lt3681 Linear Technology Corporation, lt3681 Datasheet - Page 12

• Manufacturer Part Number: lt3681
• Description: 36v, 2a, 2.8mhz Step-down Switching Regulator With Integrated Power Schottky Diode
• Manufacturer: Linear Technology Corporation

APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
LT3681
When choosing a capacitor, look carefully through the
data sheet to fi nd out what the actual capacitance is under
operating conditions (applied voltage and temperature).
A physically larger capacitor, or one with a higher voltage
rating, may be required. High performance tantalum or
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 specifi ed
by the supplier, and should be 0.05Ω 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.
Catch Diode
The integral power Schottky catch diode conducts current
only during switch off time. Average forward current in
normal operation can be calculated from:
where I
Ceramic Capacitors
Ceramic capacitors are small, robust and have very low
ESR. However, ceramic capacitors can cause problems
when used with the LT3681 due to their piezoelectric nature.
When in Burst Mode operation, the LT3681’s switching
frequency depends on the load current, and at very light
loads the LT3681 can excite the ceramic capacitor at audio
12
Table 2. Capacitor Vendors
VENDOR
Panasonic
Kemet
Sanyo
Murata
AVX
Taiyo Yuden
I
D(AVG)
OUT
= I
is the output load current.
OUT
PHONE
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
(V
IN
– V
OUT
)/V
IN
URL
www.panasonic.com
www.kemet.com
www.sanyovideo.com
www.murata.com
www.avxcorp.com
www.taiyo-yuden.com
frequencies, generating audible noise. Since the LT3681
operates at a lower current limit during Burst Mode op-
eration, the noise is typically very quiet to a casual ear.
If this is unacceptable, use a high performance tantalum
or electrolytic capacitor at the output.
A fi nal precaution regarding ceramic capacitors concerns
the maximum input voltage rating of the LT3681. A ceramic
input capacitor combined with trace or cable inductance
forms a high quality (under damped) tank circuit. If the
LT3681 circuit is plugged into a live supply, the input volt-
age can ring to twice its nominal value, possibly exceeding
the LT3681’s rating. This situation is easily avoided (see
the Hot Plugging Safely section).
Frequency Compensation
The LT3681 uses current mode control to regulate the
output. This simplifi es loop compensation. In particular, the
LT3681 does not require the ESR of the output capacitor
for stability, so you are free to use ceramic capacitors to
achieve low output ripple and small circuit size. Frequency
compensation is provided by the components tied to the
V
and a resistor (R
dition, there may be a lower value capacitor in parallel.
This capacitor (C
but is used to fi lter noise at the switching frequency, and
is required only if a phase-lead capacitor is used or if the
output capacitor has high ESR.
C
pin, as shown in Figure 2. Generally a capacitor (C
PART SERIES
Ceramic,
Polymer,
Tantalum
Ceramic,
Tantalum
Ceramic,
Polymer,
Tantalum
Ceramic
Ceramic,
Tantalum
Ceramic
C
F
) is not part of the loop compensation
) in series to ground are used. In ad-
COMMENTS
EEF Series
T494, T495
POSCAP
TPS Series
3681f
C
)