LM2599 datasheet(21/32 Pages) NSC

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Application Information (Continued)

The consequences of operating an electrolytic capacitor

above the RMS current rating is a shortened operating life.

The higher temperature speeds up the evaporation of the

capacitor’s electrolyte, resulting in eventual failure.

Selecting an input capacitor requires consulting the manu-

facturers data sheet for maximum allowable RMS ripple

current. For a maximum ambient temperature of 40˚C, a

general guideline would be to select a capacitor with a ripple

current rating of approximately 50% of the DC load current.

For ambient temperatures up to 70˚C, a current rating of

75% of the DC load current would be a good choice for a

conservative design. The capacitor voltage rating must be at

least 1.25 times greater than the maximum input voltage,

and often a much higher voltage capacitor is needed to

satisfy the RMS current requirements.

A graph shown in

Figure 16 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

OUT — An output capacitor is required to filter the output

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

upper and lower limit. For low output ripple voltage, a low

ESR value is needed. This value is determined by the maxi-

mum allowable output ripple voltage, typically 1% to 2% of

the output voltage. But if the selected capacitor’s ESR is

extremely low, there is a possibility of an unstable feedback

loop, resulting in an oscillation at the output. Using the

capacitors listed in the tables, or similar types, will provide

design solutions 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 17). 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

often can be satisfied with only three or four different capaci-

tor values and several different voltage ratings. See the

quick design component selection tables in

Figure 2 and 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 @ −25˚C and as much as

10X at −40˚C. See curve shown in

Figure 18.

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 LM2599 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-

DS012582-33

FIGURE 16. RMS Current Ratings for Low

ESR Electrolytic Capacitors (Typical)

DS012582-34

FIGURE 17. Capacitor ESR vs Capacitor Voltage Rating

(Typical Low ESR Electrolytic Capacitor)

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