How do you optimize your PCB design for low power?

1 Choose low-power components

The first step to optimize your PCB design for low power is to choose the right components for your circuit. You should look for components that have low quiescent current, low voltage drop, high efficiency, and low leakage. For example, you can use low-power microcontrollers, regulators, sensors, and transistors that have sleep modes, power-saving features, and low standby current. You should also avoid using components that generate unnecessary heat, such as resistors, LEDs, and linear regulators. Instead, you can use switching regulators, PWM (pulse-width modulation) controllers, and current-limiting circuits.

2 Minimize trace length and width

The second step to optimize your PCB design for low power is to minimize the length and width of your traces. Longer and wider traces have higher resistance, capacitance, and inductance, which increase the power dissipation and noise in your circuit. You should use the shortest and narrowest traces possible, while maintaining the required current carrying capacity and signal integrity. You can use a trace width calculator to determine the optimal width for your traces based on the current, temperature rise, and copper thickness. You can also use a PCB design software that has auto-routing and optimization features to reduce the trace length and avoid unnecessary bends and loops.

4 Reduce switching frequency and duty cycle

The fourth step to optimize your PCB design for low power is to reduce the switching frequency and duty cycle of your components. Switching frequency is the rate at which a component switches on and off, such as a microcontroller, a regulator, or a transistor. Duty cycle is the ratio of the on time to the total period of a switching component. Switching frequency and duty cycle affect the power consumption of your circuit, as they determine how much energy is transferred and dissipated during each switching cycle. You should use the lowest switching frequency and duty cycle that can meet your performance and functionality requirements. You can use a frequency calculator to estimate the power consumption of your switching components based on their input and output voltages, currents, and efficiencies. You can also use a PWM controller to adjust the duty cycle of your components dynamically based on the load conditions.

5 Implement power management strategies

The fifth step to optimize your PCB design for low power is to implement power management strategies in your circuit. Power management is the process of controlling the power supply and consumption of components based on their operational modes and states. To do this, you can use various techniques, such as power gating which involves turning off the power supply to idle components with power switches, transistors, or relays. Clock gating is another technique which involves disabling the clock signal to components not performing any computation or processing with clock gates, multiplexers, or registers. Additionally, dynamic voltage and frequency scaling allows for adjusting the voltage and frequency of components based on their workload and performance requirements with voltage regulators, oscillators, or PLLs (phase-locked loops).

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?