ADP1720
Rev. A | Page 11 of 16
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
CAPACITOR SELECTION
Output Capacitor
The ADP1720 is designed for operation with small, space-saving
ceramic capacitors, but it functionswith most commonly used
capacitors as long as care is taken about the effective series
resistance (ESR) value. The ESR of the output capacitor affects
stability of the LDO control loop. A minimum of 1 μF capacitance
with an ESR of 500 mΩ or less is recommended to ensure sta-
bility of the ADP1720. Transient response to changes in load
current is also affected by output capacitance. Using a larger
value of output capacitance improves the transient response of
the ADP1720 to large changes in load current. Figure 20 and
Figure 21 show the transient responses for output capacitance
values of 1 μF and 10 μF, respectively.
TIME (2µs/DIV)
10mV/DI
1
V
IN
= 12V
V
OUT
= 1.6V
C
IN
= 1µF
C
OUT
= 1µF
LOAD STEP FROM 2.5mA TO 47.5mA
06111-020
Figure 20. Output Transient Response, 1 μF
TIME (2µs/DIV)
10mV/DI
1
V
IN
= 12V
V
OUT
= 1.6V
C
IN
= 10µF
C
OUT
= 10µF
LOAD STEP FROM 2.5mA TO 47.5mA
1-0210611
Figure 21. Output Transient Response, 10 μF
Input Bypass Capacitor
Connecting a 1 μF capacitor from IN to GND reduces the cir-
cuit sensitivity to printed circuit board (PCB) layout, especially
when encountering long input traces or high source impedance.
If greater than 1 μF of output capacitance is required, it is
recommended that the input capacitor be increased to match it.
Input and Output Capacitor Properties
Any good quality ceramic capacitors can be used with the
ADP1720, as long as they meet the minimum capacitance and
maximum ESR requirements. Ceramic capacitors are manufac-
tured with a variety of dielectrics, each with different behavior
over temperature and applied voltage. Capacitors must have a
dielectric adequate to ensure the minimum capacitance over
the necessary temperature range and dc bias conditions. X5R
or X7R dielectrics with a voltage rating of 6.3 V or 10 V are
recommended for the output capacitor. X5R or X7R dielectrics
with a voltage rating of 50 V or higher are recommended for the
input capacitor.
Y5V and Z5U dielectrics are not recommended, due to their
poor temperature and dc bias characteristics.
CURRENT LIMIT AND THERMAL OVERLOAD
PROTECTION
Current limit and thermal overload protection circuits on the
ADP1720 protect the part from damage caused by excessive power
dissipation. The ADP1720 is designed to current limit when
the output load reaches 90 mA (typical). When the output
load exceeds 90 mA, the output voltage is reduced to maintain
a constant current limit.
Thermal overload protection is included, which limits the junction
temperature to a maximum of 150°C (typical). Under extreme
conditions (that is, high ambient temperature and power dissipa-
tion), when the junction temperature starts to rise above 150°C,
the output is turned off, reducing the output current to zero.
When the junction temperature drops below 135°C, the output is
turned on again, and output current is restored to its nominal value.
Consider the case where a hard short from OUT to GND occurs.
At first, the ADP1720 current limits so that only 90 mA is
conducted into the short. If self-heating of the junction is
great enough to cause its temperature to rise above 150°C,
thermal shutdown activates, turning off the output and
reducing the output current to zero. As the junction
temperature cools and drops below 135°C, the output turns on
and conducts 90 mA into the short, again causing the junction
temperature to rise above 150°C. This thermal oscillation
between 135°C and 150°C causes a current oscillation between
90 mA and 0 mA, which continues as long as the short
remains at the output.
Current and thermal limit protections are intended to protect
the device against accidental overload conditions. For reliable
operation, device power dissipation must be externally limited
so that junction temperatures do not exceed 125°C.
