A time domain approach to estimate current draw from SMT decoupling capacitors

A time domain approach to investigate and predict impedances and scattering parameters of a DC power bus is proposed. This approach is based on a cavity model and is achieved using a circuit simulation tool - SPICE. A SPICE-based circuit model for triangular power plane segments is described, verified and applied to simulate both the frequency and time domain characteristics of an irregularly shaped two-layer PCB board. Furthermore, the current draw from a surface mount technology (SMT) decoupling capacitor is simulated and estimated using this approach. Near-field electromagnetic loop probes are used to validate the current estimation qualitatively. Additionally, the frequency bandwidth of this SPICE model is investigated using a network analyzer and time domain reflectometry.