Wire gauge and impedance mismatch

When it comes to digital communication, is wire gauge size mismatches along the data slow path that big of a deal?

I am not that versed in the area and am looking for some sort of information on the matter, typical formulas for impedance in communication networks, etc.

Dig

0 jvdberg@ieee.org over 14 years ago

For data transmissions, especially at high speeds, it is important to terminate the transmission line with its characteristic impedance.
In case of a mismatch a part of the signal will be reflected and travel back to the signal source. This will distort the shape of the data pulses. In worst cases this will cause errors.
At very high speeds, like on the data bus of a modern computer, this is even important for distances as short as the size of the motherboard.

The characteristic impedance depends on the inductance and capacity of the transmission line.

For further readings see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_line

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave_ratio
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