nRF5340 No Connect Pins

[Knut]

Hi,

When looking at the reference schematics and reference layout of nRF5340 I notice that pins A25, B12, B26, G1, H2 and J31 are grounded: 

Figure 1. Circuit configuration no. 1 schematic and Figure 3. Top layer. 

(https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fstruct_nrf53%2Fstruct%2Fnrf5340.html&cp=3_0)

In "Table 2. aQFN pin assignments" these pins are described as N.C.

My question is: will it make any difference if these six pins are grounded or made no connect in a real design?

Many Thanks

[Andreas]

Hi Knut,

 

NC in this sense means the pins are not bonded or connected to anything on the inside. They are not grounded in the layout because they need to, but because it improves grounding of other components by routing top layer ground through them. So no, leaving them floating will not make any difference other than possibly degrading grounding of the relevant components.

 

Best regards,
Andreas

[Akash Patel]

Hello,

What should be done with the corner pads (A1, A31, AL1, AL31)? Those are mentioned as N.C. but not mentioned at all in the latest hardware files (v0.11.0).

Regards,

Akash Patel

[Kaja]

Hi Akash,

A1, A31, AL1 and AL31 are not pads. So you can look at the corners as N.C or you can do as the reference layout make solder pads, to help with the mechanical attachment to the pcb:


Best regards,
Kaja