How are inductors used in a switching regulator?
In all switching regulators, the inductor is used as an energy storage device. When the semiconductor switch is on, the current in the inductor ramps up and energy is stored. When the switch turns off, this energy releases into the load. The amount of energy stored is given by Energy = ½L.I 2 (Joules)
What are the main requirements for inductor selection?
Final inductor selection depends on four main design requirements: efficiency, electromagnetic interference (EMI), available space, and cost. In handheld battery powered equipment high efficiency from the smallest possible part is required. Also as the electronics are tightly packed, low EMI is essential.
How is energy stored in a semiconductor switch?
When the semiconductor switch is on, the current in the inductor ramps up and energy is stored. When the switch turns off, this energy releases into the load. The amount of energy stored is given by Energy = ½L.I 2 (Joules) Where L is the inductance in Henrys and I is the peak value of inductor current.
What should be the peak current of an inductor?
To allow some margin, you should select a value of 10µH. This gives a nominal peak-to-peak ripple current of 450mA. In the finished design, this can be seen as an output ripple voltage of 0.45 × output capacitor ESR. Inductors are normally specified with two current ratings: continuous (Irms) and peak (Isat).
Why are switching regulators in use so much?
Switching regulators are increasing in popularity because they offer the advantages of higher power conversion efficiency and increased design flexibility (multiple output voltages of different polarities can be
How to choose the correct inductor for a buck converter?
For a buck converter, choosing the correct value of inductance is important to obtain acceptable inductor and output capacitor sizes and sufficiently low output voltage ripple. As you can see from Fig. 1, the inductor current is made up of ac and dc components.