MEP EP#316: Chunk 2 Chunk Current Returns

MEP EP#316: Chunk 2 Chunk Current Returns

Circuit grounding - How big is too big?

• Stephen has a new design that is trying something very odd
  
  
  • Planes that connect to the star
  
  
  
  


• Difference between different grounding techniques


• 8 layer monster board with multiple power supplies - low noise


• Parker likes to think of these problems as the extremes of certain examples as a way to think about what happens
  
  
  • Take a "star" topography ground for instance
    
    
    • Make the trace lengths that connect to the "star" really small
    
    
    • Make the star point really "big"
    
    
    • This is vias connections direct to a plain
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Coilcraft has “Elevated” inductors

• Parker found this tweet by Lukas Henkel showing coilcraft has inductors that are elevated off the PCB which allows placing parts under the component


• Coilcraft XAR7030 series
  
  
  
  • Unique off-the-board design provides 1.5 mm clearance for parts to be mounted underneath
  
  
  • Magnetically shielded for high density applications
  
  
  
  


• Torex Semiconductor has combined switch mode controllers and inductors to build micro DC/DC converters


• PCB Assembly problems?
  
  
  • Should XYRS now have a Z height?
  
  
  • This is typically on the CMs to "get it right"
  
  
  • Probably best to let your CM know what your doing in this case to reduce confusion