Layout of signal traces

Abstract

A layout of signal traces is suitable for transmission of multiple signals with different phases, and can reduce radiation interference. The layout includes a first set of signal traces and a second set of signal traces for transmitting first and second differential signals, respectively. Each set of signal traces includes, in order along the direction of signal transmission, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion; different portions of the same set of signal traces are not located on the same straight line. The first portions of the two sets of signal traces are located on a first signal layer and are parallel. The second portions of the two sets of signal traces are located on a second signal layer and the first signal layer, respectively, and are interleaved with each other. The second portion of the first set of signal traces is coupled between the first portion and the third portion of the first set of signal traces via a via. The second portion of the second set of signal traces is coupled between the first portion and the third portion of the second set of signal traces. The third portions of the two sets of signal traces are located on the first signal layer and are parallel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the layout of signal traces, and more particularly to the layout of signal traces suitable for the transmission of multiple signals of different phases. Background Technology

[0002] In wireless and wired communications, multi-phase signals are frequently used. For example, a typical radio frequency (RF) receiver operates as follows: after receiving an RF signal, it is amplified by a low-noise amplifier and then transmitted to a mixer. The mixer down-converts the RF signal into four phases (e.g., 0°, 180°, 90°, and 270°) based on the oscillation signals provided by a local oscillator. Each IF signal has a frequency equal to the RF signal's frequency minus the oscillation signal's frequency (hereinafter referred to as the LO frequency). The baseband circuit then receives and processes these four phases of IF signals. The transmission of these four phases of oscillation signals and IF signals is accomplished through traces on a circuit board and / or within an IC.

[0003] Figure 1 The existing wiring layout 100 includes four signal traces 110, 120, 130, and 140. These signal traces 110, 120, 130, and 140 are used to transmit the aforementioned four phase oscillation / IF signals, respectively. However, this layout is prone to radiation, interfering with surrounding circuits, with the high-frequency LO frequency and its harmonic frequencies generated by the local oscillator causing the most significant radiation. The harmonic frequency is K × LO frequency (e.g., a harmonic of 2 × LO frequency), where K is a positive integer. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide a signal routing layout that avoids the problems of existing routing layouts.

[0005] One of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide a signal routing layout that is suitable for the transmission of multiple signals of different phases and can reduce radiated interference.

[0006] A first embodiment of the signal routing layout disclosed herein includes a first group of signal traces and a second group of signal traces. The first group of signal traces includes a first signal trace and a second signal trace. The second group of signal traces includes a third signal trace and a fourth signal trace. The first, second, third, and fourth signal traces are used to transmit a first, second, third, and fourth signal, respectively, wherein the first and second signals constitute a first differential signal, the third and fourth signals constitute a second differential signal, and the first differential signal is different from the second differential signal.

[0007] In this first embodiment, along the transmission direction of the first signal, the first signal trace sequentially includes a first signal first segment, a first signal second segment, and a first signal third segment. Along the transmission direction of the second signal, the second signal trace sequentially includes a second signal first segment, a second signal second segment, and a second signal third segment. The first signal first segment and the second signal first segment are located on a first signal layer and are generally parallel. The first signal second segment and the second signal second segment are located on a second signal layer and are generally parallel, wherein the first signal layer and the second signal layer are two layers of a multilayer structure of an integrated circuit / circuit board. The first signal third segment and the second signal third segment are located on the first signal layer and are generally parallel. The two ends of the first signal second segment are respectively coupled to the first signal first segment and the first signal third segment via two vias.

[0008] In this first embodiment, along the transmission direction of the third signal, the third signal trace sequentially includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. Along the transmission direction of the fourth signal, the fourth signal trace sequentially includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The first and fourth signal segments are located in the first signal layer and are generally parallel. The second and fourth signal segments are located in the first signal layer and are generally parallel, wherein each combination of the first and second segments and each combination of the first and second segments is not a straight line segment. The third and fourth signal segments are located in the first signal layer and are generally parallel. Any two segments of the first, second, third, and fourth signal segments do not intersect and are generally parallel. The first signal second segment and each segment of the second signal second segment cross each segment of the third signal second segment and the fourth signal second segment. Any two segments of the first signal third segment, the second signal third segment, the third signal third segment, and the fourth signal third segment do not intersect and are generally parallel.

[0009] A second embodiment of the signal trace layout disclosed herein includes a first group of signal traces and a second group of signal traces. The first group of signal traces and the second group of signal traces are used to transmit a first differential signal and a second differential signal, respectively. Each group of the first group of signal traces and the second group of signal traces sequentially includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion along the signal transmission direction. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of each group of the first group of signal traces and the second group of signal traces are not located on the same straight line. The first portion of the first group of signal traces and the first portion of the second group of signal traces are located on a first signal layer and are generally parallel. The second portion of the first group of signal traces and the second portion of the second group of signal traces are located on a second signal layer and the first signal layer, respectively, and are interleaved, wherein the first signal layer and the second signal layer are two layers of a multilayer structure of an integrated circuit / circuit board. The second portion of the first group of signal traces is coupled between the first portion and the third portion of the first group of signal traces via a plurality of vias / interlayer conductors. The second portion of the second group of signal traces is coupled between the first portion and the third portion of the second group of signal traces. The third portion of the first group of signal traces and the third portion of the second group of signal traces are located on the first signal layer.

[0010] The features, implementation, and effects of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 Show the wiring layout of existing technology;

[0012] Figure 2a An embodiment of the layout of the signal routing shown in this disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2b show Figure 2a The line segments of each signal trace;

[0014] Figure 3 show Figure 2a A variation of the embodiment; and

[0015] Figure 4 show Figure 2a A variation of an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] This specification discloses a signal routing layout suitable for the transmission of multiple signals of different phases, which can reduce radiation interference.

[0017] An embodiment of the signal routing layout disclosed herein is, for example... Figure 2a As shown. Figure 2a The signal trace layout 200 includes a first group of signal traces and a second group of signal traces. The first group of signal traces includes a first signal trace 210 and a second signal trace 220, which are used to transmit a first signal I+ and a second signal I-, respectively. The first signal I+ and the second signal I- constitute a first differential signal. The second group of signal traces includes a third signal trace 230 and a fourth signal trace 240, which are used to transmit a third signal Q+ and a fourth signal Q-, respectively. The third signal Q+ and the fourth signal Q- constitute a second differential signal, which is different from the first differential signal. In one embodiment, the first signal I+ is a received signal with a phase of 0 degrees, the second signal I- is a received signal with a phase of 180 degrees, the third signal is a received signal with a phase of 90 degrees, and the fourth signal is a received signal with a phase of 270 degrees; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2b show Figure 2a The signal trace segments. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 2a-2b Along the transmission direction of the first signal I+, the first signal trace 210 sequentially includes a first signal first segment 212, a first signal second segment 214, and a first signal third segment 216. Along the transmission direction of the second signal I-, the second signal trace 220 sequentially includes a second signal first segment 222, a second signal second segment 224, and a second signal third segment 226. The first signal first segment 212 and the second signal first segment 222 are located on a first signal layer (not shown in the figure) and may be parallel or non-parallel. The first signal second segment 214 and the second signal second segment 224 are located on a second signal layer (not shown in the figure) and may be parallel or non-parallel. The first signal layer and the second signal layer are two layers of a multilayer structure of an integrated circuit / circuit board (not shown in the figure), and the first signal layer may be located above or below the second signal layer. The first signal third segment 216 and the second signal third segment 226 are located on the first signal layer and may be parallel or non-parallel. The first signal segment 212 is coupled to the first signal second segment 214 via a via / interlayer conductor 2122, and the first signal second segment 214 is coupled to the first signal third segment 216 via a via / interlayer conductor 2142. The second signal first segment 222 is coupled to the second signal second segment 224 via a via / interlayer conductor 2222, and the second signal second segment 224 is coupled to the second signal third segment 226 via a via / interlayer conductor 2242. It is worth noting that... Figures 2a-2b In this diagram, the traces located on the second signal layer are shown in a light color. It is also worth noting that... Figures 2a-2b Through-holes / interlayer conductors can be achieved using known or self-developed methods.

[0019] Please see Figures 2a-2bAlong the transmission direction of the third signal Q+, the third signal trace 230 sequentially includes a first segment 232, a second segment 234, and a third segment 236. Along the transmission direction of the fourth signal Q-, the fourth signal trace 240 sequentially includes a first segment 242, a second segment 244, and a third segment 246. The first segment 232 and the first segment 242 are located in the first signal layer and may be parallel or non-parallel. The second segment 234 and the second segment 244 are located in the first signal layer and may be parallel or non-parallel. The third segment 236 and the third segment 246 are located in the first signal layer and may be parallel or non-parallel. It is worth noting that the first line segment 232, the second line segment 234, and the third line segment 236 of the third signal are not on the same straight line, and the first line segment 242, the second line segment 244, and the third line segment 246 of the fourth signal are not on the same straight line.

[0020] Please see Figures 2a-2b Any two segments of the first signal first segment 212, the second signal first segment 222, the third signal first segment 232, and the fourth signal first segment 242 do not intersect and are generally parallel. Each segment of the first signal second segment 214 and the second signal second segment 224 crosses each segment of the third signal second segment 234 and the fourth signal second segment 244. Any two segments of the first signal third segment 216, the second signal third segment 226, the third signal third segment 236, and the fourth signal third segment 246 do not intersect and are generally parallel.

[0021] Please see Figures 2a-2b In this first signal layer, the first signal segment 212 and the third signal segment 236 are located on line 22; the second signal segment 222 and the fourth signal segment 246 are located on line 24; the third signal segment 232 and the first signal segment 216 are located on line 26; and the fourth signal segment 242 and the second signal segment 226 are located on line 28. These lines 22, 24, 26, and 28 are virtual lines used to define the layout of the signal segments, not actual objects. It is worth noting that, provided implementation is feasible, Figures 2a-2b Any first line segment and any third line segment can lie on the same straight line or on different straight lines.

[0022] Please see Figures 2a-2b When the signal routing layout 200 is applied to an RF receiver, the layout 200 can effectively reduce interference from the aforementioned 2×LO harmonic frequency signal (originating from the local oscillator); however, the application of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0023] Figure 3 show Figure 2a A variation of an embodiment. For example... Figure 3 As shown: the first signal trace 210 and the second signal trace 220 are first interleaved (across each other), and the third signal trace 230 and the fourth signal trace 240 are first interleaved; then, the first group of signal traces 210 and 220 and the second group of signal traces 230 and 240 are interleaved; next, the first signal trace 210 and the second signal trace 220 are interleaved again, and the third signal trace 230 and the fourth signal trace 240 are interleaved again. It is worth noting that... Figure 3 In this diagram, any two intersecting signal traces are located on different signal layers, with the trace located on the second signal layer indicated in light gray. It is also worth noting that... Figure 3 In this context, the same signal trace located on different signal layers passes through vias / interlayer conductors (i.e.: Figure 3 The white square located at the bend in the wiring is coupled together. When Figure 3 When the signal routing layout 200 is applied to an RF receiver, the layout 200 can effectively reduce the interference of the aforementioned 2×LO harmonic frequency signals, and can also reduce the interference of the LO frequency. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0024] Figure 4 show Figure 2a A variation of an embodiment. For example... Figure 4 As shown, in this first signal layer, the first group of signal traces 210, 220 and the second group of signal traces 230, 240 are located between shielding structures 410 and 420. A discontinuous shielding structure 430 is provided between the first group of signal traces 210, 220 and the second group of signal traces 230, 240. These shielding structures 410, 420, and 430 are located in this first signal layer to reduce mutual interference. In one embodiment, Figure 4 Each of the shielding structures 410, 420, and 430 is a grounding trace segment; however, this is not a limitation of the invention. In one embodiment, a shielding structure (not shown) is provided between two signal traces located on different signal layers. In another embodiment, a shielding structure (not shown) is provided above or below the first / second signal layer. It is worth noting that... Figure 4 In this context, the same signal trace located on different signal layers passes through vias / interlayer conductors (i.e.: Figure 3 The white square located at the bend in the wiring is coupled together.

[0025] Another embodiment of the signal trace layout disclosed herein includes a first group of signal traces and a second group of signal traces. The first group of signal traces and the second group of signal traces are used to transmit a first differential signal and a second differential signal, respectively. Each group of the first group of signal traces and the second group of signal traces sequentially includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion along the signal transmission direction. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of each group of the first group of signal traces and the second group of signal traces are not located on the same straight line. The first portion of the first group of signal traces and the first portion of the second group of signal traces are located on a first signal layer and are generally parallel. The second portion of the first group of signal traces and the second portion of the second group of signal traces are located on a second signal layer and the first signal layer, respectively, and are interleaved, wherein the first signal layer and the second signal layer are two layers of a multilayer structure of an integrated circuit / circuit board. The second portion of the first group of signal traces is coupled between the first portion and the third portion of the first group of signal traces via a plurality of vias / interlayer conductors. The second portion of the second group of signal traces is coupled between the first portion and the third portion of the second group of signal traces. The third portion of the first group of signal traces and the third portion of the second group of signal traces are located on the first signal layer and are typically parallel.

[0026] Because those skilled in the art can refer to Figures 2a-4 The details and variations of the above embodiments are explained by the description of the embodiments, and repeated and redundant descriptions are omitted here.

[0027] Please note that, where possible, those skilled in the art may selectively implement some or all of the technical features in any of the foregoing embodiments, or selectively implement a combination of some or all of the technical features in the foregoing multiple embodiments, thereby increasing the flexibility in implementing the present invention.

[0028] In summary, the signal routing layout disclosed herein is suitable for the transmission of multiple signals of different phases and can reduce radiated interference.

[0029] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes to the technical features of the present invention based on the explicit or implicit content of the present invention, and all such changes may fall within the scope of patent protection sought by the present invention. In other words, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

[0030] Figure Labels

[0031] 100: Existing technology wiring layout

[0032] 110, 120, 130, 140: Signal traces

[0033] 200: Layout of signal traces

[0034] 210: First signal routing

[0035] 220: Second signal trace

[0036] 230: Third signal routing

[0037] 240: Fourth signal routing

[0038] 2122, 2142, 2222, 2242: Through-hole / Interlayer conductor

[0039] I+: First signal

[0040] I-: Second signal

[0041] Q+: Third signal

[0042] Q-: Fourth signal

[0043] 212: First signal, first line segment

[0044] 214: First signal, second segment

[0045] 216: First signal, third segment

[0046] 222: Second signal, first segment

[0047] 224: Second signal, second segment

[0048] 226: Second signal, third segment

[0049] 232: Third signal, first segment

[0050] 234: Third signal, second segment

[0051] 236: Third signal, third line segment

[0052] 242: Fourth signal, first segment

[0053] 244: Fourth signal, second segment

[0054] 246: Fourth signal, third segment

[0055] 22, 24, 26, 28: Virtual straight lines defining the layout of signal segments.

[0056] 410, 420, 430: Shielding structure

Claims

1. A signal trace layout suitable for the transmission of multiple signals of different phases, capable of reducing mutual interference, wherein the signal trace layout includes: The first group of signal traces includes the first signal trace and the second signal trace, wherein: The first signal trace and the second signal trace are used to transmit the first signal and the second signal, respectively, and the first signal and the second signal constitute the first differential signal; Along the transmission direction of the first signal, the first signal trace sequentially includes a first signal first segment, a first signal second segment, and a first signal third segment; Along the transmission direction of the second signal, the second signal trace sequentially includes a first segment of the second signal, a second segment of the second signal, and a third segment of the second signal; The first signal first segment and the second signal first segment are located in the first signal layer; The first signal second segment and the second signal second segment are located in the second signal layer, and the first signal layer and the second signal layer are two layers of the multilayer structure of the integrated circuit / circuit board; The first signal third segment and the second signal third segment are located in the first signal layer; The first signal first segment is coupled to the first signal second segment via the first signal first via, and the first signal second segment is coupled to the first signal third segment via the first signal second via; and The first segment of the second signal is coupled to the second segment of the second signal via a first via of the second signal, and the second segment of the second signal is coupled to the third segment of the second signal via a second via of the second signal; and The second group of signal traces includes the third and fourth signal traces, wherein: The third signal trace and the fourth signal trace are used to transmit the third signal and the fourth signal, respectively. The third signal and the fourth signal constitute a second differential signal, which is different from the first differential signal. Along the transmission direction of the third signal, the third signal trace sequentially includes a first segment of the third signal, a second segment of the third signal, and a third segment of the third signal; Along the transmission direction of the fourth signal, the fourth signal trace sequentially includes a first segment of the fourth signal, a second segment of the fourth signal, and a third segment of the fourth signal; The first segment of the third signal and the first segment of the fourth signal are located in the first signal layer; The second line segment of the third signal and the second line segment of the fourth signal are located in the first signal layer, and each combination of the first line segment of the third signal and the second line segment of the third signal and each combination of the first line segment of the fourth signal and the second line segment of the fourth signal is not a straight line segment; The third segment of the third signal and the third segment of the fourth signal are located in the first signal layer; Any two segments among the first signal first line segment, the second signal first line segment, the third signal first line segment, and the fourth signal first line segment do not intersect; Each segment of the first signal second line segment and each segment of the second signal second line segment crosses each segment of the third signal second line segment and the fourth signal second line segment; and Any two segments among the third line segment of the first signal, the third line segment of the second signal, the third line segment of the third signal, and the third line segment of the fourth signal do not intersect; Along the transmission direction of the third signal, the third signal trace also sequentially includes a fourth segment and a fifth segment of the third signal; Along the transmission direction of the fourth signal, the fourth signal trace also sequentially includes a fourth signal fourth segment and a fifth signal fifth segment; Wherein, the third signal fourth segment and the fourth signal fourth segment are located in the first signal layer; the third signal fifth segment is located in the second signal layer, and the fourth signal fifth segment is located in the first signal layer, the third signal fifth segment traverses the fourth signal fifth segment; the third signal fourth segment is coupled to the third signal fifth segment via a third signal first via, the third signal fifth segment is coupled to the third signal first segment via a third signal second via; and the fourth signal fifth segment is coupled between the fourth signal fourth segment and the fourth signal first segment; or The third signal fourth segment is located in the second signal layer, while the fourth signal fourth segment is located in the first signal layer, and the third signal fourth segment crosses over the fourth signal fourth segment; the third signal fifth segment and the fourth signal fifth segment are located in the first signal layer; one end of the third signal fourth segment is coupled to the third signal third segment via the third signal first via, and the other end of the third signal fourth segment is coupled to the third signal fifth segment via the third signal second via; and the fourth signal fourth segment is coupled between the fourth signal third segment and the fourth signal fifth segment.

2. The signal trace layout according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is a received signal with a phase of 0 degrees or 180 degrees, and the third signal is the received signal with a phase of 90 degrees or 270 degrees.

3. The signal trace layout according to claim 1, wherein the first signal first segment is located on the first straight line, and the first signal third segment is not located on the first straight line; the second signal first segment is located on the second straight line, and the second signal third segment is not located on the second straight line; the third signal first segment is located on the third straight line, and the third signal third segment is not located on the third straight line; the fourth signal first segment is located on the fourth straight line, and the fourth signal third segment is not located on the fourth straight line; the first straight line, the second straight line, the third straight line, and the fourth straight line are four different virtual straight lines used to define the layout of the signal segments.

4. The signal trace layout according to claim 3, wherein the third segment of the first signal is located on the third straight line, the third segment of the second signal is located on the fourth straight line, the third segment of the third signal is located on the first straight line, and the third segment of the fourth signal is located on the second straight line.

5. The signal trace layout according to claim 1, wherein: Along the transmission direction of the first signal, the first signal trace sequentially includes the fourth segment of the first signal and the fifth segment of the first signal; Along the transmission direction of the second signal, the second signal trace sequentially includes the fourth segment of the second signal and the fifth segment of the second signal; The first signal fourth segment and the second signal fourth segment are located in the first signal layer; The first signal fifth segment is located in the second signal layer, while the second signal fifth segment is located in the first signal layer, and the first signal fifth segment crosses the second signal fifth segment; The first signal fourth segment is coupled to the first signal fifth segment via the first signal third through-hole, and the first signal fifth segment is coupled to the first signal first segment via the first signal fourth through-hole; as well as The fifth line segment of the second signal is coupled between the fourth line segment of the second signal and the first line segment of the second signal.

6. The signal trace layout according to claim 1, wherein: Along the transmission direction of the first signal, the first signal trace sequentially includes the fourth segment of the first signal and the fifth segment of the first signal; Along the transmission direction of the second signal, the second signal trace sequentially includes the fourth segment of the second signal and the fifth segment of the second signal; The first signal fourth segment is located in the second signal layer, while the second signal fourth segment is located in the first signal layer, and the first signal fourth segment crosses the second signal fourth segment; The fifth segment of the first signal and the fifth segment of the second signal are located in the first signal layer; One end of the fourth segment of the first signal is coupled to the third segment of the first signal via the third through-hole of the first signal, and the other end of the fourth segment of the first signal is coupled to the fifth segment of the first signal via the fourth through-hole of the first signal. as well as The fourth line segment of the second signal is coupled between the third line segment and the fifth line segment of the second signal.

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