Splitting the ground
It is not reccomended for most cases.
- If you split digital and analog grounds, and a signal crosses the split, the return current has no clear path — it loops around the split → causing EMI and signal integrity issues.
- Even when splitting is done right, it requires controlled routing, careful stitching capacitors or resistors, and a solid understanding of return current behavior. 🛑 Rule of thumb: Use a solid ground plane unless you have specific isolation requirements (e.g., patient isolation, high-voltage isolation), and control return paths via layout rather than splits.