Datasheet

LM25576, LM25576-Q1
www.ti.com SNVS470G –JANUARY 2007–REVISED APRIL 2013
PCB LAYOUT AND THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS
The circuit in Figure 21 serves as both a block diagram of the LM25576 and a typical application board
schematic for the LM25576. In a buck regulator there are two loops where currents are switched very fast. The
first loop starts from the input capacitors, to the regulator VIN pin, to the regulator SW pin, to the inductor then
out to the load. The second loop starts from the output capacitor ground, to the regulator PGND pins, to the
regulator IS pins, to the diode anode, to the inductor and then out to the load. Minimizing the loop area of these
two loops reduces the stray inductance and minimizes noise and possible erratic operation. A ground plane in
the PC board is recommended as a means to connect the input filter capacitors to the output filter capacitors and
the PGND pins of the regulator. Connect all of the low power ground connections (C
SS
, R
T
, C
RAMP
) directly to the
regulator AGND pin. Connect the AGND and PGND pins together through the topside copper area covering the
entire underside of the device. Place several vias in this underside copper area to the ground plane.
The two highest power dissipating components are the re-circulating diode and the LM25576 regulator IC. The
easiest method to determine the power dissipated within the LM25576 is to measure the total conversion losses
(Pin – Pout) then subtract the power losses in the Schottky diode, output inductor and snubber resistor. An
approximation for the Schottky diode loss is P = (1-D) x Iout x Vfwd. An approximation for the output inductor
power is P = I
OUT
2
x R x 1.1, where R is the DC resistance of the inductor and the 1.1 factor is an approximation
for the AC losses. If a snubber is used, an approximation for the damping resistor power dissipation is P = Vin
2
x
Fsw x Csnub, where Fsw is the switching frequency and Csnub is the snubber capacitor. The regulator has an
exposed thermal pad to aid power dissipation. Adding several vias under the device to the ground plane will
greatly reduce the regulator junction temperature. Selecting a diode with an exposed pad will aid the power
dissipation of the diode.
The most significant variables that affect the power dissipated by the LM25576 are the output current, input
voltage and operating frequency. The power dissipated while operating near the maximum output current and
maximum input volatge can be appreciable. The operating frequency of the LM25576 evaluation board has been
designed for 300kHz. When operating at 3A output current with a 42V input the power dissipation of the
LM25576 regulator is approximately 1.9W.
The junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of the LM25576 will vary with the application. The most significant
variables are the area of copper in the PC board, the number of vias under the IC exposed pad and the amount
of forced air cooling provided. Referring to the evaluation board artwork, the area under the LM25576
(component side) is covered with copper and there are 5 connection vias to the solder side ground plane.
Additional vias under the IC will have diminishing value as more vias are added. The integrity of the solder
connection from the IC exposed pad to the PC board is critical. Excessive voids will greatly diminish the thermal
dissipation capacity. The junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of the LM25576 mounted in the evaluation board
varies from 45°C/W with no airflow to 25°C/W with 900 LFM (Linear Feet per Minute). With a 25°C ambient
temperature and no airflow, the predicted junction temperature for the LM25576 will be 25 + (45 x 1.9) = 110°C.
If the evaluation board is operated at 3A output current and 42V input voltage for a prolonged period of time the
thermal shutdown protection within the IC may activate. The IC will turn off allowing the junction to cool, followed
by restart with the soft-start capacitor reset to zero.
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Product Folder Links: LM25576 LM25576-Q1