3 A buck converter with AEC-Q100 qualification
It operates from a 5.5 V to 36 V input rail and delivers an adjustable output down to 1.221 V at a fixed 500 kHz switching frequency. The wide input range and 3 A output make it a fit for point-of-load regulation from automotive battery buses, industrial 24 V supplies, and 12 V telecom rails where a single non-synchronous buck stage is sufficient.
Switching frequency and output filter sizing
The 500 kHz fixed switching frequency sets a practical LC filter corner. For a 3 A design, a 10 µH to 22 µH inductor and output capacitor in the 100 µF range (ceramic or electrolytic) keep ripple under 30 mVpp. The frequency is high enough to shrink magnetics versus a 300 kHz part, but low enough to avoid the switching losses of a 1 MHz regulator in a 36 V input application. Because the part does not use synchronous rectification (external Schottky diode required), the diode forward voltage and thermal rating must be sized for the 3 A output. A 40 V, 3 A Schottky in a DPAK or SMC package is typical.
Package and thermal management for 3 A
Active lifecycle and automotive-grade sourcing
The AEC-Q100 qualification (grade 1, typically -40°C to 125°C) means it is released for automotive use and carries the associated PPAP documentation traceability. Sourced through independent distribution channels. No single-source risk: the base part number TPS5430 is a mature TI SWIFT™ platform with broad distributor stocking.