LTC3728LCGN-PBF Datasheet, PDF (17/38 Pages) Linear Technology – Dual, 550kHz, 2-Phase Synchronous Regulators

LTC3728L/LTC3728LX
applications information
The inductor value also has secondary effects. The tran-
sition to Burst Mode operation begins when the average
inductor current required results in a peak current below
25% of the current limit determined by R_SENSE. Lower
inductor values (higher ∆I_L) will cause this to occur at
lower load currents, which can cause a dip in efficiency in
the upper range of low current operation. In Burst Mode
operation, lower inductance values will cause the burst
frequency to decrease.
Inductor Core Selection
Once the value for L is known, the type of inductor must
be selected. High efficiency converters generally cannot
afford the core loss found in low cost powdered iron cores,
forcing the use of more expensive ferrite, molypermalloy,
or Kool Mµ^® cores. Actual core loss is independent of core
size for a fixed inductor value, but it is very dependent
on inductance selected. As inductance increases, core
losses go down. Unfortunately, increased inductance
requires more turns of wire and, therefore, copper losses
will increase.
Ferrite designs have very low core loss and are preferred
at high switching frequencies, so design goals can con-
centrate on copper loss and preventing saturation. Ferrite
core material saturates hard, which means that induc-
tance collapses abruptly when the peak design current is
exceeded. This results in an abrupt increase in inductor
ripple current and consequent output voltage ripple. Do
not allow the core to saturate!
Molypermalloy (from Magnetics, Inc.) is a very good, low
loss core material for toroids, but it is more expensive
than ferrite. A reasonable compromise from the same
manufacturer is Kool Mµ. Toroids are very space efficient,
especially when using several layers of wire. Because
they generally lack a bobbin, mounting is more difficult.
However, designs for surface mount are available that do
not increase the height significantly.
Power MOSFET and D1 Selection
Two external power MOSFETs must be selected for each
controller in the LTC3728L/LTC3728LX: One N‑channel
MOSFET for the top (main) switch, and one N‑channel
MOSFET for the bottom (synchronous) switch.
The peak-to-peak drive levels are set by the INTV_CC
voltage. This voltage is typically 5V during start-up
(see EXTV_CC Pin Connection). Consequently, logic-level
threshold MOSFETs must be used in most applications.
The only exception is if low input voltage is expected (V_IN
< 5V); then, sublogic level threshold MOSFETs (V_GS(TH)
< 3V) should be used. Pay close attention to the BV_DSS
specification for the MOSFETs as well; most of the logic
level MOSFETs are limited to 30V or less.
Selection criteria for the power MOSFETs include the
on-resistance R_DS(ON), Miller capacitance C_MILLER, input
voltage and maximum output current. Miller capacitance,
C_MILLER, can be approximated from the gate charge curve
usually provided on the MOSFET manufacturers’ data
sheet. C_MILLER is equal to the increase in gate charge
along the horizontal axis while the curve is approximately
flat divided by the specified change in V_DS. This result is
then multiplied by the ratio of the application applied V_DS
to the gate charge curve specified V_DS. When the IC is
operating in continuous mode the duty cycles for the top
and bottom MOSFETs are given by:
Main Switch Duty Cycle = ^VOUT
V_IN
Synchronous Switch Duty Cycle = ^{VIN – VOUT}
V_IN
The MOSFET power dissipations at maximum output
current are given by:
( ) ( ) P_MAIN
=
V_OUT
V_IN
I_MAX
2
1+ d
R_DS(ON) +
(
V_IN
)²


I_MAX
2


(R_DR
)(C_MILLER
)
•



V_INTVCC
1
–
V_THMIN
+
1
V_THMIN


(
f)

( ) ^{( ) P}SYNC
=
V_IN
– V_OUT
V_IN
I_MAX
2
1+ d R_DS(ON)
3728lxff
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