SNVSB95 July 2019 LM3421-Q1 , LM3423-Q1
PRODUCTION DATA.
The controller requires an external N-channel FET (Q1) as the main power MOSFET for the switching regulator. TI recommends Q1 have a voltage rating at least 15% higher than the maximum transistor voltage to ensure safe operation during the ringing of the switch node. In practice, all switching regulators have some ringing at the switch node due to the diode parasitic capacitance and the lead inductance. TI recommends the current rating be at least 10% higher than the average transistor current. The power rating is then verified by calculating the power loss given the RMS transistor current and the N-channel FET on-resistance (RDS-ON).
When PWM dimming, the controller requires another MOSFET (Q2) placed in series (or parallel for a buck regulator) with the LED load. This MOSFET should have a voltage rating greater than the output voltage (VO) and a current rating at least 10% higher than the nominal LED current (ILED) . The power rating is simply RDS-ON multiplied by ILED, assuming 100% dimming duty cycle (continuous operation) occurs.
For most applications, choose an N-channel FET that minimizes total gate charge (Qg) when fSW is high. It that is not possible. minimize the on-resistance RDS(on) to minimize the dominant power losses in the system. Frequently, higher current N-channel FETs in larger packages yield better thermal performance.