Guard trace with periodic structure for reducing common-mode radiation and maintaining signal integrity

The guard trace is effective for suppressing common-mode generation caused by placing a signal trace close to the return edge on a printed circuit board. Our previous studies on the guard trace focused only on a design methodology for reducing common-mode radiation, but the placing guard trace close to the signal line increases crosstalk to deteriorate signal integrity. A guard trace with a periodic structure is therefore proposed for simultaneously reducing common-mode radiation and maintaining signal integrity. Several test boards with different period patterns were evaluated by measurement and full-wave simulation from the viewpoint of transmission coefficient as well as common-mode radiation. As a result, it was found that the guard trace with the periodic structure helps reduce common-mode radiation and maintain signal integrity except for a couple of conditions.