PCB Return-Current Distribution in a Microstrip Line

EMC concepts explained

n [1] the return path of high-frequency current was discussed for a two-layer PCB configuration shown in Figure 1a.

It was shown that at high frequencies the return current takes the path of least inductance, which is directly underneath the top trace, because this represents the smallest loop area (smallest impedance). This is shown in Figure 1b.

This article discusses the distribution of a PCB return current underneath top trace for the microstrip configuration. Next month’s article will discuss the distribution for the stripline configurations.

Example of Two-sided PCB with a solid ground plane

Figure 1: Two-sided PCB with a solid ground plane

Return Current Distribution in a Microstrip Configuration

Consider a typical microstrip configuration in a four-layer PCB, shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows a single trace on a signal layer carrying a forward current and the associated fields.

Example of Microstrip configuration is a four-layer PCB

Figure 2: Microstrip configuration is a four-layer PCB

Example of Microstrip line and the surrounding fields

Figure 3: Microstrip line and the surrounding fields

Figures 4 and 5 on page 10 show the CST Studio simulations of the E and H fields, respectively [2].

Example of Microstrip line - simulated E field

Figure 4: Microstrip line – simulated E field

Example of Microstrip line - simulated H field

Figure 5: Microstrip line – simulated H field

If the trace carries a forward current then the return current will flow on the adjacent reference plane underneath the trace where the electric field lines terminate. The reference plane could be a ground plane (signal V₁ and the adjacent plane) or a power plane (signal H₂ and the adjacent plane), as shown in Figure 6 on page 10.

Example of Reference planes in a six-layer PCB configuration

Figure 6: Reference planes in a six-layer PCB configuration

Let’s stop here for a minute and answer this important question: How is it possible for the return current to flow on the power plane?

This seems to contradict what we have learned in a basic circuit course. In a “classical” circuit course we always assumed that the current flows out of the positive terminal of the source, flows along the forward path, through the load, and returns to the source on the return (ground) path (conductor or plane).

This is true for pure DC currents where we model the current flow as moving charges along the conductor, flowing with a drift velocity proportional to the voltage of the source. We often ignore the drift velocity and assume that there is no time delay in the current flow and the voltages and currents appear instantaneously everywhere in the circuit when the source is connected to it.

Pure AC current (regardless of its frequency) does not involve the charges moving along a conductor; it is modeled as the charges oscillating back and forth (with respect to their original position) as the polarity of the source changes. This ac model is valid for the functional, i.e., intentional ac currents. When analyzing such circuits, we still assume that the current flows from the positive terminal of the source, along the forward conductor to the load, and returns to the source along the return (ground) path (conductor or a plane). And again, we often ignore the time delay.

Now, the situation is quite different for high-frequency noise currents. Actually, for any-frequency noise currents, but we usually ignore the low-frequency noise and focus on high-frequency noise currents. These high-frequency noise currents, (created for instance, during the switching of the DC voltage levels) are superimposed on the existing functional DC or AC currents. In understanding their impact, it helps to think of them as the electromagnetic waves traveling on the surface of the conductor. These waves disturb the functional behavior of the charges moving in a conductor, regardless of what DC potential the conductor is at! These high-frequency noise waves (current) will “flow” on any conducting surface, regardless of whether it is a ground or power plane!

Example of High-frequency return currents

Figure 7: High-frequency return currents

Now, having established the fact that the high-frequency noise current can flow on either the ground or power plane, let’s look into more details of such a flow. The high-frequency current flows within a few skin depths of the reference plane surface, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows the fields and the current density inside the current carrying conductor (see [3] for more details).

Example of Fields and current density inside a conductor

Figure 8: Fields and current density inside a conductor

Example of Currents on both sides of the reference plane

Figure 9: Currents on both sides of the reference plane

Since the current density decays to virtually zero within a few skin depths in a conductor, the high-frequency currents are often considered to be the surface currents. Consequently, the reference plane can be considered as two different conductors. The high-frequency current flowing on the top surface is different from the high-frequency current flowing on the bottom surface. This is illustrated in Figure 9.

Let’s turn our attention to the return current distribution in the reference plane underneath the forward trace. Consider the microstrip line geometry shown in Figure 10, where the trace of width w is at a height h above a reference plane; x is the distance from the center of the trace.

Figure 10: Microstrip line geometry

The current distribution on the reference plane underneath the trace is described by its current density [4] J(x):

where I is the total current flowing in the loop. The current density underneath the center of the trace is

Figure 11 on page 12 shows the Matlab plot of (normalized) current density underneath a trace as a function of x/h.

Observations: 1) Majority of the return current flows relatively close to the center of the trace. 2) as the distance from the center increases, the curve flattens. Therefore, there is still some return current beyond the distance ±5x/h from the center.

Example of Current density underneath a microstrip trace (Matlab)

Figure 11: Current density underneath a microstrip trace (Matlab)

Example of Current density underneath a microstrip trace (CST Studio)

Figure 12: Current density underneath a microstrip trace (CST Studio)

Figure 12 shows the CST Studio simulation of the current density underneath the trace.

Figure 13 shows the % of the total microstrip return current contained in the portion of the plane between ±x⁄h of the centerline of the trace.

Observations: 1) 50% of the current is contained within a distance ±1x/⁄h. 2) 80 % of the current is contained within a distance ±3x/⁄h. 3) 97% of the current is contained within a distance ±10x/⁄h [x].

Table 1 shows more detailed results for other distances from the centerline underneath the trace [x].

The highlighted row in Table 1 shows that if a microstrip trace is located 10 mils above a reference plane, then 97% of the return current will flow in the portion of the plane that is 200 mils to the left and right of the trace centerline.

Example of Cumulative distribution of the return current

Figure 13: Cumulative distribution of the return current

References

Bogdan Adamczyk, “Common-Mode Current Creation and Suppression,” In Compliance Magazine, August 2019.
Scott Piper, CST Microwave Studio Simulations, Gentex Corporation, 2012.
Bogdan Adamczyk, “Skin Depth in Good Conductors,” In Compliance Magazine, February 2020.
Henry W. Ott, Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering, Wiley, 2009.
Bogdan Adamczyk, “Impact of a Decoupling Capacitor in a CMOS Inverter Circuit,” In Compliance Magazine, September 2019.

Table of Cumulative current in % underneath a microstrip trace

Table 1: Cumulative current in % underneath a microstrip trace

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Dr. Bogdan Adamczyk is professor and director of the EMC Center at Grand Valley State University (http://www.gvsu.edu/emccenter) where he regularly teaches EMC certificate courses for industry. He is an iNARTE certified EMC Master Design Engineer. Prof. Adamczyk is the author of the textbook “Foundations of Electromagnetic Compatibility with Practical Applications” (Wiley, 2017) and the upcoming textbook “Principles of Electromagnetic Compatibility with Laboratory Exercises” (Wiley 2022). He can be reached at adamczyb@gvsu.edu.

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