The UCC14241-Q1 integrated isolated power solution simplifies system design and reduces board area usage. The UCC15241-Q1 does not have a dedicated EVM; however, the UCC15241-Q1 can be placed on the UCC14240EVM-052, and the same layout guidelines should be used since they have the same pinout and functionality (there is a maximum power difference). Follow these guidelines for proper PCB layout to achieve optimum performance. A minimum of 4-layer PCB layer stack using 2-ounce copper on external layers is recommended to accomplish a good thermal PCB design.

1. Input capacitors:

   1. Place the 0.1-µF high frequency bypass capacitor (C14) as close as possible to pins 6, 7 (VIN) and pins 8–18 (GNDP) and on the same side of the PCB as the IC. 0402 ceramic SMD or smaller is a desired size for optimal placement. Do not place any vias between the bypass capacitor and the IC pins so as to force the high frequency current through the capacitor.

   2. Place the bulk VIN capacitor(s) (C12, C13) as close as possible and parallel to the 0.1 µF high frequency bypass capacitor (C14) and on the same side of the PCB as the IC.

   The capacitors between pin 6 (analog VIN) and pins 1, 2, and 5 (analog GNDP) are optional and recommended.

2. Output capacitors:

   1. Place the 0.1-µF high frequency bypass capacitor (C7) as close as possible to pins 28, 29 (VDD) and pins 30, 31 (VEE) and on the same side of the PCB as the IC. 0402 ceramic SMD or smaller is a desired size for optimal placement. Do not place any vias between the bypass capacitor and the IC pins so as to force the high frequency current through the capacitor.

   2. Place the bulk VDD-VEE capacitor (C8) as close as possible and parallel to the 0.1-µF high frequency bypass capacitor (C7) and on the same side of the PCB as the IC.

      Figure 12-20

3. Gate driver output capacitors: C_OUT2 and C_OUT3 are reference designators referred to in the Excel calculator tool. C_OUT2 is the capacitor(s) between VDD-COM and C_OUT3 is the capacitor(s) between COM-VEE. C_OUT2 and C_OUT3 are capacitors required by the gate driver IC. Proper selection and component placement of C_OUT2 and C_OUT3 are critical for optimal performance of the UCC14241-Q1 and the gate driver IC.

   1. C_OUT2 and C_OUT3 should be placed next to the gate driver IC for best decoupling and gate driver switching performance

   2. Adding a C_OUT1B between VDD-VEE but placed at the gate driver in parallel with C_OUT2 and C_OUT3 will reduce the total capacitance needed and reduce the sensitivity to capacitor variation, and will allow to use a higher R_LIM resistance value.

4. R_LIM: Place R_LIM (R3) close to pin 32 and between the COM midpoint of the output capacitive divider. The via pattern shown to the right of R3 connects to COM.

   Figure 12-21

5. Feedback:

   1. VEEA (pin 35) should be isolated through all PCB layers, from the VEE plane as shown in the red box below. Use one via to make a direct connection to the FBVDD and FBVEE low-side resistors and capacitors (C15-16, R6-7), shown on the bottom side of the PCB.

   2. Place feedback resistors (R4-7) and 330-pF ceramic capacitor in parallel with low-side resistors (R6-7) close to the IC preferably on the opposite side of IC (as shown in EVM), or on same layer as IC near pin 36.

   3. The top-side feedback resistor should be placed next to the low-side resistor with a short, direct connection between both resistors and single connection to FBVDD. The top connection to sense the regulated rail (VDD-VEE) should be routed and connected at the VDD bias capacitor remote location near the gate driver pins for best accuracy and best transient response.

   4. The top-side feedback resistor should be placed next to the low-side resistor with a short, direct connection between both resistors and single connection to FBVEE; while the top connection to sense the regulated rail (COM-VEE) should be routed and connected at the COM bias capacitor remote location near the gate driver pins for best accuracy and best transient response.

      Figure 12-22

6. Thermal Vias: TheUCC14241-Q1 internal transformer makes a direct connection to the lead frame. It is therefore critical to provide adequate space and proper heatsinking designed into the PCB as outlined in the steps below.

   1. TI recommends to connect the VIN, GNDP, VDD, and VEE pins to internal ground or power planes through multiple vias. Alternatively, make the polygons connected to these pins as wide as possible.

   2. Use multiple thermal vias connecting PCB top side GNDP copper to bottom side GNDP copper. If possible, it is recommended to use 2-ounce copper on external top and bottom PCB layers.

   3. Use multiple thermal vias connecting PCB top side VEE copper to bottom side VEE copper. If possible, it is recommended to use 2-ounce copper on external top and bottom PCB layers.

   4. Thermal vias connecting top and bottom copper can also connect to internal copper layers for further improved heat extraction.

   5. Thermal vias should be similar to pattern shown below but apply as many as the copper area will allow. The UCC14240EVM-052 uses thermal via arrays of approximately 220 mil x 350 mil (48 thermal vias on GNDP primary and 54 thermal vias on VEE secondary). Thermal via is 30 mil diameter, 12 mil hole size.

      Figure 12-23
      Figure 12-24

   6. As seen in Figure 12-25, there is a point of diminishing return, regarding the number of vias and size of the thermal via array. For 1.5-W of output power, heat transfer is shown to quickly diminish just beyond C12 and C8. The distance from the inner pad line of U1 to C12 is 320 mils.

   Figure 12-25 Thermal Image

7. Creepage clearance: Avoid routing copper under the UCC14241-Q1 , to maintain the full creepage, clearance and reinforced voltage isolation ratings specified in the data sheet. Maintain the clearance width highlighted in red, throughout the entire defined isolation barrier.

   Figure 12-26

8. Gate driver capacitors and feedback routing:

   1. VDD-COM and VEE-COM capacitors are populated on the UCC142401EVM-052 but these capacitors need to be placed as close to the associated gate driver pins as possible.

   2. For optimal voltage regulation, the feedback trace from COM (COM FB) and VDD (VDD FB) should be as direct as possible so that the voltage feedback is being sensed directly at the VDD and COM capacitors near the gate driver IC.

      Figure 12-27