Ignacio de Mendizábal discussed the fundamentals of grounding for high-speed PCB design, emphasizing the importance of understanding whether a system is AC, DC, analog, digital, or mixed-signal. He referenced Daniel Beeker’s point (taught by Ralph Morrison… It’s all about the space…) that at high speeds, design isn’t just about electricity but about managing electromagnetic fields. Ignacio stressed that proper grounding involves carefully designed ground planes, controlled impedance, and ensuring signal return paths are well-defined to prevent unintended radiation. He explained that EMC issues arise when energy escapes the system due to uncontrolled return paths, making thoughtful PCB layout critical for minimizing EMI.
Trace Talks EP 8 on avoiding EMC nightmares in PCB design