LTC3728 Datasheet, PDF (11/32 Pages) Linear Technology – Dual, 550kHz, 2-Phase Synchronous Step-Down Switching Regulator

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OPERATIO (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, an internal 5V low
dropout linear regulator supplies INTV_CC power. If EXTV_CC
is taken above 4.7V, the 5V regulator is turned off and an
internal switch is turned on connecting EXTV_CC to INTV_CC.
This allows the INTV_CC power to be derived from a high
efficiency external source such as the output of the regu-
lator itself or a secondary winding, as described in the
Applications Information section.
Output Overvoltage Protection
An overvoltage comparator, OV, guards against transient
overshoots (>7.5%) as well as other more serious condi-
tions that may overvoltage the output. In this case, the top
MOSFET is turned off and the bottom MOSFET is turned on
until the overvoltage condition is cleared.
Power Good (PGOOD) Pin
The PGOOD pin is connected to an open drain of an internal
MOSFET. The MOSFET turns on and pulls the pin low when
either output is not within ±7.5% of the nominal output
level as determined by the resistive feedback divider.
When both outputs meet the ±7.5% requirement, the
MOSFET is turned off within 10µs and the pin is allowed to
be pulled up by an external resistor to a source of up to 7V.
Foldback Current, Short-Circuit Detection
and Short-Circuit Latchoff
The RUN/SS capacitors are used initially to limit the inrush
current of each switching regulator. After the controller
has been started and been given adequate time to charge
up the output capacitors and provide full load current, the
RUN/SS capacitor is used in a short-circuit time-out
circuit. If the output voltage falls to less than 70% of its
nominal output voltage, the RUN/SS capacitor begins
discharging on the assumption that the output is in an
overcurrent and/or short-circuit condition. If the condi-
tion lasts for a long enough period as determined by the
size of the RUN/SS capacitor, the controller will be shut
down until the RUN/SS pin(s) voltage(s) are recycled.
LTC3728
This built-in latchoff can be overridden by providing a
>5µA pull-up at a compliance of 5V to the RUN/SS pin(s).
This current shortens the soft start period but also pre-
vents net discharge of the RUN/SS capacitor(s) during an
overcurrent and/or short-circuit condition. Foldback cur-
rent limiting is also activated when the output voltage falls
below 70% of its nominal level whether or not the short-
circuit latchoff circuit is enabled. Even if a short is present
and the short-circuit latchoff is not enabled, a safe, low
output current is provided due to internal current foldback
and actual power wasted is low due to the efficient nature
of the current mode switching regulator.
THEORY AND BENEFITS OF 2-PHASE OPERATION
The LTC1628 and the LTC3728 dual high efficiency DC/DC
controllers bring the considerable benefits of 2-phase
operation to portable applications for the first time. Note-
book computers, PDAs, handheld terminals and automo-
tive electronics will all benefit from the lower input filtering
requirement, reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI)
and increased efficiency associated with 2-phase opera-
tion.
Why the need for 2-phase operation? Up until the 2-phase
family, constant-frequency dual switching regulators op-
erated both channels in phase (i.e., single-phase opera-
tion). This means that both switches turned on at the same
time, causing current pulses of up to twice the amplitude
of those for one regulator to be drawn from the input
capacitor and battery. These large amplitude current pulses
increased the total RMS current flowing from the input
capacitor, requiring the use of more expensive input
capacitors and increasing both EMI and losses in the input
capacitor and battery.
With 2-phase operation, the two channels of the dual-
switching regulator are operated 180 degrees out of
phase. This effectively interleaves the current pulses
drawn by the switches, greatly reducing the overlap time
where they add together. The result is a significant reduc-
tion in total RMS input current, which in turn allows less
expensive input capacitors to be used, reduces shielding
requirements for EMI and improves real world operating
efficiency.
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