Differential signalling in PCBs: modeling and validation of dielectric losses and effects of discontinuities

This paper focuses on differential signal transmission above ground planes with gaps, taking into account the dielectric and conductive losses of the substrate. An equivalent lumped-circuit is proposed and its suitability is investigated by comparing the obtained numerical results with the measured data. Furthermore the differential to common mode conversion of the waves, while crossing the gap, is theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified.