Definition

Stripline is a transmission line structure where a signal trace on an inner layer is sandwiched between two reference planes (typically ground). The trace is fully embedded in dielectric material, giving better shielding against EMI and crosstalk than microstrip. Stripline is preferred for high-speed differential pairs and sensitive analog signals. The symmetric structure (equidistant from both planes) is called balanced stripline; asymmetric placement is also used. Stripline traces cannot be probed directly, complicating debug.