SDIO is the main communication
interface with the host processor for WLAN functions, and can also be used for BLE
functions in shared SDIO protocols. These signals are especially sensitive because
of the clock, and should be designed as such.
The SDIO lines include SDIO_CLK,
SDIO_CMD, SDIO_D0, SDIO_D1, SDIO_D2, and SDIO_D3. The SDIO_CLK signal in particular
is very sensitive and should be regarded as such. In order to ensure reliable SDIO
communication, the following layout considerations should be taken into account:
- It is recommended that the SDIO
lines have at least 5mils of width.
- The SDIO traces should be as far
away as possible from the other digital or analog signal traces.
- It is recommended to add ground
shielding around the SDIO bus.
- The SDIO_CLK must be isolated
from all other signals with ground vias (stitching vias) and adjacent ground
planes. The signal trace should have a clearance of at least twice the trace
width of the other SDIO signals.
- Route the SDIO lines in parallel
to each other with lengths as short as possible (to decrease propagation delay),
and have a clearance of 1.5x the trace width.
- The lengths of the SDIO traces
must be length matched within 20 mil tolerance to provide the sampled data at
the same time on all of the traces. For a visual example of length tuning, see
Figure 3-15.
Figure 3-15 is sampled from the BP-CC3301 design files.