RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Reasons Why PCB Transmission Lines are Important

Whenever you consider transmission lines, the first thing you will think of

is cables. Although this isn’t our focus in this article, the PCB transmission

lines act in a similar way. While the regular cables will help transfer

electricity between two points, the PCB variants help in transmitting

signals from and to the transmitter and receiver.

However if you are not familiar with the way it works, the integration of

transmission lines into the PCB layout could be a challenging process.

However, we will be providing you with all the important information

before you make attempts to add then into your high-speed designs. We

will be discussing the types of PCB transmission lines, their significance,

and more.

Table of Contents

What Do PCB Transmission Lines Mean?

The PCB transmission line is made up of linkages useful for transmitting

and receiving signals from the board.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Also, they are made of two conductors, signal trace, as well as a return

path. Dielectric material, such as PP, Coverlay, and fiberglass, make up this

thickness that separates these conductors.

Furthermore, PCB transmission lines carry all the I/O signals. Signals are

transferred from one location to another using a reference plane and

signal trace within the single ended input/output connections. However

differential I/O combines two traces using the reference plane to create

the transmission lines.

Which are transmission lines and which ones are not?

Transmission lines won’t be necessary if the frequency of a signal on the

electrical wires remains low enough to denote that the wire’s voltage at

any specific time is constant over the whole length of the wire.

However, transmission lines should be used in this situation instead of

just the usual connection when the traveling signal’s frequency is very high

and you have a very long PCB trace length.

Whenever the interconnect is no less than 25 percent of the length of the

signal’s wavelength passing through, you can refer to it as a transmission

line.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Impedance-Controlled Transmission line

PCB Transmission Lines

A transmission line‘s alternating current features a frequency high enough

to exhibit characteristics of wave propagation. The main factor affecting

how electrical signals travel down transmission lines is their impedance,

which exists along their entire length assuming the line maintains a

constant shape.

This line is referred to as controlled impedance lines. Distortions and

signal reflections occur due to non-uniform impedance. To forecast the

signal’s behavior at high frequencies, the transmission lines must have a

regulated impedance.

To prevent any crosstalk, signal reflections, electromagnetic noise, and

other problems which may affect the signal’s quality negatively and lead to

mistakes, it is very important to consider the impacts of the transmission

line.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

While it isn’t necessary for the signals to feature a reference plane, it is

required for the actual implementation of the differential traces on the

printed circuit boards. Transmission lines having regulated and controlled

impedance are essential for maintaining great signal integrity within a

printed circuit board system. The reference planes, the signal traces, as

well as the shape of these traces all affects the impedance.

The presence and lack of glass within a specific lamination weave may

lead to impedance variation. However this hardly causes problems

outside the high-speed connections.

What Kinds of Transmission Lines Are There?

Microstrips and striplines are the two main signal transmission lines that

you can find on printed circuit boards. On the topmost layer of the board,

these microstrip transmission lines are made up of a single uniform trace.

Also, the trace usually runs parallel to the PCB’s ground plane.

What else? The traveling signal has a return route, which is provided by

the ground plane. To prevent any contact between the ground and trace

plane, a specific height of dielectric material would be helpful.

Contrary to this, stripline PCB transmission lines feature a single uniform

trace within the inner layer of the circuit board. Additionally, parallel

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

dielectric layers and conducting planes give a transmitted signal two

return pathway. This separates the trace on either side.

Asides from the usual types, you can make use of a third category on your

printed circuit board. However it’s quite uncommon. This return path and

the signals trace are located on the layer of the board.

However, the signal trace, stays at the centre, with two neighboring

ground planes also surrounding this trace. Additionally, the structure of

the transmission line is where you may discover the dielectric substance.

Coplanar structures are also an option for striplines and microstrips.

Microstrip

It consists of one uniform trace (which is designed for the signal). Also, it is

parallel to the conducting ground planes on the top layer of the PCB and

serves as the signal’s return path. A particular height of the PCB dielectric

separates the trace from the ground planes.

Stripline

On the innermost layer of the PCB, there is a consistent trace known as a

stripline that carries the signal. The parallel circuit board dielectric layer

and the conducting plane are used to divide the trace on each of the sides.

As a result, the two reference planes are its two return routes or paths.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Coplanar

In the coplanar waveguide setup, this conductor for the return path is on a

similar layer within the printed circuit board as a signal trace. The three

flat surfaces are referred to as “coplanar” because they are all on a single

plane, with a signal trace in the center and the two adjacent exterior

ground planes surrounding it. Underneath is where the printed circuit

board dielectric is situated. Coplanar structures are possible for both

striplines and microstrips.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

Considerations for Transmission Line Design

There are a few aspects that must be taken into account when joining

traces on the printed circuit board design. Below are some pointers to

assist you with this.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

The transmission lines comprise groups of at least two ports that serve as

the receiving and generating ends of power. This is why, the majority of

transmission lines are required to have conductors. Three conductors are

required if your lines are three-phase. Coaxial cables or common PCB

traces can also be used as lines for transmission.

When the circuit size is tiny and the wavelength is short, transmission lines

operate differently. Additionally, the loop inductance all through the

length of the conductor and the capacitance in-between both conductors

will also affect how they function.

Although you could believe that transmission cables pass signals across

various locations, there are other factors to take into account. Although

that is the primary purpose, we advise carefully planning the design of the

transmission line. Otherwise, the functionality of the PCB will be

hampered by flaws in your transmission line and trace designs.

Importance of Transmission Lines in PCB

The transmission line in PCB plays an important role in reducing serial link

loss and other associated expenses. This holds true for

all high-frequency circuits since they are more likely to experience

dielectric losses and signal interruptions. Therefore, during the process of

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

design, it is essential to thoroughly consider and finalize the modeling and

format of the transmission line modeling.

Thankfully, with great improvements in fabrication technology, modeling

of integrated circuits, as well as higher operating

frequencies, digital circuit designs may now be used for microwave and

radio frequency connections. To properly connect the traces on the circuit

boards, it is crucial to take into account some factors relating to the

transmission line. Here are some guidelines that can be useful in this

situation:

The transmission line effects in PCB is made up of a network of at least

two ports which features both the power production end as well as the

receiving end. Three conductors must be used for three-phase lines.

Transmission lines might be made of regular PCB traces or coaxial cables.

Because high-quality conductor materials or a sizable surface area within

these conductors lower the resistance, the resistance needed within a PCB

and the application must be taken into account. This is why there is an

inverse relationship between these two variables and resistance. This

holds true for lengthy circuit routes and broad wavelengths.

Fortunately, better solutions are becoming accessible as transmission

lines are taken into account for uses other than resistive as well as low

frequency ones.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Short wavelengths as well as small circuit sizes cause the transmission line

to behave very differently. The transmission line’s loop inductance

throughout its length and the capacitance between both conductors at a

specific length both play a role.

Conclusion

Hope you understand what pcb transmission lines are. Impedance is a

very important aspect you must consider during the construction of a PCB

transmission line. Otherwise, if this impedance fails to match the length of

the line, signal reflections would stop the entire process. Therefore, it is

advisable that you estimate the PCB design’s physical properties to

manage the impedance of the trace lines. This then enables the system to

keep a constant value.

Do you have any further inquiries on this article? Please reach out to us

immediately; we’ll be pleased to assist you the best way we can.

Related Posts:

1. Implementing Transmission Lines Impedance Calculator PCB

2. Reasons why you should consider RFI Coating

3. Top Reasons for PCB pad cratering in BGA Soldering

4. Everything you need to know about SMT Lines

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

https://www.raypcb.com/pcb-transmission-line/

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/