Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1525368
68 PCB007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2024 designer to label a device as functional. How- ever, with the introduction of parasitic ele- ments, timing mismatches and synchroni- zation issues (caused by parasitic elements inducing slight delays) can compromise the device's overall functionality and performance. Parasitics on electro - magnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic com- patibility (EMC) can also compromise the function- ality of these circuits. Par- asitics can act as uninten- tional antennas, ultimately radiating and causing sig- nal crosstalk, which can lead to the board failing compliance standards and interfering with nearby devices. Managing PCB Parasitics in a Design Because parasitics can cause unwanted effects on a board's functionality, it's important for the designer to mitigate and manage para- sitics during the layout process. is is achiev- able through component placement, board layout optimization, component selection, and simulation or analysis. Strategic component placement can mini- mize parasitic effects on a board's function- ality by placing critical components closer together to reduce trace lengths. Doing so will ultimately reduce the parasitic resistance and inductance. Careful trace routing during the layout pro- cess, as well as minimizing loop areas, are excellent ways to mitigate the parasitic induc- tance throughout the board and reduce the impact of parasitic capacitance. Strategically placing power and ground planes can control impedance and reduce unwanted noise in the board. During the design process, choosing compo- nents with known parasitic elements that are deemed acceptable for certain applications can help mitigate potential issues. Certain compo- nents are designed with features to minimize parasitics and can include low-inductance capacitors for high-frequency applications. Modern-day PCB tools include soware to per- f o r m s i m u la t i o n s a n d other analysis techniques to determine if a circuit will perform as expected. Using simulation and anal- ysis tools can help predict and analyze the effects of parasitics on manufac- tured circuit performance. With this information, engineers can then make the best design decisions to optimize a circuit for the desired electrical characteristics. Designers must consider the effects of par- asitics before proceeding to manufacturing. Although the effects of parasitics on the func- tionality of PCBs may seem small, the impact can be large when it comes to the reliability and functionality of a future device. Address- ing these parasitic effects through careful design decisions, board layout, and compo- nent selection is essential for optimal device performance and long-term reliability. Under- standing and mitigating the effects of parasitics on board designs can help meet the strenuous demands of the electronics industry. Understanding the essential role of parasitics in PCB design is not simply a matter of techni- cal precision. It is crucial to ensure electronic devices operate at their peak efficiency and reliability and meet the expectations of today's interconnected world. PCB007 Hannah Grace is a process engineer at Texas Instruments and in the IPC Emerging Engineer Program. To read past columns, click here.