PCB layout is critical for good power supply design. There are several paths that conduct high slew-rate currents or voltages that can interact with transformer leakage inductance or parasitic capacitance to generate noise and EMI or degrade the performance of the power supply.
- Bypass VIN to GND with a low-ESR ceramic
capacitor, preferably of X7R or X7S dielectric. Place CIN as close as possible
to the LM5185-Q1 VIN and GND pins. Ground return paths for the input capacitor or
capacitors must consist of localized top-side planes that connect to the GND pin and
exposed PAD.
- Minimize the loop area formed by the input capacitor connections and the VIN and GND pins.
- Locate the transformer close to the switch node.
Minimize the area of the switch trace or plane to prevent excessive e-field or capacitive
coupling.
- Minimize the loop area formed by the diode-Zener clamp circuit connections and the primary winding terminals of the transformer.
- Minimize the loop area formed by the flyback rectifying diode, output capacitor, and the secondary winding terminals of the transformer.
- Tie the GND pin directly to the DAP under the device and to a heat-sinking PCB ground plane.
- Use a ground plane in one of the middle layers as a noise shielding and heat dissipation path.
- Have a single-point ground connection to the
plane. Route the return connections for the reference resistor, soft start, and
enable components directly to the GND pin. This guidelines prevents any switched
or load currents from flowing in analog ground traces. If not properly handled,
poor grounding results in degraded load regulation or erratic output voltage
ripple behavior.
- Make VIN+, VOUT+, and
ground bus connections short and wide. This guidelines reduces any voltage drops
on the input or output paths of the converter and maximizes efficiency.
- Minimize trace length to the FB pin. Locate the feedback resistor close to the FB pin.
- Locate components RSET, RTC, and CSS as close as possible to their respective pins. Route with minimal trace lengths.
- Place a capacitor between input and output return connections to route common-mode noise currents directly back to their source.
- Provide adequate heatsinking for the LM5185-Q1 to keep the junction temperature below 150°C. For operation at full
rated load, the top-side ground plane is an important heat-dissipating area. Use an array
of heat-sinking vias to connect the DAP to the PCB ground plane. If the PCB has multiple
copper layers, connect these thermal vias to inner-layer ground planes. The connection to
VOUT+ provides heatsinking for the flyback diode.