APPLICATION INFORMATION
Capacitor Recommendations for the PTH12040W Power Module
Input Capacitor
Output Capacitors
Ceramic Capacitors
SLTS237G – DECEMBER 2004 – REVISED MARCH 2009............................................................................................................................................... www.ti.com
The PTH12040W is a state-of-the-art multi-phase power converter topology that uses three parallel switching and
filter inductor paths between the common input and output filter capacitors. The three paths share the load
current, operate at the same frequency, and are evenly displaced in phase.
With multiple switching paths the transient output current capability is significantly increased. This reduces the
amount of external output capacitance required to support a load transient. As a further benefit, the ripple
current, as seen by the input and output capacitors, is reduced in magnitude and effectively tripled in frequency.
The improved transient response of a multi-phase converter places a bigger burden on the transient capability of
the input source. The size and value of the input capacitor is therefore determined by this converter’s transient
performance capability. The minimum amount of input capacitance required is 560 F, with an RMS ripple
current rating of 300 mA. This minimum value assumes that the converter is supplied with a responsive, low
inductance input source. This source should have ample capacitive decoupling, and be distributed to the
converter via PCB power and ground planes. For high-performance applications, or wherever the transient
performance of the input source is limited, 1000 F of input capacitance is recommended.
Ripple current, less than 100 m
of equivalent series resistance (ESR), and temperature are the main
considerations when selecting input capacitors. The ripple current reflected from the input of the PTH12040W
module is moderate to low. Therefore any good quality, computer-grade electrolytic capacitor, of either value
suggested, has an adequate ripple current rating.
Regular tantalum capacitors are not recommended for the input bus. These capacitors require a recommended
minimum voltage rating of 2 × (maximum dc voltage + ac ripple). This is standard practice to ensure reliability.
No tantalum capacitors were found with a sufficient voltage rating to meet this requirement. When the operating
temperature is below 0°C, the ESR of aluminum electrolytic capacitors increases. For these applications,
OS-CON, poly-aluminum, and polymer-tantalum types should be considered. Adding one or two ceramic
capacitors to the input reduces high-frequency reflected ripple current.
The PTH12040W requires a minimum output capacitance of 660 F (or 2 × 330 F), with an ESR of 15 m
to
40 m
. This is necessary for the stable operation of the regulator. Additional capacitance can be added to
improve the module's performance to load transients. High quality computer-grade electrolytic capacitors are
recommended. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors provide adequate decoupling over the frequency range, 2 kHz to
150 kHz, and are suitable when ambient temperatures are above 0°C. For operation below 0°C, tantalum,
ceramic, or OS-CON type capacitors are necessary.
When using a combination of one or more nonceramic capacitors, the calculated equivalent ESR should be no
lower than 2 m
(4 m when calculating using the manufacturer’s maximum ESR values). A list of preferred
low-ESR type capacitors are identified in
Table 1.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 400 F. Also, to prevent the formation of local resonances,
do not place more than five identical ceramic capacitors in parallel with values of 10 F or greater.
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