In the following guidelines, Remote+ and Remote -− refer to the REMOTE1a+, Remote 1b+, REMOTE1−, REMOTE2a+, Remote2b+ and REMOTE2− pins.
In a noisy environment, such as a power supply, layout considerations are very critical. Noise induced on traces running between the remote temperature diode sensor and the LM94 can cause temperature conversion errors.
The following guidelines should be followed:
- Place a 0.1 µF and 100 pF LM94 power bypass capacitors as close as possible to the VDD pin, with the 100pF capacitor being the closest. Place 10 µF capacitor in the near vicinity of the LM94 power pin.
- Place a 100 pF capacitor as close as possible to the LM94 thermal diode Remote+ and Remote− pins. Make sure the traces to the 100 pF capacitor are matched and as short as possible. This capacitor is required to minimize high frequency noise error.
- Thermal diodes that share one Remote− pin must have a separate trace from the LM94 Remote− pin run to each diode cathode. Do not "daisy chain" these connections.
- Ideally, the LM94 should be placed within 10 cm of the thermal diode pins with the traces being as straight, short and identical as possible. Trace resistance of 1Ω can cause as much as 1°C of error.
- Diode traces should be surrounded by a GND guard ring to either side, above and below, if possible. This GND guard should not be between the Remote+ and Remote− lines. In the event that noise does couple to the diode lines, it would be ideal if it is coupled to both identically, i.e. common mode. That is, equally to the Remote+ (D+) and Remote−(D-) lines. (See figure below):
- Avoid routing diode traces in close proximity to any power supply switching or filtering inductors.
- Avoid running diode traces close to or parallel to high speed digital and bus lines. Diode traces should be kept at least 2 cm apart from the high speed digital traces.
- If it is necessary to cross high speed digital traces, the diode traces and the high speed digital traces should cross at a 90 degree angle.
- The ideal place to connect the LM94’s GND pin is as close as possible to the Processors GND associated with the sense diode. In the case of two processors pick a node in between the two that has the least noise.
- Leakage current between Remote+ and GND should be kept to a minimum. Error in the diode temperature reading may reach 0.4°C with 30 nA of leakage current. Keeping the printed circuit board as clean as possible minimizes leakage current. The residue from some freeze spray can induce high leakage current.