LT3502/LT3502A
12
3502fd
applications inForMation
tion, which is okay, but further reduces maximum load
current. For details of the maximum output current and
discontinuous mode operation, see Linear Technology
Application Note 44.
Catch Diode
A low capacitance 500mA Schottky diode is recommended
for the catch diode, D1. The diode must have a reverse
voltage rating equal to or greater than the maximum input
voltage. The Diodes Inc. SBR1U40LP, ON Semi MBRM140,
and Diodes Inc. DFLS140 are good choices for the catch
diode.
Input Capacitor
Bypass the input of the LT3502/LT3502A circuit with a 1µF
or higher value ceramic capacitor of X7R or X5R type. Y5V
types have poor performance over temperature and applied
voltage and should not be used. A 1µF ceramic is adequate
to bypass the LT3502/LT3502A and will easily handle the
ripple current. However, if the input power source has
high impedance, or there is significant inductance due to
long wires or cables, additional bulk capacitance may be
necessary. This can be provided with a low performance
electrolytic capacitor.
Step-down regulators draw current from the input supply
in pulses with very fast rise and fall times. The input ca
-
pacitor is required to reduce the resulting voltage ripple at
the LT3502/LT3502A and to force this very high frequency
switching current into a tight local loop, minimizing EMI.
A 1µF capacitor is capable of this task, but only if it is placed
close to the LT3502/LT3502A and the catch diode (see the
PCB Layout section). A second precaution regarding the
ceramic input capacitor concerns the maximum input volt
-
age rating of the LT3502/LT3502A. A ceramic input capaci-
tor combined with trace or cable inductance forms a high
quality (underdamped) tank cir
cuit. If the L
T3502/LT3502A
circuit is plugged into a live supply, the input voltage can
ring to twice its nominal value, possibly exceeding the
LT3502/LT3502A’s voltage rating. This situation is easily
avoided; see the Hot Plugging Safely section.
Output Capacitor
The output capacitor has two essential functions. Along
with the inductor, it filters the square wave generated by
the LT3502/LT3502A to produce the DC output. In this role
it determines the output ripple so low impedance at the
switching frequency is important. The second function is to
store energy in order to satisfy transient loads and stabilize
the LT3502/LT3502A’s control loop. Ceramic capacitors
have very low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and
provide the best ripple performance. A good value is:
C
OUT
=
V
OUT
for the LT3502A
C
OUT
=
66
V
OUT
for the LT3502
where C
OUT
is in µF. Use an X5R or X7R type and keep
in mind that a ceramic capacitor biased with V
OUT
will
have less than its nominal capacitance. This choice will
provide low output ripple and good transient response.
Transient performance can be improved with a high value
capacitor, but a phase lead capacitor across the feedback
resistor, R1, may be required to get the full benefit (see
the Compensation section).
For small size, the output capacitor can be chosen
according to:
C
OUT
=
V
where C
OUT
is in µF. However, using an output capacitor
this small results in an increased loop crossover frequency
and increased sensitivity to noise.
High performance electrolytic capacitors can be used for
the output capacitor. Low ESR is important, so choose
one that is intended for use in switching regulators. The
ESR should be specified by the supplier and should be
0.1Ω or less. Such a capacitor will be larger than a ceramic
capacitor and will have a larger capacitance, because the
capacitor must be large to achieve low ESR. Table 2 lists
several capacitor vendors.