00/MontroseFront Page iii Thursday, January 4, 1996 6:54 PM

Printed Circuit Board

Design Techniques
for EMC Compliance

Mark I. Montrose

Published under the

Sponsorship of the IEEE
Electromagnetic Compatibility Society

IEEE
PRESS
The Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, Inc.
New York
U.S.A.

00/MontroseFront Page iv Thursday, January 4, 1996 6:54 PM

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ISBN 0-7803-1131-0
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Montrose, Mark I.
Printed circuit board design techniques for EMC compliance /
Mark Montrose.
p.
cm.
ISBN 0-7803-1131-0
1.

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To
Margaret,
Maralena, and
Matthew

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Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
Chapter 1Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Fundamental Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
EMC and the Printed Circuit Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
North American Regulatory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Worldwide Regulatory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Additional North American Regulatory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Supplemental Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Chapter 2Printed Circuit Board Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Layer Stackup Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Two-layer boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Four-layer boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Six-layer boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Eight-layer boards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Ten-layer boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
20-H Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Grounding Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Single-point grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Multipoint grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Ground and signal loops (Excluding eddy currents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Image planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Partitioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Logic Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
vii

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viii

Contents

Velocity of Propagation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Critical Frequencies ("/20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Chapter 3Bypassing and Decoupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Resonance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Capacitor Physical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Capacitor Value Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Parallel Capacitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Power and Ground Plane Capacitance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Capacitor Lead Length Inductance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Placement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Power planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Capacitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Bulk capacitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Chapter 4Clock Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Localized Ground Planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Impedance Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Propagation Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Capacitive Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Decoupling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Trace Lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Impedance MatchingReflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Calculating Trace Lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Microstrip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Loaded Stripline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Routing layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Routing layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Layer jumpinguse of vias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Guard/Shunt Traces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Crosstalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Trace Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Calculating Decoupling Capacitor Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Trace Separation and the 3-W Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Chapter 5Interconnects and I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Partitioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Functional subsystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Quiet areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Internal radiated noise coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

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Contents

ix

Isolation and Partitioning (Moating) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

Method 1: Isolation in moating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Method 2: Bridge in a moatpartitioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Filtering and Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Filtering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Grounding (I/O connector) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Local Area Network I/O Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Energy Hazard Protection (Fusing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Creepage and Clearance Distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Chapter 6Electrostatic Discharge Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Chapter 7Backplanes and Daughter Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Traces and Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
60 and 100 # trace impedance examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Backplane Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Number of layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Number of connector slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Interconnects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Signal Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Trace Length/Signal Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Crosstalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Ground Loop Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Ground Slots in Backplanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Chapter 8Additional Design Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Trace Routing for Corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
How to Select a Ferrite Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Grounded Heatsinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Lithium Battery Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
BNC Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Appendix A: Summary of Design Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Printed Circuit Board Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Bypassing and Decoupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

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Contents

Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Interconnects and I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
Electrostatic Discharge Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Backplanes and Daughter Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Additional Design Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
Appendix B: International EMI Specification Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Definition of Classification Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
FCC/DOC Emission Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
International Emission Limits Summary (Sample List) . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

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Preface

This design guide is presented to assist in printed circuit board design and
layout, with the intent of meeting North American and international EMC
compliance requirements. Many different layout design methodologies
exist. This technical guide illustrates generally applicable layout methods
for EMC compliance. Implementation of these methods may vary for a
particular printed circuit board design.
The intended audience for this guide is engineers who design electronic products that use printed circuit boards. These engineers may focus
on analog, digital, or system-level boards.
Regardless of their specialties, all engineers must produce a design that
is suitable for actual production. Frequently, more emphasis is placed on
functionality of the design than on overall system integration. System
integration is usually assigned to product engineers, mechanical engineers, or others within the organization. Design engineers must now consider other aspects of product design, including the layout and production
of printed circuit boards for EMC, which includes cognizance of the manner in which the electromagnetic fields transfer from the circuit boards to
the chassis and/or case structure.
Not only must a design work properly, it must also comply with international regulatory requirements. Engineers who specialize in regulatory
issues must evaluate products based on different standards. This guide
presents techniques that will alleviate existing conflicts among various
layout methods.
A great deal of technical information related to printed circuit board
design and layout is available commercially as well as from publicdomain documents. Typically, these sources provide only a brief discusxi

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xii

Preface

sion on how to implement a layout technique to solve an EMI problem

(selected sources are listed in the Bibliography).
The guide itself is derived from lecture notes used to present EMC and
printed circuit board layout information to engineers. The principles
should prove useful for engineers in a variety of functions, including electrical and mechanical design, CAD/CAE, engineering and production
test, manufacturing, and other fields.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to William (Bill) Kimmel and Daryl Gerke of Kimmel Gerke

Associates, Ltd., St. Paul, Minnesota; Todd Hubing, University of Missouri; and Doug Smith, AT&T Bell Laboratories who provided technical
review of the material for content and accuracy in addition to pointing out
different aspects of printed circuit board design techniques not covered in
my earlier drafts.
A special acknowledgment is given to Mr. W. Michael King of Costa
Mesa, California, for his expertise, technical review, friendship, and
encouragement without which I would never have achieved the technical
knowledge to write this book.
My very special acknowledgment is to my wife, Margaret, and my two
children, Maralena and Matthew, who tolerated my late night work and
long hours at the keyboard. Without their understanding and support, this
book could never have been written.
Mark I. Montrose
Santa Clara, California

xiii

1
Introduction

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance is

designed to help engineers minimize electromagnetic emissions generated
by components (and circuits) to achieve acceptable levels of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). It addresses both major aspects of EMC, which
are
1. Emissions: Propagation of electromagnetic interference (EMI)
from noncompliant devices (culprits), and in particular radiated
and conducted radio frequency interference (RFI)
2. Susceptibility: The detrimental effects on susceptible devices (victims) of EMI in forms that include electrostatic discharge (ESD)
and other forms of electrical overstress (EOS)
The engineers goal is to meet design requirements to satisfy both international and domestic regulations and voluntary industry standards.
The information presented in this volume is focused on non-EMC
engineers who design and lay out printed circuit boards (PCBs). EMC
engineers will also find the information helpful in solving design problems at the PCB level. This guideline is applicable as a reference document throughout any design project.
Circuit technology is advancing rapidly, and design techniques that
worked several years ago are no longer effective in todays high-speed
digital products. Because EMC is insufficiently covered in engineering
schools, training courses and seminars are held throughout the country to
provide this information. As such, there is a widespread need for introductory material. With this in mind, Printed Circuit Board Design Tech1

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance

niques for EMC Compliance is written for engineers who never studied
applied electromagnetics in school or who have limited hands-on experience with high-speed, high-technology printed circuit board design as it
specifically relates to EMC compliance.
A minimal amount of mathematical analysis is presented herein. It is
the intent of this guideline to describe hands-on techniques that have been
successfully applied to many real-world products. Data is presented in a
format that is easy to understand and implement. Those interested in
Maxwells equations or the more highly technical aspects of PCB design
theory will find a list of appropriate materials in the bibliography.
The focus of this guideline is strictly on the printed circuit board. Discussion of containment techniques (box shielding), internal and external
cabling, power supply design, and other system-level subassemblies that
use printed circuit boards as subcomponents will not be thoroughly discussed. Again, excellent reference material is listed in the bibliography on
these aspects of EMC system design engineering.
Controlling emissions has become a necessity for acceptable performance of an electronic device in both the civilian and military environment. It is more cost-effective to design a product with suppression on
the printed circuit board than to build a better box. Containment measures are not always economically justified and may degrade as the EMC
life cycle of the product is extended beyond the original design specification. For example, end users often remove covers from enclosures for
ease of access during repair or upgrade. Sheet metal covers (particularly
internal subassembly covers that act as partition shields) in many cases
are never replaced. The same is true for blank metal panels or faceplates
on the front of a system that contains a chassis or backplane assembly.
As a result, containment measures are compromised. Proper layout of a
printed circuit board with suppression techniques also assists in EMC
compliance at the level of cables and interconnects, whereas box shielding (containment) does not.
While it is impossible to anticipate every application or design concern possible, this book provides details on how to implement a variety
of design techniques for most applications. The concepts presented are
fundamental in nature and are applicable to all electronic products.
While every design is different, the basic fundamentals of product
design rarely change, and EMC theory is constant.
Why worry about EMC compliance? After all, isnt speed the most
important design parameter? Legal requirements dictate the maximum
permissible interference potential of digital products. These requirements
are based on experience in the marketplace related to emission and immu-

Introduction

nity complaints. Often, these same techniques will aid in improving signal quality and signal-to-noise performance.
This text discusses high-technology, high-speed designs that require
new and expanded techniques for EMC suppression at the PCB level.
Many techniques that were used successfully several years ago are now
less that effective for proper signal functionality and compliance. Components have become faster and more complex. Use of custom gate array
logic and ASICs presents new and challenging opportunities for EMC
engineers. The design and layout of a printed circuit board for EMI suppression at the source must always be optimized while maintaining system-wide functionality.

1.1

FUNDAMENTAL DEFINITIONS

The following basic terms are used throughout this book:

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)The ability of a product to coexist in its intended electromagnetic environment without causing or
suffering functional degradation or damage.
Electromagnetic interference (EMI)A process by which disruptive
electromagnetic energy is transmitted from one electronic device to
another via radiated or conducted paths (or both). In common usage,
the term refers particularly to RF signals, but EMI can occur in the
frequency range from dc to daylight.
Radio frequency (RF)The frequency range within which coherent electromagnetic radiation is useful for communication purposes
roughly from 10 kHz to 100 GHz. This energy may be generated
intentionally, as by a radio transmitter, or unintentionally as a byproduct of an electronic devices operation. RF energy is transmitted
through two basic modes:
Radiated emissions (RE)The component of RF energy that is
transmitted through a medium as an electromagnetic field. RF
energy is usually transmitted through free space; however, other
modes of field transmission may occur.
Conducted emissions (CE)The component of RF energy that is
transmitted through a conductive medium as an electromagnetic
field, generally through a wire or interconnect cables. Line conducted interference (LCI) refers to RF energy in a power cord.
SusceptibilityA relative measure of a device or systems propensity to
be disrupted or damaged by EMI exposure.

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance

ImmunityA relative measure of a device or systems ability to withstand EMI exposure.

Electrical overstress (EOS)Damage or loss of functionality experienced by an electronic device as a result of a high-voltage pulse. EOS
includes lightning and electrostatic discharge events.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)A high-voltage pulse that may cause
damage or loss of functionality to susceptible devices. Although
lightning qualifies as a high-voltage pulse, the term ESD is generally
applied to events of lesser amperage, and more specifically to events
that are triggered by human beings. However, for the purposes of this
text, lightning will be included in the overall ESD category because
the protection techniques are very similar, although differing in magnitude.
Radiated susceptibilityThe relative inability of a product to withstand
EMI that arrives via free-space propagation.
Conducted susceptibilityThe relative inability of a product to withstand
electromagnetic energy that reaches it through external cables, power
cords, and other I/O interconnects.
ContainmentPreventing RF energy from exiting an enclosure, generally by shielding a product within a metal enclosure (Faraday cage) or
by using a plastic housing with RF conductive paint. By reciprocity,
we can also speak of containment as preventing RF energy from
entering the enclosure.
SuppressionDesigning a product to reduce or eliminate RF energy at
the source without relying on a secondary method such as a metal
housing or chassis.
The next section discusses the nature of EMC, its relation to printed circuit
boards, and the legal mandates for EMC compliance.
1.2

EMC AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD

Traditionally, EMC has been considered an art of black magic. In reality, EMC can be explained by mathematical concepts. Some of the relevant equations and formulas are complex and beyond the scope of this
design guideline. Fortunately, simple models can be formulated to
describe how and why EMC can be achieved.
Many variables exist in the creation of EMI. This is because EMI is
often the result of exceptions to the normal rules of passive component
behavior. A resistor at high frequencies acts like a series combination of
inductance with resistance in parallel with a capacitor. A capacitor at high

Introduction

frequency acts like an inductor and resistor in a series-parallel combination

with a capacitor. An inductor at high frequencies performs like an inductor
and capacitor in parallel. An illustration [1] of these abnormal behaviors of
passive components at both high and low frequencies is shown in Fig. 1.1.
These behavioral characteristics are referred to as the hidden schematic. Digital engineers generally assume that components have a single
frequency response. As a result, passive component selection is based on
functional performance in the time domain without regard to the real characteristics exhibited in the frequency domain. Many times, EMI exceptions occur if the designer bends or breaks the rules, as seen in Fig. 1.1.
To restate the complex problems that exist, consider the field of EMC
as everything that is not on a schematic or assembly drawing. This
statement is why the field of EMC is sometimes considered to be an art of
black magic.
Once the hidden behavior of components is understood, it becomes a
simple process to design products with circuit boards that pass EMC
requirements. Hidden behavior also takes into consideration the switching speed of active components along with their unique characteristics,
which also may have hidden resistive, capacitive, and inductive components.
Designing products that will pass legally required EMI tests is not as
difficult as one might expect. Engineers strive to design elegant products,
but elegance sometimes must give way to other engineering considerations such as product safety, manufacturing cost, and, of course, EMC.
Such abstract problems can be challenging, particularly if the engineer is

Fig. 1.1 Component Characteristics at RF Frequencies (Source: Designers Guide to

Electromagnetic Compatibility, EDN. ! 1994, Cahners Publishing Co.
Reprinted by permission.)

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance

unfamiliar with the types and levels of compliance required. The general
guidelines offered in this book will remove the mystery from the hidden
schematic.
When an EMI problem occurs, the engineer should approach the situation logically. A simple model that describes the field of EMC has three
elements:
1. a source of energy
2. a receptor that is disrupted by this energy
3. a coupling path between the source and receptor
For interference to exist, all three elements must be present. If one of the
three elements is removed, there is no interference. It therefore becomes
our first task to determine which is the easiest element to remove. Generally, designing a printed circuit board that eliminates most sources of RF
interference is the most cost-effective approach (called suppression). The
second and third elements tend to be addressed with containment techniques. Figure 1.2 illustrates the relationship between these three areas and
presents a list of products typically associated with each element.
A product must be designed for two levels of performance: one to minimize RF energy exiting an enclosure (emissions), and the other to minimize the amount of RF energy entering the enclosure (susceptibility or
immunity). In both cases, there are considerations of radiated and conducted EMI. This relationship is shown in Fig. 1.3.
When dealing with emissions, the general rule of thumb is:
The higher the frequency, the greater the likelihood of a radiated
coupling path; the lower the frequency, the greater the likelihood of
a conducted coupling path.
There are five major considerations in EMI analysis, as enumerated
below:
1. Frequency. Where in the frequency spectrum is the problem
observed?
2. Amplitude. How strong is the source energy level, and how great is
its potential to cause harmful interference?
3. Time. Is the problem continuous (clock signals), or does it exist
only during certain cycles of operation (i.e., disk drive write operation)?
4. Impedance. What is the impedance of both the source and receptor
units and the impedance of the transfer mechanism between the

Introduction

Noise Source
NATURAL
Terrestrial
Atmospheric
Triboelectric
Extraterrestrial
Sun
Cosmic
Radio stars
MAN-MADE
Communications
Broadcast
Navigation
Radar
2-way radio
Industrial
Arc welders
Ultracleaners
RF induction heaters
Fluorescent lights
Medical
CAT scanners
Diathermy
Home
Shavers
HV bug killers
Microwave ovens
Computing devices
Line receivers
Power supplies
Disk drives
Video amplifiers

Propagation Path

Susceptor

RADIATION
Far-field
Plane wave
Near-field
Capacitive crosstalk
Inductive crosstalk
Forward crosstalk
Backward crosstalk
Conduction
Power distribution
Signal distribution
Ground loops

BIOLOGICAL
Man
Animal
Plants
MAN-MADE
Communications
Broadcast receivers
Navigation receivers
Radar receivers
2-way radio receivers
Industrial controllers
Amplifiers
Medical
Biomedical sensors
Ordnance
EEDs
Dynamic caps
Computing devices
Line receivers
Power supplies
Disk drives
Video amplifiers

Fig. 1.2 Elements of an EMC Environment

two?
5. Dimensions. What are the physical dimensions of the emitting
device? RF currents will exit an enclosure through chassis leaks
that equal fractions of a wavelength or significant fractions of a
rise-time distance. Trace lengths on a printed circuit board are
also transmission paths for RF currents.
Regarding impedance, if both source and receptor have the same
impedance, one should expect greater emission problems than if the
source and receptor have different impedances. This is because highimpedance sources have minimal impact on low-impedance receptors,
and vice-versa. Similar rules apply to radiated coupling. High impedances

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance

Noise Source

Propagation Path

Control Emissions
(Reduce noise source level)
(Reduce propagation efficiency)

Conducted

Radiated

Susceptor

Control Susceptibility
(Reduce propagation efficiency)
(Increase susceptor noise immunity)

Conducted

Radiated

Fig. 1.3 Coupling Paths

are associated with electric fields, whereas low impedances are associated
with magnetic fields.
1.3

NORTH AMERICAN REGULATORY

REQUIREMENTS

Electrical and electronic products generate RF energy. Emission levels are

set by rules and regulations as mandated by national and international
organizations. In the U.S.A., the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) regulates radio and wire communications. In Canada, the Department of Communication (DOC) performs the same function. Internationally, each country has a designated agency within its government to
oversee all aspects of communication.
The FCC regulates electronic products by specifying technical standards and operational requirements in the Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 47. The sections applicable to products discussed
herein are Parts 15, 18, and 68. These regulations have been developed
over many years and are based on complaints files with the Commission.
The most prominent are listed below. In Canada, the specification equivalent to CFR 47, Part 15 is SOR 88/475.
1. Part 15 is applicable to unlicensed radio-frequency radiating
devices (both intentional and unintentional). Information technology equipment (ITE) falls within Part 15.
2. Part 18 regulates industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment. These devices use radio waves for normal operation.
3. Part 68 regulates electronic equipment connected to a telephone

Introduction

network. This Part provides a uniform standard to protect the telephone network from harm caused by terminal equipment connected to it.
The FCC and DOC define a digital device as:
An unintentional radiator (device or system) that generates and
uses timing signal pulses at a rate in excess of 9,000 pulses
(cycles) per second and uses digital techniques; inclusive of
telephone equipment that uses digital techniques or any device
or system that generates and utilizes radio frequency energy
for the purpose of performing data processing functions, such
as electronic computations, operations, transformation, recording, filing, sorting, storage, retrieval or transfer.
Digital computing products are classified into two Categories: Class A and
B. The FCC and DOC use the same definitions:
Class A: A computing device that is marketed for use in a commercial,
industrial, or business environment, exclusive of a device which is
marketed for use by the general public or is intended to be used in the
home.
Class B: A computing device that is marketed for use in a residential
environment, notwithstanding its use in a commercial, industrial or
business environment.
If a product contains digital circuitry and has a clock frequency greater
than 9 kHz, it is defined as a digital device and is subject to rules and regulations of the FCC and DOC. Electromagnetic interference may occur
due to both time-domain and frequency-domain components of both digital and analog circuits. These products are subject to both domestic and
international regulations.
The FCC and DOC regulate conducted emissions on power cords (line
conducted interference) from 450 kHz to 30 MHz. Radiated emissions are
measured from 30 MHz to 1000 MHz.

1.4

WORLDWIDE REGULATORY
REQUIREMENTS

Harmonization of test requirements, standards, and procedures is being

implemented on a worldwide basis. Principles discussed herein will allow

10

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance

regulatory compliance to be achieved with minimal development costs and

shorter design cycles. The harmonization process is based on the work of
an expert technical committee run by the Committee for European Electrotechnical Standardization (Comit Europen de Normalisation Electrotechnique, or CENELEC). CENELEC adopts standards developed by the
International Special Committee on Radio Interference (Comit International Spcial des Perturbations Radiolectriques, or CISPR). CISPR is
not a regulatory authority; it oversees the work of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IEC is a subcommittee of CISPR.
The IEC issues recommendations to CISPR for adoption. CISPR presents
these recommendations to CENELEC which, in turn, sends them on to the
European Parliament for adoption. Once adopted by the European Parliament, it is the responsibility of each member country of the European
Union (EU) to adopt these requirements into their national law.
It is common to refer to international specifications as CISPR when, in
fact, the real standards, after adoption and publication by the European
Parliament, are prefixed with an EN number (European Normalisation).
To summarize, the European Parliament places into law requirements
developed by CISPR and other European working groups and committees
under the auspices of CENELEC.
This book focuses on products that fall within the category of information technology equipment and are covered by EN 55 022. CISPR regulates conducted emissions on power cords from 150 kHz to 30 MHz.
Radiated emissions are measured from 30 MHz to 1000 MHz.
The most commonly referenced CISPR test standards for products that
contain printed circuit boards are listed below. This book is applicable to
these commonly referenced standards. Many other test standards exist.
This list is subject to periodic change due to continuing development in
standards writing, along with continuing harmonization within the European Union (EU). The EU was formerly known as the European Community (EC) or European Economic Community (EEC). This list is current
at date of publication.
EN 50 081-1: 1992
Electromagnetic compatibility generic emission standardPart 1:
Residential, commercial and light industry
EN 50 081-2: 1994
Electromagnetic compatibility generic emission standardPart 2:
Heavy industrial environment

Introduction

11

EN 50 082-1: 1993
Electromagnetic compatibility generic immunity standardPart 1:
Residential, commercial and light industry
EN 50 082-2: 1994
Electromagnetic compatibility generic immunity standardPart 2:
Heavy industrial environment
EN 55 011: 1991
Limits and methods of measurements of radio disturbance characteristics of industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio-frequency
equipment (CISPR 11: 1990 ed. 2)
EN 55 013: 1993
Limits and methods of measurements of radio disturbance characteristics of broadcast receivers and associated equipment (CISPR 13:
1975 ed. 1 + Amendment 1: 1992)
EN 55 014: 1993
Limits and methods of measurements of radio disturbance characteristics of household electrical appliances, portable tools and similar
electrical apparatus (CISPR 14: 1993 ed. 3)
EN 55 020: 1993
Limits and methods of measurements of radio disturbance characteristics of broadcast receivers and associated equipment (CISPR 20:
1990 ed. 2 + Amendment 1: 1990)
EN 55 022: 1987
Limits and methods of measurements of radio disturbance characteristics of information technology equipment (CISPR 22: 1985 ed. 1)
Products are classified into two categories of emissions: Class A and Class
B. CISPR defines these categories as:
Class A: Equipment is information technology equipment if it satisfies
the Class A interference limits but does not satisfy the Class B limits.
In some countries, such equipment may be subjected to restrictions
on its sale and/or use.
(Note: The limits for Class A equipment are derived for typical commercial establishments for which a 30 m protection distance is used.
The class A limits may be too liberal for domestic establishments and
some residential areas).
Class B: Equipment is information technology equipment if it satisfies the
Class B interference limits. Such equipment should not be subjected
to restrictions on its sale and is generally not subject to restrictions on
its use.

12

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance

(Note: The limits for Class B equipment are derived for typical
domestic establishments for which a 10 m protection distance is
used).
Limits for European standards are similar but different from the North
American requirements. Appendix B illustrates the specification limits
for FCC/DOC (Part 15/SOR 88/475) and various international standards
in both tabular and graphical format.
European standards for susceptibility (immunity) are provided in the
IEC 1000-4-X series. This series describes the test and measurement
methods of basic standards. Basic standards are specific to a particular
type of EMI phenomenon. It is not limited to a specific type of product.
Internal to this series are the following:

terminology
descriptions of the EMI phenomenon
instrumentation
measurement and test methods
ranges of severity levels with regard to the immunity of the equipment

The IEC 1000-4-X series is based on the well known IEC 801-X
requirements. The main difference is in the title and publication number.
Future changes in technical requirements may be significant between the
IEC 1000-4-X and the IEC 801-X series. IEC requirements were officially withdrawn from circulation and replaced with a newly designated
series. The subparts of IEC 1000-4-X are listed below. As of the date of
writing, only IEC 1000-4-2/3/4 are legally required for EMC compliance.
It is anticipated that in the future, additional test standards and requirements will be mandatory. Currently, immunity tests are mandated in
Europe, only recommended in North America, and optional worldwide.

IEC 1000-1 General Considerations

IEC 1000-2 Environment
IEC 1000-3 Limits/Generic Standards
IEC 1000-4 Test and Measurement Techniques
IEC 1000-4-1 Administrative Aspects of the Directive
IEC 1000-4-2 Electrostatic Discharge
IEC 1000-4-3 Radiated Susceptibility
IEC 1000-4-4 Electrical Fast Transients

Introduction

13

IEC 1000-4-5 Surge Voltage Immunity*

IEC 1000-4-6 Conducted Disturbance Induced by RF Fields
Above 9 kHz*
IEC 1000-4-7 Harmonics, Interharmonics and Instrumentation
for Power Supply Systems*
IEC 1000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic Field Immunity*
IEC 1000-4-9 Pulsed-Magnetic Field Immunity*
IEC 1000-4-10 Damped Oscillatory Magnetic Field*
IEC 1000-4-11 Voltage Dips, Short Interrupts and Voltage
Variations Immunity*
IEC 1000-4-12 Oscillatory Waves*
IEC 1000-5 Installations and Mitigation Guideline
IEC 1000-9 Miscellaneous
To summarize, the standards that are required now and in the future for
compliance with the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, amended in 1992, are
contained in Table 1.1, even though some of these test standards have not
yet been adopted and published. Until the test requirements are officially
published in the European Official Journal, compliance is optional.

1.5

ADDITIONAL NORTH AMERICAN

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Table 1.1 International Emissions and Immunity Standards

Emissions

Immunity

EN 55 022 (ITE) Information technology

equipment

IEC 1000-4-2 ESD

IEC 1000-4-3 Radiated susceptibility
IEC 1000-4-4 Electrical fast transients

EN 55 014 (HHA) Household appliances,

hand tools, and similar apparatus

IEC 1000-4-5 Lightning on power lines

IEC 1000-4-6 Conducted continuous wave
IEC 1000-4-8 Magnetic radiated fields

EN 55 011 (ISM) Industrial, scientific, and

medical equipment

IEC 1000-4-11 Sags, surges, dropouts

EN 60 555-2 Power line harmonics

EN 60 555-3 Power line flicker
*

Indicates that the standard, as of the date of writing, is in draft form, published but not official, or not
yet legally required as part of the EMC directive. The reader should verify the existence and status
of a particular IEC 1000-4-X documents before implementing tests.

14

Printed Circuit Board Design Techniques for EMC Compliance

Table 1.2 Additional North American Standards

Standard

Subject Area

MDS-201-0004 FDA Standard

for Medical Devices

Emissions and susceptibility in medical electronics

SAE J 551

Radiated EMI from vehicles and associated devices

NACSIM 5100
(a.k.a. TEMPEST)

Classified standard limiting emissions from certain products

to be sufficiently low to prevent interception and
deciphering data streams that contain intelligence

MIL-STD-461/462

U.S. military emission standards and test procedures, both

radiated and conducted

Other agency requirements in North America include those listed in Table

1.2. These standards are very specific and for the most part beyond the
scope of this design guideline. The list is presented for completeness only,
given that printed circuit boards are used in products covered by these
standards.

1.6

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

In addition to compliance for EMC, requirements exist for product safety.

These requirements include energy hazards and flammability. Many
printed circuit boards are subject to high voltage and current levels that
pose a possible shock hazard to the user. In addition, extensive current
flow on traces generates heat, which can cause the fiberglass material used
in the construction of the printed circuit board to burn and/or melt, with an
associated risk of fire. Components and interconnects on a printed circuit
board may also provide a source of fuel (combustible material) that may
contribute to a fire hazard under abnormal fault conditions.
An important part of this design guide is the Appendix. Much technical
information is contained in all the chapters. To assist during the actual
layout of a printed circuit board, Appendix A, Summary of Design Techniques, provides a brief overview of items discussed, cross-referenced to
their respective chapters. This summary may be used for quick review
during the layout and design stage.
Appendix B is provided as a quick reference guide to international
EMC specification limits for the United States and Canada (FCC/DOC),
Europe, and worldwide, in addition to the European immunity limits.