LTC3541-1 Datasheet, PDF (12/20 Pages) Linear Technology – High Efficiency Buck + VLDO Regulator

LTC3541-1
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
be obtained by choosing an output capacitor value of
10µF to 22µF. Typically, once the ESR requirement for
C_OUT has been met, the RMS current rating generally far
exceeds the I_RIPPLE(P-P) requirement. The output ripple
ΔV_OUT is determined by:
ΔV_OUT
≅
ΔI_L


ESR
+
1
8fc_OUT


where f = operating frequency, C_OUT = output capacitance
and ΔI_L = ripple current in the inductor. For a fixed output
voltage, the output ripple is highest at maximum input
voltage since ΔI_L increases with input voltage.
Aluminum electrolytic and dry tantalum capacitors are both
available in surface mount configurations. In the case of
tantalum, it is critical that the capacitors are surge tested
for use in switching power supplies. An excellent choice is
the AVX TPS series of surface mount tantalum. These are
specially constructed and tested for low ESR so they give
the lowest ESR for a given volume. Other capacitor types
include Sanyo POSCAP, Kemet T510 and T495 series, and
Sprague 593D and 595D series. Consult the manufacturer
for other specific recommendations.
Using Ceramic Input and Output Capacitors
High value, low cost ceramic capacitors are now becoming
available in smaller case sizes. Their high ripple current,
high voltage rating, and low ESR make them ideal for
switching regulator applications. Since the LTC3541-1’s
control loop does not depend on the output capacitor’s ESR
for stable operation, ceramic capacitors can be used freely
to achieve very low output ripple and small circuit size.
However, care must be taken when ceramic capacitors
are used at the input and the output. When a ceramic
capacitor is used at the input and the power is supplied
by a wall adapter through long wires, a load step at the
output can induce ringing at the input, V_IN. At best, this
ringing can couple to the output and be mistaken as loop
instability. At worst, a sudden inrush of current through
the long wires can potentially cause a voltage spike at V_IN,
large enough to damage the part.
When choosing the input and output ceramic capacitors,
choose the X5R or X7R dielectric formulations. These
dielectrics have the best temperature and voltage charac-
teristics of all the ceramics for a given value and size.
Output Voltage Programming
The output voltage is set by tying BUCKFB to a resistive
divider according to the following formula:
V_OUT
=
0.8V


1+
R2 
R1
Since the impedance at the BUCKFB pin is dependant upon
the resistor divider network used, and phase shift due to
this impedance directly impacts the transient response of
the buck, R1 should be chosen <125k. In addition, stray
capacitance at this pin should be minimized (<5pF) to pre-
vent excessive phase shift. Finally, special attention should
be given to any stray capacitances that can couple external
signals onto the BUCKFB pin producing undesirable output
ripple. For optimum performance connect the BUCKFB
pin to R1 and R2 with a short PCB trace and minimize all
other stray capacitance to the BUCKFB pin.
The external resistive divider is connected to the output,
allowing remote voltage sensing as shown in Figure 6.
Checking Transient Response
The regulator loop response can be checked by looking
at the load transient response. Switching regulators take
several cycles to respond to a step in load current. When
a load step occurs, V_OUT immediately shifts by an amount
equal to (ΔI_LOAD • ESR), where ESR is the effective series
0.8V ≤ V_OUT ≤ 5V
BUcKFB
LTc3541-1
GND
R2
R1
35411 F06
Figure 6. Setting the LTC3541-1 Output Voltage
35411fa
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