Whats the effect of switching frequency on the design of a switching regulator?
Switching frequency determines the physical size and value of external filter inductors and capacitors. The higher the switching frequency, the smaller the physical size and component value. However, there is an upper frequency limit where either magnetic losses in the inductor or switching losses in the regulator IC and power MOSFET reduce efficiency to an impractical level. In addition, at higher switching frequencies, PCB layout must use RF techniques, to avoid introducing parasitics that would otherwise impair the regulator efficiency and performance.
