Trace Routing; Plane Splits; Return Currents - Xilinx Virtex-5 RocketIO GTP User Manual

R
simulated from the guideline outlined in the example. Although ±10% tolerance on Z
typical and can provide adequate performance, the additional cost of a tighter tolerance
results in better channel performance.

Trace Routing

High-speed serial differential traces are routed with the highest priority to ensure that the
optimal path is available to these critical traces. This reduces the need for bends and vias
and minimizes the potential for impedance transitions. Traces must be kept straight, short,
and with as few layer changes as possible. The impact of vias is discussed in
Vias," page
Routing of high-speed traces must be avoided near other traces or other potential sources
of noise. Traces on neighboring signal planes should run perpendicular to minimize
crosstalk.
Striplines are to be used whenever possible, as are the uppermost and lowermost stripline
layers to minimize via stubs. When the stackup is being planned, these layers must be
placed as close to the top and bottom layers whenever possible.
Design constraints might require microstrips for the BGA exit path or from via to
connector launch or SMT pads. In such cases, the microstrip trace must be kept as short as
possible.
Right-angled bends must not be used. Mitered 45-degree bends are to be used instead. At
a 90-degree bend, the effective width of the trace changes, causes an impedance
discontinuity due to the capacitive coupling of the additional conductor area to the
reference plane.
The two traces of a differential pair must be length-matched to eliminate skew. Skew
creates mismatches in the common mode and reduces the differential voltage swing as a
result.

Plane Splits

Ground planes should be used as reference planes for signals, as opposed to noisier power
planes. Each reference plane should be contiguous for the length of the trace, because
routing over plane splits creates an impedance discontinuity. In this case, the impedance of
the trace changes because its coupling to the reference plane is changed abruptly at the
plane split.

Return Currents

Routing over plane splits also creates issues with the return current. High-speed signals
travel near the surface of the trace due to the skin effect mentioned in
Meanwhile, the return current also travels near the surface of the tightly coupled reference
plane.
Because of the tight coupling, the return current has the tendency to travel close to the
original signal-carrying trace. At the plane split, the return current can no longer follow the
same path parallel to the trace, but must instead find an alternative route.
A plane split causes a suboptimal current return path and increases the current loop area,
thereby increasing the inductance of the trace at the plane split, changing the impedance of
the trace.
Virtex-5 RocketIO GTP Transceiver User Guide
UG196 (v1.3) May 25, 2007
243.
www.xilinx.com
Traces
is
0O
"Differential
"Dielectric Losses."
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