LM2596
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SNVS124C –NOVEMBER 1999–REVISED APRIL 2013
When observing output ripple with a scope, it is essential that a short, low inductance scope probe ground
connection be used. Most scope probe manufacturers provide a special probe terminator which is soldered onto
the regulator board, preferable at the output capacitor. This provides a very short scope ground thus eliminating
the problems associated with the 3 inch ground lead normally provided with the probe, and provides a much
cleaner and more accurate picture of the ripple voltage waveform.
The voltage spikes are caused by the fast switching action of the output switch and the diode, and the parasitic
inductance of the output filter capacitor, and its associated wiring. To minimize these voltage spikes, the output
capacitor should be designed for switching regulator applications, and the lead lengths must be kept very short.
Wiring inductance, stray capacitance, as well as the scope probe used to evaluate these transients, all contribute
to the amplitude of these spikes.
When a switching regulator is operating in the continuous mode, the inductor current waveform ranges from a
triangular to a sawtooth type of waveform (depending on the input voltage). For a given input and output voltage,
the peak-to-peak amplitude of this inductor current waveform remains constant. As the load current increases or
decreases, the entire sawtooth current waveform also rises and falls. The average value (or the center) of this
current waveform is equal to the DC load current.
If the load current drops to a low enough level, the bottom of the sawtooth current waveform will reach zero, and
the switcher will smoothly change from a continuous to a discontinuous mode of operation. Most switcher
designs (irregardless how large the inductor value is) will be forced to run discontinuous if the output is lightly
loaded. This is a perfectly acceptable mode of operation.
Figure 30. Peak-to-Peak Inductor
Ripple Current vs Load Current
In a switching regulator design, knowing the value of the peak-to-peak inductor ripple current (ΔIIND) can be
useful for determining a number of other circuit parameters. Parameters such as, peak inductor or peak switch
current, minimum load current before the circuit becomes discontinuous, output ripple voltage and output
capacitor ESR can all be calculated from the peak-to-peak ΔIIND. When the inductor nomographs shown in
Figure 21 through 8 are used to select an inductor value, the peak-to-peak inductor ripple current can
immediately be determined. The curve shown in Figure 30 shows the range of (ΔIIND) that can be expected for
different load currents. The curve also shows how the peak-to-peak inductor ripple current (ΔIIND) changes as
you go from the lower border to the upper border (for a given load current) within an inductance region. The
upper border represents a higher input voltage, while the lower border represents a lower input voltage (see
Inductor Selection Guides section).
These curves are only correct for continuous mode operation, and only if the inductor selection guides are used
to select the inductor value
Consider the following example:
VOUT = 5V, maximum load current of 2.5A
VIN = 12V, nominal, varying between 10V and 16V.
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