Let's consider two PCB stackups in which signal ground and power ground are the same and the return path of the signal is on the ground layer.
Stackup A
01 Signal
02 Power
03 Power
04 Ground
Stackup B
01 Signal
02 Ground
03 Ground
04 Power
In Stackup A, the ground is on 4th layer. However, in Stackup B, the signal return will be on the 2nd layer and the power ground is on the 3rd layer. In order to maintain signal integrity, Stackup B is better then Stackup A ?
The thickness of dielectric between power and ground planes should be thin, like 3 mil or 4mil because it also provide low impedance in PDN and also slightly higher capacitance in power distribution network, which otherwise is the job of de-coupling capacitors, meaning thin layer of dielectric should be use between power and ground layer, right ?
Now back to my question. The dielectric thickness between signal and ground layer. Text book says that return current flows directly under signal but on the ground layer. What is the consequence of thick and thin dielectric layers between signal and ground layers ?