JAJSVQ2 November 2024 LM644A2-Q1
PRODUCTION DATA
The characteristics of the input supply must be capable of delivering the required input current to the loaded regulator. The average input current can be estimated with Equation 10.
where
If the regulator is connected to the input supply through long wires or PCB traces, special care is required to achieve good performance. The parasitic inductance and resistance of the input cables can have an adverse effect on the operation of the regulator. The parasitic inductance, in combination with the low-ESR ceramic input capacitors, can form an underdamped resonant circuit. This can result in overvoltage transients at the input to the regulator or tripping UVLO. Consider that the supply voltage can dip when a load transient is applied to the output depending on the parasitic resistance and inductance of the harness and characteristics of the supply. If the application is operating close to the minimum input voltage, this dip can cause the regulator to momentarily shut down and reset. The best way to solve these kinds of issues is to reduce the distance from the input supply to the regulator. Additionally, use an aluminum input capacitor in parallel with the ceramics. The moderate ESR of this type of capacitor helps damp the input resonant circuit and reduce any overshoots or undershoots. A value in the range of 20µF to 100µF is usually sufficient to provide input damping and help hold the input voltage steady during large load transients.
In some cases, a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) is used on the input of regulators. One class of this device has a snap-back characteristic (thyristor type). TI does not recommend to use a device with this type of characteristic. When the TVS fires, the clamping voltage falls to a very low value. If this voltage is less than the output voltage of the regulator, the output capacitors discharge through the device back to the input. This uncontrolled current flow can damage the device.
The input voltage must not be allowed to fall below the output voltage. In this scenario, such as a shorted input test, the output capacitors discharge through the internal parasitic diode found between the VIN and SW pins of the device. During this condition, the current can become uncontrolled, possibly causing damage to the device. If this scenario is considered likely, then use a Schottky diode between the input supply and the output.