MIC5190
Micrel
Applications Information
Designing with the MIC5190
1
∆V = ∫idt
C
Anatomy of a transient response
Output voltage variation will depend on two factors: loop
bandwidth and output capacitance. The output capacitance
will determine how far the voltage will fall over a given time.
With more capacitance, the drop in voltage will fall at a
decreased rate. This is the reason that more capacitance
provides a better transient response for the same given
bandwidth.
The measure of a regulator is how accurately and effectively
it can maintain a set output voltage, regardless of the load's
power demands. One measure of regulator response is the
load step. The load step gauges how the regulator responds
to a change in load current. Figure 2 is a look at the transient
response to a load step.
1
∆V ↓=
∫idt
↑ C
The time it takes for the regulator to respond is directly
proportional to its bandwidth gain. Higher bandwidth control
loops respond quicker causing a reduced drop on the supply
for the same amount of capacitance.
1
C
idt
V =
∫
di
dt
∆ V = L
Output voltage vs. time
1
during recovery is
directly proportional to
gain vs. frequency.
∆V ↓= ∫idt ↓
1
C
BW
Final recovery back to the regulated voltage is the final phase
of transient response and the most important factors are gain
and time. Higher gain at higher frequency will get the output
voltage closer to its regulation point quicker. The final settling
point will be determined by the load regulation, which is
proportional to DC (0Hz) gain and the associated loss terms.
Time
Figure 2. Typical Transient Response
At the start of a circuit's power demand, the output voltage is
regulated to its set point, while the load current runs at a
constant rate. For many different reasons, a load may ask for
more current without warning. When this happens, the regu-
lator needs some time to determine the output voltage drop.
This is determined by the speed of the control loop. So, until
enough time has elapsed, the control loop is oblivious to the
voltage change. The output capacitor must bear the burden
of maintaining the output voltage.
There are other factors that contribute to large signal tran-
sient response, such as source impedance, phase margin,
and PSRR. For example, if the input voltage drops due to
source impedance during a load transient, this will contribute
to the output voltage deviation by filtering through to the
output reduced by the loops PSRR at the frequency of the
voltage transient. It is straightforward: good input capaci-
tance reduces the source impedance at high frequencies.
Having between 35° and 45° of phase margin will help speed
up the recovery time. This is caused by the initial overshoot
in response to the loop sensing a low voltage.
di
∆V = L
dt
Since this is a sudden change in voltage, the capacitor will try
to maintain voltage by discharging current to the output. The
firstvoltagedropisduetotheoutputcapacitor'sESL(equiva-
lent series inductance). The ESL will resist a sudden change
incurrentfromthecapacitoranddropthevoltagequickly.The
amount of voltage drop during this time will be proportional to
the output capacitor's ESL and the speed at which the load
steps. Slower load current transients will reduce this effect.
Compensation
The MIC5190 has the ability to externally control gain and
bandwidth.ThisallowstheMIC5190 designto beindividually
tailored for different applications.
In designing the MIC5190, it is important to maintain ad-
equate phase margin. This is generally achieved by having
the gain cross the 0dB point with a single pole 20dB/decade
roll-off. The compensation pin is configured as Figure 3
demonstrates.
di
∆V ↓= L
dt ↑
Placing multiple small capacitors with low ESL in parallel can
help reduce the total ESL and reduce voltage droop during
highspeedtransients.Forhighspeedtransients,thegreatest
voltagedeviationwillgenerallybecausedbyoutputcapacitor
ESL and parasitic inductance.
Internal
Error Amplifier
3.42MΩ
Driver
20pF
di
∆V ↓= L ↓
dt
External
Comp
After the current has overcome the effects of the ESL, the
output voltage will begin to drop proportionally to time and
inversely proportional to output capacitance.
Figure 3. Internal Compensation
December 2005
7
M9999-120105
MICREL [ MICREL SEMICONDUCTOR ]
