A good PCB layout for the PAM8301AAF involves keeping the audio signal traces short and away from the power supply lines, using a solid ground plane, and placing the device close to the speaker. A 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane is recommended.
The gain setting of the PAM8301AAF depends on the input signal level and the desired output power. A good starting point is to set the gain to 20dB and adjust from there based on the specific application requirements. The gain can be adjusted using an external resistor or a digital potentiometer.
A 10uF ceramic capacitor and a 1uF ceramic capacitor in parallel, placed close to the device, are recommended for power supply decoupling. Additional bulk capacitance, such as a 100uF electrolytic capacitor, can be added further away from the device.
The PAM8301AAF has built-in overvoltage protection, but additional protection can be added using a voltage supervisor or a power supply monitor. Undervoltage protection can be implemented using a voltage detector or a reset supervisor.
The PAM8301AAF has a thermal pad that should be connected to a solid ground plane or a thermal relief pattern on the PCB. A thermal interface material, such as thermal tape or thermal grease, can be used to improve heat transfer between the device and the PCB.
PAM8301AAF datasheet
by Diodes Incorporated
