JAJSHR8G July 2008 – July 2019 LM3421 , LM3423
PRODUCTION DATA.
The controller requires a recirculating diode (D1) to carry the inductor current during the off time (tOFF). The most efficient choice for D1 is a Schottky diode due to low forward voltage drop and near-zero reverse recovery time. Similar to Q1, TI recommends D1 have a voltage rating at least 15% higher than the maximum transistor voltage to ensure safe operation during the ringing of the switch node and a current rating at least 10% higher than the average diode current. The power rating is verified by calculating the power loss through the diode. This is accomplished by checking the typical diode forward voltage from the I-V curve on the product data sheet and multiplying by the average diode current. In general, higher current diodes have a lower forward voltage and come in better performing packages minimizing both power losses and temperature rise.