PCB Reference Plane Merging for Signal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PCB design for servers is over-engineered, leading to increased costs and reduced competitiveness due to insufficient consideration of cost-effective layout and routing that balances signal and power supply line design.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring a portion of the reference plane for signal lines as a ground plane to provide return paths, thereby saving routing space, and rearranging layers to optimize the layout of signal, power, and ground planes on a 10-layer PCB structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional 12-layer board design with separate power and ground planes is used, then signal quality and stability are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power plane and ground plane functions into a single reference plane structure. The reference plane is configured to provide both power supply and ground reference functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated power and ground layers. This reduces the layer count from 12 to 10 layers while maintaining signal stability through the integrated reference plane that serves dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference plane is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a ground reference for signal return paths, provides power supply distribution, and acts as a shielding plane. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated power and ground planes, reducing overall structure complexity while maintaining signal integrity.
2Reliability
If conventional 12-layer board design with sufficient routing space is used, then signal quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining power and ground functions into a single reference plane, the patent reduces the total number of layers from 12 to 10. This consolidation maintains adequate routing space for high-speed signals while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost associated with producing and assembling more layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the layer configuration parameters by reducing the layer count and changing the functional distribution across layers. The reference plane is strategically positioned and configured to provide both power and ground functions, optimizing the balance between signal quality requirements and manufacturing cost considerations.
3Reliability
If more power planes and ground planes are provided, then signal stability is improved, but routing space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The reference plane is designed to simultaneously provide ground reference and power supply functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated power and ground planes. This multi-functional approach maintains signal stability through adequate reference planes while preserving routing space that would otherwise be consumed by additional separate planes.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the power and ground functions into a single reference plane structure, the patent reduces the total area occupied by reference planes. The integrated design provides both functions within the same layer space, freeing up routing space for signal lines while maintaining signal stability through the combined reference structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and a structure for layout and routing of a PCB. The method includes: arranging signal lines, a power plane and a ground plane of the PCB in combination, where a portion of a reference plane for the signal lines is configured as a ground plane for providing a reference plane and return paths for the signal lines, to save routing spates. Layout of regions for the power supply, the ground and signal lines is appropriately designed, thereby improving the design density of a board, reducing the number of layers of the PCB, and saving cost.