8.2.1.2.1 External Components

The following guidelines should be used when designing a step-down (buck) converter with the LM22673.

8.2.1.2.2 Inductor

The inductor value is determined based on the load current, ripple current, and the minimum and maximum input voltages. To keep the application in continuous conduction mode (CCM), the maximum ripple current, I_RIPPLE , should be less than twice the minimum load current.

The general rule of keeping the inductor current peak-to-peak ripple around 30% of the nominal output current is a good compromise between excessive output voltage ripple and excessive component size and cost. Using this value of ripple current, the value of inductor, L, is calculated using Equation 11.

Equation 11.

Where:

F_sw is the switching frequency.

V_in should be taken at its maximum value, for the given application.

The formula in Equation 11 provides a guide to select the value of the inductor L; the nearest standard value will then be used in the circuit.

Once the inductor is selected, the actual ripple current can be determined by Equation 12.

Equation 12.

Increasing the inductance will generally slow down the transient response but reduce the output voltage ripple. Reducing the inductance will generally improve the transient response but increase the output voltage ripple.

The inductor must be rated for the peak current, I_PK, in a given application, to prevent saturation. During normal loading conditions, the peak current is equal to the load current plus 1/2 of the inductor ripple current.

During an overload condition, as well as during certain load transients, the controller may trip current limit. In this case the peak inductor current is given by I_CL, found in the Electrical Characteristics table. Good design practice requires that the inductor rating be adequate for this overload condition.

This consideration highlights the value of the current limit adjust feature of the LM22673.

8.2.1.2.3 Input Capacitor

The input capacitor selection is based on both input voltage ripple and RMS current. Good quality input capacitors are necessary to limit the ripple voltage at the VIN pin while supplying most of the regulator current during switch on-time. Low ESR ceramic capacitors are preferred. Larger values of input capacitance are desirable to reduce voltage ripple and noise on the input supply. This noise may find its way into other circuitry, sharing the same input supply, unless adequate bypassing is provided. A very approximate formula for determining the input voltage ripple is shown in Equation 13.

Equation 13.

Where:

V_ri is the peak-to-peak ripple voltage at the switching frequency.

Another concern is the RMS current passing through this capacitor. Equation 14 gives an approximation to this current.

Equation 14.

The capacitor must be rated for at least this level of RMS current at the switching frequency.

All ceramic capacitors have large voltage coefficients, in addition to normal tolerances and temperature coefficients. To help mitigate these effects, multiple capacitors can be used in parallel to bring the minimum capacitance up to the desired value. This may also help with RMS current constraints by sharing the current among several capacitors. Many times it is desirable to use an electrolytic capacitor on the input, in parallel with the ceramics. The moderate ESR of this capacitor can help to damp any ringing on the input supply caused by long power leads. This method can also help to reduce voltage spikes that may exceed the maximum input voltage rating of the LM22673.

It is good practice to include a high frequency bypass capacitor as close as possible to the LM22673. This small case size, low ESR, ceramic capacitor should be connected directly to the VIN and GND pins with the shortest possible PCB traces. Values in the range of 0.47 µF to 1 µF are appropriate. This capacitor helps to provide a low impedance supply to sensitive internal circuitry. It also helps to suppress any fast noise spikes on the input supply that may lead to increased EMI.

8.2.1.2.4 Output Capacitor

The output capacitor is responsible for filtering the output voltage and supplying load current during transients. Capacitor selection depends on application conditions as well as ripple and transient requirements. Best performance is achieved with a parallel combination of ceramic capacitors and a low ESR SP™ or POSCAP™ type. Very low ESR capacitors such as ceramics reduce the output ripple and noise spikes, while higher value electrolytics or polymers provide large bulk capacitance to supply transients. Assuming very low ESR, Equation 15 gives an approximation to the output voltage ripple.

Equation 15.

Typically, a total value of 100 µF, or greater, is recommended for output capacitance.

In applications with V_out less than 3.3 V, it is critical that low ESR output capacitors are selected. This will limit potential output voltage overshoots as the input voltage falls below the device normal operating range.

8.2.1.2.5 Boot-Strap Capacitor

The bootstrap capacitor between the BOOT pin and the SW pin supplies the gate current to turn on the N-channel MOSFET. The recommended value of this capacitor is 10 nF and should be a good quality, low ESR ceramic capacitor. In some cases it may be desirable to slow down the turn-on of the internal power MOSFET, in order to reduce EMI. This can be done by placing a small resistor in series with the C_boot capacitor. Resistors in the range of 10 Ω to 50 Ω can be used. This technique should only be used when absolutely necessary, because it will increase switching losses and thereby reduce efficiency.