19-1245; Rev 0; 7/97 KIT ATION EVALU LE B A IL A AV Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Sources with Synchronous Rectifier ________________________Applications Battery-Powered Equipment Laptop, Notebook, and Palmtop Computers ____________________________Features ♦ 95% Efficiency ♦ +5.5V to +26V Input Supply Range ♦ 2V to 24V Adjustable-Output Voltage Range ♦ 100% Maximum Duty Cycle (Low Dropout) ♦ Up to 500kHz PWM Operation ♦ Optional Synchronous Rectifier ♦ 16-Pin QSOP Package ♦ Current-Sense Accuracy: 2% (MAX1641) 5.3% (MAX1640) ______________Ordering Information TEMP. RANGE PART MAX1640C/D 0°C to +70°C MAX1640EEE MAX1641C/D MAX1641EEE -40°C to +85°C 0°C to +70°C -40°C to +85°C PIN-PACKAGE Dice* 16 QSOP Dice* 16 QSOP *Dice are specified at TA = +25°C, DC parameters only. Handy Terminals Portable Consumer Products __________Typical Operating Circuit Cordless Phones Cellular Phones VIN = +5.5V TO +26V PCS Phones Backup Battery Charger IN D0 LDOH PDRV P D1 __________________Pin Configuration TOFF NDRV REF PGND RTOFF TOP VIEW LDOL 1 16 IN TOFF 2 15 LDOH D1 3 14 PDRV D0 4 CC 5 MAX1640 MAX1641 SET CS- OUT 13 NDRV MAX1640 12 PGND REF 6 11 CS+ SET 7 10 CS9 TERM 8 CS+ CC GND TERM LDOL GND QSOP ________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1 For free samples & the latest literature: http://www.maxim-ic.com, or phone 1-800-998-8800. For small orders, phone 408-737-7600 ext. 3468. MAX1640/MAX1641 _______________General Description The MAX1640/MAX1641 CMOS, adjustable-output, switch-mode current sources operate from a +5.5V to +26V input, and are ideal for microprocessor-controlled battery chargers. Charging current, maximum output voltage, and pulse-trickle charge are programmed with external resistors. Programming the off-time modifies the switching frequency, suppressing undesirable harmonics in noise-sensitive circuits. The MAX1640’s highside current sensing allows the load to connect directly to ground, eliminating ground-potential errors. The MAX1641 incorporates a low-side current sense. The MAX1640/MAX1641 step-down pulse-width-modulation (PWM) controllers use an external P-channel MOSFET switch and an optional, external N-channel MOSFET synchronous rectifier for increased efficiency. An internal low-dropout linear regulator provides power for the internal reference and circuitry as well as the gate drive for the N-channel synchronous rectifier. The MAX1640/MAX1641 are available in space-saving, 16-pin narrow QSOP packages. MAX1640/MAX1641 Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS IN to GND ...............................................................-0.3V to +28V LDOH to IN ...............................................................+0.3V to -6V LDOL to GND ...........................................................-0.3V to +6V PDRV to GND .............................. (VLDOH - 0.3V) to (VIN + 0.3V) NDRV to GND .........................................-0.3V to (VLDOL + 0.3V) TOFF, REF, SET, TERM, CC to GND ......-0.3V to (VLDOL + 0.3V) D0, D1 to GND .........................................................-0.3V to +6V CS+, CS- to GND ...................................................-0.3V to +28V PGND to GND.....................................................................±0.3V Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C) QSOP (derate 8.30mW/°C above +70°C) ................... 667mW Operating Temperature Range MAX164_EEE ...................................................-40°C to +85°C Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +150°C Lead Temperature (soldering, 10sec) ............................ +300°C Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability. ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (VIN = +12V, VOUT = 6V, Circuit of Figure 2, TA = 0°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at TA = +25°C.) PARAMETER Input Voltage Range SYMBOL CONDITIONS VIN MIN TYP 5.5 MAX UNITS 26 V Linear-Regulator Output Voltage, VIN Referenced VLDOH VIN = 5.5V to 26V, ILOAD = 0 to 20mA VIN 5.5 VIN 5.0 VIN 4.5 V Linear-Regulator Output Voltage, Ground Referenced VLDOL VIN = 5.5V to 26V, ILOAD = 0 to 20mA 4.5 5.0 5.5 V Full-Scale Current-Sense Threshold MAX1640 142 150 158 MAX1641 147 150 153 Quarter-Scale Current-Sense Threshold MAX1640 36 42 48 MAX1641 34 37.5 41 Current-Sense Line Regulation VIN = VOUT + 0.5V to 26V Output Current Compliance VOUT = 2V to 24V MAX1640 0.1 MAX1641 0.1 D0 or D1 = high Quiescent VIN Supply Current VREF 4 %/V mA µA 1 µA 4.20 4.35 V 1.96 2.00 2.04 V 4 10 mV 1 µA 12 Ω IREF = 0 to 50µA PFET and NFET drive Off-Time Range 0.4 4.05 VSET Input Current FET Drive Output Resistance mV %/V 500 D0 = D1 = low VLDOL Undervoltage Lockout Reference Load Regulation 2 D0 = D1 = low (off mode) Output Current in Off Mode Reference Voltage 0.03 mV 10 µs Off-Time Accuracy RTOFF = 62kΩ 1.7 1 2.2 2.7 µs Pulse-Trickle Mode Duty-Cycle Period D0 = low, D1 = high, RTOFF = 100kΩ 27 33 40 ms Pulse-Trickle Mode Duty Cycle (Note 1) D0 = low, D1 = high, RTOFF = 100kΩ 12.5 Note 1: This ratio is generated by a 1:8 clock divider and is not an error source for current calculations. 2 _______________________________________________________________________________________ % Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier (VIN = +12V, VOUT = 6V, Circuit of Figure 2, TA = 0°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at TA = +25°C.) PARAMETER PWM Maximum Duty Cycle Input Low Voltage Input High Voltage Input Leakage Current SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX 100 VIL VIH IIN D0, D1 D0, D1 D0, D1 UNITS ±1 % V V µA MAX UNITS 5.5 26 V 0.8 2.4 ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (VIN = +12V, VOUT = 6V, Circuit of Figure 2, TA = -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted.) PARAMETER Input Voltage Range SYMBOL CONDITIONS VIN MIN TYP Linear-Regulator Output Voltage, VIN Referenced VLDOH VIN = 5.5V to 26V, ILOAD = 0 to 20mA VIN 5.5 VIN 4.5 V Linear-Regulator Output Voltage, Ground Referenced VLDOL VIN = 5.5V to 26V, ILOAD = 0 to 20mA 4.5 5.5 V Full-Scale Current-Sense Threshold MAX1640 141 159 MAX1641 146 154 Quarter-Scale Current-Sense Threshold MAX1640 34 48 MAX1641 33 42 Output Current Compliance VOUT = 2V to 24V (MAX1640) Quiescent VIN Supply Current Output Current in Off Mode mV mV 0.4 %/V D0 or D1 = high 4 mA D0 = D1 = low 1 µA 4.0 4.4 V 1.94 2.06 V 10 mV VSET Input Current 1 µA FET Drive Output Resistance 12 Ω 1.5 8 µs VLDOL Undervoltage Lockout Reference Voltage VREF Reference Load Regulation IREF = 0 to 50µA Off-Time Range Off-Time Accuracy RTOFF = 62kΩ 1.5 2.5 µs Pulse-Trickle Mode Duty-Cycle Period D0 = low, D1 = high, RTOFF = 50kΩ 25 42 ms PWM Maximum Duty Cycle 100 Input Low Voltage VIL D0, D1 Input High Voltage VIH D0, D1 Input Leakage Current IIN D0, D1 % 0.8 2.4 V V ±1 µA _______________________________________________________________________________________ 3 MAX1640/MAX1641 ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued) __________________________________________Typical Operating Characteristics (Circuit of Figure 2, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) 60 1.490 TA = +85°C 1.480 TA = +25°C 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 MAX1640/41-TOC03 TA = +85°C 1.490 1.480 1.470 TA = +25°C 1.460 1.450 1.460 2 TA = -40°C 1.500 1.470 50 4 8 12 16 20 24 2 28 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 INPUT VOLTAGE (V) OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V) MAX1641 OUTPUT CURRENT vs. INPUT VOLTAGE MAX1641 OUTPUT CURRENT vs. OUTPUT VOLTAGE QUIESCENT CURRENT vs. INPUT VOLTAGE (NO-LOAD) TA = +25°C 1.500 TA = +85°C 1.475 1.520 TA = -40°C 1.500 TA = +25°C 1.480 TA = +85°C 1.460 1.450 16 20 24 28 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 0.61 TA = +85°C 0.57 TA = +25°C TA = -40°C 0.51 SWITCHING FREQUENCY (kHz) 0.63 10,000 1000 VOUT = +3V 100 8 12 16 24 28 LINE-TRANSIENT RESPONSE A 0A VOUT = +6V 10 0.49 B 0.47 0V 1 0.45 4 8 12 16 20 INPUT VOLTAGE (V) 24 28 0 50 100 150 200 250 TOFF (kΩ) 300 350 400 VLOAD = 3V 2ms/div A: OUTPUT CURRENT, D1 = D0 = 1 1A/div B: INPUT VOLTAGE, 10V/div 4 20 INPUT VOLTAGE (V) SWITCHING FREQUENCY vs. RTOFF MAX1640/41-TOC07 0.65 0.53 4 VOUT (V) OFF-MODE SUPPLY CURRENT (NO-LOAD) 0.55 TA = -40°C 1.9 1.5 2 INPUT VOLTAGE (V) 0.59 2.1 MAX1640/41 TOC 09 12 TA = +25°C 2.3 MAX1640/41 TOC 08 8 2.5 1.7 1.420 4 TA = +85°C 2.7 1.440 MAX1640/41-TOC06 1.525 1.540 2.9 QUIESCENT CURRENT (mA) TA = -40°C 1.560 OUTPUT CURRENT (A) (VOUT = 4V) MAX1640/41 TOC04 OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V) 1.550 OUTPUT CURRENT (A) TA = -40°C 1.500 1.510 OUTPUT CURRENT (A) 70 (VOUT = 4V) MAX1640/41-TOC05 EFFICIENCY (%) 80 1.510 MAX1640/41 TOC02 VIN = 26V OUTPUT CURRENT (A) VIN = 12V 90 MAX1640/41-TOC01 100 VIN = 18V MAX1640 OUTPUT CURRENT vs. OUTPUT VOLTAGE MAX1640 OUTPUT CURRENT vs. INPUT VOLTAGE EFFICIENCY vs. OUTPUT VOLTAGE OFF-MODE SUPPLY CURRENT (mA) MAX1640/MAX1641 Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier _______________________________________________________________________________________ Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier (Circuit of Figure 2, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) CURRENT-MODE CHANGE RESPONSE TIME MAX1640/41 TOC 10 MAX1640/41 TOC11 EXITING OFF MODE A A 0A 0V B B 20µs/div 2ms/div VIN = 12V, VSET = 1V, RLOAD = 4Ω, NO OUTPUT CAPACITOR VIN = 12V, RLOAD = 4Ω A: OUTPUT CURRENT, D0 = D1 = 0 1A/div A: D0 = D1 = 1 2V/div B: LOAD VOLTAGE, AC coupled, 500mV/div B: OUTPUT CURRENT, 0.5A/div ______________________________________________________________Pin Description PIN NAME FUNCTION 1 LDOL Internal, Ground-Referenced Low-Dropout Linear Regulator Output. Bypass with a 0.1µF capacitor in parallel with a 4.7µF capacitor to GND. 2 TOFF Off-Time Select Input. A resistor (RTOFF) connected from this pin to GND programs the off-time for the hysteretic PWM step-down converter. This resistor also sets the period in duty-cycle mode. See Duty-Cycle Mode and Programming the Off-Time. 3, 4 D1, D0 5 CC Constant-Current Loop Compensation Input. Bypass with a 0.01µF capacitor to GND. 6 REF Reference Voltage Output (VREF = 2V). Bypass with a 0.1µF capacitor to GND. 7 SET Current Select Input. Program the desired current level by applying a voltage at SET between 0V and VREF, (I = VSET / 13.3RSENSE). See Figure 3. 8 TERM Maximum Output Voltage Termination Input. When VTERM exceeds the reference voltage, the comparator resets the internal PWM latch, shutting off the external P-channel FET. 9 GND Ground 10 CS- Negative Current-Sense Comparator Input 11 CS+ Positive Current-Sense Comparator Input 12 PGND High-Current Ground Return for the output drivers 13 NDRV Gate Drive for an optional N-channel FET synchronous rectifier 14 PDRV Gate Drive for the P-channel FET 15 LDOH Internal, Input-Referenced Low-Dropout Linear Regulator Output. Bypass with a 0.33µF capacitor to IN. 16 IN Digital Inputs. Select mode of operation (Table 1). Power-Supply Input. Input of the internal, low-dropout linear regulators. _______________________________________________________________________________________ 5 MAX1640/MAX1641 ____________________________Typical Operating Characteristics (continued) MAX1640/MAX1641 Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier IN LDOL LDOH REG A1 CS+ PDRV A2 Gm CS- MODE CONTROL SET B NDRV MUX PGND REF A SEL MAX1640 MAX1641 TERM D0, D1 CC TOFF Figure 1. MAX1640/MAX1641 Functional Diagram 6 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier 4.7µF IN LDOH LDOL PDRV 0.33µF 47µF 1/2 IR7309 IN P LDOL 0.1µF 4.7µF MAX1640/MAX1641 0.33µF 47µF 1/2 IR7309 LDOH PDRV P 0.1µF MAX1641 D0 MAX1640 D0 D1 D1 RTOFF RTOFF TOFF 1/2 IR7309 NDRV TOFF N 1/2 IR7309 47µH NDRV REF N VOUT PGND REF BATT 47µH PGND R3 R1 CS+ CS+ R1 SET 0.1µF 100mΩ R4 R2 CS- 100mΩ SET 0.1µF R2 CSVOUT R3 TERM CC BATT GND TERM CC 0.01µF GND R4 0.01µF Figure 2a. Standard Application Circuit Figure 2b. Standard Application Circuit _______________Detailed Description part operates for 12.5% of the period set by RTOFF, resulting in a lower current for pulse-trickle charging. Figure 1 is the MAX1640/MAX1641 functional diagram. Figure 2 shows the standard application circuits. The MAX1640/MAX1641 switch-mode current sources utilize a hysteretic, current-mode, step-down pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) topology with constant offtime. Internal comparators control the switching mechanism. These comparators monitor the current through a sense resistor (RSENSE) and the voltage at TERM. When inductor current reaches the current limit [(VCS+ - VCS-) / RSENSE], the P-channel FET turns off and the N-channel FET synchronous rectifier turns on. Inductor energy is delivered to the load as the current ramps down. This ramp rate depends on RTOFF and inductor values. When off-time expires, the P-channel FET turns back on and the N-channel FET turns off. Two digital inputs, D0 and D1, select between four possible current levels (Table 1). In pulse-trickle mode, the Charge Mode: Programming the Output Currents The sense resistor, RSENSE, sets two charging current levels. Choose between these two levels by holding D0 high, and toggling D1 either high or low (Table 1). The fast-charge current level equals V CS / R SENSE where VCS is the full-scale current-sense voltage of 150mV. Alternatively, calculate this current by VREF / (13.3R SENSE ). The top-off current equals V SET / (13.3RSENSE). A resistor-divider from REF to GND programs the voltage at SET (Figure 3). _______________________________________________________________________________________ 7 MAX1640/MAX1641 Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier The voltage at SET is given by: R1 = R2 (VREF / VSET -1 ); 10kΩ < R2 < 300kΩ where V REF = 2V and V SET is proportional to the desired output current level. L MAX1641 BATT Table 1. Selecting Output Current Levels D1 DO MODE OUTPUT CURRENT (A) 0 0 OFF 0 1 Top-Off VSET / (13.3RSENSE) R3 CS+ RSENSE 0 1 0 Pulse-Trickle VSET / (13.3RSENSE) 12.5% duty cycle 1 1 Fast Charge VSET / (13.3RSENSE) CS- R4 TERM Figure 4b. Setting the Maximum Output Voltage Level The MAX1640/MAX1641 are specified for V SET between 0V and VREF. For VSET > VREF, output current increases linearly (with reduced accuracy) until it clamps at VSET ≈ 4V. MAX1640 MAX1641 REF Pulse-Trickle Mode: Selecting the Pulse-Trickle Current R1 Pulling D0 low and D1 high selects pulse-trickle mode. This current equals VSET / (13.3RSENSE) and remains on for 12.5% of the period set by RTOFF. Pulse-trickle current maintains full charge across the battery and can slowly charge a cold battery before fast charging commences. SET R2 PERIOD = 3.2 x 10-7 x RTOFF (sec) Figure 3. Adjusting the Output Current Level Off Mode: Turning Off the Output Current Pulling D0 and D1 low turns off the P-channel FET and hence the output current flow. This mode also controls end of charge and protects the battery against excessive temperatures. L MAX1640 CS+ Setting the Maximum Output Voltage Level RSENSE CSR3 BATT TERM R4 The maximum output voltage should be programmed to a level higher than the output/battery voltage (ILOAD x RLOAD). An external resistor-divider between the output and ground (Figure 4) sets the voltage at TERM. Once the voltage at TERM exceeds the reference, the internal comparator turns off the P-channel FET, terminating current flow. Select R4 in the 10kΩ to 500kΩ range. R3 is given by: Figure 4a. Setting the Maximum Output Voltage Level R3 = R4 (VOUT / VTERM) -1 8 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier generating increased ripple at the output. Select CCC to optimize the ripple vs. loop response. Programming the Off-Time Synchronous Rectification When programming the off-time, consider such factors as maximum inductor current ripple, maximum output voltage, inductor value, and inductor current rating. The output current ripple is less than the inductor current ripple and depends heavily on the output capacitor’s size. Perform the following steps to program the off-time: 1) Select the maximum output current ripple. IR(A) 2) Select the maximum output voltage. VOUT(MAX)(V) 3) Calculate the inductor value range as follows: Synchronous rectification reduces conduction losses in the rectifier by shunting the Schottky diode with a lowresistance MOSFET switch. In turn, efficiency increases by about 3% to 5% at heavy loads. To prevent crossconduction or “shoot-through,” the synchronous rectifier turns on shortly after the P-channel power MOSFET LMIN = (VOUTMAX x 1µs) / IR Table 2. Component Manufacturers COMPONENT Inductor LMAX = (VOUTMAX x 10µs) / IR 4) Select an inductor value in this range. 5) Calculate tOFF as follows: MOSFETs Sense Resistor t OFF = L x IR VOUTMAX Capacitors 6) Program tOFF by selecting RTOFF from: Rectifier RTOFF = (29.3 x 109) x tOFF MANUFACTURER Sumida CDRH125 series Coilcraft D03316P series Coiltronics UP2 series International Rectifier IRF7309 Siliconix S14539DY Dale WSL-2010 series IRC LR2010-01 series AVX TPS series Sprague 595D series Motorola Nihon 7) Calculate the switching frequency by: MBAR5340t3 IN5817-IN5822 NSQ03A04 turns off. The synchronous rectifier remains off for 90% of the off-time. In low-cost designs, the synchronous rectifier FET may be replaced by a Schottky diode. fs = 1 / (tON + tOFF) where tON = (IR x L) / (VIN - VOUT) and IR = (VOUT x tOFF) / L. L is the inductor value, VIN is the input voltage, VOUT is the output voltage, and IR is the output peak-to-peak current ripple. Note that RTOFF sets both the off-time and the pulsetrickle charge period. Reference The on-chip reference is laser trimmed for a precise 2V at REF. REF can source no more than 50µA. Bypass REF with a 0.1µF capacitor to ground. Constant-Current Loop: AC Loop Compensation The constant-current loop’s output is brought out at CC. To reduce noise due to variations in switching currents, bypass CC with a 1nF to 100nF capacitor to ground. A large capacitor value maintains a constant average output current but slows the loop response to changes in switching current. A small capacitor value speeds up the loop response to changes in switching current, Component Selection External Switching Transistors The MAX1640/MAX1641 drive an enhancement-mode P-channel MOSFET and a synchronous-rectifier Nchannel MOSFET (Table 2). When selecting a P-channel FET, some important parameters to consider are on-resistance (rDS(ON)), maximum drain-to-source voltage (VDS max), maximum gate-to-source voltage (V GS max), and minimum threshold voltage (VTH min). In high-current applications, MOSFET package power dissipation often becomes a dominant design factor. I2R power losses are the greatest heat contributor for both high-side and low-side MOSFETs. Switching losses affect the upper MOSFET only (P-channel), since the Schottky rectifier or the N-FET body diode clamps the switching node before the synchronous rectifier turns on. Rectifier Diode If an N-channel MOSFET synchronous rectifier is not used, a Schottky rectifier is needed. The MAX1640/ _______________________________________________________________________________________ 9 MAX1640/MAX1641 where V TERM = 2V and V OUT is the desired output voltage. MAX1640/MAX1641 Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier DC IN PDRV I/0 D0 I/0 D1 P MAX1640 NDRV N LOW-SIDE IS SHORTED PGND CS+ RSENSE CH0 CSCH1 R3 T TERM BATT GND R4 Figure 5. Microcontroller Battery Charger MAX1641’s high switching frequency demands a highspeed rectifier (Table 2). Schottky diodes such as the 1N5817–1N5822 are recommended. Make sure the Schottky diode’s average current rating exceeds the peak current limit and that its breakdown voltage exceeds the output voltage (VOUT). For high-temperature applications, Schottky diodes may be inadequate due to their high leakage current; high-speed silicon diodes such as the MUR105 or EC11FS1 can be used instead. At heavy loads and high temperatures, the benefits of a Schottky diode’s low forward voltage may outweigh the disadvantage of high leakage current. If the application uses an N-channel MOSFET synchronous rectifier, a parallel Schottky diode is usually unnecessary except with very high charge current (> 3 amps). Best efficiency is achieved with both an N-channel MOSFET and a Schottky diode. Inductor Value Refer to the section Programming the Off-Time to select the proper inductor value. There is a trade-off between 10 inductor value, off-time, output current ripple, and switching frequency. __________Applications Information All-Purpose Microcontroller Battery Charger: NiCd, NiMH In applications where a microcontroller is available, the MAX1640/MAX1641 can be used as a low-cost battery charger (Figure 5). The controller takes over fast charge, pulse-trickle charge, charge termination, and other smart functions. By monitoring the output voltage at VOUT, the controller initiates fast charge (set D0 and D1 high), terminates fast charge and initiates top-off (set D0 high and D1 low), enters trickle charge (set D0 low and D1 high), or shuts off and terminates current flow (set D0 and D1 low). Layout and Grounding Due to high current levels and fast switching waveforms, proper PC board layout is essential. High-current ground paths should be connected in a star ______________________________________________________________________________________ Adjustable-Output, Switch-Mode Current Source with Synchronous Rectifier ___________________Chip Information TRANSISTOR COUNT: 1233 QSOP.EPS ________________________________________________________Package Information ______________________________________________________________________________________ 11 MAX1640/MAX1641 configuration to PGND. These traces should be wide to reduce resistance and as short as possible to reduce stray inductance. All low-current ground paths should be connected to GND. Place the input bypass capacitor as close as possible to the IN pin. See MAX1640 EV kit for layout example.