LTC3728_15 Datasheet, PDF (17/36 Pages) Linear Technology – Dual, 550kHz, 2-Phase Synchronous Step-Down Switching Regulator

LTC3728
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
which are highest at high input voltages. For V_IN < 20V
the high current efficiency generally improves with larger
MOSFETs, while for V_IN > 20V the transition losses rapidly
increase to the point that the use of a higher R_DS(ON) device
with lower C_RSS actually provides higher efficiency. The
synchronous MOSFET losses are greatest at high input
voltage when the top switch duty factor is low or during
a short-circuit when the synchronous switch is on close
to 100% of the period.
The term (1 + δ) is generally given for a MOSFET in the
form of a normalized R_DS(ON) vs Temperature curve, but
δ = 0.005/°C can be used as an approximation for low
voltage MOSFETs. C_RSS is usually specified in the MOSFET
characteristics. The constant k = 1.7 can be used to esti-
mate the contributions of the two terms in the main switch
dissipation equation.
The Schottky diode D1 shown in Figure 1 conducts dur-
ing the dead time between the conduction of the two
power MOSFETs. This prevents the body diode of the
bottom MOSFET from turning on, storing charge during
the dead time and requiring a reverse recovery period
that could cost as much as 3% in efficiency at high V_IN.
A 1A to 3A Schottky is generally a good compromise for
both regions of operation due to the relatively small aver-
age current. Larger diodes result in additional transition
losses due to their larger junction capacitance. Schottky
diodes should be placed in parallel with the synchronous
MOSFETs when operating in pulse-skip mode or in Burst
Mode operation.
C_IN and C_OUT Selection
The selection of C_IN is simplified by the multiphase ar-
chitecture and its impact on the worst-case RMS current
drawn through the input network (battery/fuse/capacitor).
It can be shown that the worst case RMS current occurs
when only one controller is operating. The controller with
the highest (V_OUT)(I_OUT) product needs to be used in the
formula below to determine the maximum RMS current
requirement. Increasing the output current, drawn from
the other out-of-phase controller, will actually decrease the
input RMS ripple current from this maximum value (see
Figure 4). The out-of-phase technique typically reduces
the input capacitor’s RMS ripple current by a factor of
30% to 70% when compared to a single phase power
supply solution.
The type of input capacitor, value and ESR rating have
efficiency effects that need to be considered in the selec-
tion process. The capacitance value chosen should be
sufficient to store adequate charge to keep high peak
battery currents down. 20μF to 40μF is usually sufficient
for a 25W output supply operating at 200kHz. The ESR of
the capacitor is important for capacitor power dissipation
as well as overall battery efficiency. All of the power (RMS
ripple current • ESR) not only heats up the capacitor but
wastes power from the battery.
Medium voltage (20V to 35V) ceramic, tantalum, OS-CON
and switcher-rated electrolytic capacitors can be used
as input capacitors, but each has drawbacks: ceramic
voltage coefficients are very high and may have audible
piezoelectric effects; tantalums need to be surge-rated;
OS-CONs suffer from higher inductance, larger case size
and limited surface-mount applicability; electrolytics’
higher ESR and dryout possibility require several to be
used. Multiphase systems allow the lowest amount of
capacitance overall. As little as one 22μF or two to three
10μF ceramic capacitors are an ideal choice in a 20W to
35W power supply due to their extremely low ESR. Even
though the capacitance at 20V is substantially below their
rating at zero-bias, very low ESR loss makes ceramics
an ideal candidate for highest efficiency battery operated
systems. Also consider parallel ceramic and high quality
electrolytic capacitors as an effective means of achieving
ESR and bulk capacitance goals.
In continuous mode, the source current of the top N-channel
MOSFET is a square wave of duty cycle V_OUT/V_IN. To prevent
large voltage transients, a low ESR input capacitor sized for
3728fg
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