Input capacitors, output capacitors, and MOSFETs
are the constituent components of the power stage
of a buck regulator and are typically placed on
the top side of the PCB (solder side). The
benefits of convective heat transfer are maximized
because of leveraging any system-level airflow. In
a two-sided PCB layout, small-signal components
are typically placed on the bottom side (component
side). insert at least one inner plane, connected
to ground, to shield and isolate the small-signal
traces from noisy power traces and lines.
The DC/DC converter has several high-current
loops. Minimize the area of these loops in order
to suppress generated switching noise and
parasitic loop inductance and optimize switching
performance.
Loop #1: The most important loop to minimize the
area of is the path from the input capacitor or
capacitors through the high- and low-side MOSFETs,
and back to the capacitor or capacitors through
the ground connection. Connect the input capacitor
or capacitors negative terminal close to the
source of the low-side MOSFET (at ground).
Similarly, connect the input capacitor or
capacitors positive terminal close to the drain of
the high-side MOSFET (at VIN). Refer to loop #1 of
Figure 11-1.
Another loop, not as critical though as loop #1,
is the path from the low-side MOSFET through the
inductor and output capacitor(s), and back to
source of the low-side MOSFET through ground.
Connect the source of the low-side MOSFET and
negative terminal of the output capacitor or
capacitors at ground as close as possible.
The PCB trace defined as SW node, which connects
to the source of the high-side (control) MOSFET,
the drain of the low-side (synchronous) MOSFET and
the high-voltage side of the inductor, must be
short and wide. However, the SW connection is a
source of injected EMI and thus must not be too
large.
Follow any layout considerations of the MOSFETs
as recommended by the MOSFET manufacturer,
including pad geometry and solder paste stencil
design.
The SW pin connects to the switch node of the
power conversion stage and acts as the return path
for the high-side gate driver. The parasitic
inductance inherent to loop #1 in Figure 11-1 and the output
capacitance (COSS) of both power
MOSFETs form a resonant circuit that induces high
frequency (> 100 MHz) ringing on the SW node.
The voltage peak of this ringing, if not
controlled, can be significantly higher than the
input voltage. Ensure that the peak ringing
amplitude does not exceed the absolute maximum
rating limit for the SW pin. In many cases, a
series resistor and capacitor snubber network
connected from the SW node to GND damps the
ringing and decreases the peak amplitude. Provide
provisions for snubber network components in the
PCB layout. If testing reveals that the ringing
amplitude at the SW pin is excessive, then include
snubber components as needed.