Design rule checking for SerDes PCB layouts

In addition to manual inspection to be sure the SerDes bus traces on a routed board are error-free, use of an automated design rule checker makes such tasks easier.

Despite running at much faster speeds than parallel interfaces, SerDes buses tend to be much easier to implement, as there is a specific set of problems to overcome. As long as the high-level architecture of the SerDes interface is sound, a successful implementation of a SerDes bus boils down to "implementation details." Such details must usually be verified by manual inspection of the routed board, but an automated inspection methodology, facilitated through the use of design rule checking or DRC, can make the task of reviewing SerDes buses much easier. Here are examples where DRC can be useful:

To read the full article and see the specifics of where DRC can be useful, please go to EETimes.

See a comparison table of PCB assembly suppliers on GlobalSources.com