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Six Things You Can Do To Avoid Electromagnetic Problems With PCBs

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One of the biggest challenges of designing and choosing a good PCB for your application is acquiring units that avoid compatibility and interference issues that arise from electromagnetic properties. 

System design engineers often struggle with electromagnetic obstacles, but you can avoid such problems with your PCBs by keeping the following six things in mind:

Use PCBs that feature compartmentalized electromagnetic interference features

PCBs should be compartmentalized by having the analog circuitry handled separately from the digital circuitry. Then, it's a good idea to also ensure that a ground signal is used to protect any analog circuits that have particularly high amperage.

Avoid PCBs with 90 degree angles that create cumbersome radiation issues

Keeping 90 degree angles out of the design of vias and traces is important for minimizing electromagnetic interference in PCB design.

Right angles increase the radiation created by PCBs because they create corners where capacitance is particularly high.

Decouple capacitors when possible

The advantage of decoupling capacitors when it comes to avoiding electromagnetic problems is that it minimizes that consequences of crosstalk. Capacitors need to be located between a PCB's ground and power pins. 

This way, there will be a lower AC impedance. This will not only minimize crosstalk, but also keep any noise that's produced by the unit at a minimum level.

Make sure that ground plane area is as close to possible as your PCB's total area

It's important to realize that the layout of a PCB's ground plane is probably the most important component when it comes to avoiding electromagnetic issues.

The larger the ground plane's area, the better the chances are that electromagnetic problems will be minimized. This way, crosstalk and emissions are minimized thanks to the fact that every component can easily be directly connected to the PCB's ground point.

Pay enough attention to traces and crosstalk on your PCB units

A trace needs to have a properly mitigated current so that the current's return path is the fastest and least resistive.

Also, crosstalk needs to be eliminated by creating or opting for PCBs with induced currents that are appropriately balanced. 

Be careful to use vias to create conductive connections

It is very important that vias in PCB design are used to facilitate conductive connections among various layers of a multi-layer PCB unit. 

Vias naturally will result in capacitance and inductance, so they need to be properly designed with conductive connections so that electromagnetic interference is avoided. 

For more information, contact a company such as Streamline Circuits.


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