PCB Grounding Techniques

PCB Grounding Techniques – Short Notes (Handbook)
1. Star Grounding:
a. Similar to single-point grounding but with separate ground paths for different
subsystems, all connecting back to a central point.
b. This helps isolate noise generated by one subsystem from affecting others.
c. Connect all ground paths to this point to prevent ground loops and minimize noise.
d. The topology can be like this as mentioned below, another workaround with respect to
this kind of topology is to use solid unbroken ground planes
Figure 1 - Star Grounding Topology
2. Ground Planes:
a. Implementing large copper areas on PCB layers dedicated to ground can provide low
impedance paths for return currents, reducing noise and improving signal integrity.
b. Ensure this plane covers as much of the board as possible to provide low impedance
return paths.
c. Place signal traces over or adjacent to the ground plane to minimize loop area and
reduce noise coupling.
Figure 2 - Different Grounding Methods
Abhirup Bhattacharyya
Associate Electronics Engineer – RnD Department
Elecbits Technologies Private Limited, Gurgaon, Haryana – 122016
3. Partitioning:
a. Physically separate high-frequency and low-frequency components and their
associated ground paths to prevent interference.
b. This can be achieved by careful component placement and routing.
Figure 3 - Distinct Analog and Digital Ground Planes
4. Signal Return Paths:

a. Route signal return paths as close as possible to their respective signal traces.
b. Minimize the loop area of the signal path to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).
c. Avoid routing high-speed signals over splits in the ground plane to maintain signal
integrity.
Figure 4 - Ground Return Paths In case of Broken Planes
5. Component Placement:
a. Position critical components close to the ground plane to minimize trace lengths and
impedance.
b. Place sensitive components away from high-power or high-frequency sources to reduce
interference.
Figure 5 - Component Placement and Optimization
6. Decoupling Capacitors:
a. Install decoupling capacitors near power supply pins of ICs to filter high-frequency
noise.
b. Connect one terminal of the capacitor to the power supply and the other to the ground
plane to provide a low impedance path for high-frequency currents.
Figure 6 - Decoupling Capacitor Placement Optimization
7. Reference Links for Digging Deep into Concepts –

a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19WnYPhNOH0&t=967s&ab_channel=AltiumA
cademy
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv5zBqRS_98&ab_channel=AltiumAcademy
c. https://resources.altium.com/p/preventing-ground-loops-your-pcb-design
d. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vALt6Sd9vlY&t=387s&ab_channel=RobertFera
nec
8. Reference Links for Images –
a. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fresources.altium.co
m%2Fp%2Fusing-pcb-star-grounding-can-keep-your-design-
shining&psig=AOvVaw2CvopIUQt5LX-
awF9xuay7&ust=1713029084366000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=899784
49&ved=0CBQQjhxqFwoTCPj8x-KYvYUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAa
b. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.protoexpress.
com%2Fblog%2F7-pcb-design-tips-solve-emi-emc-
issues%2F&psig=AOvVaw2CvopIUQt5LX-
awF9xuay7&ust=1713029084366000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=899784
49&ved=0CBQQjhxqFwoTCPj8x-KYvYUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAs
c. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.protoexpress.
com%2Fblog%2Fbest-pcb-grounding-techniques-for-high-power-and-hdi-
designs%2F&psig=AOvVaw2AWgbEw27tea1t183Y2Fal&ust=171306888277
9000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCMC
xxIWtvoUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
d. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.protoexpress.
com%2Fblog%2Fdecoupling-capacitor-
use%2F&psig=AOvVaw3vFlF8_WuQgsP8EE4w3Xcr&ust=17130690829030
00&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCOC2g
OStvoUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ
e. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.protoexpress.
com%2Fkb%2Fpcb-component-placement-
rules%2F&psig=AOvVaw0QbP9GmUzQWmhlY2A2Vc3E&ust=1713069257
914000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjhxqFwoTCK
iazbquvoUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAS

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PCB Grounding Techniques – Short Notes (Handbook)

Figure 1 - Star Grounding Topology

Figure 2 - Different Grounding Methods

Figure 3 - Distinct Analog and Digital Ground Planes

4. Signal Return Paths:

Figure 4 - Ground Return Paths In case of Broken Planes

Figure 5 - Component Placement and Optimization

Figure 6 - Decoupling Capacitor Placement Optimization

7. Reference Links for Digging Deep into Concepts –

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