MIC2198 Datasheet, PDF (8/15 Pages) Micrel Semiconductor – 500kHz 4mm × 4mm Synchronous Buck Controller

MIC2198
Current Limit
The MIC2198 output current is detected by the voltage drop
across the external current-sense resistor (R_CS in Figure 2.).
The current limit threshold is 75mV±20mV. The current-
sense resistor must be sized using the minimum current limit
threshold. The external components must be designed to
withstand the maximum current limit. The current-sense
resistor value is calculated by the equation below:
R_CS
=
55mV
I_OUT(max)
The maximum output current is:
I_OUT(max)=
95mV
R_CS
The current-sense pins CSH (pin 4) and V_OUT (pin 5) are
noise sensitive due to the low signal level and high input
impedance. The PCB traces should be short and routed close
to each other. A small (1nF to 0.1µF) capacitor across the
pins will attenuate high frequency switching noise.
When the peak inductor current exceeds the current limit
threshold, the current limit comparator, in Figure 2, turns off
the high-side MOSFET for the remainder of the cycle. The
output voltage drops as additional load current is pulled from
the converter. When the output voltage reaches approxi-
mately 0.4V, the circuit enters frequency-foldback mode and
the oscillator frequency will drop to 125kHz while maintaining
the peak inductor current equal to the nominal 75mV across
the external current-sense resistor. This limits the maximum
output power delivered to the load under a short circuit
condition.
Reference, Enable and UVLO Circuits
The output drivers are enabled when the following conditions
are satisfied:
• The V_DD voltage (pin 7) is greater than its under-
voltage threshold (typically 4.25V).
• The voltage on the enable pin is greater than the
enable UVLO threshold (typically 2.5V).
The internal bias circuit generates a 0.8V bandgap reference
voltage for the voltage error amplifier and a 5V V_DD voltage
for the gate drive circuit. The MIC2198 uses FB (pin 3) for
output voltage sensing.
The enable pin (pin 2) has two threshold levels, allowing the
MIC2198 to shut down in a low current mode, or turn off output
switching in UVLO mode. An enable pin voltage lower than
the shutdown threshold turns off all the internal circuitry and
reduces the input current to typically 0.1µA.
If the enable pin voltage is between the shutdown and UVLO
thresholds, the internal bias, V_DD, and reference voltages are
turned on. The output drivers are inhibited from switching and
remain in a low state. Raising the enable voltage above the
UVLO threshold of 2.5V enables the output drivers.
Either of two UVLO conditions will disable the MIC2198 from
switching.
• When the V_DD drops below 4.1V
• When the enable pin drops below the 2.5V threshold
Micrel
MOSFET Gate Drive
The MIC2198 high-side drive circuit is designed to switch an
N-Channel MOSFET. Referring to the block diagram in
Figure 2, a bootstrap circuit, consisting of D2 and C_BST,
supplies energy to the high-side drive circuit. Capacitor C_BST
is charged while the low-side MOSFET is on and the voltage
on the V_SW pin (pin 11) is approximately 0V. When the high-
side MOSFET driver is turned on, energy from C_BST is used
to turn the MOSFET on. As the MOSFET turns on, the voltage
on the V_SW pin increases to approximately V_IN. Diode D2 is
reversed biased and C_BST floats high while continuing to
keep the high-side MOSFET on. When the low-side switch is
turned back on, C_BST is recharged through D2.
The drive voltage is derived from the internal 5V V_DD bias
supply. The nominal low-side gate drive voltage is 5V and the
nominal high-side gate drive voltage is approximately 4.5V
due the voltage drop across D2. A fixed 80ns delay between
the high- and low-side driver transitions is used to prevent
current from simultaneously flowing unimpeded through both
MOSFETs.
Oscillator
The internal oscillator is free running and requires no external
components. The nominal oscillator frequency is 500kHz. If
the output voltage is below approximately 0.4V, the oscillator
operates in a frequency-foldback mode and the switching
frequency is reduced to 125kHz.
f_S = 125kHz f_S = 500kHz
V_OUT = 0.4V
V_IN = 7V
V_OUT = 3.3V
TIME
Figure 4. Startup Waveform
Above 0.4V, the switching frequency increases to 500kHz
causing the output voltage to rise a greater rate. The rise time
of the output is dependent on the output capacitance, output
voltage, and load current. The oscilloscope photo in Figure 4
show the output voltage at startup.
MIC2198
8
November 2004