I have designed a few PCBs, all of which have worked fine. I'm starting to get into some more complex designs, switching power supplies, etc.. I have a few questions related to proper power handling as it relates to current flow and current loops.
For the questions, I am referencing a 2 layer board. Bottom and top layer are GND pours, with very few signal traces on the bottom pour. Using this simple schematic as a reference:
- The main supply voltage gets regulated to 5v. Where should the 5v trace connect to the circuit at? I assume at one of the two decoupling caps.
- Letting my assuming for number 1 be true, should I take all additional power traces from that point(this schematic doesn't show any other components, but if there was)? Similar to a star ground, but with 5v.
- So I know return current wants to flow under the original trace for high frequencies, does that apply for the LED?
- When the return current flows from the LED back to the IC GND, which GND pin will it flow to?