LTC3405A-1.5 Datasheet, PDF (10/16 Pages) Linear Technology – 1.5V, 1.8V, 1.5MHz, 300mA Synchronous Step-Down Regulators in ThinSOT

LTC3405A-1.5/LTC3405A-1.8
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
2. I²R losses are calculated from the resistances of the
internal switches, R_SW, and external inductor R_L. In
continuous mode, the average output current flowing
through inductor L is “chopped” between the main
switch and the synchronous switch. Thus, the series
resistance looking into the SW pin is a function of both
top and bottom MOSFET R_DS(ON) and the duty cycle
(DC) as follows:
R_SW = (R_DS(ON)TOP)(DC) + (R_DS(ON)BOT)(1 – DC)
The R_DS(ON) for both the top and bottom MOSFETs can
be obtained from the Typical Performance Charateristics
curves. Thus, to obtain I²R losses, simply add R_SW to
R_L and multiply the result by the square of the average
output current.
Other losses including C_IN and C_OUT ESR dissipative
losses and inductor core losses generally account for less
than 2% total additional loss.
Thermal Considerations
In most applications, the LTC3405A series parts do not
dissipate much heat due to their high efficiency. But, in
applications where they run at high ambient temperature
with low supply voltage, the heat dissipated may exceed
the maximum junction temperature of the part. If the
junction temperature reaches approximately 150°C, both
power switches will be turned off and the SW node will
become high impedance.
To keep the LTC3405A series parts from exceeding the
maximum junction temperature, the user will need to do
some thermal analysis. The goal of the thermal analysis is
to determine whether the power dissipated exceeds the
maximum junction temperature of the part. The tempera-
ture rise is given by:
T_R = (P_D)(θ_JA)
where P_D is the power dissipated by the regulator and θ_JA
is the thermal resistance from the junction of the die to the
ambient temperature.
The junction temperature, T_J, is given by:
T_J = T_A + T_R
where T_A is the ambient temperature.
As an example, consider the LTC3405A-1.8 with an input
voltage of 2.7V, a load current of 300mA and an ambient
temperature of 70°C. From the typical performance graph
of switch resistance, the R_DS(ON) of the P-channel switch
at 70°C is approximately 0.94Ω and the R_DS(ON) of the
N-channel synchronous switch is approximately 0.75Ω.
The series resistance looking into the SW pin is:
R_SW = 0.95Ω (0.67) + 0.75Ω (0.33) = 0.88Ω
Therefore, power dissipated by the part is:
P_D = I_LOAD2 • R_SW = 79.2mW
For the SOT-23 package, the θ_JA is 250°C/ W. Thus, the
junction temperature of the regulator is:
T_J = 70°C + (0.0792)(250) = 89.8°C
which is well below the maximum junction temperature of
125°C.
Note that at higher supply voltages, the junction tempera-
ture is lower due to reduced switch resistance (R_DS(ON)).
Checking Transient Response
The regulator loop response can be checked by looking at
the load transient response. Switching regulators take
several cycles to respond to a step in load current. When
a load step occurs, V_OUT immediately shifts by an amount
equal to (∆I_LOAD • ESR), where ESR is the effective series
resistance of C_OUT. ∆I_LOAD also begins to charge or
discharge C_OUT, which generates a feedback error signal.
The regulator loop then acts to return V_OUT to its steady-
state value. During this recovery time V_OUT can be moni-
tored for overshoot or ringing that would indicate a stability
problem. For a detailed explanation of switching control
loop theory, see Application Note 76.
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