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LM2591HV
SNVS074E –MAY 2001–REVISED MAY 2016
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10 Application and Implementation
NOTE
Information in the following applications sections is not part of the TI component
specification, and TI does not warrant its accuracy or completeness. TI’s customers are
responsible for determining suitability of components for their purposes. Customers should
validate and test their design implementation to confirm system functionality.
10.1 Application Information
10.1.1 Feedforward Capacitor
CFF – A feedforward capacitor, shown across R2 in Test Circuits, is used when the output voltage is greater than
10 V or when COUT has a very low ESR. This capacitor adds lead compensation to the feedback loop and
increases the phase margin for better loop stability.
If the output voltage ripple is large (>5% of the nominal output voltage), this ripple can be coupled to the
feedback pin through the feedforward capacitor and cause the error comparator to trigger the error flag. In this
situation, adding a resistor, RFF, in series with the feedforward capacitor, approximately 3 times R1, will attenuate
the ripple voltage at the feedback pin.
10.1.2 Input Capacitor
CIN – A low ESR aluminum or tantalum bypass capacitor is needed between the input pin and ground pin. It must
be placed near the regulator using short leads. This capacitor prevents large voltage transients from appearing at
the input, and provides the instantaneous current needed each time the switch turns on.
The important parameters for the Input capacitor are the voltage rating and the RMS current rating. Because of
the relatively high RMS currents flowing in a buck regulator's input capacitor, this capacitor should be chosen for
its RMS current rating rather than its capacitance or voltage ratings, although the capacitance value and voltage
rating are directly related to the RMS current rating. The voltage rating of the capacitor and its RMS ripple current
capability must never be exceeded.
10.1.3 Output Capacitor
COUT – 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 selecting 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 ESR must generally not be less than 100 mΩor there will
be loop instability. If the ESR is too large, efficiency and output voltage ripple are effected, so ESR must be
chosen carefully.
10.1.4 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 placed close to the LM2591HV 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 (5 V and lower). Ultra-fast recovery, or high-efficiency
rectifiers are also a good choice, but some types with an abrupt turnoff characteristic may cause instability or
EMI problems. Ultra-fast recovery diodes typically have reverse recovery times of 50 ns or less. The diode must
be chosen for its average/RMS current rating and maximum voltage rating. The voltage rating of the diode must
be greater than the DC input voltage (not the output voltage).
10.1.5 Inverting Regulator
The circuit in Figure 25 converts a positive input voltage to a negative output voltage with a common ground. The
circuit operates by bootstrapping the regulator's ground pin to the negative output voltage, then grounding the
feedback pin. The regulator senses and regulates the inverted output voltage.