1st Buck Converter Design Help/Advice

[DudeManBro09]

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post to the forum and I'm excited having found this site and all the cool project on here.

I am attempting to design/build a buck converter to drop 24-12V to 3.3V to power a Ti C2000 Launchpad (Link here: http://www.ti.com/tool/launchxl-f28027#descriptionArea

I decided to try and start simple since this is the first time I've ever attempted anything like this, thus I started searching and I found that the TI TPS5403 regulator seems to have everything I need. I especially liked that it had a sample design in the User's Guide found here: http://www.ti.com/product/TPS5403/technicaldocuments With the sample design looking like the attached Picture below: (if you cant see the photo the design is on page 7 of the users guide)




I really want to use this an an opportunity to learn and increase my depth of knowledge, but I also want to meet my own October self imposed deadline.

MY questions to the community is this: What Simulation software would you recommend to test out this specific converter? And how much testing should I do on this design given that the design comes from TI itself?

Additionally It should be noted that I tried looking for the specific converter in TINA (TI's spice program ) but I was unable to find this exact converter.

Any and All Help is appreciated.

Thank you all in advance!!!
-Carlo

 

[(*steve*)]

If you want to start simple then there are plenty of simpler options.

What are your requirements?

Why do you want to simulate it?

What I'd your skill with electronics?

 

[DudeManBro09]

Hey Steve!

Well to start out I Literally just graduated with my EE degree so I have a basic knowledge, however my practical knowledge isn't where I would like it to be hence this design that I chose. I'm pretty decent with my soldering skills and honestly I really feel like college didn't give me as much of the practical knowledge that I am wanting. I am wanting to simulate it to really just kinda poke and prod a bit deeper to ensure that the system is stable and also to ensure that the design is somewhat good.

My requirements are as follows:

Truly I am wanting to power a C2000 launchpad from a 12V-24V source so I really need either a 5V or a 3.3V given that that C2000 may be powered off either or. I am just trying to power the launchpad off of this converter. The Launchpad has internal linear that will bring down the 5V to a 3.3V so really I could do either or. I just saw this 3.3V converter and thought that it would be a good idea to power the 3.3v in case I ever wanted to use only the Launchpad's TMS320F28027 chip itself which uses a 3.3v input to power the IC.

 

[(*steve*)]

One of the most important requirements is the current which must be supplied.

Since modeling the circuit is a significant issue, you might try contacting TI to see if they have one for this chip. Alternatively, look for a chip that does have a readily available model.

In general, for a reference design, the capabilities are probably covered in the datasheet or in an application note. You should expect a reference design is stable and without major gotchas.

 

[Sunnysky]

The TI website has all the design tools and layouts. just needs a free registration by email

then see main page. enter Vin, Vout, Iout

 

[Chemelec]

If you want to Buy that IC, Go to: http://www.findchips.com/
Put in the Part Number: TPS5403
And you will find that Digikey has it.

 

[DudeManBro09]

Awesome thank you all for the advice! I'll be sure to post my progress!