
^lwNMNM
preferred for input capacitors because of their low ESR
and high ripple current rating. Depending on the
application circuits, other low ESR tantalum capacitor
may also be used. When selecting ceramic capacitors,
X5R or X7R type dielectric ceramic capacitors are
preferred for their better temperature and voltage
characteristics. Note that the ripple current rating from
capacitor manufactures are based on certain amount of
life time. Further de-rating may be necessary for
practical design requirement.
Inductor
The inductor is used to supply constant current to
output when it is driven by a switching voltage. For
given input and output voltage, inductance and
switching frequency together decide the inductor ripple
current, which is,
V
I
×
The peak inductor current is:
February 2006
www.aosmd.com
Page 10 of 16
)
1
IN
O
O
L
V
V
L
f
×
=
2
L
O
Lpeak
I
I
I
+
=
High inductance gives low inductor ripple current but
requires larger size inductor to avoid saturation. Low
ripple current reduces inductor core losses. It also
reduces RMS current through inductor and switches,
which results in less conduction loss. Usually, peak to
peak ripple current on inductor is designed to be 20%
to 30% of output current.
When selecting the inductor, make sure it is able to
handle the peak current without saturation even at the
highest operating temperature.
The inductor takes the highest current in a buck circuit.
The conduction loss on inductor needs to be checked
for thermal and efficiency requirements.
Surface mount inductors in different shape and styles
are available from Coilcraft, Elytone and Murata.
Shielded inductors are small and radiate less EMI noise.
But they cost more than unshielded inductors. The
choice depends on EMI requirement, price and size.
Table below lists some inductors for typical output
voltage design.
Table 2.
Vout
L1
Unshielded, 4.7uH
LQH55DN4R7M03
Shielded, 4.7uH
LQH66SN4R7M03
Shield, 5.8uH
ET553-5R8
Un-shielded, 6.7uH
DO3316P-682MLD
Unshielded, 4.7uH
LQH55DN3R3M03
Shield, 4.7uH
LQH66SN3R3M03
Shield, 3.3uH
ET553-3R3
Un-shielded, 4.7uH
DO3316P-472MLD
Un-shielded, 4.7uH
DO1813P-472HC
Unshielded, 2.2uH
LQH55DN1R5M03
Shield, 2.2uH
LQH66SN1R5M03
Shield, 2.2uH
ET553-2R2
Un-shielded, 2.2uH
DO3316P-222MLD
Un-shielded, 2.2uH
DO1813P-222HC
Output Capacitor
The output capacitor is selected based on the DC
output voltage rating, output ripple voltage specification
and ripple current rating.
The selected output capacitor must have a higher rated
voltage specification than the maximum desired output
voltage including ripple. De-rating needs to be
considered for long term reliability.
Output ripple voltage specification is another important
factor for selecting the output capacitor. In a buck
converter circuit, output ripple voltage is determined by
inductor value, switching frequency, output capacitor
value and ESR. It can be calculated by the equation
below:
Manufacture
MURATA
MURATA
ELYTONE
Coilcraft
5.0 V
MURATA
MURATA
ELYTONE
Coilcraft
3.3 V
Coilcraft
MURATA
MURATA
ELYTONE
Coilcraft
1.8 V
Coilcraft
)
8
1
(
O
CO
L
O
C
f
ESR
I
V
×
×
+
×
=
where C
is output capacitor value and ESR
is the
Equivalent Series Resistor of output capacitor.