DC/DC CONVERTER

Output Ripple & Noise Application

notes

Output Ripple & Noise

1- General
1-1 Introduction

DC/DC switching power converters are natural noise is generally less than 150 mVpp for GAÏA
generators of noise. There are two types of converter modules
noise: conducted noise and radiated noise
which are present at the fundamental switching
frequency of the power converter and its higher
order harmonics.

In general, power converters using Pulse Widht

Modulated topology, have a constant switching
frequency, wich create noise in a predictable
bandwidth that can facilitate attenuation.
Resonant or zero switching converters generate
less intrinsic noise, but their load dependant
variable switching frequencies tend to generate Fig 1 : Power converter output differential noise model with
isolated case
noise over a wide frequency excursions, making
them difficult to control. • The common mode noise occurs between each
of the output leads Vo or Go and the EMI
For any kind of converters, it is important to reference.
control or measure the two most significant
type of noise: Two cases are possible:
• Radiated noise - The EMI reference can be a measuring
• Conducted noise equipment ground if the case of the converter
is not grounded (fig 2).
- The EMI reference can be the case of the
1-2 Radiated Noise
converter if it is grounded (fig 3).
There are 3 main sources of radiated noise as
follows :

• The major cause of radiated noise is due to

high current change (di/dt) in circuit leads 6
during switching, generating magnetic radia-
tion.
• Fast voltage changes (dv/dt) can generate
electric-fields which do not usually cause
system noise problems since they decrease
quickly as a function of distance. Fig 2 : Power converter output differential and common noise
• The other effects that occur, are a result of model with isolated case.
the 50-70 MHz component on the main switch
common mode noise.

1-3 Conducted Noise

The spectral conducted noise has two main

components: differential mode and common
mode.

• The differential mode component is a mode

that occurs between the output Vo and its return
line Go as shown in fig 1. The differential mode Fig 3 : Power converter output noise model with ground-case link

REDEFINING THE SOURCE OF POWER

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© Gaia Converter FC97-013.08/04 Revision C
 Application
Output Ripple & Noise notes

The conducted mode noise is due to common mode currents

being pumped through parasitic capacitances (Cpt),
generally less than a picofarad

These parasitic capacitances, which depend mainly on the

dielectric constant substrate, are proportional to the area
used and inversely proportional to the substrate thickness.
The common mode noise can have a magnitude of several
volts.
The common mode noise can interfere with the differential
mode noise. It will result that common mode noise appears
as differential mode noise and can cause misleading
differential mode noise measurements. So the common
mode noise spectrum magnitude has to be reduced before
making differential mode noise measurements. The best
way to suppress the common mode output noise is to
shunt the power path to case parasitic capacitances.
Fig 4 : Connection type to check output common mode

2- Measurements
2-2-2 Measurement of Differential Mode
2-1 Measurement of Radiated Noise
To measure differential mode noise, you must reduce the
interferences of the other modes. There are two reliable
Measurement of the radiated noise component, that ways to measure only differential mode:
requires specific and heavy equipments, is not described - The first way is to short out the input and the output
in this application note. from Gi to the return lead Go to ground with a high freqency
capacitance (fig 5: CHF and CHF2)
2-2 Measurement of Output Conducted Noise

Conducted output noise voltage measurements are difficult

to make even under the best conditions.
Depending on the technic used, results may vary widely.
An oscilloscope with a differential mode bandwidth of
100 MHz or more is usually used to make noise
measurements.

It should be noted, that oscillocope have a finite ability to

reject common mode signals, and these signals can be
worsened by the use of long ground leads on the scope.
Long ground leads adversely impact the common-mode
rejection capability of oscilloscopes because the ground
Fig 5 : Capabilities of HF capacitance connections for measuring output differential
mode
6
leads have an inductance not present on the signal lead.
These differing impedances take common-mode noises and - The second way is to connect high frequency
interfere with the differential mode signals that show up capacitances to short out the parasitic capacitances (fig
on the trace. 6: CHF2 and CHF3) from Gi to case and from Go to case.
The differential mode noise measurement must be carried
out at the outputs of the converter to reduce the pick up
of radiated noise.

Leads lengths, including the ground must be as short as

possible to reduce the pick up of radiated noise.

2-2-1 Measurement of Common Mode :

To measure the common-mode noise, put the scope probe

on the ground lead connection of the probe while the
ground lead is tied to either output return Go or positve
output Vo (Fig 4). If the noise is common-mode, you will
Fig 6: Capabilities of HF capacitance connections for measuring output differential
still see «noise» even though you are looking at the same
noise
point

2
© Gaia Converter FC97-013.08/04 Revision C For locations, phone, fax, E-Mail see back cover
 Application
Output Ripple & Noise notes

We recommend to use high frequency capacitances > 10nF GAÏA Converter recommend capacitors with low Equiva-
and the connection leads should be as short as possible. lent Series Resistor (ESR) and low Equivalent Series In-
To make the measurement you must carry out the scope ductance (ESL) over the frequency band being filtered to
probe on Vo and the probe ground on Go as described in make the attenuation vs frequency predictable.
fig.7. We recommend to place a capacitance (fig 8:C1) from the
input and the output ground of the converter. These con-
nections will shunt the Common-Mode current before it
comes in (for the input) and comes out (for the output).
The higher the switching frequency, the closer the
capacitance must be placed.

3-2 Filtering of Conducted Differential Mode

To reduce the output differential mode noise, capacitances

and inductances are necessary. An LC filter (fig 8) is
recommended. GAÏA Converter recommends the following
schematic (fig 8) for its DC/DC converters.
This recommended filter will reduce the output differential
noise well below the most stringent requirements.

Fig 7: Connection type to measure output differential mode

GAÏA Converter modules integrate an efficient filter to

reduce output noise. If the internal EMI filter dedicated
to the output is not sufficient to bring the noise levels
within your system requirements, external LC unit may be
added on the output.

3- Filtering Fig 8/ Diagram connection for common and differential mode

C1 : Common mode noise capacitance 10nF

3-1 Filtering of Conducted Common Mode L : Equivalent inductance for differential mode 2.2µH
type Murata LQH32CN2R2M23
To filter the conducted mode, capacitors are sufficient. C2 : Capacitance 33µF tantalum SMD 293D type

3
© Gaia Converter FC97-013.08/04 Revision C For locations, phone, fax, E-Mail see back cover
 For more detailed specifications and applications information, contact :
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