LM2598S-ADJ National Semiconductor, LM2598S-ADJ Datasheet - Page 22

• Manufacturer Part Number: LM2598S-ADJ
• Description: SIMPLE SWITCHER Power Converter 150 kHz 1A Step-Down Voltage Regulator/ with Features
• Manufacturer: National Semiconductor

www.national.com
Application Information
A graph shown in Figure 15 shows the relationship between
an electrolytic capacitor value, its voltage rating, and the
RMS current it is rated for. These curves were obtained from
the Nichicon “PL” series of low ESR, high reliability electro-
lytic capacitors designed for switching regulator applications.
Other capacitor manufacturers offer similar types of capaci-
tors, but always check the capacitor data sheet.
“Standard” electrolytic capacitors typically have much higher
ESR numbers, lower RMS current ratings and typically have
a shorter operating lifetime.
Because of their small size and excellent performance, sur-
face mount solid tantalum capacitors are often used for input
bypassing, but several precautions must be observed. A
small percentage of solid tantalum capacitors can short if the
inrush current rating is exceeded. This can happen at turn on
when the input voltage is suddenly applied, and of course,
higher input voltages produce higher inrush currents. Sev-
eral capacitor manufacturers do a 100% surge current test-
ing on their products to minimize this potential problem. If
high turn on currents are expected, it may be necessary to
limit this current by adding either some resistance or induc-
tance before the tantalum capacitor, or select a higher volt-
age capacitor. As with aluminum electrolytic capacitors, the
RMS ripple current rating must be sized to the load current.
OUTPUT CAPACITOR
C
and provide regulator loop stability. Low impedance or low
ESR Electrolytic or solid tantalum capacitors designed for
switching regulator applications must be used. When select-
ing an output capacitor, the important capacitor parameters
are; the 100 kHz Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), the
RMS ripple current rating, voltage rating, and capacitance
value. For the output capacitor, the ESR value is the most
important parameter.
The output capacitor requires an ESR value that has an up-
per and lower limit. For low output ripple voltage, a low ESR
value is needed. This value is determined by the maximum
allowable output ripple voltage, typically 1% to 2% of the out-
put voltage. But if the selected capacitor’s ESR is extremely
low, there is a possibility of an unstable feedback loop, re-
sulting in an oscillation at the output. Using the capacitors
listed in the tables, or similar types, will provide design solu-
tions under all conditions.
If very low output ripple voltage (less than 15 mV) is re-
quired, refer to the section on Output Voltage Ripple and
Transients for a post ripple filter.
An aluminum electrolytic capacitor’s ESR value is related to
the capacitance value and its voltage rating. In most cases,
higher voltage electrolytic capacitors have lower ESR values
(see Figure 16 ). Often, capacitors with much higher voltage
ratings may be needed to provide the low ESR values re-
quired for low output ripple voltage.
The output capacitor for many different switcher designs of-
ten can be satisfied with only three or four different capacitor
values and several different voltage ratings. See the quick
design component selection tables in Figure 2 and Figure 3
for typical capacitor values, voltage ratings, and manufactur-
ers capacitor types.
Electrolytic capacitors are not recommended for tempera-
tures below −25˚C. The ESR rises dramatically at cold tem-
peratures and typically rises 3X
10X at −40˚C. See curve shown in Figure 17 .
OUT
— An output capacitor is required to filter the output
@
−25˚C and as much as
(Continued)
22
Solid tantalum capacitors have a much better ESR spec for
cold temperatures and are recommended for temperatures
below −25˚C.
CATCH DIODE
Buck regulators require a diode to provide a return path for
the inductor current when the switch turns off. This must be
a fast diode and must be located close to the LM2598 using
short leads and short printed circuit traces.
Because of their very fast switching speed and low forward
voltage drop, Schottky diodes provide the best performance,
especially in low output voltage applications (5V and lower).
Ultra-fast recovery, or High-Efficiency rectifiers are also a
good choice, but some types with an abrupt turnoff charac-
teristic may cause instability or EMI problems. Ultra-fast re-
covery diodes typically have reverse recovery times of 50 ns
or less. Rectifiers such as the 1N5400 series are much too
slow and should not be used.
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 regulators
performance and requirements. Most switcher designs will
operate in the discontinuous mode when the load current is
low.
The LM2598 (or any of the Simple Switcher family) can be
used for both continuous or discontinuous modes of opera-
tion.
In many cases the preferred mode of operation is the con-
tinuous mode. It offers greater output power, lower peak
switch, inductor and diode currents, and can have lower out-
put ripple voltage. But it does require larger inductor values
to keep the inductor current flowing continuously, especially
at low output load currents and/or high input voltages.
To simplify the inductor selection process, an inductor selec-
tion guide (nomograph) was designed (see Figure 3 through
Figure 6 ). This guide assumes that the regulator is operating
in the continuous mode, and selects an inductor that will al-
low a peak-to-peak inductor ripple current to be a certain
percentage of the maximum design load current. This
peak-to-peak inductor ripple current percentage is not fixed,
but is allowed to change as different design load currents are
selected. (See Figure 18 .)
FIGURE 17. Capacitor ESR Change vs Temperature
DS012593-34