What is Sync (synchronization) or Frequency Adjust?
In switching regulators and switched-capacitor converters, an internal oscillator is used to set the switching frequency of the output transistors. The value of this switching frequency determines some of the external components used in the converter, which determines the frequencies of noise generated by the converter, and affects the performance of the converter. Some converters allow the switching frequency to be changed either by adjusting the internal oscillator frequency (“Frequency Adjust”) or by synchronizing the oscillator to an external source (“Sync”). In general, by increasing the switching frequency, smaller components (capacitors, inductors) can be used in the converter output stage. This may reduce the efficiency of the converter, because of an increase in switching losses, unless higher-quality components are also used. A well-performing higher-frequency converter will have faster transient response than will one of a lower frequency. If there are several converters on
