A Methodical Approach for PCB PDN Decoupling Minimizing Overdesign with Genetic Algorithm Optimization

An optimization routine is applied for the decoupling capacitor placement on Power Distribution Networks to identify the limit beyond which the placement of additional decaps is no longer effective, thus leading to wasting layout area and components, and to a cost increase. A specific test example from a real design is used together with the required target impedance and frequency band of interest for the PDN design. The effectiveness of the decap placement while selecting different layers of the stack-up, and while moving the upper limit of the PDN design band is analyzed. Such analysis leads to helpful insights based on the progression of the input impedance during the optimization process, and to develop useful guidelines for avoiding over-design of the PDN.