DC-DC Layout Guidelines

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0:35

Here are key PCB‐layout rules for a DC–DC switching converter:
  • Place the input decoupling 10 µF Capacitor and 100 nF Capacitor as close as possible to the VIN and GND pins of the Switching Regulator IC.
  • Route the input loop (VIN → caps → regulator → GND) with short, wide traces or a dedicated copper pour to minimize loop inductance and EMI.
  • Place the Schottky Diode (if external) immediately adjacent to the switching pin and output inductor to shorten the high‐speed current path.
  • Position the Inductor close to the switching node and output capacitor to keep the power loop tight.
  • Keep the feedback trace from the regulator’s FB pin to its sense resistors short and away from the noisy switching node; use a guard ground if needed.
  • Use a solid ground plane beneath the converter section; avoid routing other signals below the high-current nodes to prevent coupling.
  • Stitch ground pours with multiple vias around the regulator, diode, caps, and inductor to lower thermal resistance and ensure a low-impedance return.
  • Implement a star-ground or single‐point ground tie for analog and digital domains to prevent noise injection into sensitive circuits.
  • If thermal dissipation is critical, add a copper heat spread area or thermal vias under the regulator IC to conduct heat into inner or bottom layers.
  • Keep switching-node copper areas compact and avoid running other signal traces parallel to this node to reduce EMI radiation.
Add thermal vias
Find inductor
Calculate trace width
Add ground stitching
Implement star ground
318 days

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