Electronic – Criticize SMPS PCB Design

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Yes, it is me again with a PCB Design. I am learning a lot thanks to you. This time, the specs are;

  • 10-32 V input
  • 35V 4A output
  • Boost converter
  • The controller IC is LM3478.

Schematic & PCB:

Schematic

PCB

Q1 has a breakout board footprint. R1 and L1 are on the solder side. The ground line of 100 th under Q1's footprint is going to be covered with a lot of solder. Q1 and D1 are connected to a heat-sink. This is going to be a home-made single sided PCB.

LM3478 Datasheet

IXTH24N50 Datasheet

CTB-34 Datasheet

Best Answer

My first thoughts:

  1. The MOSFET you've chosen is overkill. A 35V output application will not need a 500V MOSFET. Try something in the 100-150V range, which will have lower gate charge and \$R_{DS(on)}\$.

  2. The boost diode should be a hyperfast rectifier with soft recovery characteristics. These are most commonly found in high-voltage (>500V) ratings for use in PFC, but may still be useful. Consider 'stealth' diodes from Fairchild or 'FRED' diodes from Vishay. (Soft recovery and hyperfast are most useful when the converter is operating in continuous mode.)

  3. You should have a fuse on Vin. There isn't a way to isolate input from output in the event of a fault without one.