As for all switching power supplies, especially those running at high switching frequency and high currents, layout is an important design step. If layout is not carefully done, the regulator could suffer from instability and noise problems. To maximize efficiency, switching rise time and fall time are very fast. To prevent radiation of high-frequency noise (for example, EMI), proper layout of the high-frequency switching path is essential. Minimize the length and area of all traces connected to the SW pin, and always use a ground plane under the switching regulator to minimize interplane coupling. The input capacitor needs to be close to the VIN pin and GND pin to reduce the input supply current ripple.

The most critical current path for all boost converters is from the switching FET, through the rectifier FET, then the output capacitors, and back to ground of the switching FET. This high current path contains nanosecond rise time and fall time, and should be kept as short as possible. Therefore, the output capacitor needs not only to be close to the VOUT pin, but also to the GND pin to reduce the overshoot at the SW pin and VOUT pin.