How Decoupling Capacitors May Cause Radiated EMI Mark I. Montrose Montrose Compliance Services, Inc.
[email protected] Abstract–This paper analyzes effects that decoupling calculated from loop inductance (ESL) along with lumped capacitor(s) may have on the development of radiated capacitance from discrete components. The need to minimize emissions should improper implementation on a printed lead inductance is emphasized in the z-axis yet minimal circuit board (PCB) occur. This applied EMC paper is based research has been presented on what happens when there is on real-world experience and contains an easy solution to help excessive inductance on only one leg of a decoupling engineers achieve compliance quickly and at low cost, without capacitor (i.e., power or ground-0V) [3, 4]. having to redesign the PCB. This paper presents what happens in a real-world PCB Improper implementation of decoupling capacitor(s) should a poor layout topology be implemented. Not every includes: routing traces on the outer layers or using boards PCB layout designer, and in fact many digital design with or without power and return planes; excessive engineers, do not understand EMC and PCB layout inductance in the decoupling loop area; lack of charge storage to replenish the power and return planes; and self-resonant requirement and create a product using a routed trace between frequency of the capacitor outside the harmonic spectrum of component and decoupling capacitor(s) because it is easy to periodic signals. implement versus placing vias to a plane for every pin of the We analyze the magnitude of radiated electromagnetic component and both legs of a capacitor.