The PCB layout of any DC/DC converter is critical
to the optimal performance of the design. Poor PCB layout can disrupt the operation
of an otherwise good schematic design. Even if the converter regulates correctly,
bad PCB layout can mean the difference between a robust design and one that cannot
be mass produced. Furthermore, to a great extent, the EMI performance of the
regulator is dependent on the PCB layout. In a buck converter, the most critical PCB
feature is the loop formed by the input capacitor or capacitors and power ground, as
shown in Figure 9-22. This loop carries large transient currents that can cause large transient
voltages when reacting with the trace inductance. These unwanted transient voltages
disrupt the proper operation of the converter. Because of this, the traces in this
loop must be wide and short, and the loop area as small as possible to reduce the
parasitic inductance. Figure 9-23 shows a recommended layout for the critical components of the LMR436x0.
- Place the input capacitors as
close as possible to the VIN and GND terminals.
- Place bypass capacitor for VCC
close to the VCC pin. This capacitor must be placed close to the device
and routed with short, wide traces to the VCC and GND pins.
- Use wide traces for the
CBOOT capacitor. Place CBOOT close to the
device with short/wide traces to the BOOT and SW pins.
- Place the feedback divider as
close as possible to the FB pin of the device. Place RFBB,
RFBT, and CFF, if used, physically close to the
device. The connections to FB and GND must be short and close to those pins on
the device. The connection to VOUT can be somewhat longer. However,
the latter trace must not be routed near any noise source (such as the SW node)
that can capacitively couple into the feedback path of the regulator.
- Use at least one ground plane
in one of the middle layers. This plane acts as a noise shield and as a
heat dissipation path.
- Provide wide paths for VIN,
VOUT, and GND. Making these paths as wide and direct as possible reduces
any voltage drops on the input or output paths of the converter and maximizes
efficiency.
- Provide enough PCB area for
proper heat-sinking. As stated in Section 9.2.2.9, enough copper area must be used to ensure a low RθJA,
commensurate with the maximum load current and ambient temperature. The top and
bottom PCB layers must be made with two ounce copper and no less than one ounce.
If the PCB design uses multiple copper layers (recommended), these thermal vias
can also be connected to the inner layer heat-spreading ground planes.
- Keep switch area small.
Keep the copper area connecting the SW pin to the inductor as short and wide as
possible. At the same time, the total area of this node must be minimized to
help reduce radiated EMI.
See the following PCB layout
resources for additional important guidelines: