11.1 Layout Guidelines

Some layout guidelines must be followed to ensure proper regulation of the output voltage with minimum noise. TI recommends that the input terminal be bypassed to ground with a bypass capacitor. The optimum placement is closest to the input terminal of the device and the system GND. Take care to minimize the loop area formed by the bypass-capacitor connection, the input terminal, and the system GND. Traces carrying the load current must be wide to reduce the amount of parasitic trace inductance. In cases when VIN shorts to ground, an external diode must be placed from VOUT to VIN to divert the surge current from the output capacitor and protect the IC. This diode must be placed close to the corresponding IC pins to increase their effectiveness.