Noise and Shielding

Noise can affect most devices. Designing adequate shielding does not have to be a black art—in fact, it should not be. Understanding some basic principles and applying appropriate measures will eliminate most problems. The references contain expositions on many possible situations for shielding.

This paper describes the various mechanisms of noise—understanding them will give you immediate insight into avoiding noise problems. Next we cover issues in grounding and electrostatic discharge. It then provides basic design tips and techniques to diagnose problems and select the appropriate shielding. Finally, it applies these basic principles to circuit layout.