The functionality of a PCB depends on many different factors, including physical layout, materials used, and component stress over time. Electrical interference between PCB components, also known as ground noise, can have a wide range of adverse consequences during the operation of the PCB. These problems include compromised signal integrity, unexpected thermal changes, and component failure. Therefore, reducing ground noise is the first point that PCB designers should focus on. This article will give an in-depth look at reducing ground noise.

　　What is ground noise?

　　Ground noise is known by many names, including electrical interference and crosstalk. Circuits in a PCB rely on a certain amount of current and voltage to function properly. This means that each circuit must have the right amount of power, and the power must be delivered to the right places. Accidental connections between circuits can cause power to escape between circuits in unexpected ways, creating ground noise.

　　Analyze Ground Noise

　　Analyzing ground noise is critical to ensuring proper PCB operation, especially in high-speed PCBs. Although complex PCBs with many circuits are more prone to ground noise, even a simple circuit layout can generate noise if it is poorly designed. PCB design software uses noise numbers to indicate how much ground noise is specifically generated by the PCB. Noise figures can indicate different sources and magnitudes of ground noise, such as from accidental connections between traces or thermal noise.

　　PCB layout and power requirements often mean that the sources of ground noise that can cause problems for different PCBs vary. For example, long traces are more likely to have accidental connections, and power-hungry PCBs are more likely to have thermal issues. Since there is always some noise from the expected source, it is functionally impossible to reduce ground noise to zero; however, we can try to keep it as low as possible.

　　Learn how to reduce the importance of ground noise

　　Minimizing ground noise on a PCB ensures that the signal integrity of its circuits remains intact. Loss of signal integrity can cause a variety of PCB problems, from short circuits to radiated emissions. These problems add up to a cascading effect that increases ground noise over time. When the user applies current to the PCB, the closer the two circuits are, the more likely there is crosstalk between them. With simple geometry, this type of crosstalk can often be resolved.

　　While reducing ground noise is only part of ensuring a high-performance PCB, it can effectively avoid vexing run-time issues such as board failures. Performance problems can also manifest as slow response times, data loss, or spikes in power consumption in digital networks.

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