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Legacy Personal Blogs Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 3b: BoosterPack Layout - my version
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Engagement
  • Author Author: Jan Cumps
  • Date Created: 29 Oct 2016 3:27 PM Date Created
  • Views 1090 views
  • Likes 5 likes
  • Comments 8 comments
  • kicad
  • smart_instrument
  • boosterpack
  • seeed
  • pcb_layout
  • texas_instruments
  • gan
Related
Recommended

Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 3b: BoosterPack Layout - my version

Jan Cumps
Jan Cumps
29 Oct 2016

I'm designing a BoosterPack to evaluate GaN devices with the help of a microcontroller.

image

This double post (a+b) documents the PCB layout, specific for significant currency and high switching frequency.

 

 

The Schematic

The EVM User Guide has the schematics for this board. I removed the discrete deadband generator and bias voltage provider.

The deadband generator is replaced by a connection to Hercules LaunchXLII PWM outputs. The bias will come from that same LaunchPad's 5V power.

image

Here's my version. No bias or deadband circuit.
I've added a quadrature encoder. This part, connected to the Hercules eQEP module, is optional.

 

image

 

 

The PCB

Except for the changes mentioned above, I tried to stay as close as possible to the TI reference design.

There are several reasons for that:

  • budget: the PCB and GaN devices are expensive. I don't want to have to redo the work (ballpark figure: I loose more than 250 € on PCB and BOM for 3 boards, if I screw up. If you want me to be a hero, then send monies please).
  • I don't have anything close to the proper lab equipment to validate all aspects of the circuit's behaviour.
  • My "high switching frequency, high current" PCB layout skills are mediocre at best.

 

I am a little bit shaken by the cost of a four layer board. If you include shipping, I have a slightly cheaper quote for 3 OSHPark PCBs than for 5 Seeed PCBs with ENIG finish - if you include shipping costs.

A $10 coupon that I kindly got from michaelwylie tipped the balance, so I ordered at Seeed.

image

 

Here is my layout. You can compare it with TI's reference design images in my previous post.

 

Board Top (copper, mask, silkscreen, forgot to show the drill holes - see the image in the intro section above for those image)

White annotations are not part of the PCB design. I've added those on the blog image for clarity (and because jc2048 requested it image ).

 

image

 

Middle Top layer

 

image

 

Middle Bottom layer

 

image

 

 

Board Bottom + copper, mask, silkscreen and drills

 

image

 

I've attached the KiCAD design to this post.

(edit: updated to v 1.1, C30, P2, P3 wrong footprint)

 

In the next post, I'll review the custom schematic and footprint components that I've created for this design - and upload their libs.

 

Related Blogs
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 1: Control Big Power with a Flimsy Mouse Scroll Wheel
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 2: Make a BoosterPack
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 3a: BoosterPack Layout - Reference Design
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 3b: BoosterPack Layout - my version
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Side Note A: BoosterPack Layout - Custom KiCad Parts
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Side Note B: Look at the PCB
Rotary Encoders - Part 1: Electronics
Checking Out GaN Half-Bridge Power Stage: Texas Instruments LMG5200 - Part 1: Preview
Rotary Encoders - Part 4: Capturing Input on a Texas Instruments Hercules LaunchPad with eQEP
Vintage Turntable repair: Can I fix a Perpetuum Ebner from 1958 - part 4 - Hercules LaunchPad Enhanced PWM try-out
Attachments:
imageLMG5200_HERCULES_LAUNCHXL2_BOOSTERPACK.pdf
LMG5200_HERCULES_LAUNCHXL2_BOOSTERPACK_v1_1.zip
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Top Comments

  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 7 years ago +2
    BOM: lplpC21, C15, C1630.1uFCAP, CERM, 0.1uF, 100V, +/-10%, X7R, 06030603GRM188R72A104KA35DMuRataC13, C20, C1931uFCAP, CERM, 1uF, 100V, +/-20%, X7R, 12061206C3216X7R2A105M160AATDKC8, C14210uFCAP, CERM…
  • dougw
    dougw over 7 years ago +1
    Nicely detailed blog. I'm looking forward to the big reveal....
  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 6 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps +1
    Boards arrived:
  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 6 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    heads-up:

     

    I received an end-of-life notification (Not Recommended for New Designs) for this BOM element: 

     

    C2210.1uFCAP, CERM, 0.1uF, 10V, +/-10%, X5R, 04020402C1005X5R1A104KTDK
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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 6 years ago

    I've attached new KiCad project archive. C30 had a wrong footprint (0603, should be 1206)

    image

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 6 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    Boards arrived:

     

    image

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 7 years ago

    I've attached a PDF with the layers.

    Front silkscreen

    Front Copper

    Inner 1

    Inner 2

    Back Copper

    Back silkscreen

    Drill

     

    All but the drill page are vector graphics.

    I haven't managed to generate a vector drill image with my current tool set yet.

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 7 years ago

    The Seeed PCB order is in the Smart:

    image

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