LM4910
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SNAS151G – MAY 2004 – REVISED MARCH 2007
Minimization of THD
PCB trace impedance on the power, ground, and all output traces should be minimized to achieve optimal THD
performance. Therefore, use PCB traces that are as wide as possible for these connections. As the gain of the
amplifier is increased, the trace impedance will have an ever increasing adverse affect on THD performance. At
unity-gain (0dB) the parasitic trace impedance effect on THD performance is reduced but still a negative factor in
the THD performance of the LM4910 in a given application.
GENERAL MIXED SIGNAL LAYOUT RECOMMENDATION
Power and Ground Circuits
For two layer mixed signal design, it is important to isolate the digital power and ground trace paths from the
analog power and ground trace paths. Star trace routing techniques (bringing individual traces back to a central
point rather than daisy chaining traces together in a serial manner) can greatly enhance low level signal
performance. Star trace routing refers to using individual traces to feed power and ground to each circuit or even
device. This technique will require a greater amount of design time but will not increase the final price of the
board. The only extra parts required may be some jumpers.
Single-Point Power / Ground Connections
The analog power traces should be connected to the digital traces through a single point (link). A "PI-filter" can
be helpful in minimizing high frequency noise coupling between the analog and digital sections. Further, place
digital and analog power traces over the corresponding digital and analog ground traces to minimize noise
coupling.
Placement of Digital and Analog Components
All digital components and high-speed digital signal traces should be located as far away as possible from analog
components and circuit traces.
Avoiding Typical Design / Layout Problems
Avoid ground loops or running digital and analog traces parallel to each other (side-by-side) on the same PCB
layer. When traces must cross over each other do it at 90 degrees. Running digital and analog traces at 90
degrees to each other from the top to the bottom side as much as possible will minimize capacitive noise
coupling and cross talk.
Revision History
Rev
Date
Description
1.0
7/12/05
Released to the WEB.
1.1
01/16/07
Deleted the phrase “patent pending” on page
1.
Copyright © 2004–2007, Texas Instruments Incorporated
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