LM2576HVS-5.0 National Semiconductor, LM2576HVS-5.0 Datasheet - Page 15

• Manufacturer Part Number: LM2576HVS-5.0
• Description: DC/DC Converter IC
• Manufacturer: National Semiconductor

Specifications of LM2576HVS-5.0

• Input Voltage: 60V
• Output Voltage: 5V
• No. Of Pins: 5
• Termination Type: SMD
• Mounting Type: Through Hole
• Voltage Regulator Type: Buck Switching
• Output Current Max: 3A
• Peak Reflow Compatible (260 C): No
• Lead Free Status / RoHS Status: Contains lead / RoHS non-compliant

Application Hints
INPUT CAPACITOR (C
To maintain stability, the regulator input pin must be by-
passed with at least a 100 µF electrolytic capacitor. The ca-
pacitor’s leads must be kept short, and located near the
regulator.
If the operating temperature range includes temperatures
below −25˚C, the input capacitor value may need to be
larger. With most electrolytic capacitors, the capacitance
value decreases and the ESR increases with lower tempera-
tures and age. Paralleling a ceramic or solid tantalum ca-
pacitor will increase the regulator stability at cold tempera-
tures. For maximum capacitor operating lifetime, the
capacitor’s RMS ripple current rating should be greater than
INDUCTOR SELECTION
All switching regulators have two basic modes of operation:
continuous and discontinuous. The difference between the
two types relates to the inductor current, whether it is flowing
continuously, or if it drops to zero for a period of time in the
normal switching cycle. Each mode has distinctively different
operating characteristics, which can affect the regulator per-
formance and requirements.
The LM2576 (or any of the SIMPLE SWITCHER family) can
be used for both continuous and discontinuous modes of op-
eration.
The inductor value selection guides in Figure 3 through Fig-
ure 7 were designed for buck regulator designs of the con-
tinuous inductor current type. When using inductor values
shown in the inductor selection guide, the peak-to-peak in-
ductor ripple current will be approximately 20% to 30% of the
maximum DC current. With relatively heavy load currents,
the circuit operates in the continuous mode (inductor current
always flowing), but under light load conditions, the circuit
will be forced to the discontinuous mode (inductor current
falls to zero for a period of time). This discontinuous mode of
operation is perfectly acceptable. For light loads (less than
approximately 300 mA) it may be desirable to operate the
regulator in the discontinuous mode, primarily because of
the lower inductor values required for the discontinuous
mode.
The selection guide chooses inductor values suitable for
continuous mode operation, but if the inductor value chosen
is prohibitively high, the designer should investigate the pos-
sibility of discontinuous operation. The computer design soft-
ware Switchers Made Simple will provide all component
values for discontinuous (as well as continuous) mode of op-
eration.
Inductors are available in different styles such as pot core,
toriod, E-frame, bobbin core, etc., as well as different core
materials, such as ferrites and powdered iron. The least ex-
pensive, the bobbin core type, consists of wire wrapped on a
ferrite rod core. This type of construction makes for an inex-
pensive inductor, but since the magnetic flux is not com-
pletely contained within the core, it generates more electro-
IN
)
15
magnetic interference (EMI). This EMI can cause problems
in sensitive circuits, or can give incorrect scope readings be-
cause of induced voltages in the scope probe.
The inductors listed in the selection chart include ferrite pot
core construction for AIE, powdered iron toroid for Pulse En-
gineering, and ferrite bobbin core for Renco.
An inductor should not be operated beyond its maximum
rated current because it may saturate. When an inductor be-
gins to saturate, the inductance decreases rapidly and the
inductor begins to look mainly resistive (the DC resistance of
the winding). This will cause the switch current to rise very
rapidly. Different inductor types have different saturation
characteristics, and this should be kept in mind when select-
ing an inductor.
The inductor manufacturer’s data sheets include current and
energy limits to avoid inductor saturation.
INDUCTOR RIPPLE CURRENT
When the switcher is operating in the continuous mode, the
inductor current waveform ranges from a triangular to a saw-
tooth type of waveform (depending on the input voltage). For
a given input voltage and output voltage, the peak-to-peak
amplitude of this inductor current waveform remains con-
stant. As the load current rises or falls, the entire sawtooth
current waveform also rises or falls. The average DC value
of this waveform is equal to the DC load current (in the buck
regulator configuration).
If the load current drops to a low enough level, the bottom of
the sawtooth current waveform will reach zero, and the
switcher will change to a discontinuous mode of operation.
This is a perfectly acceptable mode of operation. Any buck
switching regulator (no matter how large the inductor value
is) will be forced to run discontinuous if the load current is
light enough.
OUTPUT CAPACITOR
An output capacitor is required to filter the output voltage and
is needed for loop stability. The capacitor should be located
near the LM2576 using short pc board traces. Standard alu-
minum electrolytics are usually adequate, but low ESR types
are recommended for low output ripple voltage and good
stability. The ESR of a capacitor depends on many factors,
some which are: the value, the voltage rating, physical size
and the type of construction. In general, low value or low
voltage (less than 12V) electrolytic capacitors usually have
higher ESR numbers.
The amount of output ripple voltage is primarily a function of
the ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) of the output ca-
pacitor and the amplitude of the inductor ripple current
( I
tion Hints.
The lower capacitor values (220 µF–1000 µF) will allow typi-
cally 50 mV to 150 mV of output ripple voltage, while
larger-value capacitors will reduce the ripple to approxi-
mately 20 mV to 50 mV.
Output Ripple Voltage = ( I
To further reduce the output ripple voltage, several standard
electrolytic capacitors may be paralleled, or a higher-grade
capacitor may be used. Such capacitors are often called
“high-frequency,” “low-inductance,” or “low-ESR.” These will
reduce the output ripple to 10 mV or 20 mV. However, when
operating in the continuous mode, reducing the ESR below
0.03
IND
). See the section on inductor ripple current in Applica-
can cause instability in the regulator.
IND
) (ESR of C
OUT
)
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