LTC3851A-1_15 Datasheet, PDF (17/30 Pages) Linear Technology – Synchronous Step-Down Switching Regulator Controller

LTC3851A-1
Applications Information
V_MASTER
R3
TO
TK/SS
PIN
R4
V_OUT
R3
TO
V_FB
PIN
R4
V_MASTER
R1
TO
TK/SS
PIN
R2
V_OUT
R3
TO
V_FB
PIN
R4
(4a) Coincident Tracking Setup
3851A1 F04
(4b) Ratiometric Tracking Setup
Figure 4. Setup for Coincident and Ratiometric Tracking
TK/SS
0.8V
V_FB
I
I
+
D1 D2
EA
–
D3
3851A1 F05
Figure 5. Equivalent Input Circuit of Error Amplifier
the equivalent reference voltage and an additional diode
is used to match the shifted common mode voltage. The
top two current sources are of the same amplitude. In the
coincident mode, the TK/SS voltage is substantially higher
than 0.8V at steady state and effectively turns off D1. D2
and D3 will therefore conduct the same current and offer
tight matching between V_FB and the internal precision
0.8V reference. In the ratiometric mode, however, TK/SS
equals 0.8V at steady state. D1 will divert part of the bias
current to make V_FB slightly lower than 0.8V.
Although this error is minimized by the exponential I-V
characteristic of the diode, it does impose a finite amount
of output voltage deviation. Furthermore, when the master
supply’s output experiences dynamic excursion (under
load transient, for example), the slave channel output will
be affected as well. For better output regulation, use the
coincident tracking mode instead of ratiometric.
INTV_CC Regulator
The LTC3851A-1 features a PMOS low dropout linear
regula­tor (LDO) that supplies power to INTV_CC from the
V_IN supply. INTV_CC powers the gate drivers and much of
the LTC3851A-1 ’s internal circuitry. The LDO regulates
the voltage at the INTV_CC pin to 5V.
The LDO can supply a peak current of 50mA and must
be bypassed to ground with a minimum of 2.2μF ceramic
capacitor or low ESR electrolytic capacitor. No matter
what type of bulk capacit­or is used, an additional 0.1μF
ceramic capacitor placed directly adjacent to the INTV_CC
and GND pins is highly recommended. Good bypassing
is needed to supply the high transient currents required
by the MOSFET gate drivers.
High input voltage applications in which large MOSFETs
are being driven at high frequencies may cause the maxi­
mum junction temperature rating for the LTC3851A-1 to
be exceeded. The INTV_CC current, which is dominated by
the gate charge current, is supplied by the 5V LDO.
Power dissipation for the IC in this case is highest and
is approximately equal to V_IN • I_INTVCC. The gate charge
current is dependent on operating frequency as discussed
in the Efficiency Considerations section. The junction tem-
perature can be estimated by using the equa­tions given in
Note 3 of the Electrical Characteristics. For example, the
LTC3851A-1 INTV_CC current is limited to less than 17mA
from a 36V supply in the GN package:
T_J = 70°C + (17mA)(36V)(90°C/W) = 125°C
To prevent the maximum junction temperature from being
exceeded, the input supply current must be checked while
operating in continuous conduction mode (MODE/PLLIN
= INTV_CC) at maximum V_IN.
Topside MOSFET Driver Supply (C_B, D_B)
An external bootstrap capacitor, C_B, connected to the
BOOST pin supplies the gate drive voltage for the topside
MOSFET. Capacitor C_B in the Functional Diagram is charged
though external diode D_B from INTV_CC when the SW pin
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