CS8120
Application Notes
V
BAT
C
1
0.1mF
500kW
V
IN
V
OUT
V
CC
CS–8120
ENABLE
RESET
R
RST
C
2
22mF
mP
Gnd
RESET
C
RST
I/O Port
Q
1
100kW
100kW
500kW
SWITCH
Figure 5: Microprocessor Control of CS8120 using an external switching transistor (Q
1)
.
The I/O port of the microprocessor typically provides
50µA to Q1. In automotive applications the SWITCH is
connected to the ignition switch.
Stability Considerations
The output or compensation capacitor, C
2
, helps deter-
mine three main characteristics of a linear regulator: start-
up delay, load transient response and loop stability.
The capacitor value and type should be based on cost,
availability, size and temperature constraints. A tantalum
or aluminum electrolytic capacitor is best, since a film or
ceramic capacitor with almost zero ESR can cause instabil-
ity. The aluminum electrolytic capacitor is the least expen-
sive solution, but, if the circuit operates at low tempera-
tures (-25¡C to -40¡C), both the value and ESR of the
capacitor will vary considerably. The capacitor manufac-
turers data sheet usually provides this information.
The value for the output capacitor C
2
shown in Figure 6
should work for most applications, however it is not nec-
essarily the optimized solution.
To determine an acceptable value for C
2
for a particular
application, start with a tantalum capacitor of the recom-
mended value and work towards a less expensive alterna-
tive part.
Step 1:
Place the completed circuit with a tantalum
capacitor of the recommended value in an environmental
chamber at the lowest specified operating temperature
and monitor the outputs with an oscilloscope. A decade
box connected in series with the capacitor will simulate
the higher ESR of an aluminum capacitor. Leave the
decade box outside the chamber, the small resistance
added by the longer leads is negligible.
Step 2:
With the input voltage at its maximum value,
increase the load current slowly from zero to full load
while observing the output for any oscillations. If no oscil-
lations are observed, the capacitor is large enough to
ensure a stable design under steady state conditions.
6
Step 3:
Increase the ESR of the capacitor from zero using
the decade box and vary the load current until oscillations
appear. Record the values of load current and ESR that
cause the greatest oscillation. This represents the worst
case load conditions for the regulator at low temperature.
Step 4:
Maintain the worst case load conditions set in
step 3 and vary the input voltage until the oscillations
increase. This point represents the worst case input volt-
age conditions.
Step 5:
If the capacitor is adequate, repeat steps 3 and 4
with the next smaller valued capacitor. A smaller capaci-
tor will usually cost less and occupy less board space. If
the output oscillates within the range of expected operat-
ing conditions, repeat steps 3 and 4 with the next larger
standard capacitor value.
Step 6:
Test the load transient response by switching in
various loads at several frequencies to simulate its real
working environment. Vary the ESR to reduce ringing.
Step 7:
Remove the unit from the environmental chamber
and heat the IC with a heat gun. Vary the load current as
instructed in step 5 to test for any oscillations.
Once the minimum capacitor value with the maximum
ESR is found, a safety factor should be added to allow for
the tolerance of the capacitor and any variations in regula-
tor performance. Most good quality aluminum electrolytic
capacitors have a tolerance of ± 20% so the minimum
value found should be increased by at least 50% to allow
for this tolerance plus the variation which will occur at
low temperatures. The ESR of the capacitor should be less
than 50% of the maximum allowable ESR found in step 3
above.
CHERRY [ CHERRY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION ]
