3.2.1.1 Differential Traces

A well-designed differential trace must have the following qualities:

  • No mismatch in impedance
  • Insertion loss and return loss
  • Skew within the differential traces

    The following points must be considered while routing the high-speed differential traces to meet the previous qualities.

  • The traces should be routed with tight length matching (skew) within differential traces. Asymmetry in length causes conversion of differential signals in Common mode signals.
  • The differential pair should be routed such that the skew within differential pairs is less than 5 mils. The length match should be used by matching techniques.