PCB Impedance Control: To Ensuring Signal Integrity
To understand impedance control, we must first distinguish between Resistance and Impedance.
(1)Resistance (R) is a concept tied to Direct Current (DC). It is the opposition to current flow based purely on the material’s properties (like copper resistivity) and its cross-sectional area. In a DC circuit, resistance is constant regardless of time or frequency.
(2)Impedance (Z), however, is a “complex” quantity used in Alternating Current (AC) circuits. It is the total opposition a circuit offers to the flow of energy at a specific frequency. It is mathematically represented as a combination of:
- Resistance (R):The real part of impedance.
- Reactance (X):The imaginary part, which consists of Inductive Reactance (XL) and Capacitive Reactance (XC).

On a PCB, every trace has a parasitic inductance (due to its length and the magnetic fields it creates) and a parasitic capacitance (due to its proximity to other copper layers and the dielectric material between them). When a high-speed signal travels down a trace, it “sees” this combination of R, L, and C. If these values are consistent along the entire length of the trace, the signal flows smoothly. If they change, the signal encounters an “impedance discontinuity,” leading to energy reflections.
评论
发表评论