Input capacitors, output capacitors, and MOSFETs are the constituent components of the power stage of the buck-boost regulator and are typically placed on the top side of the PCB. The benefits of convective heat transfer are maximized when leveraging any system-level airflow. In a two-sided PCB layout, small-signal components are typically placed on the bottom side. Insert at least one inner plane, connected to ground, to shield, and isolate the small-signal traces from noisy power traces.

The DC/DC regulator has several high-current loops. Minimize the area of these loops to suppress generated switching noise and optimize switching performance.

• The most important loop areas to minimize are the path from the input capacitors through the buck high-side and low-side MOSFETs, and back to the ground connection of the input capacitor and the path from the output capacitors through the boost high-side and low-side MOSFETs, and back to the ground connection of the output capacitor. Connect the negative terminal of the capacitor close to the source of the low-side MOSFETs (at ground). Similarly, connect the positive terminal of the capacitor or capacitors close to the drain of the high-side MOSFETs of both loops.
• In addition to these recommendations, follow any layout considerations of the MOSFETs as recommended by the MOSFET manufacturer, including pad geometry and solder paste stencil design.