8.2.2.4 Slow Start Capacitor Selection

The slow start capacitor C_SS, determines the minimum amount of time it takes for the output voltage to reach its nominal programmed value during power up. This is useful if a load requires a controlled voltage slew rate. This is also used if the output capacitance is very large and would require large amounts of current to quickly charge the capacitor to the output voltage level. The large currents necessary to charge the capacitor may make the TPS50601A-SP reach the current limit or excessive current draw from the input power supply may cause the input voltage rail to sag. Limiting the output voltage slew rate solves both of these problems. The soft start capacitor value can be calculated using Equation 5. The example circuit has the soft start time set to an arbitrary value of about 4 ms which requires a 10-nF capacitor. In TPS50601A-SP, I_SS is 2-µA typical, and V_REF is 0.804 V.