"Reference designs are most
practical when they include
thorough application notes
and relevant formulae."
Kasra Latifi Fard
Power Electronic Design Engineer,
NanoStructured Coatings, Co.
The goal of a reference design is to describe explicitly how to design the magnetics around an
IC to ensure optimal performance and make the design as simple as possible for the engineer.
For this reason, reference designs are all-encompassing documents, including application notes,
block diagrams, schematics, bill of materials, and layout notes.
Beyond this, a good reference design takes a holistic approach, focusing on more than just high
performance. Ideally, a reference design enables a system to meet important requirements
such as EMC, electromagnetic interference (EMI), efficiency, safety, and reliability. This kind of
high-quality documentation is possible only through a deep, close collaboration between the
IC house and the magnetics company.
Bourns provides customers with reference designs that do the following:
• Are based on deep relationships and collaborations with IC manufacturers
• Take a holistic approach to the design, ensuring performance, efficiency, and compliance
• Offer detailed and thorough documentation including schematics, application notes, layout
notes, and more
• Use components that are widely available for purchase when the reference design is
released to the public
21 I Reference Designs