ISL9440IRZ-T Datasheet, PDF (18/20 Pages) Intersil Corporation – Triple, 180° Out-of-Phase, Step-Down

ISL9440, ISL9440A, ISL9441
Output Capacitor Selection
The output capacitors for each output have unique
requirements. In general, the output capacitors should be
selected to meet the dynamic regulation requirements
including ripple voltage and load transients. Selection of
output capacitors is also dependent on the output inductor,
so some inductor analysis is required to select the output
capacitors.
One of the parameters limiting the converter’s response to a
load transient is the time required for the inductor current to
slew to it’s new level. The ISL9440, ISL9440A and ISL9441
will provide either 0% or maximum duty cycle in response to
a load transient.
The response time is the time interval required to slew the
inductor current from an initial current value to the load
current level. During this interval the difference between the
inductor current and the transient current level must be
supplied by the output capacitor(s). Minimizing the response
time can minimize the output capacitance required. Also, if
the load transient rise time is slower than the inductor
response time, as in a hard drive or CD drive, it reduces the
requirement on the output capacitor.
The maximum capacitor value required to provide the full,
rising step, transient load current during the response time of
the inductor is:
C_OUT
=
-----------⁽--^L----^O----⁾---⁽--^I--^T----^R----^A----^N----⁾--²------------
2(V_IN – V_O)(DV_OUT)
(EQ. 12)
where, C_OUT is the output capacitor(s) required, L_O is the
output inductor, I_TRAN is the transient load current step, V_IN
is the input voltage, V_O is output voltage, and DV_OUT is the
drop in output voltage allowed during the load transient.
High frequency capacitors initially supply the transient
current and slow the load rate-of-change seen by the bulk
capacitors. The bulk filter capacitor values are generally
determined by the ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and
voltage rating requirements as well as actual capacitance
requirements.
The output voltage ripple is due to the inductor ripple current
and the ESR of the output capacitors as defined by:
V_RIPPLE = ΔI_L(ESR)
(EQ. 13)
where, I_L is calculated in the “Output Inductor Selection” on
page 18.
High frequency decoupling capacitors should be placed as
close to the power pins of the load as physically possible. Be
careful not to add inductance in the circuit board wiring that
could cancel the usefulness of these low inductance
components. Consult with the manufacturer of the load
circuitry for specific decoupling requirements.
Use only specialized low-ESR capacitors intended for
switching-regulator applications at 300kHz
(ISL9440/ISL9441)/600kHz (ISL9440A) for the bulk
capacitors. In most cases, multiple small-case electrolytic
capacitors perform better than a single large-case capacitor.
The stability requirement on the selection of the output
capacitor is that the ‘ESR zero’ (f_Z) be between 1.2kHz and
30kHz. This range is set by an internal, single compensation
zero at 6kHz. The ESR zero can be a factor of five on either
side of the internal zero and still contribute to increased
phase margin of the control loop. Therefore:
C_OUT = ₂----_Π-----₍---_E----_S--¹---_R-----₎--₍--_f--_Z----₎
(EQ. 14)
In conclusion, the output capacitors must meet three criteria:
1. They must have sufficient bulk capacitance to sustain the
output voltage during a load transient while the output
inductor current is slewing to the value of the load
transient.
2. The ESR must be sufficiently low to meet the desired
output voltage ripple due to the output inductor current.
3. The ESR zero should be placed, in a rather large range,
to provide additional phase margin.
The recommended output capacitor value for the ISL9440,
ISL9440A and ISL9441 is between 150μF to 680μF, to meet
stability criteria with external compensation. Use of
aluminum electrolytic (POSCAP) or tantalum type capacitors
is recommended. Use of low ESR ceramic capacitors is
possible but would take more rigorous loop analysis to
ensure stability.
Output Inductor Selection
The PWM converters require output inductors. The output
inductor is selected to meet the output voltage ripple
requirements. The inductor value determines the converter’s
ripple current and the ripple voltage is a function of the ripple
current and output capacitor(s) ESR. The ripple voltage
expression is given in the capacitor selection section and the
ripple current is approximated by Equation 15:
ΔI_L
=
(_---V_{----I--N-----–-----}V_{----O-----U----T---})_---(_--V_{----O-----U----T----})
(f_S)(L)(V_IN)
(EQ. 15)
For the ISL9440, ISL9440A and ISL9441, inductor values
between 1.2µH to 10µH are recommended when using the
Typical Application Schematic. Other values can be used but
a thorough stability study should be done. A smaller volume
cap in combination with big inductor will be more prone to
stability issues. One way to get more phase margin is to add
a small cap (typically 1nF to 10nF) in parallel with the upper
resistor of the voltage sense resistor divider. For example, in
ISL9440, ISL9440A Application Schematic, the 5V output
has a 15µH inductor with which the system phase margin is
less than 45°. An resistor and capacitor are added with the
upper resistor of the divider to get more phase margin.
18
FN6383.1
December 5, 2007