PCB Return Current Path Detour for Emission Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for designing printed circuit boards fail to effectively derive and visualize return current paths, leading to issues with emission noise due to division and detour of the return current path, particularly in high-speed signal applications.
Innovation Solution
A design support apparatus and method that obtains layout information of a printed circuit board, generates path information for signal lines, detects divide portions of the return current path, and generates detour paths in the neighborhood of these divide portions to minimize noise emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the return current path is simply derived and visualized based on CAD data, then the design process is simplified and faster, but emission noise increases due to division and detour of the return current path
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary derivation and visualization of the return current path using CAD data to create a baseline design. Then, it automatically detects divide portions and generates detour paths in advance to prevent emission noise, allowing designers to review and modify only the critical portions rather than redesigning the entire path.
Solution Approach 2:
The return current path is segmented into multiple portions, with automatic derivation handling the overall path and manual review focused on specific divide portions where emission noise occurs. This segmentation allows the design process to maintain simplicity while addressing the harmful effect at critical locations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the return current path is manually checked and modified by designers, then emission noise can be reduced, but the design process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically derives the return current path, detects divide portions, and generates detour paths without requiring manual intervention for these routine tasks. Designers only need to review the automatically generated results and make modifications when necessary, significantly reducing the time spent on manual checking while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback by visualizing the derived return current path and highlighting divide portions that may cause emission noise. This feedback mechanism allows designers to quickly identify and address problematic areas without having to perform comprehensive manual analysis, thus reducing design review time while maintaining quality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the path running through constant potential area is selected as return current path, then the path is well-defined and stable, but the path length increases compared to detouring the slit
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows different path selection criteria to apply to different portions of the return current path. In areas where the constant potential area provides stability and is accessible, the path runs through it. Where the slit creates a divide portion that would cause emission noise, the path detours around the slit even if it means a slightly longer path, optimizing the overall design by prioritizing noise reduction at critical locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Layout information indicating locations of at least components and conductive layers in a printed circuit board, and layouts of conductive wiring patterns on the respective conductive layers and vias which electrically connect between the conductive layers is obtained from a memory. With reference to the layout information, path information indicating a path of one signal line is generated. With reference to the layout information and path information, a divide portion where a path of a return current corresponding to a signal current of the signal line is divided are detected. With reference to the layout information and path information, information indicating a detour path of the return current in a neighborhood of the divide portion is generated.