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High-frequency transmission lines crosstalk reduction using spacing rules is treated in this paper. Two of the most popular planar transmission line configurations, namely microstrip and stripline, commonly used in printed circuit boards and radio frequency/microwave integrated circuits, are considered in this work. The trace separation between two adjacent transmission lines of each type is stepwise increased as function of the trace width. The single-ended transmission line structures are numerically investigated by a frequency-based 3-D full-wave electromagnetic analysis tool. A particular case using coated microstrip transmission lines has been fabricated, along with some calibration structures, to allow direct measurement and experimental analysis of crosstalk between the single-ended transmission lines. The test structures are characterized at high-frequency (up to 20 GHz) with scattering parameters using a vector network analyzer. The experimental results are compared with the simulation data, and some conclusions and suggestions on the impact and use of spacing rules for high-frequency crosstalk reduction between single-ended transmission lines are presented. These investigations emphasize the necessity of reevaluating classical design rules for their suitability in high-frequency applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the problem of using guard traces for reducing crosstalk between differential transmission line pairs is investigated, both experimentally and by full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulations. Different cases of differential lines crosstalk are treated with and without guard trace separation between the differential line pairs. Coated microstrip printed circuit board test structures including thru-reflect-line calibration standards are designed and fabricated on a high frequency laminate material, allowing direct measurement of crosstalk between adjacent differential line pairs in the absence and in the presence of guard traces stitched with vias of regular spacing. The test structures are characterized with mixed-mode scattering parameters using a physical layer test system. Different configurations (of differential line pairs) without guard trace, with floating guard traces (which are terminated and nonterminated) and with a solid guard trace separation are investigated using a High Frequency Structure Simulator (a commercial full-wave 3-D EM simulation tool). The experimental data are compared with the simulation results, and some conclusions and guidelines on the effect of guard traces for alleviating crosstalk between differential transmission lines are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooling of electronics is normally achieved using air passing through apertures in the enclosure; as a result the shielding effectiveness of the shielded enclosure is reduced. In this paper, the design of a new cooling structure and its evaluation in a wind tunnel is presented. The developed design presented here is a double heat sink in extruded aluminum. Into one side of the heat sink, the printed circuit boards (PCBs) are inserted and enclosed by a complementary shielding surface. The other side of the heat sink is cooled by forced ventilation. The heat transport between these parts is completely inside the same body, without any heat flow interruptions. Tests carried out on a prototype have shown that the performance of the cooling structure is satisfactory for electronic cooling. An additional electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)-test has also elucidated the satisfactory shielding effectiveness of the structure. The cooling structure is scaleable and can accommodate for both future smaller printed circuit boards (PCBs) and those of today. The entire enclosure is furthermore based on near-standard items, which allows it to be inexpensive in high volume production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the backplane connector technology for high frequency use and presents a novel concept for shielded enclosures without air vents. The experimental soldering of connections between a flexible printed circuit (flex, for short) and a FR4-board as part of a backplane connector is presented. A very high contact density is reached by soldering vias on the flex to pads on the FR4; this soldering was performed both with ordinary Sn/Pb solder material and as well with lead-free solder alloy. The solder joints were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the electrical properties of the flex/solder joint structure were measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new cable connector for twisted pair cable usable for high frequency applications is presented in this paper. An elastic conductive matrix as an interface between cable and printed wiring board (PWB) is pressed against the ends of the copper wires of the cable, and a land grid array on the PWB, thereby making the connections. The shielding braid of the cable is lengthened by a tube structure up to the same plane as the end of the copper wires, where the shielding is connected to an earth plane on the PWB. This not only gives a sound basis for good electromagnetic interference (EMI) behavior, but can also serve as an adequate structure for a dc barrier of common-mode currents in the shielding of twisted pair cables. A washer-formed capacitor between the earth of the PWB and the shielding tube structure would probably be the only addition needed. Measurements, performed on two connectors and the connected twisted pair cable, confirmed the hypothesis of how the performance of the new cable would be improved in the high frequency range compared to the SOFIX cable connector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]