PCB Tech - Why is pcb divided into digital ground and analog ground

1 Why divide digital ground and analog ground

Because although they are interlinked, the distance is longer, the difference is different. The voltage at different points on the same wire may be different, especially when the current is large. Because of the resistance of the wire, a voltage drop occurs when current flows. In addition, the wire has distributed inductance, and the influence of the distributed inductance will be manifested under the AC signal. So we have to divide it into digital ground and analog ground, because the high-frequency noise of digital signal is very large, if the analog ground and digital ground are mixed, the noise will be transmitted to the analog part and cause interference. If the ground is separated, high-frequency noise can be isolated by filtering at the power supply. But if the two grounds are mixed, it is not easy to filter. This is why PCB should be divided into digital ground and analog ground.

2 How to design digital ground and analog ground

Before designing, we must understand the two basic principles of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC): The first principle is to minimize the area of the current loop; the second principle is that the system uses only one reference surface. On the contrary, if the system has two reference planes, it is possible to form a dipole antenna (Note: the radiation size of a small dipole antenna is proportional to the length of the line, the amount of current flowing and the frequency); and if the signal cannot pass as much as possible The return of a small loop may form a large loop antenna (Note: the radiation size of a small loop antenna is proportional to the loop area, the current flowing through the loop, and the square of the frequency). Avoid these two situations as much as possible in the design.

It is suggested to separate the digital ground and analog ground on the mixed-signal circuit board, so that the isolation between the digital ground and the analog ground can be achieved. Although this method is feasible, there are many potential problems, especially in complex large-scale systems. The most critical problem is that it cannot be routed across the division gap. Once the division gap is routed, electromagnetic radiation and signal crosstalk will increase sharply. The most common problem in PCB design is that the signal line crosses the divided ground or power supply and generates EMI problems.

We use the above division method, and the signal line crosses the gap between the two grounds. What is the return path of the signal current? Assuming that the two grounds that are divided are connected together somewhere (usually a single point connection at a certain location), in this case, the ground current will form a large loop. The high-frequency current flowing through the large loop generates radiation and high ground inductance. If the low-level analog current flows through the large loop, the current is easily interfered by external signals. The worst thing is that when the divided grounds are connected together at the power supply, a very large current loop will be formed. In addition, the analog ground and digital ground are connected by a long wire to form a dipole antenna.

Understanding the path and method of current return to ground is the key to optimizing mixed-signal circuit board design. Many design engineers only consider where the signal current flows, and ignore the specific path of the current. If the ground layer must be divided, and the wiring must be routed through the gap between the divisions, a single-point connection can be made between the divided grounds to form a connection bridge between the two grounds, and then wiring through the connection bridge. In this way, a direct current return path can be provided under each signal line, so that the loop area formed is small.

The use of optical isolation devices or transformers can also achieve the signal across the segmentation gap. For the former, it is the optical signal that crosses the segmentation gap; in the case of a transformer, it is the magnetic field that crosses the segmentation gap. Another feasible method is to use differential signals: the signal flows in from one line and returns from another signal line. In this case, the ground is not needed as a return path.

To deeply explore the interference of digital signals to analog signals, we must first understand the characteristics of high-frequency currents. For high-frequency currents, always choose the path with the least impedance (lowest inductance) and directly below the signal, so the return current will flow through the adjacent circuit layer, regardless of whether the adjacent layer is the power layer or the ground layer. In actual work, it is generally inclined to use a unified ground, and divide the PCB into an analog part and a digital part. The analog signal is routed in the analog area of all layers of the circuit board, and the digital signal is routed in the digital circuit area. In this case, the digital signal return current will not flow into the analog signal ground.

Only when the digital signal is wired on the analog part of the circuit board or the analog signal is wired on the digital part of the circuit board, the interference of the digital signal to the analog signal will appear. This kind of problem does not occur because there is no divided ground, the real reason is the improper wiring of the digital signal. PCB design adopts unified ground, through digital circuit and analog circuit partition and appropriate signal wiring, usually can solve some more difficult layout and wiring problems, and at the same time, it will not cause some potential troubles caused by ground division. In this case, the layout and partitioning of components becomes the key to determining the pros and cons of the design. If the layout is reasonable, the digital ground current will be limited to the digital part of the circuit board and will not interfere with the analog signal. Such wiring must be carefully inspected and verified to ensure that the wiring rules are 100% complied with. Otherwise, improper routing of a signal line will completely destroy an otherwise very good circuit board.

When connecting the analog ground and digital ground pins of the A/D converter together, most A/D converter manufacturers would suggest: Connect the AGND and DGND pins to the same low-impedance ground through the shortest lead (Note: Because most A/D converter chips do not connect the analog ground and digital ground together, the analog and digital ground must be connected through external pins.) Any external impedance connected to DGND will pass parasitic capacitance. More digital noise is coupled to the analog circuits inside the IC. According to this suggestion, it is necessary to connect the AGND and DGND pins of the A/D converter to the analog ground, but this method causes problems such as whether the ground terminal of the digital signal decoupling capacitor should be connected to the analog ground or the digital ground.

If the system has only one A/D converter, the above problems can be easily solved. Separate the ground, and connect the analog ground and digital ground together under the A/D converter. When adopting this method, it is necessary to ensure that the width of the connecting bridge between the two grounds is the same as the width of the IC, and any signal line cannot cross the division gap.

If there are many A/D converters in the system, for example, how to connect 10 A/D converters? If the analog ground and digital ground are connected together under each A/D converter, multi-point connection is generated, and the isolation between the analog ground and the digital ground is meaningless. If you don't connect in this way, it violates the manufacturer's requirements. If you are in doubt about the uniform grounding of mixed-signal PCB design, you can use the ground layer division method to layout and route the entire circuit board. When designing, pay attention to making the circuit board easy to use in the later experiments. The spacing is less than 1/2 inch. The jumper wires or 0 ohm resistors will be connected together separately. Pay attention to partitions and wiring, make sure that no digital signal lines are located above the analog part on all layers, and no analog signal lines are located above the digital part. Moreover, any signal line cannot cross the ground gap or the gap between divided power supplies. To test the function and EMC performance of the circuit board, then connect the two grounds together through a 0 ohm resistor or jumper wire, and retest the function and EMC performance of the circuit board. Comparing the test results, you will find that in almost all cases, the unified solution is superior to the divided solution in terms of function and EMC performance.

Is the method of dividing the land still useful?

This method can be used in the following three situations: Some medical equipment requires low leakage current between circuits and systems connected to the patient; the output of some industrial process control equipment may be connected to a noisy and high-power electromechanical system. Equipment; another situation is when the layout of the PCB is subject to specific restrictions.

There are usually independent digital and analog power supplies on mixed-signal PCB boards, and split power planes can and should be used. However, the signal lines close to the power supply layer cannot cross the gap between the power supplies, and all signal lines that cross the gap must be located on the circuit layer close to the large area ground. In some cases, designing the analog power supply with a PCB connection line instead of a single surface can avoid the problem of dividing the power surface.