DesignCon 2005 Hybrid Stripline Analysis II: Propagation Characteristics, Crosstalk Effects and PCB Routability

This paper is a follow-up to a study published at DesignCon 2004 which addressed the benefits of hybrid (mixed dielectric) stripline constructions by comparing the near-end crosstalk and insertion loss performance of hybrid stripline constructions to industry standard, homogeneous PCB stackups. The present study extends the analysis by comparing dispersion, far and near-end crosstalk, routing benefits and insertion loss performance of hybrid stripline constructions to industry standard, homogeneous PCB stackups. Data is obtained by direct measurement of test PCB traces and from simulated results. Finished PCB cost-performance considerations are also presented for the constructions evaluated in this study. Authors’ Biographies James R. Broomall is a signal integrity engineer with W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. in Newark Delaware. Jim has over 20 years experience in microwave and digital signal interconnects. He earned both M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Delaware and a B.A. in Physics from Franklin and Marshall College. Tamera A. Yost serves as Signal Integrity Team Leader at W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc., having 20 years of experience in the field of electrical and electronic engineering encompassing research and product development activities. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Drexel University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the State University of New York. Glen Walther is the technical leader for W.L. Gore¦s PWB R&D Lab in Elkton, Maryland. Glen has been serving the PWB industry since 1989. Glen holds a B.S. in Industrial Arts & Education from North Texas State University, and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Gregg Wildes was the advanced dielectrics product specialist for the electronic products division of W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. responsible for new application development. Gregg is currently with Smiths Aerospace and holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Texas at Austin.