Interactively Routing a Differential Pair on a PCB in Altium Designer

Parent article: The Routing

A differential signaling system is one where a signal is transmitted down a pair of tightly coupled carriers, one of these carrying the signal, the other carrying an equal but opposite image of the signal. Differential signaling was developed to cater for situations where the logic reference ground of the signal source could not be well connected to the logic reference ground of the load. Differential signaling is inherently immune to common mode electrical noise, which is the most common interference artifact present in an electronic product. Another major advantage of differential signaling is that it minimizes electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated from the signal pair.

Differential pair PCB routing is a design technique employed to create a balanced transmission system able to carry differential (equal and opposite) signals across a printed circuit board. Typically this differential routing will interface to an external differential transmission system, such as a connector and cable.

It is important to note that while the coupling ratio achieved in a twisted pair differential cable may be better than 99%, the coupling achieved in differential pair routing will typically be less than 50%. Current expert opinion is that the PCB routing task is not to try to ensure a specific differential impedance is achieved. Instead the objective is to maintain the properties required to ensure the differential signal arrives in good condition at the target component as it travels from the external cabling.

According to Lee Ritchey, a noted industry high-speed PCB design expert, successful differential signaling does not require working to a specific differential impedance. What it does require is:

• To set each of the routing signal impedances to half the incoming differential cable impedance.
• That each of the two signal lines is properly terminated in its own characteristic impedance at the receiver end.
• That the two lines should be of equal length, to within tolerances of the logic family and the circuit frequency used in the design. The focus should be on preserving the timing; match the lengths close enough to satisfy the skew budget of the design. Example length tolerances include: high-speed USB, length mismatch should be no greater than 150 mils; DDR2 clocks need to be matched to within 25 mils.
• Use the benefit of routing the two signals side-by-side to help achieve good quality routing of matched lengths. Where required, it is acceptable to separate to route around obstacles.
• Layer changes are acceptable as long as the signal impedances are maintained.

Defining the Differential Pairs on the Schematic

Differential pairs are defined on the schematic by placing a Differential Pair directive (Place » Directives) on each of the nets in the pair. Note that the net pair must be named with net label suffixes of _N and _P. Placing a Differential Pair directive on each pair net applies a parameter to the net, which has a parameter Name of DifferentialPair and a Value of True.

Differential pair definitions are transferred to the PCB during design synchronization.

Place directives on the schematic to define differential pairs.

Using a Blanket Directive to Identify Multiple Pairs

If there are a large number of pairs to be defined, an alternate approach is to also place a Blanket directive. This allows you to apply directives to multiple nets that are under the blanket (the software detects nets whose Net Label hotspot is within the blanket boundary). The blanket is then tagged by a single Differential Pair directive, as shown in the image below.

The image also shows that as well as directing that the contained nets be defined as differential pair members (via the presence of the Differential Pair directive), the directive also instructs all contained nets to become members of the Net Class RIO_Nets, the pairs to become members of the Diff. Pair Class ROCKET_IO_LINES, and also to create a Differential Pair Routing rule. Because there is a net class specified in the same Differential Pair directive, in the PCB editor this rule will be scoped to target the RIO_Nets net class when you transfer the design to the PCB editor.

A Blanket can be used to configure multiple nets as differential pair members.

Transferring the Differential Pairs to the PCB Editor

If you have placed Differential Pair directives on nets in the schematic, the default project options settings will result in the differential pairs members being created on the PCB. The following options in the Options for PCB Project dialog are used to configure this:

• Comparator tab - Extra Differential Pairs (then the Different Differential Pair checks for subsequent updates, and the Rules options if you are also creating/changing design rules)
• ECO Generation tab - Add Differential Pair (then the Change Differential Pair checks for subsequent updates, and the Rules options if you are also creating/changing design rules)
• Class Generation tab - Generate Net Classes (if you are also creating a Net Class to use to scope a PCB Differential Pair Routing rule)

Viewing and Managing Differential Pairs on the PCB

Differential pair definitions are viewed and managed in the PCB panel set to Differential Pairs Editor. The image below shows the pairs that belong to the Differential Pair Class ROCKET_IO_LINES. Pair V_RX0 is highlighted; the nets in this pair are V_RX0_N and V_RX0_P. The - and + displayed next to each member net name is a system flag indicating if it is the positive or negative member of the pair.

Differential pairs can be viewed and managed in the Differential Pair Editor. 
Right-click in the Differential Pair Classes region to create a new class.

Defining Differential Pairs on the PCB

Differential pairs can be defined on the schematic and also in the PCB Editor. To create a differential pair object in the PCB editor, click the Add button in the Differential Pairs region of the PCB panel in Differential Pairs Editor mode. In the resulting Differential Pair dialog, select existing nets for both the positive and negative nets, give the pair a name then click OK. Note that any two nets can be chosen as the differential pair members when they are defined in the PCB editor.

Quickly create pairs from the named nets.

Defining a Differential Pair Class

Often there is more than one differential pair that needs to be targeted by a design rule. In this situation, you can define classes of differential pairs, clustering them into logical groups. Classes are defined in the Object Class Explorer dialog (Design » Classes).

Create Differential Pair Classes to simplify the process of creating design rules that apply to the pair.

Using xSignals with Differential Pairs

If your differential pairs have series components in the signal path, you might find it worthwhile to create xSignals. An xSignal is a designer-defined signal path between two nodes. They can be two nodes within the same net or they can be two nodes in different nets. Using an xSignal, you can define the signal path so that it includes the net on either side of a series component, as well as the series component. Route length calculations for xSignals include the length of the path through the series component as shown by the thin line that is displayed when an xSignal is selected in the xSignals mode of the PCB panel.

These differential pairs have been defined as xSignals; the route length includes the series component. 

Applicable Design Rules

To interactively route a differential pair, create and configure the following two design rules in the PCB Rules and Constraints Editor dialog (Design » Rules):

• Differential Pairs Routing - defines the routing width of the nets in the pair, the separation (gap) between the nets in the pair, and the overall uncoupled length (the pair becomes uncoupled when the gap is wider than the Max Gap setting). Set the scope of this rule to target objects that are a differential pair, e.g., IsDifferentialPair or InDifferentialPairClass('All Differential Pairs'). Note that the Max Gap setting is used during routing but not during design rule checking. During design rule checking, the distance between the nets in a pair is tested by the applicable Electrical Clearance design rule.

• Electrical Clearance - defines the minimum clearance between any two primitive objects (e.g., pad-pad, track-pad) on either any net, the same net, or between different nets. Set the scope of this rule to target objects that are members of a differential pair, e.g., InDifferentialPair.

Setting the Scope of the Design Rules

The scope of the design rule defines the set of objects to which you want the rule applied. Since a differential pair is an object, you can use queries like the following examples:

• InAnyDifferentialPair - is the object in any differential pair.
• InDifferentialPair('D_V_TX1') - targets both nets in the differential pair named D_V_TX1.
• InDifferentialPairClass('ROCKET_IO_LINES') - targets all nets in all pairs belonging to the differential pair class called ROCKET_IO_LINES.
• (IsDifferentialPair And (Name = 'D_V_TX1')) - targets the differential pair object that has a name of D_V_TX1.
• (IsDifferentialPair And (Name Like 'D*')) - targets all differential pair objects whose name starts with the letter D.

Using the Differential Pair Rule Wizard to Define the Rules

Click the Rule Wizard button below the Nets region in the PCB panel in Differential Pairs Editor mode to open the Differential Pair Rule Wizard to walk you through the process of setting the required design rules. Note that the scope used for the created rules will depend on what was selected when the Rule Wizard button was clicked. If one pair was selected, the rules will target the nets in that pair, but if a differential pair class was selected, then the rules will target the nets and all pairs in that class.

Routing a Differential Pair

Main article: Interactive Routing

Differential pairs are routed as a pair - that is, you route two nets simultaneously. To route a differential pair, select Interactive Differential Pair Routing from the Route menu. You will be prompted to select one of the nets in the pair; click on either to start routing. The video below shows a differential pair being routed.

The nets in a differential pair are routed simultaneously .

During routing you can perform the following functions:

• Shift+R to cycle through the conflict resolutions routing modes (Walkaround, Push, Hug and Push, Stop at First Obstacle, Ignore Obstacles)
• Shift+Spacebar to cycle through the available corner styles (45 degree corner, 45 degree arc in corner, 90 degree corner, 90 degree arc in corner)
• To switch layers and insert vias: Press the * key on the numeric keypad; or use the Ctrl+Shift+Wheel Scroll shortcut combination
• Press 3 to cycle possible diff pair routing widths (User Choice, Rule Min, Rule Preferred, Rule Max)
• Press Shift+6 to cycle possible diff pair gaps (Rule Min, Rule Preferred, Rule Max)
• Press 4 to cycle possible via sizes (User Choice, Rule Min, Rule Preferred, Rule Max)
• Press 6 to cycle possible via stacks, or press 8 to display a list to select from (learn more about controlling the vias placed during interactive routing)
• Press 5 to cycle possible via patterns during a layer change
• Shift+F1 to display all of the available in-command shortcuts
• In the arc in corner modes, press the "," key to decrease the maximum arc radius, and the "." key to increase the maximum arc radius. The arc size can be changed interactively by moving the cursor. The setting defines the maximum allowable arc radius, which is displayed on the Status bar when you are routing.

Improving the Quality of the Routing

The PCB editor includes powerful tools for improving the quality of existing routing. These tools are known as Glossing and Retracing and both are available in the Route menu.

• Gloss - focuses on improving the trace geometry, attempting to reduce the number of corners and shorten the overall route length. Gloss preserves the existing trace width and differential pair gap.
• Retrace - assumes the overall geometry is satisfactory, focusing instead on verifying that the routing meets the design rules. Where Gloss preserves the existing trace width and pair gap, Retrace changes them to Preferred. Retrace is an excellent tool to use when a design rule has changed, and that change needs to be applied to existing routing.

The animation in the previous section, Routing a Differential Pair, includes a simple demonstration of glossing.

Strategies for Selecting the Routing

Selection is a core activity in all areas of the design process, including working with existing routing. Whether you're about to gloss or you want to delete some routing, the routes need to be selected first.

Select Within or Select Touching

In the PCB editor, selection can either be objects that are within the selection rectangle, or touching the selection rectangle. This is controlled by the direction you move the mouse as you draw the selection rectangle:

	Select Within - click and drag a blue rectangle from left to right to select all visible, unlocked objects that are completely within the selection rectangle.
	Select Touching - click and drag a green rectangle from right to left to select all visible, unlocked objects that touch the selection rectangle.

Extending the Selection

A common situation is when you need to select many objects that are touching, for example, the track segments in a routed net, or the connection lines in an unrouted net. It is relatively easy to select a set of track segments that run parallel to each other using the Select Touching technique just described, however, interactively selecting entire routes can be difficult.

This can easily be achieved by selecting one or more track segments, then extending the selection to include touching track segments. This is done using the Tab key, as demonstrated in the video below.

Demonstration of Routing Selection Techniques

Demonstration of the selection techniques.

Interactively Modifying the Differential Pair Routing

Main article: Modifying the Routing

During routing there will be many instances where you need to change some of the existing routing, for example, you might not be happy with the pad exits and you want to re-shape them (as shown in the video below). While you can change the existing routing using a drafting type approach of clicking and dragging track segments, it is often easier to simply re-route.

To do this, select the Route » Interactive Differential Pair Routing command, then click anywhere on the existing routing. Proceed to route the new path, coming back to meet the existing routing where required. This will create a loop with the old path and the new path. When you right-click or press Esc to terminate the route, the redundant segments are automatically removed, including any redundant vias. Differential pair routing is slightly different from single net routing. Single net routing can be configured so that the last segment is hollow (the look-ahead segment); this segment is not placed when you click. Differential pair routing does not include look-ahead segments, so when you click you will place all visible segments. Position the cursor to ensure that there are no redundant segments.

If you are adjusting differential pairs by manually dragging track segments, you can either push one pair member with the other or drag each independently.  

Using the loop removal feature to interactively re-route a differential pair - simply re-routing along a new path, the old routing loop is automatically removed.
Pairs can also be modified by dragging one net so that it pushes the other (Shift+R during dragging to cycle the mode).

To learn more, refer to Modifying the Routing.

Displaying the Available Clearance

Have you ever been stuck during routing, wondering why the route won't fit through that gap? This frustration is even more likely during differential pair routing. Altium Designer includes a feature to help with this, called dynamic display of clearance boundaries. When enabled, the no-go clearance area defined by the existing objects + the applicable clearance rule is displayed as shaded polygons within a local viewing circle, as shown in the video below. Press Ctrl+W to toggle the feature on and off.

 Dynamically display the clearance boundaries during differential pair routing.

The display area can be restricted to a region around the current cursor location, or it can be the entire screen. This is controlled by the Reduce Clearance Display Area sub-option on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog.

Matching the Lengths of Differential Pairs

Differential pairs are often used in high speed designs due to their inherent immunity to noise, and the fact that they simplify the challenge of providing a high-quality return path for the signals. However, like single-sided signals, their lengths must be managed to ensure the signal timing requirements are met.

During differential pair routing, the length of each of the two nets in the pair is displayed on the Status bar, and also in the Heads-up display (Shift+H to toggle on/off). The length values displayed in the PCB panel are updated when you drop out of routing a pair.

The current route length of each net in the pair is displayed in the Heads-up display (Shift+H to toggle on/off).

Matched Length and Length Design Rules

Length and Matched Length design rules can be defined to ensure that the flight time and skew timing requirements are met. As well as being used during a design rule check (DRC), these rules are also used during interactive length tuning.

The Matched Length design rule detects the longest pair targeted by the rule scope, and uses the Average Length value of that pair as the reference to compare the other targeted pairs, requiring their lengths to be within + or - the Tolerance defined in the rule. The Average Length value is shown in the Differential Pairs Editor mode of the PCB panel.

Within-Pair and Between Pair Design Rules

It is likely that you will have matched length requirements between the pairs, and also within each pair.

To manage this, create suitable Matched Length design rules:

1. Define a Matched Length design rule that applies across (between) the pairs (achieved by selecting the Group Matched Lengths option). Scope the rule to apply to the required pairs, as shown in the image below on the left.
2. Define another Matched Length design rule that applies within the pair (achieved by selecting the Within Differential Pair Length option). This rule ensures the lengths of the two nets within each pair are within tolerance. The rule will also be scoped to apply to the required pairs, as shown in the image below on the right. This rule should have a higher priority than the between pairs rule.

Two matched length rules have been defined for the diff pairs - one between pairs (left image), the second within pairs (right image).

Length Tuning a Differential Pair

Main article: Length Tuning

The length of pairs, and the nets within each pair, are tuned using the two length tuning commands. To tune the lengths:

1. The length of a differential pair can be accurately tuned using the Interactive Diff Pair Length Tuning command on the Route menu. During length tuning, you can use shortcuts to interactively adjust the accordion style and size, or press Tab to open the Properties panel in Differential Pair Length Tuning mode. In the panel, the target length is defined:

   • Manually, enter the value in the Target Length field

   • From a user-selected routed diff pair

   • From the applicable Length and Matched Length design rules.

2. To tune a net within a pair, use the Interactive Length Tuning command on the Route menu. If you attempt to tune the longer net in the pair, the message Target Length Shorter than Old Length will appear.

Tune the lengths of differential pairs first, then tune the length of the shorter net within a pair.

Removing a Length Tuning Accordion

Differential pair length tuning accordions are created from multiple short track and arc segments. These can be manually selected and deleted, however, it is usually more efficient to simple re-route over the top of them. The loop removal feature will then remove the redundant track/arc segments.

Using the loop removal feature to remove length tuning accordions.

See Also

• Interactive Routing
• Length Tuning
• Controlled Impedance Routing
• Modifying the Routing
• High Speed Design in Altium Designer
• Defining High Speed Signal Paths with xSignals