Datasheet

LT1964
12
1964fb
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Output Capacitance and Transient Response
The LT1964 is designed to be stable with a wide range
of output capacitors. The ESR of the output capacitor
affects stability, most notably with small capacitors. A
minimum output capacitor of 1μF with an ESR of 3Ω or
less is recommended to prevent oscillations. The LT1964
is a micropower device and output transient response
will be a function of output capacitance. Larger values
of output capacitance decrease the peak deviations and
provide improved transient response for larger load current
changes. Bypass capacitors, used to decouple individual
components powered by the LT1964, will increase the
effective output capacitor value.
Extra consideration must be given to the use of ceramic
capacitors. Ceramic capacitors are manufactured with a
variety of dielectrics, each with different behavior across
temperature and applied voltage. The most common
dielectrics used are specifi ed with EIA temperature char-
acteristic codes of Z5U, Y5V, X5R and X7R. The Z5U and
Y5V dielectrics are good for providing high capacitances
in a small package, but they tend to have strong voltage
and temperature coeffi cients as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
When used with a 5V regulator, a 16V 10μF Y5V capacitor
can exhibit an effective value as low as 1μF to 2μF for the
DC bias voltage applied and over the operating tempera-
ture range. The X5R and X7R dielectrics result in more
stable characteristics and are more suitable for use as the
output capacitor. The X7R type has better stability across
temperature, while the X5R is less expensive and is avail-
able in higher values. Care still must be exercised when
using X5R and X7R capacitors; the X5R and X7R codes
only specify operating temperature range and maximum
capacitance change over temperature. Capacitance change
due to DC bias with X5R and X7R capacitors is better than
Y5V and Z5U capacitors, but can still be signifi cant enough
to drop capacitor values below appropriate levels. Capaci-
tor DC bias characteristics tend to improve as component
case size increases, but expected capacitance at operating
voltage should be verifi ed.
Figure 2. Ceramic Capacitor DC Bias Characteristics
Figure 3. Ceramic Capacitor Temperature Characteristics
DC BIAS VOLTAGE (V)
CHANGE IN VALUE (%)
1964 F02
20
0
–20
–40
–60
–80
–100
0
4
8
10
26
12
14
X5R
Y5V
16
BOTH CAPACITORS ARE 16V,
1210 CASE SIZE, 10μF
TEMPERATURE (°C)
–50
40
20
0
–20
–40
–60
–80
–100
25 75
1964 F03
–25 0
50 100 125
Y5V
CHANGE IN VALUE (%)
X5R
BOTH CAPACITORS ARE 16V,
1210 CASE SIZE, 10μF
Voltage and temperature coeffi cients are not the only
sources of problems. Some ceramic capacitors have a
piezoelectric response. A piezoelectric device generates
voltage across its terminals due to mechanical stress,
similar to the way a piezoelectric accelerometer or micro-
phone works. For a ceramic capacitor the stress can be
induced by vibrations in the system or thermal transients.
The resulting voltages produced can cause appreciable
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