INTRODUCTION
With increasing systems speeds and faster logic families, interconnect characteristics have become significant. The signal transition times of faster families can increase transmission line effects on printed circuit board traces and cables. If not taken into consideration, signal degradation can cause data errors in a system.

For more detailed information on transmission lines, there are many other resources to refer to. The terms line or transmission line will refer to a cable or printed circuit trace medium and will be regarded as equivalent for electrical purposes, though their construction varies in real applications.