When designing a DC/DC converter, should the device be designed so as to result in continuous operation?|FAQ|ROHM Semiconductor

FAQ's

When designing a DC/DC converter, should the device be designed so as to result in continuous operation?
- When the load current changes so as to include both continuous and discontinuous operation, the transient response characteristic is worsened somewhat compared with normal operation, and there is the possibility of large changes in the output voltage. Whether the load device can allow such changes becomes one guideline for design. If such changes cannot be allowed, either the problem is handled by adjustment of phase compensation component values for the IC, or in the design stage the addition of a dummy load is considered so as to prevent discontinuous operation. For standard load current value, in general a design is used that results in continuous operation.