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Analog Layout Design
Description
Where and why must we connect the shielding net?
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Where and why must we connect the shielding net?
In analog layout, shielding is used to protect sensitive signal traces from noise, crosstalk, and
electromagnetic interference (EMI) by placing a metal shield (shielding net) around or between the
signal lines. Where to connect the shielding net and why depends on the specific application and the
signal type (analog, digital, or mixed-signal). Here’s how and why shielding is connected in analog
layout:
1. Ground Shielding (Most Common Approach)
➢ Connection: Connect the shield net to ground (GND), which is usually the lowest impedance
and quietest reference point in the circuit.
➢ Why:
❖Noise Absorption and Isolation: Grounded shields effectively absorb electromagnetic
interference (EMI) from noisy signals, external sources, or adjacent signal traces and
divert it to ground. This prevents noise from coupling into sensitive analog signal lines.
❖ Minimizing Crosstalk: By connecting the shield to ground, the shield acts as a barrier
between signal lines, reducing crosstalk between adjacent traces, especially in high-
frequency and differential signal paths.
❖ Electrostatic Shielding: Grounded shields help reduce electrostatic coupling,
particularly between high-impedance nodes.
➢ Where it's used:
❖ Analog signal traces: Ground shields are essential when routing sensitive analog signals
(e.g., op-amp inputs, feedback paths, or low-noise amplifier inputs) to protect them
from noise sources.
❖ Differential signal pairs: In mixed-signal designs, shielding may be applied between the
differential pairs to minimize coupling with other signals.
❖ Between digital and analog blocks: Ground shielding is often placed between noisy
digital signals and sensitive analog sections of the layout to prevent noise injection from
high-frequency switching in digital logic into the analog domain.
2. Power Supply Shielding
➢ Connection: In some cases, the shield net is connected to the power supply (VDD) instead of
ground. This approach is less common but can be used when the ground plane is noisy, or when
analog signals are referenced to a specific power rail.
➢ Why:
❖ Analog signals referenced to a power rail: In certain designs, analog signals might be
referenced to a power rail (e.g., VDD in low-dropout regulators). In these cases, the
shield can be connected to VDD to provide better noise isolation relative to that power
rail.
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❖Noise Reduction: Connecting the shield to VDD can sometimes help isolate the analog
signal from noise on the ground plane, especially in circuits where the ground plane is
subject to high-frequency switching noise.
➢ Where it's used:
❖ Power-sensitive circuits: Where analog signals are sensitive to fluctuations in the
ground plane or where the power rail provides a better low-noise reference than
ground.
❖ Specific analog blocks: For certain RF or low-noise amplifier designs, connecting shields
to a low-noise analog VDD supply can improve performance.
3. Floating or Disconnected Shielding (Rare)
➢ Connection: In some very specific applications, the shield may be left floating (i.e., not
connected to any net). This is very rare and should only be done when the specific
characteristics of the design require it.
➢ Why:
❖ Capacitive Isolation: Floating shields can provide capacitive isolation between two
signal lines, reducing capacitive coupling without providing a direct path for noise
current. This can be useful in sensitive analog designs where direct grounding might
introduce noise.
➢ Where it's used:
❖ Very specific analog circuits: High-impedance, low-current circuits that are highly
sensitive to even small ground noise. However, this approach is typically avoided
because floating shields can become sources of noise if they pick up stray signals.
4. Shielding in Mixed-Signal Design
➢ In mixed-signal designs, analog and digital sections coexist on the same chip, and shielding
plays a crucial role in maintaining signal integrity.
❖ Between Analog and Digital Sections: Ground shields are often placed between analog
and digital sections to prevent high-speed digital signals from introducing noise into
sensitive analog sections.
❖ Ground Shields Under Clock or High-Speed Signals: Clock signals or other high-
frequency signals may be shielded with a ground plane underneath to prevent their
switching noise from affecting neighboring analog circuits.
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Why Shielding Nets Are Important:
1. Noise Immunity: Connecting the shielding net to ground helps absorb external noise and EMI,
which is especially important in sensitive analog circuits (e.g., ADC inputs, op-amp circuits).
2. Signal Integrity: Shielding ensures that the signal integrity of critical analog signals is preserved
by reducing crosstalk and preventing unwanted coupling with other nearby signal lines.
3. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Reduction: Shields can block or reduce radiated EMI from
affecting the signal, ensuring clean signal transmission, particularly in mixed-signal designs
where noisy digital logic coexists with sensitive analog blocks.
Summary: Where to Connect the Shielding Net
➢ Ground is the most common connection point for shielding in analog layout. It provides the
lowest impedance path for diverting noise and crosstalk away from sensitive signal lines.
➢ Power rail (VDD) shielding can be used in specific designs where the signal is referenced to the
power supply or where the ground plane is noisy.
➢ Floating shields are rarely used but can provide capacitive isolation in very specific designs.
The choice of where to connect the shielding net ultimately depends on the signal type, layout
architecture, and noise performance requirements of the circuit. Ground shielding is typically the
best option for most analog designs because it ensures the highest noise isolation.
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