
LTC4090
20
4090f
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The catch diode conducts current only during switch-off
time. Average forward current in normal operation can
be calculated from:
II
VV
V
D AVG
HVOUT
HVIN
HVOUT
HVIN
()
–
=
()
where IHVOUT is the output load current. The only reason to
consider a diode with a larger current rating than necessary
for nominal operation is for the worst-case condition of
shorted output. The diode current will then increase to the
typical peak switch current. Peak reverse voltage is equal
to the regulator input voltage. Use a Schottky diode with a
reverse voltage rating greater than the input voltage. The
overvoltage protection feature in the high voltage regulator
will keep the switch off when VHVIN > 45V which allows
the use of 45V rated Schottky even when VHVIN ranges
up to 60V. Table 3 lists several Schottky diodes and their
manufacturers.
High Voltage Regulator Output Capacitor Selection
C
Vf
OUT
OUT SW
=
100
where fSW is in MHz, and COUT is the recommended output
capacitance in μF. Use X5R or X7R types. This choice will
provide low output ripple and good transient response.
Transient performance can be improved with a higher value
capacitor if the compensation network is also adjusted
to maintain the loop bandwidth. A lower value of output
capacitor can be used to save space and cost but transient
performance will suffer. See the High Voltage Regulator
Frequency Compensation section to choose an appropriate
compensation network.
When choosing a capacitor, look carefully through the
data sheet to nd out what the actual capacitance is under
operating conditions (applied voltage and temperature).
A physically larger capacitor, or one with a higher voltage
rating, may be required. High performance tantalum or
electrolytic capacitors can be used for the output capacitor.
Low ESR is important, so choose one that is intended for
use in switching regulators. The ESR should be specied
by the supplier, and should be 0.05Ω or less. Such a
capacitor will be larger than a ceramic capacitor and will
have a larger capacitance, because the capacitor must be
large to achieve low ESR.
Ceramic Capacitors
Ceramic capacitors are small, robust and have very low
ESR. However, ceramic capacitors can cause problems
when used with the high voltage switching regulator due to
their piezoelectric nature. When in Burst Mode operation,
the LTC4090’s switching frequency depends on the load
current, and at very light loads the LTC4090 can excite
the ceramic capacitor at audio frequencies, generating
audible noise. Since the LTC4090 operates at a lower
current limit during Burst Mode operation, the noise is
typically very quiet to a casual ear. If this is unacceptable,
use a high performance tantalum or electrolytic capacitor
at the output.
High Voltage Regulator Frequency Compensation
The LTC4090 high voltage regulator uses current mode
control to regulate the output. This simplies loop com-
Table 3. Diode Vendors
PART NUMBER
VR
(V)
IAVE
(A)
VF AT 1A
(MV)
VF AT 2A
(MV)
On Semiconductor
MBRM120E
MBRM140
20
40
1
530
550
595
Diodes Inc.
B130
B220
B230
B360
DFLS240L
30
20
30
60
40
1
2
3
2
500
550
500
International Rectier
10BQ030
20BQ030
30
1
2
420
470
The high voltage regulator output capacitor has two es-
sential functions. Along with the inductor, it lters the
square wave generated at the switch pin to produce the
DC output. In this role it determines the output ripple, and
low impedance at the switching frequency is important.
The second function is to store energy in order to satisfy
transient loads and stabilize the LTC4090’s control loop.
Ceramic capacitors have very low equivalent series resis-
tance (ESR) and provide the best ripple performance. A
good starting value is: