Ceramic Capacitors
Tantalum, Polymer-Tantalum Capacitors
Capacitor Table
Designing for Fast Load Transients
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Above 150 kHz the performance of aluminum electrolytic capacitors is less effective. Multilayer ceramic
capacitors have very low ESR and a resonant frequency higher than the bandwidth of the regulator. They can be
used to reduce the reflected ripple current at the input as well as improve the transient response of the output.
When used on the output their combined ESR is not critical as long as the total value of ceramic capacitors, with
values between 10 F and 100 F, does not exceed 5000 F (non-TurboTrans). In TurboTrans applications,
when ceramic capacitors are used on the output bus, total capacitance including bulk and ceramic types is not to
exceed 12,000
F.
Tantalum type capacitors are only used on the output bus, and are recommended for applications where the
ambient operating temperature is less than 0°C. The AVX TPS series and Kemet capacitor series are suggested
over many other tantalum types due to their higher rated surge, power dissipation, and ripple current capability.
As a caution, many general-purpose tantalum capacitors have higher ESR, reduced power dissipation, and lower
ripple current capability. These capacitors are also less reliable due to their reduced power dissipation and surge
current ratings. Tantalum capacitors that have no stated ESR or surge current rating are not recommended for
power applications.
Table 3 identifies the characteristics of capacitors from a number of vendors with acceptable ESR and ripple
current (rms) ratings. The recommended number of capacitors required at both the input and output buses is
identified for each capacitor type.
This is not an extensive capacitor list. Capacitors from other vendors are available with comparable
specifications. Those listed are for guidance. The RMS ripple current rating and ESR (at 100 kHz) are critical
parameters necessary to ensure both optimum regulator performance and long capacitor life.
The transient response of the dc/dc converter has been characterized using a load transient with a di/dt of
2.5A/s. The typical voltage deviation for this load transient is given in the Electrical Characteristics table using
the minimum required value of output capacitance. As the di/dt of a transient is increased, the response of a
converter’s regulation circuit ultimately depends on its output capacitor decoupling network. This is an inherent
limitation with any dc/dc converter once the speed of the transient exceeds its bandwidth capability.
If the target application specifies a higher di/dt or lower voltage deviation, the requirement can only be met with
additional low ESR ceramic capacitor decoupling. Generally, with 50% load steps at > 100A/
s, adding multiple
10
F ceramic capacitors, 3225 case size, plus 10×1F, including numerous high frequency ceramics (≤0.1F)
are all that is required to soften the transient higher frequency edges. Special attention is essential with regards
to location, types, and position of higher frequency ceramic and lower ESR bulk capacitors. DSP, FPGA and
ASIC vendors identify types, location and capacitance required for optimum performance of the high frequency
devices. The details regarding the PCB layout and capacitor/component placement are important at these high
frequencies. Low impedance buses and unbroken PCB copper planes with components located as close to the
high frequency processor are essential for optimizing transient performance. In many instances additional
capacitors may be required to insure and minimize transient aberrations.
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