LTC3899_15 Datasheet, PDF (31/38 Pages) Linear Technology – 60V Low IQ, Triple Output, Buck/Buck/Boost Synchronous Controller

LTC3899
Applications Information
mode the average output current flows through L and
R_SENSE, but is chopped between the topside MOSFET
and the synchronous MOSFET. If the two MOSFETs
have approximately the same R_DS(ON), then the resis-
tance of one MOSFET can simply be summed with the
resistances of L, R_SENSE and ESR to obtain I²R losses.
For example, if each R_DS(ON) = 30mΩ, R_L = 50mΩ,
R_SENSE = 10mΩ and R_ESR = 40mΩ (sum of both input
and output capacitance losses), then the total resistance
is 130mΩ. This results in losses ranging from 3% to
13% as the output current increases from 1A to 5A for
a 5V output, or a 4% to 20% loss for a 3.3V output.
Efficiency varies as the inverse square of V_OUT for the
same external components and output power level. The
combined effects of increasingly lower output voltages
and higher currents required by high performance digital
systems is not doubling but quadrupling the importance
of loss terms in the switching regulator system!
4. Transition losses apply only to the top MOSFET(s) (bot-
tom MOSFET for the boost), and become significant
only when operating at high input (output for the boost)
voltages (typically 20V or greater). Transition losses can
be estimated from:
Transition Loss = (1.7) • V_IN • 2 • I_O(MAX) • C_RSS • f
Other hidden losses such as copper trace and internal
battery resistances can account for an additional 5%
to 10% efficiency degradation in portable systems. It
is very important to include these system level losses
during the design phase. The internal battery and fuse
resistance losses can be minimized by making sure that
C_IN has adequate charge storage and very low ESR at
the switching frequency. A 25W supply will typically
require a minimum of 20μF to 40μF of capacitance
having a maximum of 20mΩ to 50mΩ of ESR. Other
losses including Schottky conduction losses during
dead-time and inductor core losses generally account
for less than 2% total additional loss.
Checking Transient Response
The regulator loop response can be checked by looking at
the load current transient response. Switching regulators
take several cycles to respond to a step in DC (resistive)
load current. When a load step occurs, V_OUT shifts by an
amount equal to ∆I_LOAD(ESR), where ESR is the effective
series resistance of C_OUT. ∆I_LOAD also begins to charge or
discharge C_OUT generating the feedback error signal that
forces the regulator to adapt to the current change and
return V_OUT to its steady-state value. During this recov-
ery time V_OUT can be monitored for excessive overshoot
or ringing, which would indicate a stability problem.
OPTI-LOOP compensation allows the transient response to
be optimized over a wide range of output capacitance and
ESR values. The availability of the ITH pin not only allows
optimization of control loop behavior, but it also provides
a DC-coupled and AC-filtered closed-loop response test
point. The DC step, rise time and settling at this test
point truly reflects the closed-loop response. Assuming
a predominantly second order system, phase margin and/
or damping factor can be estimated using the percentage
of overshoot seen at this pin. The bandwidth can also
be estimated by examining the rise time at the pin. The
ITH external components shown in Figure 12 circuit will
provide an adequate starting point for most applications.
The ITH series R_C-C_C filter sets the dominant pole-zero
loop compensation. The values can be modified slightly
to optimize transient response once the final PC layout is
done and the particular output capacitor type and value
have been determined. The output capacitors need to be
selected because the various types and values determine
the loop gain and phase. An output current pulse of 20%
to 80% of full-load current having a rise time of 1μs to
10μs will produce output voltage and ITH pin waveforms
that will give a sense of the overall loop stability without
breaking the feedback loop.
Placing a power MOSFET directly across the output ca-
pacitor and driving the gate with an appropriate signal
generator is a practical way to produce a realistic load step
condition. The initial output voltage step resulting from
the step change in output current may not be within the
bandwidth of the feedback loop, so this signal cannot be
used to determine phase margin. This is why it is better
to look at the ITH pin signal which is in the feedback loop
and is the filtered and compensated control loop response.
The gain of the loop will be increased by increasing R_C
and the bandwidth of the loop will be increased by de-
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