Estimating the Connection Inductance of a Decoupling Capacitor.docVIP

Estimating the Connection Inductance of a Decoupling Capacitor The equivalent series inductance (ESL) of a capacitor is often the limiting factor of a decoupling capacitors effectiveness. By estimating the ESL, the efficacy of a decoupling strategy can be determined. The following outlines a method by which the connection inductance of a variety of decoupling capacitors can be estimated. Step 1: Identify the Loop The first step in estimating the inductance of a decoupling capacitor is to identify the decoupling current loop. Two cases will be considered, decoupling capacitors on boards with power routed on traces, and decoupling capacitors on boards with power and return planes. A. Geometries where power is routed on traces The current loop will consist of the path between the decoupling capacitor and the device that draws charge from the capacitor. In the figure shown below, the current path is shown in red. ? B. Decoupling capacitors connected to power planes The current loop in this configuration will start at the decoupling capacitor, go through a via to one of the power planes, then from one power plane to the other, and finally through a via back to the capacitor. The impedance of the path between the power and return planes, Zboard, is not normally considered to be part of the connection inductance. Zboard can be calculated independent of the inductance of the portion of the loop above the planes. The impedance of the connection to the planes is then given by, Zconn = jωL + Zboard where L is the inductance of the current path above the power planes. This path is shown in red in the figure below. Step 2: Identify an Equivalent Geometry To estimate the inductance for decoupling capacitors, the inductance of an equivalent geometry will be used. This simplification will allow us to use simple closed-form expressions to calculate the inductance. A. Decoupling capacitors where power is routed on traces Rectangular Loop If the decoupling current loop is sh