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LTC3858-1 Datasheet, PDF (21/38 Pages) Linear Technology – Low IQ, Dual 2-Phase Synchronous Step-Down Controller
LTC3858-1
Applications Information
1. EXTVCC Left Open (or Grounded). This will cause INTVCC
to be powered from the internal 5.1V regulator result-
ing in an efficiency penalty of up to 10% at high input
voltages.
2. EXTVCC Connected Directly to VOUT . This is the normal
connection for a 5V to 14V regulator and provides the
highest efficiency.
3. EXTVCC Connected to an External Supply. If an external
supply is available in the 5V to 14V range, it may be
used to power EXTVCC. Ensure that EXTVCC < VIN.
4. EXTVCC Connected to an Output-Derived Boost Network.
For 3.3V and other low voltage regulators, efficiency
gains can still be realized by connecting EXTVCC to an
output-derived voltage that has been boosted to greater
than 4.7V. This can be done with the capacitive charge
pump shown in Figure 8. Ensure that EXTVCC < VIN.
CIN
VIN
MTOP
TG1
1/2 LTC3858-1
EXTVCC
SW
MBOT
BG1
VIN
BAT85
VN2222LL
L
RSENSE
D
BAT85
BAT85
VOUT
COUT
PGND
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Figure 8. Capacitive Charge Pump for EXTVCC
on, the boost voltage is above the input supply: VBOOST =
VIN + VINTVCC. The value of the boost capacitor, CB, needs
to be 100 times that of the total input capacitance of the
topside MOSFET(s). The reverse breakdown of the external
Schottky diode must be greater than VIN(MAX).
When adjusting the gate drive level, the final arbiter is the
total input current for the regulator. If a change is made
and the input current decreases, then the efficiency has
improved. If there is no change in input current, then there
is no change in efficiency.
Fault Conditions: Current Limit and Current Foldback
When the output current hits the current limit, the output
voltage begins to drop. If the output falls below 70% of its
nominal output level, then the maximum sense voltage is
progressively lowered to about one-half of its maximum
selected value. Under short-circuit conditions with very
low duty cycles, the LTC3858-1 will begin cycle skipping
in order to limit the short-circuit current. In this situation
the bottom MOSFET will be dissipating most of the power
but less than in normal operation. The short-circuit ripple
current is determined by the minimum on-time, tON(MIN),
of the LTC3858-1 (≈90ns), the input voltage and inductor
value:
ΔIL(SC)
=
tON(MIN)



VIN
L



The resulting average short-circuit current is:
ISC
=
50% • ILIM(MAX)
RSENSE
–
1
2
∆IL(SC)
Topside MOSFET Driver Supply (CB, DB)
External bootstrap capacitors, CB, connected to the BOOST
pins supply the gate drive voltages for the topside MOSFETs.
Capacitor CB in the Functional Diagram is charged though
external diode DB from INTVCC when the SW pin is low.
When one of the topside MOSFETs is to be turned on, the
driver places the CB voltage across the gate-source of the
desired MOSFET. This enhances the MOSFET and turns on
the topside switch. The switch node voltage, SW, rises to
VIN and the BOOST pin follows. With the topside MOSFET
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 control-
ler is operating.
A comparator monitors the output for overvoltage condi-
tions. The comparator detects faults greater than 10%
above the nominal output voltage. When this condition
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