Digital Signal Integrity

[Jong]

Hello everyone. Can anyone tell me how can you tell that a certain Digital signal have a high integrity? What are the characteristics of a digital signal you need to look at for signal integrity? And how is it done? Do we need a certain special probe which may affect the integrity or quality of a digital signal that is to be measured? and is there a certain book that focus on digital signal integrity or quality? Any information would greatly be helpful. Thanks... =o)

 

[rakeshnunna]

Can anyone tell me how can you tell that a certain Digital signal have a high integrity?

If a signal reaches the destination when it is supposed to and when it reaches it has to reach with good quality. If these two objectives are met,then a signal is having good integrity.

What are the characteristics of a digital signal you need to look at for signal integrity? And how is it done

There are various parameters and it depend on conditions.For example if you are working at high frequencies conductors no longer behave as simple wires but instead exhibit high frequency affects and behave as transmission lines.

Do we need a certain special probe which may affect the integrity or quality of a digital signal that is to be measured

You can verify the characteristics of the signal either through measurement or through virtual prototyping using various EDA tools to caliculate the parasitics.Generraly after a silcon prototype comes you can do the measurement using some test fixtures and TDRs and VNAs.In the initial stages of the flow you need to rely on various EDA tools to see how you design is performing.

Different techniques are employed to verify signal integrity at IC,package and PCB levels.The best way to start is by reading ERIC Bogatin Book "Signal Integrity Simplified". After that depending upon the level(IC/package/PCb) you working you have other good books.

 

[Jong]

thanks a lot. sounds like a good book for me...