Table 1. DDR4 design checklist (continued)
No. Task Completed
• Bit-swap is only allowed within a nibble.
• Bit-swap across two nibbles is not allowed.
• Bit-swap across byte lanes is not allowed.
• For 32-bit or 16-bit DDR4 data bus, in the ECC byte lane only, the DQ[0], and
DQ[1] bit-swap is not allowed.
28 Ensure that each data lane properly is trace-matched to within 20 mils of its respective
differential data strobe.
• Ensure the trace matching for parts with operational data rates of higher than
1600 MT/s is within +/-5 mils.
29 When adding trace lengths to any of the DDR4 signal groups, ensure that there is at
least 25 mils between serpentine loops that are in parallel.
30 MDQS/MDQS considerations:
• Match all segment lengths between differential pairs along the entire length of the
pair. Trace match the MDQS/MDQS pair to be within +/-5 mils.
• Maintain constant line impedance along the routing path by maintaining the
required line width and trace separation for the given stackup.
• Avoid routing differential pairs adjacent to noisy signal lines or high-speed
switching devices such as clock chips.
• Differential impedance 75–95 Ω
• Differential impedance 90-95 Ω for parts with operational speeds of higher than
1600 MT/s
• Diff Gap = 4–5 mils (as DQS signals are not true differential, also known as
“pseudo differential”)
• Diff Gap = 5–8 mils, for parts with operational speeds of higher than 1600 MT/s.
Choose one of the following options to select the impedances and spacings for MDQS/
MDQS differential strobes.
Option #1 (wider traces—lower trace impedance):
• Single-ended impedance 40 Ω. The lower impedance allows traces to be slightly
closer with less cross-talk.
• Utilize wider traces if stackup allows (7–8 mils).
• Spacing to other data signals = 2x
• If not routed on the same layer as its associated data, then 4x spacing.
Option #2 (smaller traces—higher trace impedance):
• Single-ended impedance = 50 Ω
• Smaller trace widths (5–6 mils) can be used.
• Spacing between like signals (other data) should increase to 3x (for 5 mils) or
2.5x (for 6 mils), respectively.
• Do not divide the two halves of the diff pair between layers. Route the MDQS/
MDQS pair on the same critical layer as its associated data lane.
Routing address/command/control/clock bus
31 Ensure fly-by topology is used for address/command/control and clock groups. The
routing in fly-by topology should go from chip 0 to chip n and can be in the order that is
most convenient for the board design. The fly-by topology routing of address/command/
control and clock groups must end at the termination resistors that are after chip n.
Choose one of the following options to select the impedances and spacings for the
DDR4 address/command/control group.
Option #1 (wider traces—lower trace impedance):
• Single-ended impedance = 40 Ω. The lower impedance allows traces to be
slightly closer with less cross-talk.
• Utilize wider traces if stackup allows (7–8 mils).
Table continues on the next page...
DDR4 design checklist
Hardware and Layout Design Considerations for DDR4 SDRAM Memory Interfaces, Rev. 1, 07/2016
NXP Semiconductors 5