applied

sciences
Article
Effect of Fiber Weave Structure in Printed Circuit
Boards on Signal Transmission Characteristics
Bei Chen 1,2 , Ruohe Yao 1, *, Hongfei Wang 3 , Kuiwei Geng 1 and Juan Li 2
1 School of Electronics Information Engineering, South China University of Technology,
Guangzhou 510640, China; cb@chinafastprint.com (B.C.); gengkw@scut.edu.cn (K.G.)
2 China Fastprint Circuit Corporation, Guangzhou 510663, China; lijuan@chinafastprint.com
3 Dongguan ITEQ Corporation, Dongguan 523000, China; wanghf@iteq.com.cn
* Correspondence: phrhyao@scut.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-20-8711-0449




Received: 26 November 2018; Accepted: 11 January 2019; Published: 21 January 2019


Abstract: In this paper, we characterized and compared signal transmission performances of traces
with different specifications of fiber weave. Measurements demonstrated that the dielectric constant,
impedance fluctuation, and differential skew were all affected by fiber weave style. For flattened
fiber weaves, the dielectric constant fluctuation reached 0.18, the impedance fluctuation amplitude
was 1.0 Ω, and the differential skew was 2 ps/in. For conventional fiber weaves, the three parameters
were 0.44, 2.5 Ω, and 4 ps/inch respectively. Flattened fiber weave was more favorable for high-speed
signal control. We also discussed the other methods to improve the fiber weave effect. It turned out
that NE-glass (new electronic glass) fiber weave also had better performance in reducing impedance
fluctuation and differential skew. Furthermore, made the signal traces and fiber weave bundles with
an angle or designing the long signal line parallel to the weft direction both are simple and effective
methods to solve this problem.

Keywords: fiber weave effect; high-speed; impedance fluctuation; differential skew

1. Introduction
It is known that in today’s printed circuit board laminates, there is a plate-like material made
of electronic glass fiber cloth that is impregnated with epoxy resin, covered with copper foil of a
certain thickness on one or both sides, and then hot-pressed. The fiber weave and resin have relatively
dielectric constant (Dk) of ~6 and ~3, respectively, presenting a nonhomogeneous medium for signal
transmission. The performance of differential transmission traces is dependent upon the underlying
material properties of the laminates used [1–7]. At high edge rates, especially transmission rates
exceeding 25 Gbps, the impact of the fiber weave effect on high-speed signal transmission becomes
non-negligible. For 25 Gbps single channel transmission rate or coming 56 Gbps, the fiber weave
effect continues to challenge the PCB (short for Printed circuit board) industry to provide novel
solutions. Research on the impact of fiber weave effect on ≥25 Gbps high-speed materials has become
more meaningful. In this work, the dielectric constant fluctuations of different types of fiber weaves
are studied using a vector network analyzer. Then the impact of the dielectric constant fluctuation
on the impedance of single-ended lines and the signal propagation delay of differential lines are
discussed. Furthermore, we also discuss the effect of trace direction on impedance fluctuation. Finally,
we investigate different methods to improve the fiber weave effect. This paper allows high-speed
digital designers to have a more in-depth assessment of the fiber weave effect.

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353; doi:10.3390/app9020353 www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci

 Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 2 of 10

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials and Equipment

We focused on the fiber weave effect only for high-speed PCBs, so the research must be based on
high-speed PCBs. Here, high-speed laminates and prepreg based on PPO (short for Polyphenylene
Oxide) resins that were supplied by Panasonic were used to produce multilayer PCB.
A vector network analyzer (VNA, E5071C) from Agilent was used to measure TDR (short for
time domain reflectometry), the S-parameter, and phase difference. To ensure the accuracy of the
measurements, the tested frequency bandwidth was 20 GHz, and the rise time was 22.3 ps.

2.2. Methods
In the design of the tested multilayer board, the thicknesses of the laminate cores were 0.08 mm to
0.20 mm, and different styles of prepreg were used. The style of the fiber weaves contained prepreg
1035, prepreg 1080, prepreg 3313, prepreg 2116, and prepreg 1078.
The graphic design for the Dk test show as Figure 1: X was the width of the fiber weave bundle,
and x0 was the transmission line width on the circuit board. Most transmission line were designed
Article
<10 mil, significantly less than most of the sizes of the fiber weaves (see Table 1, X2 and Y2). This would
Effect of Fiber Weave Structure in Printed Circuit
cause the transmission lines directly above the warp or weft fiber weave or in the middle of two fiber
weaves (see Figure 1). Dk vary with the location of the transmission line. From Table 1, we can see
Boards on Signal Transmission Characteristics
that most spaces of the fiber weaves (the value of (X3 – X2) or (Y3 – Y2) in Table 1) <10 mil (0.4 mm),
so we could design the spaces of single-ended microstrip lines to X + 0.4 mil to obtain the single-ended
Bei Chen 1,2, Ruohe
impedance Yao 1,*, Hongfei
across different positionsWang
of the,fiber
3 Kuiwei Geng 1 and Juan Li 2
weaves.

Figure 1. The graphic design of the Dk test.

Figure 1. The graphic design of the Dk test.
We also designed differential microstrip lines (the other type of impedance line, other than a
We also designed differential microstrip lines (the other type of impedance line, other than a
single-ended line) with different spaces to discuss impedance fluctuations influenced by the fiber
single-ended line) with different spaces to discuss impedance fluctuations influenced by the fiber
weave effect.
weave effect.
The tested boards were produced by the following procedure: CCL (short for copper-clad
The tested boards were produced by the following procedure: CCL (short for copper-clad
laminate) cutting → inner layer process → laminating → drilling → PTH (short for plating through
laminate) cutting → inner layer process → laminating → drilling → PTH（short for plating through
hole) → electronic plating → back drilling → outer layer process → solder mask → component mark
hole) → electronic
→ surface plating
finishing → back drilling → outer layer process → solder mask → component mark
→ test.
→ surface finishing → test.
3. Results and Discussion
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Dielectric Constant Fluctuations of Different Types of Fiber Weaves
3.1. Dielectric Constant Fluctuations of Different Types of Fiber Weaves
Impedance fluctuations can be attributed to local variations in the Dk and the structural integrity
of the stack-up,fluctuations
Impedance both of whichcandepend on thetolaminate
be attributed fiber weave.
local variations in the The dielectric
Dk and constant
the structural (Dk) is a
integrity
ofkey
the parameter of impedance,
stack-up, both and its on
of which depend fluctuation significantly
the laminate affects
fiber weave. Theimpedance. Different
dielectric constant types
(Dk) is aof
fiber
key weaves show
parameter different characteristics.
of impedance, and its fluctuation significantly affects impedance. Different types of
For anyshow
fiber weaves particular stack-up
different configuration, there are two worst-case effective Dk extremes that
characteristics.
occur,
Forthe
anyhighest and stack-up
particular the lowest Dk. When allthere
configuration, yarnare
strands align with each
two worst-case other,
effective Dkand the trace
extremes lies
that
directly over the center of a low resin, a “glass peak” resin, the highest Dk is gotten.
occur, the highest and the lowest Dk. When all yarn strands align with each other, and the trace liesWhen the trace
directly over the
lies directly overcen
the middle of a high resin, a “glass valley” region, the lowest Dk is gotten. Due to the
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 2
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 3 of 10

ter of a low resin, a “glass peak” resin, the highest Dk is gotten. When the trace lies directly over
the middle
trace passingof across
a high fiber
resin,weave
a “glass valley”like
bundles, region, the lowest
the feeling Dk is gotten.
of crossing railroadDue to thediagonally
tracks trace passing
in a
across
car (seefiber weave
Figure bundles,
2) [2], likeexhibits
the trace the feeling of crossing
a cyclical railroad
variation in Dk.tracks diagonally
For different in aof
styles carfiber
(seeweaves,
Figure
2) [2],weave
fiber the trace exhibits
bundle a cyclicalare
dimensions variation in including
different, Dk. For different styles of
a fiber weave fiber weaves,
bundle’s width fiber weave
(X2 and Y2)
bundle
and pitchdimensions are Y3)
size (X3 and different, including
(see Figure 3 anda Table
fiber weave bundle’s width
1). X represents (X2 and Y2)
warp direction, and and pitch size
Y represents
(X3
weftand Y3) (see Figure 3 and Table 1). X represents warp direction, and Y represents weft direction.
direction.

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 3

Figure
Figure 2.
2. The
The Dk
Dk variation
variation due
due to
to fiber
fiber weave.
weave.

Figure
Figure 3.
3. Photos
Photos to
to illustrate
illustrate fiber
fiber weave
weave bundle
bundle parameters.
parameters.

Table 1. Measurement results of fiber weave bundle parameters.

Table 1. Measurement results of fiber weave bundle parameters.
MeasurementResults
Measurement Results (mil)
(mil)
Style Style
X1 X1 X2X2 X3
X3 Y1Y1 Y2 Y2Y3 Y3
1035 10350.82 0.82 8.88.8 14.2
14.2 0.780.78 12.4 12.4
13.7 13.7
1080 10801.6 1.6 8.28.2 17.0
17.0 1.11.1 12.1 12.1
22.4 22.4
1078 1.4 14.2 16.2 1.0 17.6 17.8
1078 1.4 14.2 16.2 1.0 17.6 17.8
3313 1.9 13.1 16.2 1.5 11.0 16.3
2116 33132.2 1.9 14.113.1 16.2
17.2 1.52.0 11.0 15.5
16.3 17.3
2116 2.2 14.1 17.2 2.0 15.5 17.3
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 4
With the parameters of X and Y, we could design different graphs to test Dk fluctuation amplitude
With the parameters of X and Y, we could design different graphs to test Dk fluctuation
for different styles of fiber weave. The fluctuation amplitude of Dk is shown in Figures 4 and 5. It was
amplitude for different
amplitudes styles
of 1080, 3313,ofand
fiber2116
weave.
wereThe fluctuation
much amplitude
larger than those ofof Dk and
1035 is shown
1078. in Figures 4
Comparing
found that the Dk fluctuation amplitudes of 1080, 3313, and 2116 were much larger than those of 1035
and 5. It was found that the Dk fluctuation
warp direction to weft direction, it was found that the Dk fluctuation amplitude of weft direction was
and 1078. Comparing warp direction to weft direction, it was found that the Dk fluctuation amplitude
relatively lower than that of warp direction.
of weft direction was relatively lower than that of warp direction.

Parallel to warp direction

3.7
3.6
3.5 1035
1080
3.4
3313
Dk

3.3 2116
1078
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

X direction /mil
Figure 4. The Dk fluctuation amplitude parallel to warp direction.
Figure 4. The Dk fluctuation amplitude parallel to warp direction.
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 5

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 4 of 10

Parallel to weft direction

3.7
3.6
3.5 1035
1080

Dk
3.4
3313
3.3 2116
1078
3.2
3.1
3.0

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 2.9 6

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Y direction /mil
Figure 5. The Dk fluctuation amplitude parallel to weft direction.
Figure 5. The Dk fluctuation amplitude parallel to weft direction.
3.2.
3.2.Impact
Impactofofthe
theFiber
FiberWeave
WeaveEffect
Effecton
onImpedance
Impedance Fluctuations
Fluctuations
There
There are
aretwo
twomain
maintypes
typesof of
transmission
transmission lines, differential
lines, lineslines
differential and and
single-ended lines. lines.
single-ended The
influence mechanism
The influence of theoffiber
mechanism weave
the fiber effecteffect
weave on different impedance
on different typestypes
impedance is different.
is different.

3.2.1.Effect
3.2.1. Effectof
ofthe
theFiber
FiberWeave
Weave Effect
Effect on
on Single-Ended
Single-Ended Impedance
Impedance Lines
Single-ended impedance
Single-ended impedance isis affected
affected byby location
location distribution.
distribution. Thus,
Thus,when
whenthe theDk
Dk exhibited
exhibited aa
cyclicalvariation
cyclical variationwith
withthe thelocation
locationdistribution,
distribution,ititwas
wasreflected
reflectedon onthe
thesingle-ended
single-endedimpedance
impedanceTDR TDR
curves.The
curves. Theeffect
effectofoffiber
fiberweave
weavestyle
styleonon single-ended
single-ended impedance
impedance fluctuation
fluctuation is shown
is shown in Figure
in Figure 6. It6.
It was found that 1035 and 1078 had relatively lower impedance fluctuation amplitudes,
was found that 1035 and 1078 had relatively lower impedance fluctuation amplitudes, whereas 1080, whereas
1080,and
3313, 3313, andhad
2116 2116 had relatively
relatively higher higher
impedanceimpedance fluctuation
fluctuation amplitudes.
amplitudes. Here, 1078Here,
and1078
1035and
had1035
the
had theimpedance
lowest lowest impedance
fluctuationfluctuation amplitudes,
amplitudes, below 1.0below
Ω for 1.050ΩΩfor 50 Ω designed
designed traces, traces,
whereaswhereas for
for other
other styles of fiber weave, impedance fluctuation amplitudes could reach 2.0–2.5
styles of fiber weave, impedance fluctuation amplitudes could reach 2.0–2.5 Ω. After flattening Ω. After flattening
treatment,the
treatment, themedium
mediumhomogeneity
homogeneityof of1078
1078and
and1035
1035was
wasbetter
betterthan
thanthe
thetraditional
traditionalstyle
styleofoffiber
fiber
weave. The
weave. Thetest
testresults
results were
were consistent
consistent with
with theoretical
theoretical calculations.
calculations.

Figure
Figure6.6.Effect
Effectof
offiber
fiberweave
weavestyle
styleon
onimpedance
impedancefluctuation.
fluctuation.

3.2.2.Effect
3.2.2. Effectof
ofthe
theFiber
FiberWeave
Weave Effect
Effect on
on Differential
Differential Lines
Differential lines
Differential lines are
are shown
shown inin Figure
Figure 77 and
and were
were made
made up up of
of two
two halves
halves of of differential
differential pairs
pairs
(designated “D+”
(designated “D+”and and“D− ”). They
“D−”). ran over
They ran different media (resin
over different vs fiber
media weave)
(resin vs (see
fibercorrespondingly
weave) (see
different Dk values)
correspondingly and had
different Dkdifferent propagation
values) and properties,
had different especially
propagation velocity. especially
properties, It can be concluded
velocity.
Itthat
canthe
besignal propagation
concluded that thevelocities of the two halves
signal propagation of the
velocities of differential
the two halvespairsofinthe
Figure 7 were different,
differential pairs in
which 7resulted
Figure in impedance
were different, which fluctuations of differential
resulted in impedance lines. We
fluctuations of can also calllines.
differential theseWe
impedance
can also
fluctuations
call differential
these impedance skew.
fluctuations differential skew.
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 7
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 5 of 10

Figure 7.
Figure Photos to
7. Photos to illustrate
illustrate differential
differential lines.
lines.

The calculation method of differential skew is shown in Equation (1) [8]. It is the two lines’
The calculation method of differential skew is shown in Equation (1) [8]. It is the two lines’
propagation delay (tpd1 is the propagation delay of one line of the differential pairs, and tpd2 is
propagation delay (tpd1 is the propagation delay of one line of the differential pairs, and tpd2 is
another line):
another line):
Skew = |tpd1 − tpd2|. (1)
Skew = |tpd1 − tpd2|. (1)
For a microstrip differential line, the propagation delay (tdp) can be calculated using
For a(2)
Equation microstrip
[2]: differential line, the propagation delay (tdp) can be calculated using Equation
(2) [2]: tpd = 85 ∗ (0.475Dk + 0.67)1/2. (2)

In Equation (2), Dk is the medium tpddielectric

= 85*(0.475Dk + 0.67)1/2.
permittivity, and tpd is strongly related to Dk. (2)
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 the
Because FORlaminate
PEER REVIEW
was not a homogeneous medium, when 8
In Equation (2), Dk is the medium dielectric permittivity, and tpda is
transmission line walked
strongly related to Dk. in a
different place,
Because thelaminate
the effectivewasdielectric
not a permittivity
homogeneous of the medium
medium, wasadifferent.
when The medium
transmission dielectric
line walked in a
rent. The medium dielectric permittivity (Dk) for a specific transmission line (see Figure 8) could
permittivity
different (Dk)
place, thefor a specific
effective transmission
dielectric line (see
permittivity ofFigure 8) could
the medium bediffer
was calculated using Equation (3),
be calculated using Equation (3), where εG is the dielectric permittivity of the fiber weave, Dk is the
where εG is the dielectric permittivity of the fiber weave, Dk is the dielectric permittivity of the resin,
dielectric permittivity of the resin, and H is the total thickness of the fiber weave and resin:
and H is the total thickness of the fiber weave and resin:
ε = {0.5*εG*W*(H1 + H2)*0.6 + Dk*W*[H − 0.3*(H1 + H2)]}/W/H
ε = {0.5*εG *W*(H1 + H2)*0.6 + Dk*W*[H − 0.3*(H1 + H2)]}/W/H (3)
(3)
= ={0.3*ε
{0.3*ε
GG *(H1++H2)
*(H1 H2)++ Dk*[H
Dk*[H − − 0.3*(H1
0.3*(H1 ++ H2)]}/H.
H2)]}/H.

Figure 8. Photos to illustrate the Dk calculation.

According
According to to Equations
Equations (1)–(3),
(1)–(3), we
we could
could calculate
calculate thethe maximal
maximal differential
differential skew
skew forfor different
different
styles
styles of
of single
single fiber
fiber weaves
weaves with
with various
various differential
differential transmission
transmission lineslines (see
(see Table
Table 2).
2). As
As can
can bebe seen
seen
from the table, for some designed transmission lines, the line was big enough to have
from the table, for some designed transmission lines, the line was big enough to have a fatal influence a fatal influence
on
on the
thehigh-speed
high-speedsignal
signaltransmission.
transmission. In In
addition,
addition,skew values
skew werewere
values influenced by thebydesigned
influenced line’s
the designed
width and space (W/S). It was found that theoretical line values were close to zero
line’s width and space (W/S). It was found that theoretical line values were close to zero in special in special situations.
This happened
situations. This when (W+S)
happened equal
when to X3equal
(W+S) or Y3.
to This
X3 orisY3.
attributed to the factto
This is attributed that
thethe
facttwo
thatlines
the of
twoa
differential pair had the
lines of a differential pairsame relative
had the samelocation
relativeto fiber weave
location bundles
to fiber weave under
bundles this situation,
under and the
this situation,
effective
and the effective Dk of the two lines was the same. Since it was difficult for designers to obtaindata
Dk of the two lines was the same. Since it was difficult for designers to obtain detail of
detail
the fiber weave and other functional design requirements, this method would be
data of the fiber weave and other functional design requirements, this method would be difficult to difficult to realize.
realize.
Table 2. Maximal differential skew for different styles of fiber weave.
Table 2. Maximal differential skew for different
Differential styles of fiber weave.
Skew (ps/in)
W/S
(mil) 1035 1080 Differential
3313Skew (ps/in)2116 1078
W/S (mil)
Weft 1035
Warp Weft 1080
Warp Weft 3313Warp Weft 2116
Warp Weft1078Warp
4/4 4.7 Weft 3.5Warp Weft
7.2 Warp
5.1 Weft
6.3 Warp
3.1 Weft
6.4 Warp
4.6 Weft
2.8 Warp
1.9
4/84/4 0.9 4.7 0.4 3.5 6.5 7.2 5.15.1 6.56.3 1.33.1 6.4
2.6 4.6
3.6 2.8
2.2 1.9
1.6
4/8 0.9 0.4 6.5 5.1 6.5 1.3 2.6 3.6 2.2 1.6
5/5 4.3 2.3 6.6 4.7 7.3 5.6 5.1 4.8 2.7 2.0
5/9 0.4 0.3 5.0 4.7 3.0 1.8 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.1
6/6 0.9 0.4 5.2 4.6 5.7 4.1 3.4 3.3 2.3 1.5
6/8 0.0 0.0 2.8 4.3 3.5 2.2 1.2 1.4 1.5 0.8
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 6 of 10

Table 2. Cont.

Differential Skew (ps/in)

W/S
(mil) 1035 1080 3313 2116 1078
Weft Warp Weft Warp Weft Warp Weft Warp Weft Warp
5/5 4.3 2.3 6.6 4.7 7.3 5.6 5.1 4.8 2.7 2.0
5/9 0.4 0.3 5.0 4.7 3.0 1.8 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.1
6/6 0.9 0.4 5.2 4.6 5.7 4.1 3.4 3.3 2.3 1.5
6/8 0.0 0.0 2.8 4.3 3.5 2.2 1.2 1.4 1.5 0.8
7/7 0.0 0.0 1.7 4.0 2.7 2.6 0.6 1.1 1.0 0.7
7/9 0.4 0.3 0.8 3.9 0.8 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1
8/8 0.7 0.4 0.4 3.1 0.4 0.9 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.3
8/10 1.87 1.47 0.3 1.9 0.0 0.5 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.0

3.3. Effects of Trace Direction on Impedance Fluctuation

Figures 9 and 10 show the effects of trace direction on impedance fluctuation for the 1035 fiber
weave. As can be seen from the tested TDR response, the impedance fluctuation amplitude of the
warp direction was relatively higher than that of the weft direction. This can be explained with the
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 9
data in Tables 1 and 3. In the weft direction, the fiber weave bundles were thinner and better flattened,
and the
Appl. Sci.medium
2019, 9 FORhomogeneity
PEER REVIEW was better. Thus, for high-speed PCB designing and manufacturing, 9
especially 25-Gbps backplanes, 62 long signal traces should be parallel to the weft direction [8,9].
parallel to 经向平行走线
the warp direction
Impedance

60
62 parallel to 经向平行走线
the warp direction
58
Impedance

60
Z0/ohm

56
58
fluctuation(Z0)/

54 B
Z0/ohm

56 C
D
fluctuation(Z0)/

52 BE
54
CF
50 DG
52 E
Ω Ω

F
48
50 G
0.0 500.0p 1.0n 1.5n 2.0n
48 Time/s
0.0 500.0p 1.0n 1.5n 2.0n
Time/s
Figure 9. Impedance fluctuation of traces parallel to the warp direction.
Figure 9. Impedance fluctuation of traces parallel to the warp direction.
Figure 9. Impedance fluctuation of traces parallel to the warp direction.
62
parallel to the weft direction
纬向平行走线
Impedance

60
62
parallel to the weft direction
纬向平行走线
Impedance

58
60
Z0/ohm

56
fluctuation(Z0)/

58
54 B
Z0/ohm

56 C
fluctuation(Z0)/

D
52 BE
54
CF
50 DG
52
Ω Ω

E
F
48
50 G
0.0 500.0p 1.0n 1.5n 2.0n
48 Time/s
0.0 500.0p 1.0n 1.5n 2.0n
Figure 10. Impedance fluctuation of traces
Time/sparallel to the weft direction.
Figure 10. Impedance fluctuation of traces parallel to the weft direction.

Figure 10. Impedance fluctuation of traces parallel to the weft direction.

Table 3. Variations in warp and weft directions of different fiber weave types.

Table 3. Variations in warp and weftWarp Direction

directions Weft
of different Direction
fiber weave types.
Fiber Weave Style
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 7 of 10

Table 3. Variations in warp and weft directions of different fiber weave types.

Warp Direction Weft Direction

Fiber Weave Style
∆Dk ∆Z0/Ω ∆Dk ∆Z0/Ω
Conventional fiber weave 0.58 3.80 0.44 2.73
Flattened fiber weave 0.25 1.56 0.18 1.11

3.4. Methods to Improve Fiber Weave Effects

3.4.1. Flattened Fiber Weaves

Flattened fiber weave is a type of fiber that is treated by open-filament or flatten-weave technology.
Figure 11 shows the differences in the two styles of fiber weave: Compared to regular glass fiber cloth,
flattened fiber weave is more dispersed, the dielectric uniformity is better, and the difference in the
dielectric constant between the differential lines becomes smaller.
The properties of fiber weaves could be expressed by a phase differential (∆Phase), which is the
propagation delay at different transmission frequencies (see Equation (4)), and we could use a vector
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 10
network analyzer to detect ∆Phase.
The ∆Phase of 1078 (a type of flattened fiber weave) was much lower than that of 1080 (a type of
transmission quality. According to Equation (4), the skew values of the 1080 and 1078 fiber weaves
normal fiber weave) (Figure 12). This means that a flattened fiber weave can improve a PCB’s signal
can be obtained (4 ps/in. and 2 ps/in., respectively). Thus, for a 25-Gbps PCB, especially a backplane,
transmission quality. According to Equation (4), the skew values of the 1080 and 1078 fiber weaves
a flattened fiber weave is often used for stack-up. In recent years, flattened fiber weaves have been
can be obtained (4 ps/in. and 2 ps/in., respectively). Thus, for a 25-Gbps PCB, especially a backplane,
widely used in high-speed laminates, and traditional 106 and 1080 fiber weaves have been abandoned
a flattened fiber weave is often used for stack-up. In recent years, flattened fiber weaves have been
in the Megtron 7.
widely used in high-speed laminates, and traditional 106 and 1080 fiber weaves have been abandoned
in the Megtron 7.
∆Phase == Skew*
∆Phase Skew* Frequency
Frequency *360.
*360. (4)
(4)

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 11

Figure
Figure 11.
11. The
The structure
structure of
of regular
regular weaves
weaves and flattened fiber
and flattened fiber weaves.
weaves.

Figure 12.
Figure ∆Phase of
12. ∆Phase of regular
regular and
and flattened
flattened fiber
fiber weaves.
weaves.

3.4.2. NE-Glass Fiber Weaves

NE-glass (new electronic glass), a product of Nittobo, shows improved electrical and mechanical
performance over traditional E-glass and is widely used in some low-loss laminate products (for
example, it was used in Nelco's N4000-13 SI and Meterowave 2000, TUC's TU872 SLK SP, and
Panasonic's Megtron 6 NE and Megtron 7NE). NE-glass shows better temperature stability, lower
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 8 of 10

3.4.2. NE-Glass Fiber Weaves

NE-glass (new electronic glass), a product of Nittobo, shows improved electrical and mechanical
performance over traditional E-glass and is widely used in some low-loss laminate products
(for example, it was used in Nelco’s N4000-13 SI and Meterowave 2000, TUC’s TU872 SLK SP,
and Panasonic’s Megtron 6 NE and Megtron 7NE). NE-glass shows better temperature stability,
lower Dk, and lower loss than the equivalent E-glass. The reduced Dk of NE-glass yields important
benefits for high-performance signaling applications [10]. Materials that using NE-glass have less
variation between the Dk of resin. With a ratio of glass/PPO resin as 46:54, we could calculate the
nominal laminate Dk to be 3.6 with E-glass, but with NE-glass would be 3.35.
Figure 13 shows the impedance fluctuation (Z0) of traces routed on NE-glass. When compared
to Figures 7 and 8, it was found that traces routed on NE-glass showed much lower impedance
fluctuations (Z0).
Appl. Figure
Sci. 2019,14 shows
9 FOR phase
PEER differentials for differential pairs produced with NE-glass and E-glass. The
REVIEW 12
results indicated that the ∆Phase of NE-glass was much lower than that of E-glass. Due to its excellent
performance, NE-glass has been widely used in low-loss, very low-loss, and ultralow-loss laminates.

NE-Glass（2116）
52 NE-Glass(2116)
Impedance fluctuation(Z0)/Ω

50

48
Z0/ohm

46

44 B
C
D
42
E
F
40 G

38
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 0.0 500.0p 1.0n 1.5n 2.0n 13
Time/s

Figure 13. Impedance fluctuation of traces on NE-glass.

Figure 13. Impedance fluctuation of traces on NE-glass.
20 20
E-Glass(2116) NE-Glass(2116)

10 10
Diff. Phase

Phase Diff

0 0

-10 -10

-20 -20
1.990 GHz 3.990 GHz 1.990 G Hz 3.990 G Hz
Frequency Frequency

Figure 14.∆Phase
Figure14. ∆Phaseof
ofElectronic-glass
Electronic-glassversus
versusNE-glass.
NE-glass.

3.4.3. Making Traces and Fiber Weave Bundles with an Angle

3.4.3. Making Traces and Fiber Weave Bundles with an Angle
Making signal traces and fiber weave bundles with an angle is a relatively simple and effective
Making signal traces and fiber weave bundles with an angle is a relatively simple and effective
method to solve the differential skew problem [11,12]. There are two practical methods to achieve this:
method to solve the differential skew problem [11,12]. There are two practical methods to achieve
(1) The PCB manufacturer rotates the image. This reduces the utilization rate of laminates and
this:
increases production costs. Usually, a 10 degrees rotation angle makes production costs increase 8–10%.
(1) The PCB
For customers, thismanufacturer rotates the image. This reduces the utilization rate of laminates and
is a big increase;
increases production
(2) The designer costs.
rotatesUsually, a 10This
the trace. degrees rotation
approach angle makes
requires production
designers costs
to rotate the increase 8%–
signal trace
10%. For customers, this is a big increase;
during layout. This would increase the difficulty of layout and affects layout efficiency.
(2) The designer rotates the trace. This approach requires designers to rotate the signal trace
during layout. This would increase the difficulty of layout and affects layout efficiency.
Another question is what is the right angle. Here, we tested the effects of three kinds of rotation
angles (5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees). As can be seen from Figure 15, the ∆Phase results of
the three kinds of rotation angles were basically identical. This means it did not take too much of an
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 9 of 10

Another question is what is the right angle. Here, we tested the effects of three kinds of rotation
angles (5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees). As can be seen from Figure 15, the ∆Phase results of
the three kinds of rotation angles were basically identical. This means it did not take too much of an
angle between trace and fiber weave bundle to resolve the fiber weave problem. Theoretically, a trace
merely
Appl. Sci. has
2019,to cross
9 FOR twoREVIEW
PEER weave bundles along its length, so that the effect on the two adjacent traces 14
is
equalized (see Figure 16 and Equation (5)) [1]. According to the pitch size of the fiber weave bundles
and trace lengths, the rotation angle could be calculated.

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9 FOR PEER REVIEW 15

∆Phase before
Figure 15. ∆Phase before and
and after
after rotating.

Figure 16.
16. Calculation of the rotation
rotation angle.
angle.

4.
4. Conclusions
Conclusions
The
The dielectric
dielectric constant
constant fluctuation
fluctuation of
of different
different types
types of
of fiber
fiber weaves
weaves were
were inconsistent: 1080,
inconsistent: 1080,
3313, and 2116 are much larger than 1035 and 1078 (1080 is 0.44 and 1078 is 0.18). This fluctuation
3313, and 2116 are much larger than 1035 and 1078 (1080 is 0.44 and 1078 is 0.18). This fluctuation
characteristic
characteristic fed back to the effect on impedance and signal propagation delay. Here, 1035 and
1078 had relatively lower impedance fluctuations, which were below 1.0 Ω for 50 Ω designed traces
(1080, 3313, and 2116 could reach 2.0–2.5 Ω), and lower differential skews with various differential
transmission lines (1078 was 2 ps/in. and 1080 could reach 4.0 ps/in.).
For methods to improve the fiber weave effect, we advise high-speed digital designers to use
flattened fiber weaves (such as 1078 and 1035) and NE-glass fiber weaves (such as 2116NE). We also
suggest designing long signal lines parallel to the weft direction or rotating the image with a proper
angle (if the fiber weave pitch is not known, 5 degree is recommended).

Author Contributions: B.C. makes substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis
and interpretation of data; R.Y. gives final approval of the version to be submitted and any revised version; H.W.
participates in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; K.G. participates in
drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; J.L. submit this article.
Funding: This work was supported by the Science and Technology Project of Guangdong (2014B090901017) and
the Science and Technology Project of Guangzhou (201604010086).
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 353 10 of 10

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