LM2673
www.ti.com
SNVS030N –APRIL 2000–REVISED APRIL 2013
A simple test to determine if this condition might exist for a suspect application is to apply a short circuit across
the output of the converter, and then remove the shorted output condition. In an application with properly
selected external components, the output will recover smoothly.
Practical values of external components that have been experimentally found to work well under these specific
operating conditions are COUT = 47µF, L = 22µH. It should be noted that even with these components, for a
device’s current limit of ICLIM, the maximum load current under which the possibility of the large current limit
hysteresis can be minimized is ICLIM/2. For example, if the input is 24V and the set output voltage is 18V, then for
a desired maximum current of 1.5A, the current limit of the chosen switcher must be confirmed to be at least 3A.
Under extreme over-current or short circuit conditions, the LM267X employs frequency foldback in addition to the
current limit. If the cycle-by-cycle inductor current increases above the current limit threshold (due to short circuit
or inductor saturation for example) the switching frequency will be automatically reduced to protect the IC.
Frequency below 100 KHz is typical for an extreme short circuit condition.
SIMPLE DESIGN PROCEDURE
Using the nomographs and tables in this data sheet (or use the available design software at www.ti.com) a
complete step-down regulator can be designed in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Define the power supply operating conditions:
Required output voltage
Maximum DC input voltage
Maximum output load current
Step 2: Set the output voltage by selecting a fixed output LM2673 (3.3V, 5V or 12V applications) or determine
the required feedback resistors for use with the adjustable LM2673−ADJ
Step 3: Determine the inductor required by using one of the four nomographs, Figure 18 through Figure 21.
Table 1 provides a specific manufacturer and part number for the inductor.
Step 4: Using Table 6 and Table 7 (fixed output voltage) or Table 12 and Table 13 (adjustable output voltage),
determine the output capacitance required for stable operation. Table 3 and Table 13 provide the specific
capacitor type from the manufacturer of choice.
Step 5: Determine an input capacitor from Table 6 and Table 9 for fixed output voltage applications. Use Table 3
or Table 4 to find the specific capacitor type. For adjustable output circuits select a capacitor from Table 3 or
Table 4 with a sufficient working voltage (WV) rating greater than Vin max, and an rms current rating greater than
one-half the maximum load current (2 or more capacitors in parallel may be required).
Step 6: Select a diode from Table 10. The current rating of the diode must be greater than I load max and the
Reverse Voltage rating must be greater than Vin max.
Step 7: Include a 0.01μF/50V capacitor for Cboost in the design and then determine the value of a softstart
capacitor if desired.
Step 8: Define a value for RADJ to set the peak switch current limit to be at least 20% greater than Iout max to
allow for at least 30% inductor ripple current (±15% of Iout). For designs that must operate over the full
temperature range the switch current limit should be set to at least 50% greater than Iout max (1.5 x Iout max).
FIXED OUTPUT VOLTAGE DESIGN EXAMPLE
A system logic power supply bus of 3.3V is to be generated from a wall adapter which provides an unregulated
DC voltage of 13V to 16V. The maximum load current is 2.5A. A softstart delay time of 50mS is desired.
Through-hole components are preferred.
Step 1: Operating conditions are:
Vout = 3.3V
Vin max = 16V
Iload max = 2.5A
Copyright © 2000–2013, Texas Instruments Incorporated
Submit Documentation Feedback
13
Product Folder Links: LM2673
TI [ TEXAS INSTRUMENTS ]
