ISL6521 Datasheet, PDF (9/13 Pages) Intersil Corporation – PWM Buck DC-DC and Triple Linear Power Controller

ISL6521
through a small-signal diode. The diode should be placed as
close to the FB pin as possible to minimize stray capacitance
to this pin. Upon turn-off of the pull-up device, the respective
output undergoes a soft-start cycle, bringing the output
within regulation limits. On regulators implementing this
feature, the parallel combination of the feedback resistors
has to be sufficiently high to allow ease of driving from the
external device. Considering the other restriction applying to
the upper range of this resistor combination (see ‘Output
Voltage Selection’ paragraph), it is recommended the values
of the feedback resistors on the linear regulator output meet
the following constraint:
2kΩ < -_RR----_SS-----+^×-----^RR----^P-_P- < 5kΩ
Important Note When Using External Pass Devices
If the collector voltage to a linear regulator pass transistor
(Q3, Q4, or Q5 shown in Figure 7) is lost, the respective
regulator has to be shut down by pulling high its FB pin. This
measure is necessary in order to avoid possible damage to
the ISL6521 as a result of overheating. Overheating can
occur in such situations due to sheer power dissipation
inside the chip’s linear drivers.
Layout Considerations
MOSFETs switch very fast and efficiently. The speed with
which the current transitions from one device to another
causes voltage spikes across the interconnecting
impedances and parasitic circuit elements. The voltage
spikes can degrade efficiency, radiate noise into the circuit,
and lead to device overvoltage stress. Careful component
layout and printed circuit design minimizes the voltage
spikes in the converter. Consider, as an example, the turn-
off transition of the upper PWM MOSFET. Prior to turn-off,
the upper MOSFET was carrying the full load current.
During the turn-off, current stops flowing in the upper
MOSFET and is picked up by the lower MOSFET or
Schottky diode. Any inductance in the switched current
path generates a large voltage spike during the switching
interval. Careful component selection, tight layout of the
critical components, and short, wide circuit traces minimize
the magnitude of voltage spikes.
There are two sets of critical components in a DC-DC
converter using an ISL6521 controller. The switching power
components are the most critical because they switch large
amounts of energy, and as such, they tend to generate
equally large amounts of noise. The critical small signal
components are those connected to sensitive nodes or
those supplying critical bypass current.
The power components and the controller IC should be
placed first. Locate the input capacitors, especially the high-
frequency ceramic decoupling capacitors, close to the power
switches. Locate the output inductor and output capacitors
between the MOSFETs and the load. Locate the PWM
controller close to the MOSFETs.
The critical small signal components include the bypass
capacitor for VCC and the feedback resistors . Locate these
components close to their connecting pins on the control IC.
A multi-layer printed circuit board is recommended. Figure 7
shows the connections of the critical components in the
converter. Note that the capacitors C_IN and C_OUT each can
represent numerous physical capacitors. Dedicate one
solid layer for a ground plane and make all critical
component ground connections with vias to this layer.
Dedicate another solid layer as a power plane and break
this plane into smaller islands of common voltage levels.
The power plane should support the input power and
output power nodes. Use copper filled polygons on the top
and bottom circuit layers for the PHASE nodes, but do not
unnecessarily oversize these particular islands. Since the
PHASE nodes are subjected to very high dv/dt voltages,
the stray capacitor formed between these islands and the
surrounding circuitry will tend to couple switching noise.
Use the remaining printed circuit layers for small signal
wiring. The wiring traces from the control IC to the
MOSFET gate and source should be sized to carry 2A peak
currents.
+5V_IN
L_IN
+
C_IN
V_OUT2
+
C_OUT2
+12V
C_VCC
VCC GND
OCSET
C_OCSET
R_OCSET
UGATE
PHASE
Q1
L_OUT
V_OUT1
DRIVE2
Q3
LGATE
Q2
C_OUT1⁺
CR1
V_OUT3
+
C_OUT3
Q4
ISL6521
V_OUT4
DRIVE3 DRIVE4
+
C_OUT4
PGND
Q5
+3.3V_IN
KEY
ISLAND ON POWER PLANE LAYER
ISLAND ON CIRCUIT OR POWER PLANE LAYER
VIA CONNECTION TO GROUND PLANE
FIGURE 7. PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD POWER PLANES AND
ISLANDS
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