The architecture of the TPSM8281x allows the use of ceramic output capacitors which have low equivalent series resistance (ESR). These capacitors provide low output voltage ripple and are recommended. To keep the low resistance up to high frequencies and to get a narrow capacitance variation with temperature, TI recommends to use an X7R or X7T dielectric. At temperatures below 85°C, an X5R dielectric can be used.

Using a higher capacitance value has advantages like smaller voltage ripple and a tighter DC output accuracy in power save mode. By changing the device compensation with a resistor from COMP/FSET to GND, the device can be compensated in three steps based on the minimum capacitance used on the output. The maximum capacitance is 470µF in any of the compensation settings. The minimum capacitance required on the output depends on the compensation setting and output voltage as shown in Table 8-1. For output voltages below 1V, the minimum required capacitance increases linearly from 32µF at 1V to 53µF at 0.6V with the compensation setting for smallest output capacitance. Other compensation settings scale the same. Ceramic capacitors have a DC-Bias effect, which has a strong influence on the final effective capacitance. Choose the right capacitor carefully in combination with considering the package size and voltage rating.