A power supply input typically has a relatively high source impedance at the switching frequency. Good-quality input capacitors are necessary to limit the input ripple voltage. As mentioned earlier, dual-channel interleaved operation significantly reduces the input ripple amplitude. In general, the ripple current splits between the input capacitors based on the relative impedance of the capacitors at the switching frequency.
- Select the input capacitors with sufficient voltage and RMS ripple current ratings.
- Worst case input ripple for a two-channel buck regulator typically corresponds
to when one channel operates at full load and the other channel is disabled or
operates at no load. Use Equation 37 to calculate the input capacitor RMS ripple current assuming a worst-case
duty-cycle operating point of 50%.
Equation 37. - Use Equation 38 to find the required input capacitance.
Equation 38. where
- ΔVIN is the
input peak-to-peak ripple voltage specification.
- RESR is the
input capacitor ESR.
- Recognizing the voltage coefficient of ceramic capacitors, select four 10µF,
50V, X7R, 1210 ceramic input capacitors for each channel. Place these capacitors
adjacent to the relevant power MOSFETs.
- Use four 10nF, 50V, X7R, 0603 ceramic capacitors near each high-side MOSFET to
supply the high di/dt current during MOSFET switching transitions. Such
capacitors offer high self-resonant frequency (SRF) and low effective impedance
above 100MHz. The result is lower power loop parasitic inductance, thus
minimizing switch-node voltage overshoot and ringing for lower EMI signature.
Refer to Figure 8-25 and Figure 8-27 for additional context.