Though it is possible to operate the TPS542A50 within absolute maximum ratings without voltage ringing reduction techniques, some designs may require external components to further reduce ringing levels. This example uses two approaches: a high frequency power stage bypass capacitor on the VIN pins, and an R-C snubber between the SW area and GND.

The high-frequency VIN bypass capacitor is a lossless ringing reduction technique which helps minimize the outboard parasitic inductances in the power stage, which store energy during the high-side MOSFET on-time, and discharge once the high-side MOSFET is turned off. For this example two of 0.1-μF to 1-μF, 25-V, 0402-sized high-frequency capacitors are used. The placement of these capacitors is critical to its effectiveness.

Additionally, an optional R-C snubber circuit is added to this example. To balance efficiency and spike levels, a 220-pF capacitor and a 2-Ω resistor are chosen. In this example, a 0805-sized resistor is chosen, which is rated for 0.125 W, nearly twice the estimated power dissipation. It is recommended for the R-C snubber circuit to sustain the ringing levels 2-V below the absolute maximum ratings at room temperature. See the Seminar 900 Topic 2 - Snubber Circuits: Theory, Design and Application application note for more information about snubber circuits.