English
Language : 

LTC3853 Datasheet, PDF (16/36 Pages) Linear Technology – Triple Output, Multiphase Synchronous Step-Down Controller
LTC3853
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
To ensure that the application will deliver full load cur-
rent over the full operating temperature range, choose
the minimum value for the Maximum Current Sense
Threshold (VSENSE(MAX)) in the Electrical Characteristics
table (22mV, 42mV, or 65mV, depending on the state of
the ILIM pin).
Next, determine the DCR of the inductor. Where provided,
use the manufacturer’s maximum value, usually given
at 20°C. Increase this value to account for the tempera-
ture coefficient of resistance, which is approximately
0.4%/°C. A conservative value for TL(MAX) is 100°C.
To scale the maximum inductor DCR to the desired sense
resistor value, use the divider ratio:
RD
=
RSENSE(EQUIV)
DCR(MAX) at TL(MAX)
C1 is usually selected to be in the range of 0.047μF to
0.47μF. This forces R1||R2 to around 2kΩ, reducing error
that might have been caused by the SENSE pins’ ±1μA
current.
The equivalent resistance R1||R2 is scaled to the room
temperature inductance and maximum DCR:
R1|| R2 =
L
(DCR at 20°C) • C1
The sense resistor values are:
R1= R1|| R2 ; R2 = R1 • RD
RD
1− RD
The maximum power loss in R1 is related to duty cycle,
and will occur in continuous mode at the maximum input
voltage:
( ) PLOSS R1=
VIN(MAX) − VOUT
R1
• VOUT
Ensure that R1 has a power rating higher than this value.
If high efficiency is necessary at light loads, consider this
power loss when deciding whether to use DCR sensing or
sense resistors. Light load power loss can be modestly
higher with a DCR network than with a sense resistor,
due to the extra switching losses incurred through R1.
16
However, DCR sensing eliminates a sense resistor, reduces
conduction losses and provides higher efficiency at heavy
loads. Peak efficiency is about the same with either method.
To maintain a good signal-to-noise ratio for the current
sense signal, use a minimum ΔVSENSE of 10mV to 15mV.
For a DCR sensing application, the actual ripple voltage
will be determined by:
ΔVSENSE
=
VIN – VOUT
R1• C1
•
VOUT
VIN • fOSC
Slope Compensation and Inductor Peak Current
Slope compensation provides stability in constant-
frequency architectures by preventing subharmonic
oscillations at high duty cycles. It is accomplished inter-
nally by adding a compensating ramp to the inductor
current signal at duty cycles in excess of 40%. Normally,
this results in a reduction of maximum inductor peak cur-
rent for duty cycles >40%. However, the LTC3853 uses
a patented scheme that counteracts this compensating
ramp, which allows the maximum inductor peak current
to remain unaffected throughout all duty cycles.
Inductor Value Calculation
Given the desired input and output voltages, the inductor
value and operating frequency, fOSC, directly determine
the inductor’s peak-to-peak ripple current:
IRIPPLE
=
VOUT
VIN
⎛
⎝⎜
VIN – VOUT
fOSC • L
⎞
⎠⎟
Lower ripple current reduces core losses in the inductor,
ESR losses in the output capacitors, and output voltage
ripple. Thus, highest efficiency operation is obtained at
low frequency with a small ripple current. Achieving this,
however, requires a large inductor.
A reasonable starting point is to choose a ripple current
that is about 40% of IOUT(MAX). Note that the largest ripple
current occurs at the highest input voltage. To guarantee
that ripple current does not exceed a specified maximum,
the inductor should be chosen according to:
L ≥ VIN – VOUT • VOUT
fOSC • IRIPPLE VIN
3853f