Once the extracted S-parameters have been verified
as causal and passive, the S-parameter plots must be inspected. TI recommends to
check for the following:
- Insertion Loss: The single-ended insertion loss is recommended to stay within 0
to 10dB up to 3 times the Nyquist frequency of operation. For example, if the
target frequency is 8Gbps (4GHz Nyquist), the single-ended insertion loss must
stay under 10dB up to 12GHz.
- Return Loss: The single-ended return loss is recommended to be less than 15dB
up to 3 times the Nyquist frequency.
- Near and Far end crosstalk (FEXT/NEXT): The FEXT and NEXT are recommended to be
under 25dB for frequencies up to 3 times the Nyquist frequency.
The S-Parameter inspection plots are not pass or
fail tests, but rather more of a guide to check if the design has a reasonable
chance of performing a the required level.