Buck converter support and training
Everything you need to know about buck converters in one location
Whether you are looking to learn what a buck converter is, or looking to optimize a current design, our buck (step-down) converter support and training resources are your go to resource. Included here are application notes, white papers, training videos, blogs, and much more.
Featured material
Collection of DC/DC Buck Regulator Technical Documentation
All the must-have tech docs for DC/DC step-down design, aggregated together in one at-a-glance selection guide.
Buck converter curriculum
The following sections provide an introduction to both the fundamental functional concepts of the step-down converter as well as critical design considerations to be made when selecting a device for your system. Each topic includes a mix of training videos and technical documentation intended to provide a good understanding of each subject.
Fundamentals
| Title | |
|---|---|
| What is a switching regulator? | Learn the basics of a switching regulator - how it works, what components are needed, and advantages and disadvantages. |
| Intro to the concept of buck converter control | The control system is the brains of the converter. In this video, learn how the converter control network helps to maintain a stable, regulated output voltage. |
| What is a buck? | An overview of the basic principles and components of a buck regulator. |
| What is the difference between converters and controllers? | Learn about the differences between converters and controllers, and how to determine which one is right for your design. |
Control architectures
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Overview of buck converter control modes | An introduction to some of the basic components of buck converter construction and the major control modes. |
| Current Mode vs. Emulated Current Mode | A thorough discussion of both the current mode and emulated current mode control architectures. |
| Multi-phase control | A discussion of multi-phase architectures used to achieve higher levels of output current. |
| Voltage mode control | Learn everything you need to know about the voltage mode control architecture. |
| Hysteretic control | Watch and learn the advantages and disadvantages of the hysteretic control mode |
| DCAP control vs. fixed-frequency control modes | In-depth comparison of voltage mode, current mode control vs DCAP2 and DCAP3 control modes for step down DC/DC converters. |
| Control mode quick reference guide | An overview of various control modes for non-isolated DC/DC step-down controllers and converters and the advantages of each. |
| Buck converter control modes training video | An overview of the twelve types of control architectures |
| Designing with TI's series capacitor buck converter | Learn the features and benefits of TI's new DC/DC power topology, the series capacitor buck converter, and get started using it in your space-constrained design. |
Common device features
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| PMBus | Learn how a buck converter with PMBus can enhance performance in your design. |
| BOOT capacitor | Certain applications require that output voltage regulation be maintained shen the input voltage is only slightly higher than the output voltage. For a buck converter, these low headroom operating conditions require high duty cycle operation that may approach 100%. |
| How to control turn on/off thresholds in voltage regulators | When using a voltage regulator, it often happens that the converter will attempt to regulate the output even before the voltage on its input has reached the acceptable design level. As a result, in this condition, the converter will demand more current from the power supply, potentially current-limiting the power source. |
| Understanding ECO-MODE™ operation | Learn how to reduce switching losses and increase efficiency at low output current with Eco-Mode operation. |
Applications
| Title | |
|---|---|
| Generate a negative output voltage | Watch as Anston discusses how to transform the LM4360x and LM4600x synchronous buck converters into inverters for applications that require a negative input voltage.. |
| Adding hysteresis to a buck converter | Use the calculator to add Enable hystersis to your buck converter design |
Maximizing performance
| Title | |
|---|---|
| Increasing power density | Learn how to manage buck converter heat dissipation, even as power levels rise and power supply PCB area shrinks |
| Addressing EMI | Everything you need to know about achieving low noise and low EMI performance with DC/DC switching regulators |
| Increase light load efficiency with lower quiescent current | In this training, we discusses how to achieve high light load efficiency with a DC/DC converter via pulse frequency modulation. Further, discover the key device parameters to keep output voltage ripple low and ensure a seamless transition between PFM (pulse frequency modulation) and PWM (pulse width modulation) modes. |
| Common mistakes in DC/DC converters and how to fix them | Address these common mistakes in buck converter design to improve power supply performance. |
Packaging
| Title | |
|---|---|
| Wettable flanks for automotive | Make automatic optical inspection easy thanks to packages with wettable flanks. |
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