CAPACITOR APPLICATION INFORMATION
CAPACITOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PTV08T250W POWER MODULE
Input Capacitor (Required)
TurboTrans Output Capacitor
Non-TurboTrans Output Capacitor
SLTS260E – OCTOBER 2005 – REVISED NOVEMBER 2008 .......................................................................................................................................... www.ti.com
The PTV08T250W 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 increased burden on the transient capability
of the input power source. The size and value of the input capacitor is therefore determined by the converter’s
transient performance capability. The minimum amount of required input capacitance is 560 F, with an RMS
ripple current rating of 400 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 input source performance is degraded, 1000 F of input
capacitance is recommended. The additional input capacitance above the minimum level insures an optimized
performance.
Ripple current (rms) rating, 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
PTV08T250W module is moderate to low. Therefore, any good quality, computer-grade electrolytic capacitor 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 (2.2
F to 22 F) to the input attenuates high-frequency reflected ripple current.
The PTV08T250W requires a minimum output capacitance of 660
F. The required capacitance above 660F is
determined by actual transient deviation requirements.
TurboTrans allows the designer to optimize the capacitance load according to the system transient design
requirement. High quality, ultra-low ESR capacitors are required to maximize TurboTrans effectiveness.
Capacitors with a capacitance (
F) X ESR (m) product of ≤10,000m×F are required.
Working Example:
A bank of 6 identical capacitors, each with a capacitance of 680
F and 5mESR, has a C×ESR product of
3400
F x m (680F × 5m).
Using TurboTrans in conjunction with the high quality capacitors (capacitance (
F) × ESR (m)) reduces the
overall capacitance requirement while meeting the minimum transient amplitude level.
Table 1 includes a preferred list of capacitors by type and vendor. See the Output Bus / TurboTrans column.
Note: See the TurboTrans Technology Application Notes within this document for selection of specific
capacitance.
The PTV08T250W requires a minimum output capacitance of 660
F. Non-TurboTrans applications must observe
minimum output capacitance ESR limits.
A combination of 200F of ceramic capacitors plus low ESR (15m
to 30m) Os-Con electrolytic/tantalum type
capacitors can be used. When using Polymer tantalum types, tantalum type, or Oscon types only, the capacitor
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