AN-106

AAT115X Application Note

Output Capacitor Selection for the AAT115X Series Buck Converter

Introduction
Regardless of the application—from cell phones to wireless LAN cards—height, size, and efficiency are impor-
tant features for components used with AAT115X converters. With this in mind, the recommended output
capacitor for the AAT115X family of buck converters is presented in this Application Note. The design proce-
dure for determining the capacitor value and calculating stresses is also examined.

VIN M1 VLX VO
L
C R
M2

Figure 1: Buck Converter.

Capacitor Type
Surface mount ceramic X5R or X7R capacitors are ideally suited for AnalogicTech's buck converter (Figure 1).
X5R ceramic capacitors have a CV product with a temperature and voltage coefficient that is ideal for low volt-
age, high frequency, and high density switching regulators. Figure 2 shows the voltage and temperature char-
acteristics for a 22µF, 6.3V, 0805, X5R ceramic capacitor. The graph illustrates the strong voltage coefficient typ-
ical of an X5R capacitor. From the graph, it can be seen that the applied voltage must be considered when deter-
mining the actual capacitor value. The impedance and equivalent series resistance (ESR) characteristics shown
in Figure 3 are both typical of an X5R ceramic capacitor and ideal for achieving low output ripple at a high switch-
ing frequency.

25

0.8V
Capacitance (µF)

20 1.5V
1.2V
1.8V
15
2.5V

10 3.3V

GRM21B R60J226ME 39
0
-75 -50 -25 0 25 50 75 100

Temperature (°°C)

Figure 2: Capacitance vs. Voltage Bias and Temperature

(22µF, 6.3V, 0805, X5R).

AN-106.2005.01.1.0 1
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

GRM21B R60J226ME 39

Ω)
Impedance (Ω
0.1 Impedance

0.01 ESR

ESL = 0.57nH
Fres = 1.98 MHz
0.001
0.01 0.1 1 10

Frequency (MHz)

Figure 3: ESR and Impedance vs. Frequency

(22µF, 6.3V, 0805, X5R).

Output Capacitor Value

Voltage loop stability is the main consideration when selecting an output capacitor for the AAT115X family of
DC/DC converters. A simplified schematic of the AAT115X feedback control loop is shown in Figure 4. The
inner peak current mode loop is modeled as a current-controlled current source which is programmed by an
output voltage error amplifier. The crossover frequency, phase, and gain margin of the voltage loop vary with
the output capacitor size. As the output capacitor is increased, the voltage loop crossover frequency decreas-
es and the phase and gain margin increases. Appendix A (page 7) displays a table and Bode plots with the
suggested ceramic output capacitor for various AAT1156 output voltages.
The X5R ceramic capacitor has a sufficiently low ESR that the capacitor does not present an ESR zero to the
voltage loop. It simply adds a single pole roll off. The use of an alternate high-ESR capacitor, such as a tan-
talum or organic electrolyte, will not produce the same phase and gain margin results given the same capaci-
tor value. For these types of capacitors, the ESR zero will occur before the loop crossover frequency.
Therefore, it must not be assumed that the ceramic output capacitor can be substituted with another type with-
out affecting stability, crossover frequency, phase, and gain margin.

VCC
Rb Peak Current
Mode Control
Gm=50k VOUT
FB
Co
2 x 22µF
Ra Voltage Error Amp RL
Gu=500µS ESR
VREF

Figure 4: AAT115X Feedback Control Loop.

2 AN-106.2005.01.1.0
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

After selecting a ceramic capacitor which provides the desired phase and gain margin, the output capacitor
value must be examined to insure that it meets the load transient demands. For applications with large instan-
taneous load transitions, the output capacitor size must be sufficient to limit the output voltage excursion dur-
ing load transient recovery. For a step increase in load current, the output capacitor supplies the change in
load current while the converter recovers and responds to the new load level. The feedback control loop typ-
ically requires three switching cycles to increase the inductor current to match the increased load demand. The
capacity required to limit the output voltage droop to a specific level (VDROOP) is:

3 · (∆IO)
C≈ F ·V
SW DROOP

For an instantaneous step decrease in load current, the output capacity required to limit the output voltage over-
shoot (VOS) during a full load to no load transient must be determined. This transient requires the excess energy
stored in the output inductor to be absorbed by the output capacitor with a limited overshoot in the output voltage.

L · IO2
C ≈ (V + V )2 - V 2
O OS O

If necessary, the capacitor size should be increased beyond that selected for stability to meet the load tran-
sient requirement.

Output Capacitor Ripple Current

Because the ESR of ceramic capacitors is low, the capacitor temperature rise due to ripple current dissipation
is usually negligible. Good design practice dictates that we always confirm this and verify that the output capac-
itor RMS current and temperature rise are within the manufacturer's suggested limit. The maximum RMS rip-
ple current seen by the output capacitor occurs at the maximum input voltage. The capacitor ripple current
consists of the AC portion of the inductor current. The DC component of the inductor current is passed on to
the load as shown in Figure 5. The typical ceramic X5R ripple current rating corresponds to the amount of rip-
ple sufficient to raise the capacitor temperature by 20°C above the ambient temperature. Figure 6 graphs the
temperature rise vs. the applied ripple current for the recommended capacitor. It shows that the current
required to reach a 20°C rise above ambient is in excess of 1A RMS, much higher than the ripple current seen
in any AAT115X application.

AN-106.2005.01.1.0 3
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

IDC +IRIPPLE
VOUT

Lo
VLX Co RLOAD
IRIPPLE IDC

1 VOUT · (VINMAX - VOUT)

IRMS = ·
2· 3 L · F · VIN

VIN
VLX

IDC+IPK
IDC
IDC-IPK

+IPK
IRIPPLE
-IPK
Inductor Current = IDC Load Current + Capacitor AC Ripple Current

Figure 5: Ripple Current.

90
80 GRM21B R60J226ME 39
Temperature Rise (°°C)

70
60
50 0805
40 22 µF
25°C X5R
30 1MHz
70°C 1.8V
20 θ = 207°C/W
10
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5

RMS Current (A)

Figure 6: Temperature Rise vs. Ripple Current.

If the ESR and thermal resistance specifications are available, the power dissipation and temperature rise can
also be calculated. The thermal resistance (Θ) for the 0805 size capacitor is 207°C/W. The power dissipated
in the output capacitor is the RMS current squared multiplied by the capacitor ESR (2.2mΩ @ 1MHz from the
plot in Figure 3). As seen in Figure 3, the capacitor ESR varies with frequency and must be evaluated at the
converter switching frequency. The temperature rise is calculated by multiplying the power dissipated (PCAP)
by the thermal resistance (Θ).

4 AN-106.2005.01.1.0
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

PCAP = IRMS2 · ESR

∆T = PCAP · Θ

Output Ripple Voltage

The ceramic capacitor can be modeled as an ideal capacitor in series with a resistor and inductor, with all three
components contributing to the effective output voltage ripple. The capacitor resonant frequency is the fre-
quency at which the capacitor impedance is equal to the series resistance. Above this frequency, the induc-
tive reactance dominates over the capacitive reactance, and the impedance vs. frequency has a positive slope.
It is desirable to select a ceramic capacitor whose resonant frequency is close to the converter switching fre-
quency. X5R and X7R ceramic capacitors have extremely low ESR with typical values less than 5mΩ.
Consequently, the output voltage ripple due to ESR is small.
A simulation which includes the parasitic elements of the suggested capacitor is shown in Figure 7. For this
simulation, the input to the output filter (LX node) is replaced with an ideal square wave with an amplitude equal
to the maximum input voltage. The extremely low ripple associated with a low ESR/ESL ceramic output capac-
itor can be seen.

DCR
50m VOUT = 1.0V
Lo
2.2uH
Co Co
22µ 22µ

ESR ESR
VLX 2.2m 2.2m Road
1.42

ESL ESL
0.57n 0.57n

Output Ripple 0.5mV/div

LX Switch (1V/div)

Time (1µsec/div)

Figure 7: Simulated Output Voltage Ripple (VIN = 4.2V).

Summary
X5R or X7R surface mount ceramic capacitors are ideal output capacitor solutions for the AAT115X series buck
converters. They are available with voltage, ESR, and capacity characteristics that are ideal for high frequen-
cy, high density, switch mode power supplies. The control loop stability (gain and phase margin) generally dic-
tates the capacity required, while applications with large instantaneous load transitions may require increased
capacity. Once the correct value of X5R capacitor has been selected, the ripple current, temperature rise, and
output voltage ripple can be examined.

AN-106.2005.01.1.0 5
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

Design Example
Specifications:
VO = 1.0V
IO = 700mA
VIN = 2.7V to 3.6V
LO = 2.2µH
VDROOP = VOS = 50mV for Load Transient
1. Determine capacitance from Appendix A, Table 1.

CO = 2 x 22µF for a 41° phase margin and 11 dB gain margin.

2. Calculate the minimum capacitance needed to meet the transient response requirements.
The capacitance selected for stability is larger than that required for the transient response; therefore,
the capacity need not be increased.

3 · (∆IO) 3 · 0.7A
C≈ F ·V = 1.0MHz · 50mV = 42µF
SW DROOP

L · IO2 2.2µH · 0.7A2

C ≈ (V + V )2 - V 2 = 1.05V2 - 1V2 = 10µF
O OS O

3. Calculate ripple current and temperature rise.

1VOUT · (VIN - VOUT) 1 1.0V · (4.2V - 1.0V)

IRMS = · = · = 98mA
2· 3 L · F · VIN 3.5 2.2µH · 1MHz · 4.2V

PCAP = IRMS2 · ESR = 100mA2 · 2.2mΩ = 22µW

∆T = PCAP · Θ = 22µW · 207°C/W << 1°C

AnalogicTech cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in an AnalogicTech product. No circuit patent licenses, copyrights, mask work
rights, or other intellectual property rights are implied.

AnalogicTech reserves the right to make changes to their products or specifications or to discontinue any product or service without notice, and advise customers to obtain the latest
version of relevant information to verify, before placing orders, that information being relied on is current and complete. All products are sold subject to the terms and conditions of sale
supplied at the time of order acknowledgement, including those pertaining to warranty, patent infringement, and limitation of liability.

AnalogicTech warrants performance of its semiconductor products to the specifications applicable at the time of sale in accordance with AnalogicTech’s standard warranty. Testing and
other quality control techniques are utilized to the extent AnalogicTech deems necessary to support this warranty. Specific testing of all parameters of each device is not necessarily
performed.

Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.

830 E. Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone (408) 737-4600
Fax (408) 737-4611

6 AN-106.2005.01.1.0
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

Appendix A
Table 1: AAT1156 Output Filter Values and Loop Characteristics

Crossover Phase Gain

VOUT (V) LOUT (µH) COUT (µF) Frequency (kHz) Margin (°) Margin (dB)
0.8 1.5 3 x 22 140 45 12
0.8 2.2 3 x 22 134 38 11
1.0 1.5 2 x 22 168 46 12
1.0 2.2 2 x 22 171 41 11
1.0 3.3 2 x 22 164 33 9
1.2 2.2 2 x 22 179 38 8
1.2 3.3 2 x 22 147 35 9
1.5 2.2 2 x 22 157 54 11
1.5 3.3 2 x 22 134 44 11
1.5 4.7 2 x 22 150 40 10
1.8 3.3 2 x 22 150 51 11
1.8 4.7 2 x 22 140 47 10
2.5 3.3 2 x 22 129 60 11
2.5 4.7 2 x 22 126 60 12
3.3 2.2 22 190 54 8
3.3 2.2 2 x 22 100 75 14
3.3 3.3 22 210 43 8
3.3 3.3 2 x 22 100 73 16
3.3 4.7 22 205 41 7
3.3 4.7 2 x 22 100 72 15

0.8V; 0.7A; 1.5µH; 3 x 22µF 0.8V; 0.7A; 2.2µH; 3 x 22µF

20 180 20 180
15 135 15 135
10 90 10 90
Phase
Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)

5 45 5 Phase 45
0 Gain 0 0 Gain 0
-5 -45 -5 -45
-10 -90 -10 -90
Fc = 140 kHz Fc = 134 kHz
-15 Φm = 45° -135 -15 Φm = 38° -135
Gm = 12 dB Gm = 11 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

AN-106.2005.01.1.0 7
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

1.0V; 0.7A; 1.5µH; 2 x 22µF 1.0V; 0.7A; 1.5µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180

15 135 15 135

10 90 10 90

Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Phase Phase
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)
5 45 5 45

0 Gain 0 0 Gain 0

-5 -45 -5 -45

-10 -90 -10 -90

Fc = 168 kHz Fc = 168 kHz
-15 Φm = 46° -135 -15 Φm = 46° -135
Gm = 12 dB Gm = 12 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

1.0V; 0.7A; 3.3µH; 2 x 22µF 1.2V; 0.7A; 2.2µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180

15 135 15 135

10 90 10 90
Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)

5 Phase 45 5 Phase 45

0 0 0 0
Gain
-5 -45 -5 Gain -45

-10 -90 -10 -90

Fc = 168 kHz Fc = 179 kHz
-15 Φm = 33° -135 -15 Φm = 38° -135
Gm = 9 dB Gm = 8 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

1.2V; 0.7A; 3.3µH; 2 x 22µF 1.5V; 0.7A; 2.2µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180
15 135 15 135
10 90 10 90
Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)

5 45 5 Phase 45
Phase
0 0 0 0
-5 -45 -5 Gain -45
Gain
-10 -90 -10 -90
Fc = 147 kHz Fc = 157 kHz
-15 Φm = 35° -135 -15 Φm = 54° -135
Gm = 9 dB Gm = 11 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

8 AN-106.2005.01.1.0
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

1.5V; 0.7A; 3.3µH; 2 x 22µF 1.5V; 0.7A; 4.7µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180

15 135 15 135

10 90 10 90

Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)
5 Phase 45 5 Phase 45

0 0 0 0

-5 -45 -5 Gain -45

Gain
-10 -90 -10 -90
Fc = 134 kHz Fc = 150 kHz
-15 Φm = 44° -135 -15 Φm = 40° -135
Gm = 11 dB Gm = 10 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

1.8V; 0.7A; 3.3µH; 2 x 22µF 1.8V; 0.7A; 4.7µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180

15 135 15 135

10 90 10 90
Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)

5 Phase 45 5 Phase 45

0 0 0 0

-5 Gain -45 -5 -45

Gain
-10 -90 -10 -90
Fc = 150 kHz Fc = 140 kHz
-15 Φm = 51° -135 -15 Φm = 47° -135
Gm = 11 dB Gm = 10 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

2.5V; 0.7A; 3.3µH; 2 x 22µF 2.5V; 0.7A; 4.7µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180
15 135 15 135
10 90 10 90
Phase (°)

Phase (°)

Phase Phase
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)

5 45 5 45
0 0 0 0
-5 Gain -45 -5 -45
Gain
-10 -90 -10 -90
Fc = 129 kHz Fc = 126 kHz
-15 Φm = 60° -135 -15 Φm = 60° -135
Gm = 11 dB Gm = 12 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

AN-106.2005.01.1.0 9
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

3.3V; 0.7A; 2.2µH; 22µF 3.3V; 0.7A; 2.2µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180

15 135 15 135

10 90 10 90
Phase Phase

Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)
5 45 5 45

0 0 0 0

-5 Gain -45 -5 Gain -45

-10 -90 -10 -90

Fc = 190 kHz Fc = 100 kHz
-15 Φm = 54° -135 -15 Φm = 75° -135
Gm = 8 dB Gm = 14 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

3.3V; 0.7A; 3.3µH; 22µF 3.3V; 0.7A; 3.3µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180

15 135 15 135
10 90 10 90
Phase Phase
Phase (°)

Phase (°)
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)

5 45 5 45

0 0 0 0

-5 Gain -45 -5 -45

Gain
-10 -90 -10 -90
Fc = 210 kHz Fc = 100 kHz
-15 Φm = 43° -135 -15 Φm = 73° -135
Gm = 8 dB Gm = 16 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

3.3V; 0.7A; 4.7µH; 22µF 3.3V; 0.7A; 4.7µH; 2 x 22µF

20 180 20 180

15 135 15 135

10 90 10 90
Phase
Phase (°)

Phase (°)

Phase
Gain (dB)

Gain (dB)

5 45 5 45

0 0 0 0

-5 Gain -45 -5 -45

Gain
-10 -90 -10 -90
Fc = 205 kHz Fc = 100 kHz
-15 Φm = 41° -135 -15 Φm = 72° -135
Gm = 7 dB Gm = 15 dB
-20 -180 -20 -180
0.01 0.10 1.00 0.01 0.10 1.00

Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

10 AN-106.2005.01.1.0
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

Bode Plot Measurement Method

In order to measure the loop gain, the feedback loop must be broken and an AC source inserted.
The schematic shown in Figure A-1 illustrates the method used for measuring the loop gain and phase for the
AAT115X series converters. When measuring the loop gain, monitor the switching waveform and the output
ripple to verify that the injected signal magnitude is appropriate. Excessive signal injection can cause the loop
to enter into a non-linear region due to clipping at a supply rail or exceeding the dynamic range of a stage with-
in the loop. A non-sinusoidal output, clipped signal, or erratic switching waveforms is an indication of exces-
sive injected source magnitude. Insufficient injected signal magnitude reduces the measured signal below the
noise floor and can cause errors in measurement. In order to avoid this, it may be necessary to narrow the fre-
quency sweep range so that the injected signal is never either too large or too small. Of course, the area of
greatest concern is near the crossover frequency.
Operational amplifiers U2A and U2B are inserted into the loop in order to guarantee that the impedance
requirements at each side of Rs are met. Receiver Channel A side of Rs must be high impedance, while the
Channel B side Rs should be low impedance for accurate results. The opamps must be unity gain with no
phase delay across all frequencies of interest.

AP Instruments INC.
Model 102B Source Reciever Uint
15 MHz Analog Network Analyzer

Source Out

Reciever Reciever
Channel A Vsource Channel B

+5
8

T1

U2A 2
1 U2B 6
3 7
5
Rs
Zi = infinity 51 Zo = 0
4

-5

Bode Plot Loop Gain Test Circuit

U1
INPUT AAT1156
12 4
Vp FB
11 15 R3
R1 Vp Lx 187k
100
10 14 L1
Vp Lx
3.3µH
7 13
C1 EN Lx Vout
10µF
9 16
Vcc nc
R4 Bypass Feedback
C3,C4
6 3
LL Pgnd 59k 2x 22µF for Loop Gain Test Circuit
C2
0.1µF 8 2
nc Pgnd
5 1
Sgnd Pgnd

C1 Murata 10µF 6.3V X5R GRM42-6X5R106K6.3

C3,C4 MuRata 22µF 6.3V GRM21BR60J226ME39L X5R 0805
L1 Sumida CDRH3D16-4R7NC

Figure A-1: Test Circuit for Loop Gain and Phase.

AN-106.2005.01.1.0 11
 AN-106
AAT115X Application Note

AnalogicTech cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in an AnalogicTech product. No circuit patent licenses, copyrights, mask work
rights, or other intellectual property rights are implied.

AnalogicTech reserves the right to make changes to their products or specifications or to discontinue any product or service without notice, and advise customers to obtain the latest
version of relevant information to verify, before placing orders, that information being relied on is current and complete. All products are sold subject to the terms and conditions of sale
supplied at the time of order acknowledgement, including those pertaining to warranty, patent infringement, and limitation of liability.

AnalogicTech warrants performance of its semiconductor products to the specifications applicable at the time of sale in accordance with AnalogicTech’s standard warranty. Testing and
other quality control techniques are utilized to the extent AnalogicTech deems necessary to support this warranty. Specific testing of all parameters of each device is not necessarily
performed.

Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.

830 E. Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone (408) 737-4600
Fax (408) 737-4611

12 AN-106.2005.01.1.0