ML4869
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
OUTPUT CAPACITOR
The output capacitor filters the pulses of current from the
switching regulator. Since the switching frequency will
vary with inductance, the minimum output capacitance
required to reduce the output ripple to an acceptable
level will be a function of the inductor used. Therefore, to
maintain an output voltage with less than 100mV of ripple
at full load current, use the following equation:
C
OUT
=
44
×
L
V
OUT
(3)
(Continued)
0.9A. This fast change in current through the capacitor’s
ESL causes a high frequency (5ns) spike to appear on the
output. After the ESL spike settles, the output still has a
ripple component equal to the product of inductor
discharge current and the ESR. To minimize these effects,
choose an output capacitor with less than 10nH of ESL
and less than 100mW of ESR.
Suitable tantalum capacitors can be obtained from the
following vendors:
AVX
Kemet
Sprague
(207) 282-5111
(846) 963-6300
(207) 324-4140
The output capacitor’s Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR)
and Equivalent Series Inductance (ESL), also contribute to
the ripple. Just after the Q1 turns off, the current in the
output capacitor ramps quickly to between 0.3A and
600
95.0
500
VOUT = 3.3V
400
IOUT (mA)
VOUT = 5V
300
90.0
EFFICIENCY (%)
85.0
VOUT = 5V
VOUT = 3.3V
200
100
80.0
0.0
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
5.00
VIN (V)
75.0
0.1
1
10
IOUT (mA)
100
1000
Figure 4. I
OUT
vs. V
IN
Using the Circuit of Figure 8
250
Figure 5. Efficiency vs. I
OUT
Using the Circuit of Figure 8
80
70
200
60
IIN (nA)
VOUT = 5V
VOUT = 5V
VOUT = 3.3V
100
IIN (µA)
150
50
40
50
30
VOUT = 3.3V
0
20
0
1
2
3
4
VIN (V)
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
VIN (V)
4
5
Figure 6. Input Leakage vs. V
IN
in Shutdown
Figure 7. No Load Input Current vs. V
IN
6
MICRO-LINEAR [ MICRO LINEAR CORPORATION ]
