Feasibility of Single Wire Communication for PCB-level Interconnects

In this paper, the applicability of Single Wire Communication (SWC) is explored for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) interconnects. Traditionally quasi-TEM mode based multi-conductor transmission lines like microstrip or stripline configurations have been employed for PCB applications with a ground plane for current return. At high frequencies, approaching 50GHz and more, the insertion profile of quasi-TEM transmission suffers primarily due to dielectric loss. On the other hand, due to TM mode of propagation SWC presents a viable low-loss communication alternative at such high frequencies. In this work, some of the challenges of practical implementation for SWC, including planar launchers and mitigating cross-talk effects, are studied and the relative advantages over microstrip transmission is demonstrated.