SNLS484J February 2015 – June 2026 DP83867CR , DP83867IR
PRODUCTION DATA
A general best practice is to have a solid return path beneath all signal traces. This return path can be a continuous ground or DC power plane. Reducing the width of the return path width can potentially affect the impedance of the signal trace. This effect is more prominent when the width of the return path is comparable to the width of the signal trace. Avoid breaks in the return path beneath the signal traces at all cost. A signal crossing a plane split can cause unpredictable return path currents and can likely impact signal quality as well, potentially creating EMI problems. See Figure 9-11.
Figure 9-11 Differential Signal Pair-Plane Crossing