>
>Normally, one would have a decoupling cap for each IC connected between
>the Vcc and Vss pins.  My question is - do I need to connect this cap
>directly to the vcc and vss pins of the given IC, or is placing the cap
>near the IC and connecting it to the power and ground planes sufficient?

Ideally, locate the cap at the IC's ground pin.
Route VCC to the cap on a relatively narrow track, and then from the cap to the chip on a relatively wide track.  Don't connect anything other than components that directly deal with this chip, to the track between the cap and VCC.

Anything else reduces the cap's effectiveness.

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