Specifying Inductors for Switch Mode Power Supplies

摘要

Switch mode power supplies are a staple of the power supply industry. As the global community demands more energy efficient products, those markets that have traditionally used less expensive, less efficient linear supplies will also transition to switch mode power supplies (SMPS). This shift is accomplished by industry efforts to continuously increase switching frequencies to meet customer demand for greater power in less space. This is opening new markets for SMPS manufac turers and exposing another segment of design engineers to the requirements of SMPS design. This article addresses the basics of specifying an inductor for non-isolated SMPS. The examples given are applicable to low-profile surface-mount designs for applications such as voltage regulator modules (VRMs) and point of load supplies (POL) supplies, in addition to larger chassis-based systems.