LTC1628_15 Datasheet, PDF (21/32 Pages) Linear Technology – High Efficiency, 2-Phase Synchronous Step-Down Switching Regulators

LTC1628/LTC1628-PG
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
Fault Conditions: Overvoltage Protection (Crowbar)
The overvoltage crowbar is designed to blow a system
input fuse when the output voltage of the regulator rises
much higher than nominal levels. The crowbar causes
huge currents to flow, that blow the fuse to protect against
a shorted top MOSFET if the short occurs while the
controller is operating.
A comparator monitors the output for overvoltage condi-
tions. The comparator (OV) detects overvoltage faults
greater than 7.5% above the nominal output voltage.
When this condition is sensed, the top MOSFET is turned
off and the bottom MOSFET is turned on until the overvolt-
age condition is cleared. The output of this comparator is
only latched by the overvoltage condition itself and will
therefore allow a switching regulator system having a poor
PC layout to function while the design is being debugged.
The bottom MOSFET remains on continuously for as long
as the OV condition persists; if V_OUT returns to a safe level,
normal operation automatically resumes. A shorted top
MOSFET will result in a high current condition which will
open the system fuse. The switching regulator will regu-
late properly with a leaky top MOSFET by altering the duty
cycle to accommodate the leakage.
The Standby Mode (STBYMD) Pin Function
The Standby Mode (STBYMD) pin provides several choices
for start-up and standby operational modes. If the pin is
pulled to ground, the RUN/SS pins for both controllers are
internally pulled to ground, preventing start-up and thereby
providing a single control pin for turning off both control-
lers at once. If the pin is left open or decoupled with a
capacitor to ground, the RUN/SS pins are each internally
provided with a starting current enabling external control
for turning on each controller independently. If the pin is
provided with a current of >3µA at a voltage greater than
2V, both internal linear regulators (INTV_CC and 3.3V) will
be on even when both controllers are shut down. In this
mode, the onboard 3.3V and 5V linear regulators can
provide power to keep-alive functions such as a keyboard
controller. This pin can also be used as a latching “on” and/
or latching “off” power switch if so designed.
Frequency of Operation
The LTC1628 has an internal voltage controlled oscillator.
The frequency of this oscillator can be varied over a 2 to 1
range. The pin is internally self-biased at 1.19V, resulting
in a free-running frequency of approximately 220kHz. The
FREQSET pin can be grounded to lower this frequency to
approximately 140kHz or tied to the INTV_CC pin to yield
approximately 310kHz. The FREQSET pin may be driven
with a voltage from 0 to INTV_CC to fix or modulate the
oscillator frequency as shown in Figure 5.
Minimum On-Time Considerations
Minimum on-time t_ON(MIN) is the smallest time duration
that the LTC1628 is capable of turning on the top MOSFET.
It is determined by internal timing delays and the gate
charge required to turn on the top MOSFET. Low duty cycle
applications may approach this minimum on-time limit
and care should be taken to ensure that
t_ON(MIN)
<
V_OUT
V_IN(f)
If the duty cycle falls below what can be accommodated by
the minimum on-time, the LTC1628 will begin to skip
cycles. The output voltage will continue to be regulated,
but the ripple voltage and current will increase.
The minimum on-time for the LTC1628 is generally less
than 200ns. However, as the peak sense voltage decreases
the minimum on-time gradually increases up to about
300ns. This is of particular concern in forced continuous
applications with low ripple current at light loads. If the
duty cycle drops below the minimum on-time limit in this
situation, a significant amount of cycle skipping can occur
with correspondingly larger current and voltage ripple.
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