Electrical Analysis of Multi-board PCB Systems with Differential Signaling Considering Non-ideal Common Ground Connection

Abstract

Non-uniform current return path in multi-board systems induces significant common mode noise in high speed differential signals. The effect of the common mode noise on electrical signals considering inductance of inter-board connectors is described in this paper using measurement and modeling results. An effective and accurate method for modeling the common mode noise is proposed to ensure better design practices.