LTC3406-1.2 Datasheet, PDF (10/12 Pages) Linear Technology – 1.5MHz, 600mA Synchronous Step-Down Regulator in ThinSOT

LTC3406-1.2
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
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.
A second, more severe transient is caused by switching in
loads with large (>1µF) supply bypass capacitors. The
discharged bypass capacitors are effectively put in parallel
with C_OUT, causing a rapid drop in V_OUT. No regulator can
deliver enough current to prevent this problem if the load
switch resistance is low and it is driven quickly. The only
solution is to limit the rise time of the switch drive so that
the load rise time is limited to approximately (25 • C_LOAD).
Thus, a 10µF capacitor charging to 3.3V would require a
250µs rise time, limiting the charging current to about
130mA.
PC Board Layout Checklist
When laying out the printed circuit board, the following
checklist should be used to ensure proper operation of the
LTC3406-1.2. These items are also illustrated graphically
in Figures 3 and 4. Check the following in your layout:
1. The power traces, consisting of the GND trace, the SW
trace and the V_IN trace should be kept short, direct and
wide.
2. Does the (+) plate of C_IN connect to V_IN as closely as
possible? This capacitor provides the AC current to the
internal power MOSFETs.
3. Keep the (–) plates of C_IN and C_OUT as close as possible.
1
RUN
–
V_OUT
+
C_OUT
L1
LTC3406-1.2
2
5
GND V_OUT
3
SW
4
V_IN
C_IN
V_IN
340612 F03
BOLD LINES INDICATE HIGH CURRENT PATHS
Figure 3. LTC3406-1.2 Layout Diagram
Design Example
As a design example, assume the LTC3406-1.2 is used in
a single lithium-ion battery-powered cellular phone
application. The V_IN will be operating from a maximum of
4.2V down to about 2.7V. The load current requirement
is a maximum of 0.6A but most of the time it will be in
standby mode, requiring only 2mA. Efficiency at both low
and high load currents is important. With this informa-
tion we can calculate L using equation (1),
L
=
1
(^f)(^∆I_L
)
1.2V^{⎛⎝⎜}1−
1.2V
V_IN
⎞
⎠⎟
(3)
Substituting V_IN = 4.2V, ∆I_L = 240mA and f = 1.5MHz in
equation (3) gives:
L
=
1.2V
1.5MHz(240mA)
⎛⎝⎜_1−
1.2V ⎞
4.2V ⎠⎟
=
2.38µH
A 2.2µH inductor works well for this application. For best
efficiency choose a 720mA or greater inductor with less
than 0.2Ω series resistance.
C_IN will require an RMS current rating of at least 0.3A ≅
I_LOAD(MAX)/2 at temperature and C_OUT will require an ESR
of less than 0.25Ω. In most cases, a ceramic capacitor will
satisfy this requirement.
V_OUT
VIA TO V_OUT
V_IN
VIA TO V_IN
PIN 1
L1
SW
LTC3406-1.2
C_OUT
C_IN
GND
340612 F04
Figure 4. LTC3406-1.2 Suggested Layout
340612f
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