6. Conclusion

Signal integrity is not a new discipline. From the earliest days of digital electronics, engineers were faced with the problems of switching noise and transmission line phenomena. Collaterally, engineers responsible for guaranteeing the EMC of products have also taken an interest in aspects linked to board radiation. Specialists in both disciplines are few and far between, but this is likely to change, as the ever-increasing need for highly digital electronic products and the rise in frequency mean that signal integrity (including power integrity and EMC) is becoming an essential discipline.

Its impact on board design is such that digital design must incorporate principles known and used in the analog and RF world.

The trend towards higher frequencies, greater densification and a greater mix of technologies means that engineers developing...