LTC3826-1 Datasheet, PDF (10/32 Pages) Linear Technology – 30μA IQ, Dual, 2-Phase Synchronous Step-Down Controller

LTC3826-1
OPERATION (Refer to Functional Diagram)
INTV_CC/EXTV_CC Power
Power for the top and bottom MOSFET drivers and most
other internal circuitry is derived from the INTV_CC pin.
When the EXTV_CC pin is left open or tied to a voltage less
than 4.7V, an internal 5.25V low dropout linear regulator
supplies INTV_CC power from V_IN. If EXTV_CC is taken above
4.7V, the 5.25V regulator is turned off and a 7.5V low
dropout linear regulator is enabled that supplies INTV_CC
power from EXTV_CC. If EXTV_CC is less than 7.5V (but
greater than 4.7V), the 7.5V regulator is in dropout and
INTV_CC is approximately equal to EXTV_CC. When EXTV_CC
is greater than 7.5V (up to an absolute maximum rating
of 10V), INTV_CC is regulated to 7.5V. Using the EXTV_CC
pin allows the INTV_CC power to be derived from a high
efficiency external source such as one of the LTC3826-1
switching regulator outputs.
Each top MOSFET driver is biased from the floating boot-
strap capacitor C_B, which normally recharges during each
off cycle through an external diode when the top MOSFET
turns off. If the input voltage V_IN decreases to a voltage
close to V_OUT, the loop may enter dropout and attempt
to turn on the top MOSFET continuously. The dropout
detector detects this and forces the top MOSFET off for
about one twelfth of the clock period every tenth cycle to
allow C_B to recharge.
Shutdown and Start-Up (RUN1, RUN2 and TRACK/
SS1, TRACK/SS2 Pins)
The two channels of the LTC3826-1 can be independently
shut down using the RUN1 and RUN2 pins. Pulling either
of these pins below 0.7V shuts down the main control
loop for that controller. Pulling both pins low disables
both controllers and most internal circuits, including the
INTV_CC regulator, and the LTC3826-1 draws only 4μA of
quiescent current.
Releasing either RUN pin allows an internal 0.5μA current
to pull up the pin and enable that controller. Alternatively,
the RUN pin may be externally pulled up or driven directly
by logic. Be careful not to exceed the Absolute Maximum
rating of 7V on this pin.
The start-up of each controller’s output voltage V_OUT is con-
trolled by the voltage on the TRACK/SS1 and TRACK/SS2
pin. When the voltage on the TRACK/SS pin is less than
the 0.8V internal reference, the LTC3826-1 regulates the
V_FB voltage to the TRACK/SS pin voltage instead of the
0.8V reference. This allows the TRACK/SS pin to be used
to program a soft start by connecting an external capacitor
from the TRACK/SS pin to SGND. An internal 1μA pull-up
current charges this capacitor creating a voltage ramp on
the TRACK/SS pin. As the TRACK/SS voltage rises linearly
from 0V to 0.8V (and beyond), the output voltage V_OUT
rises smoothly from zero to its final value.
Alternatively the TRACK/SS pin can be used to cause the
startup of V_OUT to “track” that of another supply. Typically,
this requires connecting to the TRACK/SS pin an external
resistor divider from the other supply to ground (see
Applications Information section).
When the corresponding RUN pin is pulled low to disable
a controller, or when V_IN drops below its undervoltage
lockout threshold of 3.5V, the TRACK/SS pin is pulled low
by an internal MOSFET. When in undervoltage lockout,
both controllers are disabled and the external MOSFETs
are held off.
Light Load Current Operation (Burst Mode Operation,
Pulse Skipping, or Continuous Conduction)
(PLLIN/MODE Pin)
The LTC3826-1 can be enabled to enter high efficiency
Burst Mode operation, constant frequency pulse skipping
mode, or forced continuous conduction mode at low load
currents. To select Burst Mode operation, tie the PLLIN/
MODE pin to a DC voltage below 0.7V (e.g., SGND). To
select forced continuous operation, tie the PLLIN/MODE
pin to INTV_CC. To select pulse-skipping mode, tie the
PLLIN/MODE pin to a DC voltage greater than 0.9V and
less than INTV_CC – 1.2V.
When a controller is enabled for Burst Mode operation,
the peak current in the inductor is set to approximately
one-tenth of the maximum sense voltage even though the
voltage on the I_TH pin indicates a lower value. If the aver-
age inductor current is lower than the load current, the
error amplifier EA will decrease the voltage on the I_TH pin.
When the I_TH voltage drops below 0.4V, the internal sleep
signal goes high (enabling “sleep” mode) and both external
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