To ensure good signaling performance,
the following general board design guidelines must be followed:
- Avoid crossing plane splits in the signal reference
planes.
- Some signals require a ground (also called VSS) reference plane to obtain the
needed signal integrity. Some may even need it on both sides.
- Use the widest trace that is practical between decoupling capacitors and memory
modules.
- Minimize inter-symbol interference (ISI) by keeping impedances
matched.
- Minimize crosstalk by isolating sensitive signals, such as
strobes and clocks, and by using a proper PCB stack-up.
- Avoid return path discontinuities by adding vias or capacitors
whenever signals change layers and reference planes.
- Minimize reference voltage noise through proper isolation and
proper use of decoupling capacitors on the reference input pins on the
SDRAMs.
- Keep the signal routing stub lengths as short as possible.
- Add additional spacing for clock and strobe nets to minimize
crosstalk.
- Maintain a common ground (VSS) reference for all bypass and
decoupling capacitors.
- Consider the differences in propagation delays between
microstrip and stripline nets when evaluating timing constraints.
- Via-to-via coupling can be a significant part of PCB-level crosstalk. GND
shielding vias may need to be inserted between adjacent signal vias.
- Via stubs affect signal integrity. Via back-drilling may be required in some
instances to improve signal integrity.
For more information, see the High-Speed Interface Layout Guidelines. It provides
additional general guidance for successful routing of high-speed signals.