Karthik Chandrasekar, Ph.D. Student,North Carolina State University
Evan Erickson, Ph.D. Student, North Carolina State University
Zhiping Feng, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, North Carolina State University
Paul Franzon, Professor, North Carolina State University
Stephen Mick, Research Associate, North Carolina State University
Jian Xu, Ph.D. Student, North Carolina State University
John Wilson, Assistance Professor, North Carolina State University

We demonstrate multi-Gbps pulse signaling with inductively coupled interconnects across printed circuit boards and packaging interfaces. This has application in realizing sub-mm pitch zero insertion force (ZIF) connectors and sockets. The signaling data rate achievable in our system is from 1 Gbps to 8.5 Gbps, which depends on the 3 dB coupling frequency of the composite channel consisting of the inductive interconnections and the transmission lines. Methods to improve signal integrity in inductively coupled systems have been presented. Options include transformer geometry optimization, integrated series terminations, and using losses on FR4 beneficially. We also discuss robustness to process variations for inductively coupled systems.