Accurate power supply and ground plane pair models [for MCMs]

In this paper, we derive a theory and method for the use of two-dimensional (2-D) discrete transmission lines (TL's) or discrete coupled transmission lines (CTL's) in modeling power supply and ground planes accurately. If the stray coupling between power or local ground and global ground is not significant, the discrete TL's model is used. Otherwise the discrete CTL's model is used. An arbitrarily shaped plane pair is discretized into a 2-D TL or CTL array by an automatic mesh algorithm. The equivalent distributed circuit, including skin loss effect at high frequencies, represents this power ground plane pair. The theory is extended to be applicable to a generic multiple dielectric layer structure. The model computation results are in excellent agreement with S parameter measurements for practical frequency ranges, including the first major resonant nulls and peaks. The null or peak of the S parameter frequency response represents the test port interaction with the resonant standing wave of these planes at that frequency. The resultant S parameter data of these models can be condensed into a simpler N port equivalent circuit to represent a larger hierarchical power and ground plane network for fast simulation.