JANUARY2831,2013 SANTACLARACONVENTIONCENTER

DeterminingPCBTraceImpedancebyTDR: ChallengesandPossibleSolutions
Session6TA4 byIstvan Novak,YingLi,Eben Kunz,SarahPaydavosi,LauraKocubinski,KevinHinckley, AlexanderNosovitski,NathanielShannon,JasonMiller,GustavoBlando

Acknowledgement,Credit
The authors wish to thank Karl Sauter, Mike Freda, Gene Whitcomb and Bill Couillard of Oracle, Mike Resso and OJ Danzy of Agilent, Mike Tranchemontagne of Tektronix, Joe Beers of Gold Circuit Electronics, Martin Neusch of ISU-Petasys and Brian Butler of Introbotics for their help and expert advice and for supporting the project.

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 2

Outline
Introduction and Background Performance of Uniform Transmission Lines Manufacturing Variability Modeling and Potential Compensation Conclusions

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 3

Outline
Introduction and Background Performance of Uniform Transmission Lines Manufacturing Variability Modeling and Potential Compensation Conclusions

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 4

TimeDomainReflectometry (TDR)
High-speed interconnects must be designed for specified impedances Validation requires measuring the impedance Popular option to measure impedance is TDR
Short cable
Oscilloscope Step-generator

DUT

Launched test wave

TDR instrument
Reflected wave(s)

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 5

TDRResponseofUniformLosslessLine
Zref Vin Z0, tpd

VS

Source

DUT

Roundtripdelay

Z 0 Z ref Z 0 Z ref

Zo

Lu L ; t pd _ u Lu Cu ; t pd LC Cu C

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 6

PCBTraceValidation

Specification:45ohms+/ 10%

Is this trace OK?

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 7

Outline
Introduction and Background Performance of Uniform Transmission Lines Manufacturing Variability Modeling and Potential Compensation Conclusions

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 8

UniformLossy Line
Conductor:
R R(f) L L(f)

Insulator:

C(f)

R G(f)

Z0

R ( f ) j L ( f ) ; ( f ) ( R ( f ) jL ( f ))(G ( f ) jC ( f )) ( f ) j ( f ) j t pd G ( f ) j C ( f )

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 9

RLGCParametersofUniformLossy Line
C(f) and L(f) [F, H]
2.08E-11 C(f) 2.04E-11 7.E-8
1.E+02 1.E-2 R(f) and G(f) [Ohm, Siemens]

8.E-8

1.E+03 G(f)

1.E+0

1.E-1

2.00E-11

6.E-8
1.E-3 1.E+01

1.96E-11 L(f) 1.92E-11 1.E+07

5.E-8

R(f)

1.E-4

1.E+08

1.E+09 1.E+10 Frequency [Hz]

4.E-8 1.E+11

1.E+00 1.E+07

1.E+08

1.E+09 1.E+10 Frequency [Hz]

1.E-5 1.E+11

Wide-band DeBye model used With increasing frequency: Capacitance and inductance drop Resistance and conductance grow
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 10

ImpedanceandDelayofUniformLossy Line
Impedance magnitude, phase [Ohm, deg]
58 2 0 56 Phase 54 -2 -4 -6 52 -8 Magnitude 50 1.E+07 -10 1.E+11
9.0E-10 1.E+07 1.0E-09 Group delay 1.1E-09 Phase delay 1.2E-09

Group delay and phase delay [s]

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

Wide-band DeBye model used As a function of frequency Z0 has a shallow bath-tub shape With increasing frequency delay drops
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 11

SimulatingaUniformLossy Line
Wtest1in20out220N=1RLGCMODEL=W1L=20 +INCLUDEGDIMAG=YES +INCLUDERSIMAG=YES *Wlinemodel,valuesareperinch .param Charimp1=50 .param Delayperinch1=160p .param Lunit1='Delayperinch1*Charimp1' .param Cunit1='Delayperinch1/Charimp1' .param Rdcunit1=0.2 .param tandelta1=0.01 .MODELW1WMODELTYPE=RLGC,N=1 +Lo=Lunit1 +Co=Cunit1 +Ro=Rdcunit1 +Go=0 +Rs ='Rdcunit1/10000' +Gd ='Cunit1*tandelta1'

W Element RLGC Model

Zref Vin Vout Z0, tpd Zref

VS

Source

Interconnect

Load

All TDR responses should settle at Zref + RDC

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 12

UniformLossy Line,ResistanceSweep
20-inch 50-ohm line Ideal dielectric, Df = 0
TDR impedance [ohm]
120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0.0E+00 2*tpd Max [Ohm] 112 83 67 57 53.6 51.8 50.72
120

20-inch 50-ohm line Medium dielectric loss, Df = 1%

TDR impedance [ohm]
Rdc_u 2 1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.05 0.02
60 40 2*tpd 80 100 Max [Ohm] 111 82 67 56.7 53.3 51.6 50.58 Rdc_u 2 1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.05 0.02

20

5.0E-09

1.0E-08

1.5E-08 Time [s]

2.0E-08

2.5E-08

3.0E-08

0 0.0E+00

5.0E-09

1.0E-08

1.5E-08 Time [s]

2.0E-08

2.5E-08

3.0E-08

Resistance creates upslope. AC resistance produces overshoot. Dielectric loss reduces impedance!
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 13

UniformLossy Line,DC/ACResistance
20-inch 50-ohm line Medium dielectric loss Df = 1%
TDR impedance [ohm]
90 80 70

TDR impedance [ohm]

85.0 Rdc/Rs 80.0 75.0 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 50k 100k

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0.0E+00 Rdc/Rs 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 50k 100k 5.0E-09 1.0E-08 1.5E-08 Time [s] 2.0E-08 2.5E-08 3.0E-08

70.0 65.0 60.0 55.0 50.0 0.0E+00

2.0E-09

4.0E-09

6.0E-09

8.0E-09

1.0E-08

Time [s]

AC resistance increases apparent impedance and creates a changing slope. With no AC resistance, TDR response climbs linearly to Zref + RDC
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 14

UniformLossy Line,DielectricLoss
20-inch 50-ohm line Ideal conductor
TDR impedance [ohm]
51
58

20-inch 50-ohm line Rdc = 0.2 ohm/inch

TDR impedance [ohm]

56

50
Df(1GHz)

Df(1GHz)

54 0.001 0.002 52 0.005 0.01 0.02 50 0.05 0.1 48 0.0E+00

49

0.001 0.002 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1

48

47 0.0E+00

2.0E-09

4.0E-09

6.0E-09

8.0E-09

1.0E-08

2.0E-09

4.0E-09

6.0E-09

8.0E-09

1.0E-08

Time [s]

Time [s]

Dielectric loss lowers apparent impedance. After a fast initial drop, impedance drops slowly.
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 15

UniformLossy Line,Bandwidth
20-inch 50-ohm line Typical parameters 0.5-inch 40-ohm line Typical parameters

Lower bandwidth reduces horizontal resolution and slows response edge.

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 16

UniformLossy Line,LengthSweep
50-ohm line Typical parameters
TDR impedance [ohm]
60
58.0 Length ["] 20 56.0 10 5 2 1 54.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 52.0 Rdc [Ohm] 4 2 1 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.04 0.02

TDR impedance [ohm]

50

40 Rdc [Ohm] 4 2 1 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.04 0.02 Length ["] 20 10 5 2 1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0 0.0E+00
50.0 0.0E+00

30

20

10

5.0E-09

1.0E-08

1.5E-08 Time [s]

2.0E-08

2.5E-08

3.0E-08

2.0E-09

4.0E-09

6.0E-09

8.0E-09

1.0E-08

Time [s]

Envelope response can be used for any length of DUT

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 17

UniformLossy Line,Impedance
20-inch line Typical parameters
TDR impedance [ohm]
70 60 50

TDR impedance [ohm]

62.0

57.0
40 57.5 Ohm 30 20 10 0 0.0E+00 55.0 Ohm 52.5 Ohm 50.0 Ohm 47.5 Ohm 45.0 Ohm 42.5 Ohm 5.0E-09 1.0E-08 1.5E-08 Time [s] 2.0E-08 2.5E-08 3.0E-08

57.5 Ohm 52.0 55.0 Ohm 52.5 Ohm 50.0 Ohm 47.0 47.5 Ohm 45.0 Ohm 42.5 Ohm 2.0E-09 4.0E-09 6.0E-09 8.0E-09 1.0E-08

42.0 0.0E+00

Time [s]

Response shape is independent of DUT characteristic impedance as long as loss parameters stay the same
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 18

Outline
Introduction and Background Performance of Uniform Transmission Lines Manufacturing Variability Modeling and Potential Compensation Conclusions

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 19

DeviceUnderTest,Connections
Ground vias Semirigid probe

Total length: 17
Signal vias

Precision 0402 50-ohm resistor Solder braid

Differential wafer probe

Signal vias
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 20

Repeatability
Same board, same trace measured multiple times. Same day with same calibration. Next day with old calibration. Next day with new calibration. Very little variation was seen.
TDR impedance [Ohm] 52
52 TDR impedance [Ohm]

50

50

48

48

46

46

44

Traceismeasured board6-SW6-P twicefrom left board6-SW6-P-repeat

44

Traceismeasured board6-SW4-P twicefrom right board6-SW4-P-repeat

42

42

40 0.E+00

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09 Time [s]

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

40 0.E+00

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09 Time [s]

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 21

BoardtoBoardVariation
Six boards from two vendors The same trace pair is measured Same calibration, same probe All traces follow the simulated signatures
TDRImpedance,LeftN[Ohm]
54

TDRImpedance,LeftP[Ohm]
54

52

52

50

50

48

48

46

46

44

Nlegofdiffpairis measuredfromleft

44

Plegofdiffpairis measuredfromleft

42 0.E+00

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

42 0.E+00

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 22

PN,LeftRightVariation
Two boards from the same vendor

TDRImpedance,Board1,VendorA[Ohm]
54

TDRImpedance,Board2,VendorA[Ohm]
54

52

PandNmeasuredfromleft Responsehaslowerslope

52

PandNmeasuredfromright Responsehaslowerslope

50

50

48

48

46

46

44

Board1 board1-right-N board1-right-P PandNmeasuredfrom right board1-left-N Responsehashigherslope board1-left-P

0 1E-09 2E-09 3E-09 Time[s] 4E-09 5E-09 6E-09

44

board2-right-N Board2 board2-right-P PandNmeasuredfrom LEFT board2-left-N board2-left-P Responsehashigherslope

42

42 0.E+00

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09 Time[s]

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 23

PN,LeftRightTrends
Two boards from the same vendor Different slopes from left-to-right vs. right-to-left!!!
TDRImpedance,Board1[Ohm]
52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 0.E+00 board1-right-N board1-right-P board1-left-N board1-left-P 45 44 0.E+00 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 board2-right-N board2-right-P board2-left-N board2-left-P

TDRImpedance,Board2[Ohm]

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09 Time[s]

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09 Time[s]

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 24

VNAMeasurements,Ports

Total length: 17

P Port 1

P Port 2 Right

Left Port 3 N

Port 4 N

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 25

SingleEndedReflections
P Port 1 P Port 2 Right Left Port 3 N

Port 4 N

S11 S33 magnitude [dB]

0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40 1.E+07
0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35

S22 S44 magnitude [dB]

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

-40 1.E+07

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

Up to 10 GHz only small differences

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 26

DifferentialReflections
P Port 1 P Port 2 Right

Left Port 3 N

Port 4 N

Sdd11 Sdd22 magnitude [dB]

0 -5 -10

Scc11 Scc22 magnitude [dB]

0 -5 -10 -15

-15 -20 -25 -30

-20 -25 -30 -35 -40

-35 -40 1.E+07

-45 -50 1.E+07

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

5-10dB difference in the 1-10 GHz range

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 27

Transfer,ModeConversion
P Port 1 P Port 2 Right

Left Port 3 N

Port 4 N

Sdd21 Scc21 [dB]

0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 1.E+07
0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60

Sdc21 Scd21 magnitude [dB]

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

-70 1.E+07

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

Up to 10 GHz only small differences

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 28

Delay,Skew
P Port 1 P Port 2 Right

Left Port 3 N

Port 4 N

Propagation delay [s]

3.15E-09 3.10E-09 3.05E-09

Propagation delay (left axis) and skew (right axis) [s]

2.86E-09
1>>2 SE

2.0E-11
3>>4 SE DM CM Delta_tpd SE

2.85E-09 2.84E-09 2.83E-09 Delay

1.8E-11

3.00E-09 2.95E-09 2.90E-09 2.85E-09 1>>2 SE 3>>4 SE DM CM

1.6E-11

2.82E-09 2.81E-09 2.80E-09 2.79E-09 Skew 2.78E-09 1.0E-11 2.77E-09 2.76E-09 0.0E+00 8.0E-12 1.6E+10 1.2E-11 1.4E-11

2.80E-09 2.75E-09 1.E+07

1.E+08

1.E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.E+10

1.E+11

4.0E+09

8.0E+09 Frequency [Hz]

1.2E+10

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 29

CrossSections,Dimensions
a b c f g h m i j k

d e

Percent deviation from average:

Location: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 b 2.43 2.43 -0.83 2.43 -0.83 -2.01 -4.38 -2.01 2.43 0.36 d 5.45 1.93 -4.42 0.99 -2.54 -2.54 -1.83 -2.54 0.05 5.45 c -2.10 -2.10 8.41 -2.10 -2.10 8.41 -2.10 -2.10 -2.10 -2.10 f 2.07 -0.46 -0.46 1.15 -2.30 2.07 -2.30 0.23 -1.13 1.13 g -1.17 2.74 -2.22 1.69 -2.22 1.69 -3.26 2.74 -1.35 1.35 k 3.10 -0.18 -0.18 3.10 -2.56 -1.37 -2.56 -0.18 -0.18 1.01 l 4.00 2.13 -5.82 0.49 -2.31 -3.01 -1.38 -0.44 1.43 4.93 m -0.89 -0.89 3.56 -0.89 -0.89 3.56 -0.89 -0.89 -0.89 -0.89 i 0.86 0.86 -0.06 -0.06 -0.75 4.32 -2.59 -2.59 -4.89 4.89 j 0.00 0.79 -1.05 0.79 0.00 0.79 -2.11 0.79 -1.16 1.16

Random!
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 30

CrossSections,GlassWeave
Copperplane Coppertrace Glass(darkcolor) Resin(lightcolor)

Highercapacitanceduetoglassbundle.

Morecouplingduetoglassbundle.

Same differential pair at two different locations. Glass-weave effect changes local Dk.
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 31

EstimatedDeviation
TDR impedance and estimated deviation [Ohm, %]
54 52 50 48 46 44 42 0.E+00 8 6 4 2 0 -2 -4 -6 -8 6.E-09

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09 TDR time from left [s]

4.E-09

5.E-09

Little correlation!
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 32

RecalculateDCResistance

Measurementlinesmust beplacedacrossminima.

Even at DC, surface roughness matters. Current will not (fully) penetrate the peaks. For DC resistance purposes, copper thickness must be measured between lines across minima.

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 33

DCResistanceMeasurements
TDR impedance [Ohm]
60 60

TDR impedance [Ohm]

50

50

40

40

30

30

20 5.37Ohm 10

20
5.31Ohm

10

0 0.E+00

2.E-09

4.E-09

6.E-09

8.E-09

1.E-08

0 0.E+00

2.E-09

4.E-09

6.E-09

8.E-09

1.E-08

Time [s]

Time [s]

Reasonable correlation is achieved only with copper thickness measured between lines across minima.

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 34

CascadedLines
TDR impedance [ohm]
70 60 60.0 50 40 30 20 10 0 0.0E+00 42.5-57.5 ohm 45-55 ohm 47.5-52.5 ohm 50-50 ohm 52.5-47.5 ohm 55-45 ohm 57.5-42.5 ohm 40.0 0.0E+00 45.0 50.0 55.0 42.5-57.5 ohm 45-55 ohm 47.5-52.5 ohm 50-50 ohm 52.5-47.5 ohm 55-45 ohm 57.5-42.5 ohm 2.0E-09 4.0E-09 Time [s] 6.0E-09 8.0E-09 65.0

TDR impedance [ohm]

5.0E-09

1.0E-08

1.5E-08 Time [s]

2.0E-08

2.5E-08

3.0E-08

Each cascaded section follows its own trend. The only interaction among sections is due to edge slow-down.

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 35

TaperedLines
TDR impedance [ohm]
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0.0E+00
50-55-ohm taper 50-45-ohm taper 50-45-ohm low-loss taper

TDR impedance [ohm]

62.0
50-55-ohm taper

60.0 58.0 56.0 54.0 52.0 50.0 48.0 0.0E+00

50-45-ohm taper 50-45-ohm low-loss taper

5.0E-09

1.0E-08

1.5E-08 Time [s]

2.0E-08

2.5E-08

3.0E-08

2.0E-09

4.0E-09 Time [s]

6.0E-09

8.0E-09

Even if specified as a uniform trace, its characteristic impedance could change or vary within the specified limits. Simulations with ten cascaded uniform lines. The characteristic impedance values step up or step down.

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 36

Outline
Introduction and Background Performance of Uniform Transmission Lines Manufacturing Variability Modeling and Potential Compensation Conclusions

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 37

ApproximatingtheSlope
TDRImpedance,LeftN[Ohm]
54

52

50

48

46

If the interconnect is uniform and its parameters are known, we know the TDR response. In long resistive traces the response has a positive tilt. The positive tilt can be approximated and subtracted from the measured response.

44

42 0.E+00

1.E-09

2.E-09

3.E-09

4.E-09

5.E-09

6.E-09

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 38

LinearApproximations
A linear estimate ignores the impedance increase due to AC resistance.
TDR impedance [ohm]

A linear estimate of the actual response still has large errors close to the excitation edge.
TDR impedance [ohm]

51

51

49

49 Simulated measured Linear (Simulated)

47 Simulated measured [9] estimate 45 0.E+0

47

y = 1.00E+09x + 4.53E+01 45 0.E+0

1.E-9

2.E-9

3.E-9 Time [s]

4.E-9

5.E-9

1.E-9

2.E-9

3.E-9 Time [s]

4.E-9

5.E-9

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 39

PolynomialApproximations
A sixth-order polynomial captures the time-dependent impedance with sufficient accuracy. Lines are undistinguishable.
TDR impedance [ohm]
52 52

Subtracting the estimated response from the measured TDR curve. Trace is within +1.5 -0.5% of nominal.
TDR impedance [ohm]
2.00

50 50 1.00

48 48 46 Simulated measured Fitted simulation data 46 44 measured Fitted simulation data Deviation 42 0.E+0 44 0.E+0 -2.00 1.E-9 2.E-9 3.E-9 Time [s] 4.E-9 5.E-9 -1.00 0.00

1.E-9

2.E-9

3.E-9 Time [s]

4.E-9

5.E-9

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 40

Conclusions
Long and/or resistive traces have significant difference between actual and apparent impedance. Apparent impedance is increased with increasing DC and AC resistances. AC resistance creates overshoot beyond the DC resistance value. Apparent impedance is decreased by dielectric loss. DC resistance is increased by surface roughness. Thin 20-40 traces may have apparent impedances go outside the tolerance window. In PCB manufacturing, resistive panel coupons need compensation. In full-board validations, TDR results need compensation. A sixth-order polynomial is suggested to compensate for losses.
6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 41

ClosingRemarks
TDR has been used for decades to check trace impedance. Why was this not a problem earlier?
TDR impedance [ohm]
58

1ou
56

0.5ou
Df = 3%, Rdc = 0.05 ohm/inch
`

54

10mil

5mil

52

Df = 0.5%, Rdc = 0.2 ohm/inch

Because we used lossier dielectrics, wider and heavier traces and

2.E-9 4.E-9 Time [s] 6.E-9 8.E-9 1.E-8

50

48 0.E+0

maybe shorter etches

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 42

THANKYOU! AnyQuestions?

6TA4:DeterminingPCBTraceImpedance 44