Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Altium Develop unites impedance-controlled routing, stackup design, and real-time team collaboration in one cloud platform—taking your high-speed boards from schematic to fabrication without constraints: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=altium-academy-shorts&utm_content=coplanar-impedance-control-on-internal-pcb-layers-explained
Routing impedance-controlled signals over an internal layer changes the rules. When traces run over ground pour on an inner layer rather than a completely uniform reference plane, a standard single-ended impedance profile won't cut it—you need a single-ended coplanar profile instead. In this Altium Academy design review clip, we break down why that distinction matters, how the default 5 mil clearance between the trace and the surrounding coplanar ground is applied, and what happens to your geometry when you widen that gap.
The key takeaway for signal integrity: coplanar clearance and trace width are directly linked. Increasing the clearance to 10 mil, for example, forces the trace width up to maintain a target 50 ohm impedance. Understanding this relationship helps you set up controlled-impedance routing correctly on internal layers, keep your ground reference intact, and avoid the impedance errors that creep in when copper pour and clearance rules aren't accounted for together. Watch to sharpen your approach to coplanar impedance control and inner-layer routing.
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The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#Altium #PCBDesign #SignalIntegrity
Altium Develop unites impedance-controlled routing, stackup design, and real-time team collaboration in one cloud platform—taking your high-speed boards from schematic to fabrication without constraints: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=altium-academy-shorts&utm_content=coplanar-impedance-control-on-internal-pcb-layers-explained
Routing impedance-controlled signals over an internal layer changes the rules. When traces run over ground pour on an inner layer rather than a completely uniform reference plane, a standard single-ended impedance profile won't cut it—you need a single-ended coplanar profile instead. In this Altium Academy design review clip, we break down why that distinction matters, how the default 5 mil clearance between the trace and the surrounding coplanar ground is applied, and what happens to your geometry when you widen that gap.
The key takeaway for signal integrity: coplanar clearance and trace width are directly linked. Increasing the clearance to 10 mil, for example, forces the trace width up to maintain a target 50 ohm impedance. Understanding this relationship helps you set up controlled-impedance routing correctly on internal layers, keep your ground reference intact, and avoid the impedance errors that creep in when copper pour and clearance rules aren't accounted for together. Watch to sharpen your approach to coplanar impedance control and inner-layer routing.
💡 Stay Connected:
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
👉 Subscribe for more: youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1
Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.
👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner
👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: twitter.com/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: facebook.com/AltiumOfficial
The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#Altium #PCBDesign #SignalIntegrity
