The layout of the PoE front end should follow power and EMI/ESD best practice guidelines. A basic set of recommendations include:
- Parts placement must be driven by power flow in a point-to-point manner; RJ-45, Ethernet transformer, diode bridges, TVS and 0.1-μF capacitor, and TPS23731.
- All leads should be as short as possible with wide power traces and paired signal and return.
- There should not be any crossovers of signals from one part of the flow to another.
- Spacing consistent with safety standards like IEC60950 must be observed between the 48-V input voltage rails and between the input and an isolated converter output.
- The TPS23731 should be located over split, local ground planes referenced to VSS for the PoE input and to RTN for the switched output.
- Large copper fills and traces should be used on SMT power-dissipating devices, and wide traces or overlay copper fills should be used in the power path.
- It is recommended having at least 8 vias (PAD_G) and 5 vias on (PAD_S) connecting the exposed thermal pad through a top layer plane (2 oz. copper recommended) to a bottom VSS plane (2 oz. copper recommended) to help with thermal dissipation.