Thermal considerations

The DM9000A Ethernet controller of the EM203A can become very hot during normal module operation. To aid the module in dissipating excess heat, a special heat-conductive sticker is applied to the top of the DM9000A. Protective paper of the sticker MUST BE REMOVED prior to installing the module on the host PCB.

EM203A_remove_paper

To further lower the operating temperature of the EM203A we advise you to arrange a copper area on the host PCB and in contact with the heat-conductive sticker. Best results are achieved when the copper area is larger, and also when two copper areas are provided on both sides of the host PCB and interconnected by a number of large vias.

EM203A_thermal