AN2010: Thermal and Layout Guidelines for Digital-DC Products

Thermal and Layout Guidelines for Digital-DC™ Products
Application Note
May 01, 2009
AN2010.0
Introduction
This application note provides guidance on the thermal
considerations and preferred layout practices for using
Zilker Labs’ Digital-DC power management and
conversion ICs. Intended applications for these parts
are primarily synchronous buck embedded regulators
powering high density logic devices in a multiple
voltage, space-constrained environment.
Overview
The Zilker Labs integrated power control and
management products provide world-class power
conversion with flexible power management functions
to embedded regulator applications. The members of
this product family contain a mixed-signal controller
for a synchronous buck power converter along with
functional blocks for monitoring and reporting output
voltage and current, input voltage and both internal and
external temperatures. Coordination among multiple
Zilker Labs devices and a power system host is
provided by an integrated PMBus™ communications
port. The resulting power system architecture is simple
to manage yet flexible in all aspects of power system
performance.
For converters using external FETs, the ZL2005 and
ZL2006 have internal drivers. The ZL2105 and
ZL2106 parts use a similar architecture to the ZL2005
and ZL2006 and further simplify the power system
implementation by incorporating the switching FETs in
the IC for applications requiring lower output currents.
Figures 4 and 5 show typical application circuits.
per side and a central exposed leadframe paddle used
to mount die and connect the signal ground (SGND).
This central paddle allows heat generated within the
part to be dissipated into the printed circuit board
(PCB) if the PCB patterns are constructed
appropriately.
The Zilker Labs parts use the saw-singulated version of
the package with full leads. The terminals of this
package are on 0.5 mm centers around the periphery of
the part. Since the terminals of the MLF package are
almost entirely under the part body, the pad pattern
must be given careful attention to prevent solder
bridges and opens during processing. See Application
Notes for Surface Mount Assembly of Amkor’s
MicroLeadFrame (MLF) Packages (Reference 1) for
more details. Also refer to the respective Zilker Labs
product data sheets (see www.zilkerlabs.com).
Figure 1. 6 × 6 mm MLF
Package
The Digital-DC products are available in 36 terminal 6
× 6 mm Micro Leadframe® (MLF)® surface mount
technology (SMT) packages. This package, also known
as a quad flatpack no-lead (QFN), has nine terminals
1
Figure 2. Cross Section of MLF Package
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Application Note 2010
V25 28
18 VSENSGND
DDC 30
XTEMP 29
16 VRTK
17 VSEN+
MGN 31
15 SS
EN 33
CFG 32
12 V0
14 UVLO
DLY0 34
11 FC1
13 V1
PG 36
DLY1 35
10 FC0
Figure 3. Dimensions of MLF Package
Figure 4. Application Circuit for the ZL2006
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A good approximation for the IDD is about 15 mA at
low switching frequency. Since all of this current flows
within the package to Digital Ground (DGND) and
Signal Ground (SGND), the max power dissipation
resulting from it is:
Power Dissipation
Power Dissipation with External Switches
VR 31
VDDS 30
VDDP 29
VDDP 28
16 PGND
17 PGND
18 PGND
VRA 32
14 SGND
15 PGND
DDC 34
V2P5 33
The gate drive current depends entirely on the total
gate charge Qg of the FETs used and the switching
frequency. The design allocation for gate drive is Ig =
85 mA. The allocation of this current to QH and QL
depends on the desired input and output voltages and
the allowable partition of conduction loss between QH
and QL. For combinations of frequency and gate
charge that result in more drive current than 85 mA,
either the frequency or the FET gate charge must be
decreased.
13 VSEN
11 SS
Pchip = VDD max × I DD = 14 V × 15 mA = 210 mW
12 VTRK
EN 36
MGN 35
10 CFG
ePAD
(SGND)
The ZL2005 and ZL2006 controllers contain internal
gate drivers for use with external FETs as power
switches. The power dissipation of these controllers
depends strongly on the particular application and
components used. Since the gate drive current is
normally supplied by the on-chip bias voltage regulator
(VR), the part dissipation is greatest for driving large
FETs at high frequencies and operated from high input
voltages (near 14 V). The supply current (IDD) seen at
the supply voltage (VDD) pin on the controllers using
external switches can be divided into two currents: bias
current for the controller chip and gate drive current for
the external FETs. The bias current for these
controllers in full operation varies with the frequency
as shown in Figure 6 on page 4.
Figure 5. Application Circuit for the ZL2106
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This dissipation can be reduced by operating at a
smaller input voltage, using a lower frequency,
decreasing Qg of the FETs, or using external drivers or
series gate resistors.
Since the drivers are within the ZL2005 and ZL2006,
the power dissipated in driving the FETs also remains
within the controller package. Thus, the allocated max
power dissipation for the gate drive is:
Power Dissipation with Internal Switches
Pg = VDD max × I g = 14 V × 85 mA = 1.19 W
Since the ZL2105 and ZL2106 provide internal
switching MOSFETs, the primary package power
dissipation is due to conduction and switching losses
proportional to load current. Although there are still
when driving the power FETs directly.
For designs using external drivers, this is not a
limitation. The dead-time optimization method used by
these parts supports the use of external drivers without
any penalty to converter efficiency resulting from FET
timing. Thus, using external drivers gives additional
flexibility in managing the controller package
temperatures.
bias and drive currents which contribute to power
dissipation, these currents are nearly constant over
different applications.
The current into the VDD terminal supplies the load
current and also current for bias and drive functions
within the chip. The bias current IDD results in power
dissipation of
The maximum package dissipation is, therefore:
Pt = Pchip + Pg = 0.21 W + 1.19 W = 1.4 W
Pb = VDD × I DD
SUPPLY OR GATE DRIVE CURRENT
(A)
IDD vs. fsw
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
SWITCHING FREQUENCY (kHz)
Figure 6. Derating Graph of Current vs. Frequency for Various Gate Charges
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Losses in the internal switching MOSFETs can be
estimated using the equations in Zilker Labs’
Application Note AN2011 (Reference 3). Table 1 lists
some of the parameters useful for calculating the
dissipation in these parts.
Table 1. Regulator Dissipation Parameters (nominal,
25°C, VDD=12V, Fsw=400kHz)
ZL2105
ZL2106
IDD(bias)
14.3 mA
13.8 mA
QH RDS(on)
125 mΩ
60 mΩ
1
114 mΩ
43 mΩ
QL RDS(on)
123 mΩ2
αRDS
0.34mΩ/°C
0.2mΩ/°C
QG(H)
0.7 nC
2.7 nC
QG(L)
2.7 nC
5.07 nC
Tr, Tf
5 ns
2 ns
Notes: 1. VDR = +12V.
2. VDR = +8.5V (charge pump)
For example, consider a ZL2106 application with 3 A
average current and 4 A peak current operating from
12 V to 1.2 V at a switching frequency of 500 kHz. For
this voltage ratio, the operating duty ratio will be
approximately
D=
1.2 V
= 10%
12 V
From Eq. [15] in AN2011, Ibotrms = 2.90 Arms. This
results in dissipation of:
2
Pbot = I botrms × Rds = 2.92 × 43 mΩ = 362mW
Thermal Guidelines
Ratings
The Digital-DC parts are specified for operating in the
industrial temperature range between -40°C and
+125°C junction temperature (Tj). The upper
temperature limit is established by the characterization
information available for the semiconductor process
used in this part. In a typical power module
application, the controller is mounted on a board
subassembly with the other power supply components.
On this subassembly, the primary generators of heat
are typically the power FETs, the power-averaging
inductor, and the controller IC. The part that reaches its
temperature limit first is determined by the thermal
characteristics of the module subassembly. Table 2
lists typical limiting temperatures for key components
in this case.
Table 2. Limiting Temperature for Key Components
Component
Maximum Temperature
External Control FET
150°C junction temperature
External Synchronous
FET
150°C junction temperature
PCB
95–110°C (FR-4)
PCB
150°C (Insulated Metal Substrate)
ZL2xxx die junctions
125°C
switching losses in the top switch can be estimated
from Eq. [23] in AN2011 as
As shown in this table, the limiting temperature is
usually the PCB material. To keep the board material
at a temperature that will not cause long-term
degradation, the thermal shutdown limit of the Zilker
Labs controllers can be set to a value that protects the
assembly, using either the temperature sensor within
the controller package or an external temperature
sensor placed near one of the power devices.
Pswtop = VINM × t SW × I out × f S
Environment
in the bottom switch. For the top switch, Eq. [19] in
AN2011 gives Itoprms = 966 mArms. The resulting
conduction loss in the top switch is
2
Pctop = I toprms × Rds = 0.9662 × 60 mΩ = 56mW The
= (12 V) (2 ns) (3 A) (500 kHz) = 36 mW
Taking these losses together with the chip bias power
(calculated from Table 1), the package dissipation for
this example is:
Pd = 166 mW + 56 mW + 362 mW + 36 mW
= 620 mW.
5
When the power supply is not on a subassembly, the
primary generator of heat may be the load itself,
usually a high density digital or mixed-signal IC.
Because the power converter is typically about 90%
efficient, the load typically dissipates about 9 times the
power dissipated in the power supply components. In
many cases, the load has additional cooling in the form
of a heatsink and additional airflow.
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TPKG
PACKAGE (EPOXY, 0.88 W/m-K, 0.4°K/W)
Tj
ZL2005,
ZL2006 ZL2105 ZL2106
5.54
2.73
2.06 °K/W
AMBIENT Ta (AIR, 0.03 W/m-K)
Pd
SOLDER (Sn, ~210 W/m-K, 0.03°K/W)
TOP TRACK (Cu, 377 W/m-K, 0.04°K/W)
DIELECTRIC (FR-4, 0.29 W/m-K, 144°K/W)
TPCB
Figure 7. Thermal Model (assumes no spreading vias or planes)
Thermal Circuit
The thermal model of the controller in its
environment can be treated as an
equivalent electrical model (see
). This model applies to both the controllers with
external FETs and the regulators with internal FETs;
however, the model must be modified according to the
geometries of the layout patterns discussed next.
PCB Layer Structures
The thermal model can be modified by the choices and
patterns made on the PCB layers. Since the MLF
package has an exposed leadframe paddle, the majority
of the heat dissipated in the controller package can be
transferred effectively to the PCB through a via pattern
under the controller package [1].
Table 3.
Recommendations for single-sided
PCB mounting (Tamb=50°C, VDD=12V, Fsw=400kHz)
ZL
2005
2006
2105
2106
Max
Iout
(avg)
QGL+QGH
=70nC
QGL+QGH
=70nC
1.25A
1.85A
1.25A
1.85A
Max
Iripple
(p-p)
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shows the recommendations for each part on a singlesided PCB. The only thermal options for a single-sided
PCB are the tracks leaving the part and a top-mounted
heatsink. No significant supplemental track can be
attached to the leadframe paddle and escape the
terminal ring to facilitate heat spreading in a singlesided layout. The best scenario for this layout is to pass
the connection for SGND through the terminal for
Digital Ground (DGND) on its way to termination at
the output return. The best thermal performance would
be achieved with tracks that widen to the terminal pitch
(~0.5 mm) as soon as possible after leaving the PCB
pad on each terminal. These wide tracks should extend
~25 mm away from the package, if possible, to allow
the best heat spreading into the PCB. A top-mounted
heatsink helps substantially, especially if there is some
airflow. The junction-to-top surface thermal resistance
is about 0.4°C/W.
For a two-sided PCB, the mounting layer layout design
should follow the recommendations for a single-sided
PCB (consider the mounting layer as the topside for
discussion purposes). The opposite (bottom) layer
should be a copper pour at least 25 mm square
wherever allowed by other connections. This plane
should be tied to the topside package paddle pad with
thermal vias. Thus, the plane also becomes the SGND
electrical connection. For a thermal plane, the layout
connections should be arranged so that the plane is cut
only in radial patterns from the part so that the heat
flow through the copper plane layer is not interrupted.
For a PCB that has four or more layers, inner layers
can be used to spread the thermal energy dissipated in
the controller. Since the MLF package is a surfacemount part, all connections to the part are on the
mounting (top) layer. Some of these connections must
jump through a via to another layer (usually the
opposite outside layer) to run to their respective
connections. In most applications, one of the inner
layers will be a ground plane, which can be used as the
SGND plane. Another inner layer can be used for a VR
plane. Choosing the dimensions and connections to
these planes can maximize the thermal environment
around the part.
The recommendations in [1] show that a via pattern of
1.0 mm centered in a 5 × 5 array of 0.3 mm vias
embedded in a leadframe paddle yields a thermal
resistance of ~ 25.5°C/W on a PCB using one signal
layer and two ground plane layers under the part. The
two-sided PCB would have approximately 20% higher
thermal resistance for the same patterns.
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
# of VIAS
MATRIX
PITCH (mm)
4
2x2
2.4
9
3x3
1.8
16
4x4
1.2
36
6x6
0.9
Figure 8. Effect of Number of Thermal Vias on Package Thermal Performance
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Thermal Pattern Design
To design an appropriate thermal pattern, the layer
usage of all available layers, the number and size of
vias under the controller package, the solder stencil
pattern for depositing solder on the paddle pad, and
treatment of the vias to prevent voids must be
considered.
The via pattern used under the controller part depends
on many factors, such as the copper thickness of the
board, the cost of drilling small holes, and the
thickness of the solder stencil for depositing sufficient
solder. Information on the thermal performance of
different via patterns is shown in Figure 8.
Based on Figure 8 and similar thermal simulations, an
array of thermal vias should be incorporated at 1.0 –
1.2 mm pitch with a via diameter of 0.3 – 0.33 mm. An
example is shown in Figure 9.
Other guidelines can enhance the thermal environment.
For example, using more plated copper will enhance
the conductivity of planes and vias to transfer heat
away from the part more effectively. Where possible,
depending on the electrical coupling, overlapping
multiple planes with the SGND plane can provide a
more conductive matrix to spread the heat. If the
ZL2005 or ZL2105 is mounted on a module, placing
the device and its planes near surface-mount standoffs
will help transfer heat to the host board. All available
area should be filled with copper to enhance the
thermal spreading.
To properly solder the MLF package in automated
assembly processes, the deposition of solder paste on
the paddle pad should be controlled by a grid pattern.
As shown in [1], a rectangular array provides good
solder coverage while still allowing outgassing during
reflow. If a 5 × 5 array of vias on 1.0 mm centers is
used, then a 5 × 5 grid of 0.7 mm rectangles centered
on the vias should provide a good compromise
between solder coverage and assembly flaws
Figure 9. Thermal Via Pattern Example
(4 × 4 array)
Figure 10. Mounting Pattern for the MLF Package
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This assignment of layers accomplishes several
purposes. First, the SGND plane allows low-level
signals and decoupling to be separated from high-level
signals and power waveforms. It also allows a short
thermal connection to the leadframe paddle with
thermal vias to enhance heat spreading from the part.
The low-level signals are immediately adjacent to the
9
28
29
31
30
32
33
27
2
26
36-Pin QFN
6 x 6 mm
3
4
25
24
5
23
6
7
Exposed Paddle
22
Connect to SGND
21
VDD
BST
GH
SW
PGND
GL
VR
ISENA
ISENB
18
17
16
15
19
14
20
9
13
8
12
The connections to the controller IC can be divided
into five classes (see Figure 11). The recommended
layer usage assumes the controller is mounted on the
topside of the PCB. If mounted on the bottom, the
layer order can be reversed.
1
10
PCB Layer Usage
DGND
SYNC
SA0
SA1
ILIM0
ILIM1
SCL
SDA
SALRT
FC0
FC1
V0
V1
UVLO
SS
VTRK
VSEN+
VSEN-
Layout Guidelines for External
Switch Products
34
PG
DLY1
DLY0
EN
CFG
MGN
DDC
XTEMP
V25
36
In keeping with the package manufacturer’s
recommendations, Figure 10 shows the mounting
pattern for this package.
Second, the high amplitude drive signals are on the
same layer as the low-level analog signals. In fact, all
the drive signals are on one edge of the package and
conveniently can be isolated from the low-level signals
without inserting the extra impedance of vias into the
drive signal path.
35
PCB Pattern
SGND plane so that minimal capacitive crosstalk is
induced. The SGND plane should not underlie the
drive signals, power components, and related parts.
11
To prevent solder flow into the thermal vias,
soldermask can be used to cover the vias. The
recommendations in ref. [1] provide four methods of
covering vias. For most boards, tenting (covering) the
thermal vias (with soldermask) on the bottom (opposite
the part) will provide the desired solder retention.
Figure 11.
ZL2006 Terminal Assignment (top
view)
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Third, the assignment of high speed digital signals to
the side of the board opposite the analog signals
ensures that a return plane lies between the digital
signals and the low level signals to minimize coupling
and disturbances between them. The drivers connected
to the digital signals generally return to the same power
stage output return connection as the power ground
(PGND) plane, thus minimizing the loop area of the
digital signals.
Critical Loops
In the synchronous buck circuit, certain critical circuit
loops should have a minimal loop area to ensure the
best operation of the circuit. These loops are the gate
drive source and sink loops, the power transistor
decoupling loop, and the output current sense loop (see
Figure 12). Each gate driver has two loops associated
with it that should be kept short for best switching
function. For the low-side driver GL, the path
discharging the FET gate capacitance includes the
connection from the FET gate terminal to the GL
terminal and the connection from PGND back to the
FET source terminal. The charging loop involves the
VR decoupling capacitor and ground connection, the
GL connection to the FET gate, and the return from the
FET source to the VR decoupling capacitor.
The loops for the high side FET driver are similar, with
driver signals BST, GH, and SW replacing VR, GL,
and PGND.
The power FET bypass loop involves the drain and
source of the control MOSFET, the drain and source of
the synchronous MOSFET and the bypass capacitors
across the input voltage to the buck regulator. This
loop must provide the short-term current to transition
the switching node SW from PGND to VIN and charge
parasitic capacitances on SW when the control FET is
turned ON. This loop also determines the magnitude of
voltage overshoot on SW and thus the maximum input
voltage to the buck regulator before one of the
semiconductor breakdown ratings is reached.
Table 4. Pin Usage Description for the ZL2005 and ZL2006
Class
Examples
Characteristics
Layer
Recommendations
4 (Bottom)
Do not run parallel to analog signals or
close to drive signals.
1 (Top)
Do not run parallel to digital signals or
close to drive signals. Run signals
paired with return tracks to minimize
loop area.
1 (Top)
Run signals paired with source and
return tracks to minimize loop area.
Since these carry higher currents, the
track width should be ~0.5mm or
larger.
Digital Signals
SYNC, SCL,
SDA, SALRT,
DDC
High speed transitions
Analog Signals
VSEN, ISENA,
ISENB, VTRK,
XTEMP
Low amplitude signals
(mV)
Drive Signals
GH, GL, SW,
BST
High amplitude signals
(5–20 V, 2–5 A) with fast
transitions and significant
parasitic disturbances
Signal Ground
SGND
Reference surface for
low-amplitude signals
2
Run as a plane or wide track to the
negative terminal of the load (ZL2005)
or negative terminal of the output
capacitors (ZL2006).
Power
PGND, VR
Return and source paths
for high currents
3
Separate from all other connections
unless part of a well-decoupled plane
structure.
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The output current sensing function of the ZL2005 and
ZL2006 can be configured at least four ways for
current protection and reporting. In all of these
configurations, the current sense signal is a small
amplitude (100 mV full-scale or less) to maintain a low
parasitic power loss on the current-sensing device.
Thus, the current signal ISENA–ISENB must carry the
signal to the controller with minimal distortions from
coupled noise or voltage offsets. The best way to do
this is to run the tracks side by side at minimum
spacing, away from high-level and power tracks and
adjacent to the SGND layer from the current sensing
element (FET, shunt, or capacitor) to the controller
terminals. Any loop area in these tracks, especially
near output or input filter inductors, can cause
undesirable magnetically-induced voltage disturbances.
Two signals used in the controllers measure the output
voltage and current of the power supply. For best
performance and accuracy, these signals should
employ four-terminal (Kelvin) connections. These
output voltage signal is sensed by the connection pairs
VSEN, SGND (ZL2005, ZL2105, ZL2106). For the
ZL2006, the voltage measurement is made with the
true differential sense connections VSEN+ and VSEN-.
The load current signal is sensed by ISENA and
ISENB for the ZL2005 and ZL2006.
V25 28
18 VSEN
SGND
XTEMP 29
17 VRTK
MGN 31
TACH 30
16 SS1
13 V1
15 SS0
EN 33
12 V0
CFG 32
DLY0 34
11 FC1
14 UVLO
PG 36
DLY1 35
10 FC0
Four-Terminal Connections
Figure 12. ZL2005 Critical Loops
11
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Voltage regulation should typically be most accurate at
one point, usually at the connections to the load.
Although the ZL2005 does not have true differential
voltage sense inputs, the VSEN and SGND
connections can be treated like sense lines for point-ofload (POL) applications. The VSEN terminal should be
connected to the positive load terminal at the load. This
connection prevents the current-carrying track from
influencing the regulated voltage due to ohmic drops.
Since very little current is in this input, the track width
can be the minimum line width for the PCB
processing.
The SGND terminal should be run as a wide track or
cut-off plane segment from the controller to the
negative terminal of the load before joining the
negative current-carrying conductor. Since this
terminal is also the IDD current return for the controller,
the impedance of the SGND conductor should be kept
as small as possible. The SGND supply current for the
ZL2005 is about 5-15 mA (depending on frequency);
therefore, the output voltage regulation error is about
5-15 mV per ohm of SGND resistance. Voltage drops
in the power conductors should be limited to no more
than 150 mV per leg.
In most PoL applications, the distances from the
controller to the regulated load will be very short and
massive planes will carry the currents. If an open
connection on either VSEN or SGND (such as a
connector, a wire, or SMT solder joints) is possible,
then the user should consider placing “default”
resistors near the controller IC from VSEN to the
positive power output or SGND to the negative power
output. If the voltage sense connection opens, these
resistors will maintain the connection to the output and
keep the supplied voltage under control. These resistor
values should be in the 1 to 4.7 Ω range.
12
The ZL2006 differential sense connections allow for
additional flexibility in planning the Kelvin
connections. For this part, the “default” resistors can be
higher impedance, on the order of 20 Ω to 50 Ω. The
return sensing connection for this resistor would be
from VSEN- to PGND. The SGND plane for the
ZL2006 should connect to the PGND plane at only one
point, typically the negative terminal of the output
capacitors.
The current sense connections ISENA and ISENB
should connect directly to the current sensing element
(FET, resistor shunt, or averaging capacitor), without
touching any current-carrying tracks [2]. When sensing
across a MOSFET, the current sense connections
should be as close as possible to the solder connections
to the FET, because the tracks and vias are carrying
large currents and may have greater voltage drops than
the expected current sense signal. Some low-value
resistors used for current sensing have four terminals
intended for Kelvin connections.
A similar dedicated connection should be used for
analog signal XTEMP, which must provide signals in
the few millivolt (mV) range. The return path for the
external temperature-sensing element (usually a diode
junction) is SGND. Like ISENA and ISENB, the tracks
for XTEMP and SGND should run as a pair from the
sensor device to the controller terminals.
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Critical Loops
Layout Guidelines for Internal
Switch Products
PCB Layer Usage
Like the ZL2006, the connections to the ZL2105 and
ZL2106 can be divided into classes according to the
characteristics of each connection. But since more of
the circuit is integrated in the IC, there are only four
classes of external connections (see Table 5). Here
also, the recommended layer usage assumes the
integrated regulator is mounted on the topside of the
PCB. If mounted on the bottom, the layer order can be
reversed. Please refer to the sections for external
switches for the motivation for these classes.
Since the drivers and load switching FETs are
integrated into the ZL2105 and ZL2106, the only loop
which is critical external to the part is the CIN, VDDP,
and PGND decoupling loop for the power FETs as
shown in the typical application circuit (Figure 5). The
capacitors for this loop should ideally remain on the
same side of the PCB as the IC, and should be
physically very close to the IC to minimize
inductances.
Four-Terminal Connections
Since current sensing is integrated into the internal
switch regulators, the only connections requiring
attention to four-terminal (Kelvin) connections are the
output voltage sensing (VSEN and SGND or VSEN+
and VSEN-). The earlier recommendations for the
external switch parts apply also to the integrated switch
parts for these terminals.
Figure 13. ZL2106 Terminal Assignment
(top view)
Table 5. Pin Usage Description for the Integrated Regulators
Class
Examples
Characteristics
Layer
Recommendations
4 (Bottom)
Do not run parallel to analog signals or
close to drive signals.
Do not run parallel to digital signals or
close to drive signals. Run signals
paired with return tracks to minimize
loop area.
Digital Signals
SYNC, SCL,
SDA, SALRT,
CP1, CP2
High speed transitions
Analog Signals
VSEN, VTRK,
XTEMP, VRA
Low amplitude signals
(mV)
1 (Top)
Signal Ground
SGND
Reference surface for
low-amplitude signals
2
Run as a plane or wide track to the
negative terminal of the load.
VDDP, PGND,
VR, SW, BST
Return and source paths
for high currents. May
have fast transitions and
significant parasitic
disturbances
3
Separate from all other connections
unless part of a well-decoupled plane
structure. Switching signals (SW, BST)
should have only enough track width
to carry the required current with
acceptable voltage drop.
Power
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Application Note 2010
Appendix A
ZL2005 Circuit Examples
Figure 15–Figure 16 show some representative examples of recommended layout practices for the connections to the
ZL2005 in different assembly configurations. The examples are for two PCB layers with one-sided mounting of
(major) components, four PCB layers with one-sided mounting, and four PCB layers with two-sided mounting of
(major) components.
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Figure 15. Example Layout – Four-layer PCB with One-Sided Mounting (Except Small Discretes)
Layer 1
Layer 2
Figure 14. Example Layout – Two-layer PCB with One-Sided Mounting (Except Small Discretes)
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Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Figure 16. Example Layout – Four-layer PCB with Two-Sided Mounting
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Appendix B
ZL2006 Circuit Examples
Figure 17 shows a representative example of recommended layout practices for the connections to the ZL2006. The
example shows a six layer PCB with two-sided mounting of (major) components.
Top Layer
Inner Layer 1
Inner Layer 2
Inner Layer 3
Inner Layer 4
Bottom Layer
Figure 17. ZL2006 Example Layout - Six Layer PCB
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Appendix C
ZL2106 Circuit Examples
Figure 18 show a representative example of recommended layout practices for the connections to the ZL2106. The
example shows a four layer PCB with two-sided mounting of (major) components.
Top Layer
Inner Layer 1
Inner Layer 2
Bottom Layer
Figure 18. ZL2106 Example Layout - Four Layer PCB
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References
[1]
Application Notes for Surface Mount Assembly of Amkor’s MicroLeadFrame® (MLF®) Packages, Rev. E,
Amkor Technology, Inc., December 2003.
[2]
AN2015 – ZL2005 Current Sensing Techniques, Zilker Labs, Inc., 2005.
[3]
AN2011 – Component Selection, Zilker Labs, Inc., 2005.
[4]
ZL2005 Data Sheet, Zilker Labs, Inc., 2006
[5]
ZL2006 Data Sheet, Zilker Labs, Inc., 2008
[6]
ZL2106 Data Sheet, Zilker Labs, Inc., 2008
[7]
ZL2105 Data Sheet, Zilker Labs, Inc., 2006
Revision History
Date
Rev. #
10/20/05
1.0
Initial release
9/7/06
2.0
Added ZL2105 sections, revised thermal circuit
6/17/08
2.5
Added ZL2006 and ZL2106.
6/24/08
2.6
Minor text edits
5/01/09
AN2010.0 Assigned file number AN2010 to app note as this will be the first release with an Intersil file number.
Replaced header and footer with Intersil header and footer. Updated disclaimer information to read
“Intersil and it’s subsidiaries including Zilker Labs, Inc.” No changes to datasheet content.
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Zilker Labs, Inc.
4301 Westbank Drive
Building A-100
Austin, TX 78746
Tel: 512-382-8300
Fax: 512-382-8329
© 2008, Zilker Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Zilker Labs, Digital-DC, and the Zilker Labs Logo are trademarks
of Zilker Labs, Inc. All other products or brand names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Please see www.zilkerlabs.com for updated information.
This product is not intended for use in connection with any high-risk activity, including without limitation, air
travel, life critical medical operations, nuclear facilities or equipment, or the like.
The reference designs contained in this document are for reference and example purposes only. THE REFERENCE DESIGNS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "WITH ALL FAULTS" AND INTERSIL AND IT’S
SUBSIDIARIES INCLUDING ZILKER LABS, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. ZILKER LABS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER
DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS), OR OTHERWISE,
RESULTING FROM THE REFERENCE DESIGNS OR ANY USE THEREOF. Any use of such reference
designs is at your own risk and you agree to indemnify Intersil and it’s subsidiaries including Zilker Labs, Inc.
for any damages resulting from such use.
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