Decoupling technique and crosstalk analysis for coupled RLC interconnects

With lower wire resistance and faster signal rise times, the on-chip inductance plays an important role in determining the circuit performance and signal integrity characteristics. The self and mutual inductance must be considered in the analysis of crosstalk noise between coupled RLC interconnects. Based on the ABCD parameter matrix, a decoupling technique for two coupled identical RLC interconnects is developed. The inductances (capacitances) of two decoupled interconnects are the effective inductances (capacitances) when both inputs switch in the same and inverse direction, respectively. A model of the peak crosstalk noise is developed based on this decoupling technique, with the peak noise occurring at the time of flight t(fmax) or 3t(fmax). The model exhibits an average error of 6.8% as compared to SPICE. The peak crosstalk noise does not necessarily increase with greater coupling inductance or capacitance. The decoupling technique is further extended to two nonidentical coupled interconnects, providing an upper limit on the peak crosstalk noise.