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Re: 3.3V Decoupling



> Date:          Thu, 21 Nov 1996 15:50:35 -0500
> From:          Jerry Sabath <sabath@atla3.agfa.com>
> Subject:       3.3V Decoupling
> To:            Mailing List Recipients <pci-sig-request@znyx.com>

> Section 4.4.2.1 of the PCI Spec Revision 2.1 states:
> 
>   Additionally, all +3.3V pins (even if they are not actually 
>   delivering  power) . . . on the PCI edge connector provide 
>   an AC return path, and must have plated edge fingers and be 
>   coupled to the ground plane on the add-in board . . . to 
>   ensure that they continue to function as efficient AC 
>   reference points . . ."
> 
> Can someone explain why the specification does not allow 
> unplated fingers? Would a board with unplated +3.3V fingers
> have significantly different characteristics than an 
> unpopulated PCI slot?

The decoupling of the 3.3V pins is so that they act as an AC ground 
for YOUR board...  There aren't enough ground pins on the PCI bus 
alone to provide this function...

-jrp
7ö