Texas Instruments recommends a 2-layer or 4-layer PCB with a solid ground plane on the bottom layer and a thermal relief pattern on the top layer to ensure good thermal conductivity. Additionally, keeping the thermal pad connected to the ground plane can help to reduce thermal resistance.
To ensure reliable startup and shutdown, it is recommended to add a soft-start circuit to limit the inrush current during startup, and to use a voltage supervisor or reset IC to monitor the output voltage and reset the system during power-up and power-down sequences.
The maximum allowed input voltage ripple for the LM3431MH/NOPB is 10% of the nominal input voltage. Exceeding this limit may affect the regulator's stability and output voltage accuracy.
Yes, the LM3431MH/NOPB is rated for operation up to 150°C, but it is recommended to derate the output current and input voltage according to the thermal derating curve provided in the datasheet to ensure reliable operation.
To troubleshoot oscillations or instability issues, check the PCB layout for proper decoupling and grounding, ensure that the input and output capacitors meet the recommended specifications, and verify that the feedback loop is properly connected and compensated.
LM3431MH/NOPB datasheet
by Texas Instruments
