Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Altium Develop puts live part data and sourcing right inside your design tool, so you can catch a wrong EMI filter or TVS diode before it ever reaches fabrication: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=high-speed-design&utm_content=emi-filters-tvs-diodes-high-speed-interfaces
In this Altium Academy tutorial, Zach Peterson walks through a common mistake he sees on interfaces exposed through connectors — USB, HDMI, and similar — and shows how to properly select an EMI filter, a common mode choke, and a TVS diode for high-speed data lines. Using a real One Minute Design Review submission, he explains why a common mode choke and a common mode filter are not the same thing, why the part's "impedance at 100 MHz" line in the schematic isn't enough to qualify it, and how a component that sails past the USB impedance target can quietly corrupt data on the bus. He admits he's made this exact mistake himself, which is what makes the walkthrough so practical.
From there, Zach reads the datasheets the way you should: checking the SDD21 differential insertion loss, the SCC21 common mode insertion loss, and the SDD11 return loss to confirm a part passes the differential signal while killing common mode noise. He then applies the same rigor to TVS diode selection — low channel capacitance, a flat capacitance-vs-reverse-voltage curve, and a reverse voltage above your signal voltage — using parts specifically rated for USB 2.0 and other high-speed standards. If you've ever dropped an EMI filter or ESD-protection diode onto a high-speed line and hoped for the best, this is how to do it right.
📚 More from this Episode:
- Watch the initial design review here: youtube.com/shorts/IzCWUfqlbbQ
- Ferrites in Digital PDN: What the PCB Experts Say: youtu.be/8qVeey-1oF0?si=SrE275fm6aYdj8SI
- CP2102 USB to UART Module PCB Design Project: resources.altium.com/p/cp2102-usb-uart-module-pcb-design-project
- When to Use Chokes or EMI Filters in High-Speed PCBs: resources.altium.com/p/when-use-chokes-or-emi-filters-high-speed-pcbs
💡 Watch Next:
- TVS Diodes & ESD Suppression: youtube.com/watch?v=YbEITCfV0bY
💡 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 #signalintegrity #emi
Chapters
00:00 EMI Filter Selection
00:52 Common Mistake Review ️
02:00 Component Selection ️
02:56 Common Mode Choke
04:29 USB EMI Filter Search
05:37 SDD21 Plot Analysis
06:30 SCC21 Plot Analysis
07:22 Common Mode Choke ️
08:40 Common Mode Filter ️
10:28 TVS Diode Mechanism
11:23 Qualify TVS Diode
13:17 Project Files Update
Altium Develop puts live part data and sourcing right inside your design tool, so you can catch a wrong EMI filter or TVS diode before it ever reaches fabrication: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=high-speed-design&utm_content=emi-filters-tvs-diodes-high-speed-interfaces
In this Altium Academy tutorial, Zach Peterson walks through a common mistake he sees on interfaces exposed through connectors — USB, HDMI, and similar — and shows how to properly select an EMI filter, a common mode choke, and a TVS diode for high-speed data lines. Using a real One Minute Design Review submission, he explains why a common mode choke and a common mode filter are not the same thing, why the part's "impedance at 100 MHz" line in the schematic isn't enough to qualify it, and how a component that sails past the USB impedance target can quietly corrupt data on the bus. He admits he's made this exact mistake himself, which is what makes the walkthrough so practical.
From there, Zach reads the datasheets the way you should: checking the SDD21 differential insertion loss, the SCC21 common mode insertion loss, and the SDD11 return loss to confirm a part passes the differential signal while killing common mode noise. He then applies the same rigor to TVS diode selection — low channel capacitance, a flat capacitance-vs-reverse-voltage curve, and a reverse voltage above your signal voltage — using parts specifically rated for USB 2.0 and other high-speed standards. If you've ever dropped an EMI filter or ESD-protection diode onto a high-speed line and hoped for the best, this is how to do it right.
📚 More from this Episode:
- Watch the initial design review here: youtube.com/shorts/IzCWUfqlbbQ
- Ferrites in Digital PDN: What the PCB Experts Say: youtu.be/8qVeey-1oF0?si=SrE275fm6aYdj8SI
- CP2102 USB to UART Module PCB Design Project: resources.altium.com/p/cp2102-usb-uart-module-pcb-design-project
- When to Use Chokes or EMI Filters in High-Speed PCBs: resources.altium.com/p/when-use-chokes-or-emi-filters-high-speed-pcbs
💡 Watch Next:
- TVS Diodes & ESD Suppression: youtube.com/watch?v=YbEITCfV0bY
💡 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 #signalintegrity #emi
Chapters
00:00 EMI Filter Selection
00:52 Common Mistake Review ️
02:00 Component Selection ️
02:56 Common Mode Choke
04:29 USB EMI Filter Search
05:37 SDD21 Plot Analysis
06:30 SCC21 Plot Analysis
07:22 Common Mode Choke ️
08:40 Common Mode Filter ️
10:28 TVS Diode Mechanism
11:23 Qualify TVS Diode
13:17 Project Files Update
