
Actual testing of the edge computing box's USB 3.0 data rate of 5Gbps and its wide-band baseband and harmonic coverage showed that the most susceptible interference frequency bands are 2.4-2.5GHz (i.e., the WiFi 2.4GHz band) and 4.8-5.0GHz (the WiFi 5GHz band). Interference sources include common-mode components on the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed differential line and clock harmonic suppression measures for the SS receiver. The measures include:
1) using a series common-mode filter CMZ2012A-900T on the USB 3.0 differential line (CM common-mode, Z impedance 2012, size 2.0×1.2mm, 900T impedance 90Ω, 100MHz common-mode suppression >15dB for 2.4GHz);
2) grounding the USB metal casing via conductive springs;
3) strictly equal-length and equidistant SS signal lines with 2mm spacing between ground holes;
4) adding ferrite cores to the USB cable when necessary.
After these optimizations, the edge computing box's USB 3.0 interference to WiFi was reduced by 22dB, and 2.4GHz sensitivity returned to normal.