For best operational performance of the device,
use good PCB layout practices, including:
- Noise can propagate into analog circuitry through
the power pins of the circuit as a whole and op
amp itself. Bypass capacitors are used to reduce
the coupled noise by providing low-impedance power
sources local to the analog circuitry.
- Connect low-ESR, 0.1-µF ceramic bypass capacitors
between each supply pin and ground, placed as
close to the device as possible. A single bypass
capacitor from V+ to ground is applicable for
single-supply applications.
- Separate grounding for analog and digital
portions of circuitry is one of the simplest and
most-effective methods of noise suppression. One
or more layers on multilayer PCBs are usually
devoted to ground planes. A ground plane helps
distribute heat and reduces EMI noise pickup. Make
sure to physically separate digital and analog
grounds paying attention to the flow of the ground
current.
- To reduce parasitic coupling, run the input
traces as far away from the supply or output
traces as possible. If these traces cannot be kept
separate, crossing the sensitive trace
perpendicular is much better as opposed to in
parallel with the noisy trace.
- Place the external components as close to the
device as possible. As shown in Figure 7-4, keeping RF and RG close to the
inverting input minimizes parasitic
capacitance.
- Keep the length of input traces as short as
possible. Always remember that the input traces
are the most sensitive part of the circuit.
- Consider a driven, low-impedance guard ring
around the critical traces. A guard ring can
significantly reduce leakage currents from nearby
traces that are at different potentials.
- Cleaning the PCB following board assembly is
recommended for best performance.
- Any precision integrated circuit may experience
performance shifts due to moisture ingress into
the plastic package. Following any aqueous PCB
cleaning process, baking the PCB assembly is
recommended to remove moisture introduced into the
device packaging during the cleaning process. A
low temperature, post cleaning bake at 85°C for 30
minutes is sufficient for most circumstances.