Dr. Howard Johnson's

Signal Integrity Laboratory

SiLab Volume I

Lab Demos from the course
High-Speed Digital Design: A Handbook of Black Magic

1.1 Path of RF Current

At radio frequencies, current no longer follows the path of least resistance. Instead, it follows the path of least inductance. (Practical demonstration)

1.2 Inductance of Bypass Capacitor

The pads and vias associated with a surface-mounted bypass capacitor exert tremendous influence over its high-frequency performance. This laboratory session presents a simple intuitive model of the electrical behavior of pad and via structures, illustrating in a direct way the importance of good layout. (Measured data)

1.3 Metastability

What happens when you violate the setup or hold time of a flip-flip? Sometimes the output goes to one, sometimes it goes to zero, and sometimes - this is the subject of metastability - it takes a long time to make up its mind. (Live lab demonstration)

SiLab Volume II

Lab Demos from the course
High-Speed Signal Propagation: Advanced Black Magic

2.1 Via Inductance

A general theory of pcb via inductance, confirmed by direct measurements taken on a giant scale model, reveals the importance of having good interplane connections near those spots where high-speed signals traverse vertically through your layer stack. (Measured data)

2.2 Serial Link Architecture

See typical signals inside a working multi-gigabit serial link. Hear about practical tradeoffs associated with differential trace geometry, connector crosstalk, and pcb vias. (Live demonstration: RocketIO at 10 Gb/s)
Features and specifications shown may differ from those presently available.

2.3 Serial Link Budgeting

A link attenuation budget focuses your attention on the parts of your system that cause the greatest signal degradation, like backplane connectors, pcb trace losses and DC blocking capacitors. (Worked example: RocketIO at 6.25 Gb/s)
Features and specifications shown may differ from those presently available.

SiLab Volume III

Lab Demos from the course
High-Speed Noise and Grounding: More Black Magic

3.1 Mixed-Signal Isolation

Watch Dr. Johnson prove his rules for signal isolation at audio frequencies with concrete laboratory demonstrations. At radio frequencies everything gets harder, but he still manages to achieve isolation better than one part in a million (120 dB). (Measured data)

3.2 BGA Ground Ball Placement

Dr. Johnson modifies, in real time, the pattern of power and ground pins within a large BGA package while observing the difference in crosstalk obtained with various patterns. (Measured data)

3.3 RoHS (Joe Fjelstad)

Have doubts about lead-free solder? Joe Fjelstad, an expert in interconnection technology, drops a bomb on the whole process, explaining why the RoHS lead-free solder initiative is not better for the environment, it is actually worse. His argument, which comes straight from the U.S. EPA, undercuts the whole basis of RoHS legislation.

Pricing and Terms

The films listed above this notice were produced independently and we sell them here on this site. Each video (North American DVD format) is priced at $40 plus $5.00 shipping for up to three titles within the US. To order, use our online form and pay with your credit card, or print an order form and mail it with payment to Signal Consulting. Checks and major credit cards accepted. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery.

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