PCB Trace Length Propagation Delay Calculator

PCB trace length directly influences propagation delay. For example, a 1-inch trace can introduce an approximate 5.08 nanoseconds (ns) propagation delay in typical FR-4 material with a propagation velocity of 150,000,000 meters per second. Longer traces result in proportionally longer propagation delays, affecting signal timing and performance in electronic circuits.

PCB Trace Length Propagation Delay Calculator

PCB Trace Length (L)	Propagation Delay (PD)	Propagation Delay Formula
1 inch	Approximately 5.08 ns	PD = L / Propagation Velocity
2 inches	Approximately 10.16 ns	PD = L / Propagation Velocity
3 inches	Approximately 15.24 ns	PD = L / Propagation Velocity
4 inches	Approximately 20.32 ns	PD = L / Propagation Velocity
5 inches	Approximately 25.40 ns	PD = L / Propagation Velocity
6 inches	Approximately 30.48 ns	PD = L / Propagation Velocity

FAQs

How do you calculate propagation delay in PCB?

Propagation delay in a PCB can be estimated using the formula:

Propagation Delay = Trace Length / Propagation Velocity

How do you calculate PCB trace length?

PCB trace length can be calculated based on the signal’s desired time of flight or wavelength:

Trace Length = Propagation Velocity × Time of Flight

Trace Length = (Propagation Velocity / Frequency) × Velocity Factor

How do you calculate propagation delay?

Propagation delay is calculated as the time it takes for an electrical signal to travel from the source to the destination on a trace:

Propagation Delay = Trace Length / Propagation Velocity

What is the distance propagation delay?

The distance propagation delay is the time it takes for a signal to travel a specific distance on a PCB trace. It depends on the trace’s length and the propagation velocity.

What is the propagation velocity of FR4?

The typical propagation velocity of signals in FR-4 PCB material is approximately 150,000,000 meters per second (m/s), which is roughly two-thirds the speed of light in a vacuum.

How do you calculate PCB trace resistance?

PCB trace resistance can be estimated using the formula for the resistance of a conductor:

Trace Resistance (R) = (Resistivity × Length) / Cross-Sectional Area

How far should traces be from the edge of PCB?

Traces should typically be kept at least 0.010 inches (10 mils) away from the edge of the PCB to avoid manufacturing and reliability issues.

What is the rule of thumb for PCB trace spacing?

A common rule of thumb for PCB trace spacing is to keep it at least 3 times the width of the trace to minimize the risk of crosstalk and ensure signal integrity.

What is the standard trace size for PCB?

Standard trace widths on a PCB can vary depending on the design requirements but often range from 4 to 10 mils (0.1 to 0.25 mm) for signal traces.

How do you calculate end-to-end propagation delay?

End-to-end propagation delay in a PCB can be calculated by adding the propagation delays of all the traces and components in the signal path. It does not depend on the packet length.

Does propagation delay depend on packet length?

No, propagation delay in a PCB does not depend on packet length. It is primarily determined by the trace length and propagation velocity.

What is the formula for end-to-end propagation delay?

End-to-end propagation delay is the sum of the propagation delays of individual traces and components in the signal path:

End-to-End Propagation Delay = ∑(Trace Length / Propagation Velocity for all segments)

How to calculate propagation delay and contamination delay?

Propagation delay can be calculated as mentioned earlier. Contamination delay is a measure of the minimum time a signal must be applied to an input before the output changes. It depends on the specific logic gate or circuit and is not calculated in the same way as propagation delay.

What is the difference between propagation time and propagation delay?

Propagation time refers to the actual time it takes for a signal to travel from the source to the destination, while propagation delay includes not only the travel time but also any additional delays introduced by components or logic gates in the signal path.

What is the minimum frame size if propagation delay is given?

The minimum frame size required for a specific propagation delay depends on the communication protocol and the desired data rate. There’s no universal formula to determine this without additional context.

What is the formula for propagation velocity?

Propagation Velocity = 1 / √(Permittivity × Permeability)

What is the velocity factor of a PCB trace?

The velocity factor (VF) of a PCB trace is a dimensionless value that represents the fraction of the speed of light at which signals travel in a specific transmission medium. For FR-4 PCBs, the VF is typically around 0.6 to 0.7.

What is the trace capacitance of FR4 PCB?

The capacitance of a PCB trace depends on its geometry and dielectric properties. A rough estimate for the capacitance of a typical FR-4 trace can be calculated using the formula:

Capacitance (C) ≈ (εr × ε0 × Length) / Width

Where εr is the relative permittivity of FR-4, ε0 is the permittivity of free space, Length is the trace length, and Width is the trace width.

What is the 3W rule for PCB trace?

The 3W rule suggests that traces should be spaced at least three times their width apart to minimize crosstalk and maintain signal integrity.

How do I choose PCB trace width?

You can choose PCB trace width based on factors like current-carrying capacity, impedance requirements, and space constraints. Various online calculators and PCB design tools can help you make this determination.

How many amps can a PCB trace handle?

The current-carrying capacity of a PCB trace depends on factors like trace width, thickness, temperature rise, and copper thickness. A rough estimate might be around 1-2 amps for a 10 mil (0.254 mm) wide trace on a standard FR-4 PCB.

Can PCB traces be too big?

Yes, PCB traces can be too big, which can lead to wasted space and increased cost. It’s important to choose an appropriate trace width based on the design requirements to optimize the PCB layout.

Can PCB traces be too wide?

Yes, PCB traces can be too wide, especially if they exceed the design requirements. Oversized traces can lead to inefficient use of board space and may not provide any additional benefits.

What is the minimum distance between traces?

The minimum distance between traces depends on factors like the trace width, the dielectric material, and the signal frequency. However, a common guideline is to keep traces spaced at least 3 times their width apart to minimize crosstalk.

What is the 3W spacing rule?

The 3W spacing rule suggests that traces should be spaced at least three times their width apart to reduce the risk of crosstalk and ensure signal integrity.

What is the 20h rule in PCB design?

The 20h rule suggests that the distance between a via and a component pad or trace should be at least 20 times the via hole’s diameter to ensure reliable manufacturing and avoid solder bridging.

What is the width and gap of a PCB trace?

The width of a PCB trace refers to its width dimension, typically measured in mils or millimeters. The gap between PCB traces, often called the spacing or separation, is the distance between two adjacent traces, also measured in mils or millimeters. These values depend on the specific design requirements.

What are the 4 delay components in the end-to-end delay?

The four delay components in end-to-end delay are:

1. Propagation Delay: The time it takes for a signal to travel from the source to the destination.
2. Transmission Delay: The time it takes to transmit all the bits of the packet onto the communication medium.
3. Propagation Delay in Routers and Switches: Delay introduced by network devices like routers and switches.
4. Queuing Delay: The time a packet spends in a queue before being processed and transmitted.

Does clock rate affect propagation delay?

The clock rate itself does not directly affect propagation delay. Propagation delay is primarily determined by the physical characteristics of the medium (e.g., trace length, propagation velocity) and not the clock frequency.

Is latency the same as propagation delay?

Latency is a broader term that encompasses various delays in a system, including propagation delay. Propagation delay specifically refers to the time it takes for a signal to travel through a medium, while latency includes other factors like processing and queuing delays.

What is the end-to-end delay formula for p packets of length l sent over n links of speed r in a packet-switched network?

End-to-end delay (D) for p packets of length l sent over n links of speed r in a packet-switched network can be approximated as:

D = (p * l) / (r * n)

What is the difference between TPD and TCD?

TPD (Total Propagation Delay) is the sum of all the propagation delays encountered by a signal in a circuit, while TCD (Contamination Delay) is the minimum time required for a signal to propagate through a logic gate when inputs change such that the output changes.

What is TCD and TPD?

TCD (Contamination Delay) is the minimum time required for a signal to propagate through a logic gate when inputs change such that the output changes. TPD (Total Propagation Delay) is the sum of all the propagation delays encountered by a signal in a circuit.

What are the two types of propagation delay?

The two types of propagation delay are:

1. TCD (Contamination Delay): The minimum time required for a signal to propagate through a logic gate when inputs change to cause the output to change.
2. TPD (Total Propagation Delay): The sum of all the propagation delays encountered by a signal in a circuit, including TCD and other delays along the signal path.

What happens if propagation delay is greater than transmission delay?

If propagation delay is greater than transmission delay, it means that the time it takes for a signal to travel through a medium is longer than the time it takes to transmit all the bits of the signal onto the medium. In such cases, the transmission delay may not fully utilize the available bandwidth, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission.

What is the propagation time for frames of 1000 bits sent over a 10^6 bps duplex link between two hosts?

Propagation time can be calculated using the formula:

Propagation Time = (Frame Length / Data Rate) * 2

Substituting in the values:

Propagation Time = (1000 bits / 10^6 bps) * 2 = 0.002 seconds (2 milliseconds)

Is propagation speed the same as velocity?

Propagation speed and velocity are closely related but not the same. Propagation speed refers to how fast a signal travels through a medium, while velocity typically includes both the speed and direction of motion. In the context of signal transmission, propagation speed is more relevant.

What is a propagation equation?

A propagation equation is a mathematical formula that describes how a physical quantity (such as an electromagnetic wave) propagates through a medium. It typically involves parameters like propagation velocity, wavelength, frequency, and other properties of the medium.

What is the formula for the propagation constant?

The propagation constant (γ) in wave propagation can be calculated using the formula:

γ = α + jβ

Where:

• α is the attenuation constant (related to signal loss)
• β is the phase constant (related to phase shift)

Does voltage matter for trace width?

Voltage does not directly determine trace width. Trace width is primarily determined by factors like current-carrying capacity and impedance requirements. However, higher voltage levels may require wider traces to ensure safe operation due to increased potential for voltage breakdown.

Why are PCB tracks 50 ohm?

PCB tracks may be designed to have a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms to match the impedance of RF (radio frequency) components and cables, ensuring minimal signal reflections and optimal signal integrity in RF applications.

How do you calculate the trace impedance of a PCB trace?

The trace impedance (Z) of a PCB trace can be calculated using the formula for microstrip transmission lines:

Z = (87 * Log10[(2 * H) / (0.8 * W + T)]) ohms

Where:

• H is the height of the PCB above the ground plane.
• W is the width of the trace.
• T is the thickness of the trace.

How much inductance is in a PCB trace?

The inductance of a PCB trace depends on its length, width, and the distance to the ground plane. A rough estimate for the inductance of a short, wide trace on a typical PCB might be in the range of a few nanohenries per centimeter.

What is the rule of thumb for PCB?

The “rule of thumb” in PCB design refers to various guidelines and best practices used by engineers to ensure the reliability, functionality, and manufacturability of printed circuit boards. These rules cover aspects like trace width, spacing, via placement, component placement, and more.

What is the max PCB trace width?

The maximum PCB trace width is not strictly defined and can vary depending on the PCB manufacturing process and specific design requirements. It’s typically determined based on factors like current-carrying capacity and impedance matching.

What is the trace standard impedance of a PCB?

The standard trace impedance of a PCB can vary depending on the design requirements. Common trace impedances include 50 ohms and 75 ohms for RF applications, and 100 ohms for digital signals.

What is the standard trace of a PCB?

There is no single “standard” trace width for PCBs, as it depends on the specific design requirements and the application. However, common trace widths for signal traces in typical PCBs can range from 4 to 10 mils (0.1 to 0.25 mm).

How much current can a 10 mil trace carry?

A 10 mil (0.254 mm) wide trace on a standard PCB might be able to carry approximately 1-2 amps of current, depending on factors like trace thickness, temperature rise, and copper thickness.

Does increasing the width of a PCB trace decrease or increase the trace impedance?

Increasing the width of a PCB trace typically decreases the trace impedance. Trace impedance is inversely proportional to trace width in microstrip transmission lines.

What is the width of a trace for 1A?

The width of a PCB trace for carrying 1 amp of current depends on various factors including the copper thickness, temperature rise, and the desired temperature rise limit. As a rough estimate, a trace width of about 10 mils (0.254 mm) might be sufficient for 1 amp in typical conditions.

What is the max current for 0.254 mm trace?

The maximum current a 0.254 mm (10 mil) trace can carry depends on factors like the copper thickness and temperature rise. As a rough estimate, it might be able to carry around 1-2 amps in typical PCB applications.

What is the trace resistance tolerance for PCB?

The trace resistance tolerance for PCBs depends on the design specifications and the specific application. Common tolerance values for trace resistance might be around ±10% or better.