DocID026455 Rev 1

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AN4511

Single-ended and differential links

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Single-ended and differential links

Single-ended configuration is dedicated to frequencies lower than 300 MHz. For higher data

rates, differential signaling is preferred. One advantage of this method is that the return

current to ground is near zero and there isn’t any ground bounce issue (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Differential signaling

The ideal differential link presents two tracks with tightly-controlled impedance, same length

and perfect symmetry. Radiation, from low to high transition on a track, is canceled by the

radiation from high to low transition on the other track. Therefore, the ideal differential link

does not radiate.