for estimating common-mode radiation from printed circuit boards (PCBs) very quickly. The model is composed of an antenna that has the same geometry as the adjacent ground plane of the PCB and an excitation source based on an imbalance difference model. The excitation source is provided by the product of Deltah and VN, where Deltah is the difference in current division factors related to the cross-sectional structure of the transmission line, and VN is the voltage between the signal line and return plane of the transmission line. Here, we describe an experimental validation of the common-mode excitation carried out by measuring the reduction in radiation due to a guard trace placed close to a signal line with a narrow return plane. As a result, it was found that the total common-mode excitation can be given by a superposition of two excitation sources. The results also suggest that when designing the PCB, the guard trace should be grounded at the interface between different ground-plane widths to suppress noise.

Prediction of the common-mode radiated emission from the board to board interconnection through common-mode antenna model

In this paper, the common-mode antenna model, which can estimate the amount of common-mode radiation quickly and accurately, was applied to a board-to-board interconnection structure with a connector. The inductor model is introduced as the connector model for improving accuracy of the common-mode antenna model. By using the inductance, which was calculated with the commercial electromagnetic field simulator, the radiated emissions estimated by the model agreed with the measurement results within an error of 3 dB around the peak emission levels.