An Efficient Approach for the Extraction and Evaluation of Most Critical Transient Noise Paths on HDI

This paper presents an efficient approach to extract the most critical noise propagation paths in complex printed circuit boards. The method based on the single shortest path algorithm is capable to identify the most dominant signal propagation path relating a noise source and an integrated circuit driver. Since High-Density Interconnected structures contribute to very significant high frequency parasitic that may disturb the IC function, the coupling noise requires to be compensated. Based on the information provided by the critical paths, appropriate protection procedures may be considered to improve or increase the reliability of the circuitry. The method is demonstrated using a circuit containing different interconnect geometries and discrete passive components. A good approximation of the dominant path to the total response is achieved.