NSC LM27241MTC

LM27241
Synchronous Buck Regulator Controller for Mobile
Systems
General Description
Features
The LM27241 is an adjustable 200kHz-500kHz single channel voltage-mode controlled high-speed synchronous buck
regulator controller. It is ideally suited for battery powered
applications such as laptop and notebook computers. The
LM27241 requires only N-channel FETs for both the upper
and lower positions of the synchronous stage. It features line
feedforward to improve the response to input transients. At
very light loads, the user can choose between the highefficiency Pulse-skip mode or the constant frequency
Forced-PWM mode. Lossless current limiting without the use
of external sense resistor is made possible by sensing the
voltage drop across the bottom FET. A unique adaptive duty
cycle clamping technique is incorporated to significantly reduce peak currents under abnormal load conditions. The
input voltage range is 5.5V to 28V while the output voltage is
adjustable down to 0.6V.
Standard supervisory and control features include soft-start,
power good, output under-voltage and over-voltage protection, under-voltage lockout, soft-shutdown and enable.
n
n
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n
n
n
n
n
n
n
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Input voltage range from 5.5V to 28V
Forced-PWM or Pulse-skip modes
Lossless bottom-side FET current sensing
Adaptive duty cycle clamping
High current N-channel FET drivers
Low shutdown supply currents
Reference voltage accurate to within ± 1.5%
Output voltage adjustable down to 0.6V
Power Good flag and Chip Enable
Under-voltage lockout
Over-voltage/Under-voltage protection
Soft-start and Soft-shutdown
Switching frequency adjustable 200kHz-500kHz
Applications
n Notebook Chipset Power Supplies
n Low Output Voltage High Efficiency Buck Regulators
Typical Application
See Figure 17 for Expanded View
20120104
© 2005 National Semiconductor Corporation
DS201201
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LM27241 Synchronous Buck Regulator Controller for Mobile Systems
May 2005
LM27241
Connection Diagram
20120102
Top View
20-Lead TSSOP (MTC)
Ordering Information
Order Number
Package Drawing
LM27241MTC
MTC20
73 Units/Rail
LM27241MTCX
MTC20
2500 Units/13" Reel
current discharges the Soft-start capacitor and forces the
duty cycle low to protect the power components. When a
fault condition is asserted (See Pin 9) the SS pin is internally
connected to ground via the 1.8 kΩ resistor.
Pin 3, FREQ: Frequency adjust pin. The switching frequency
is set by a resistor connected between this pin and ground.
A value of 22.1kΩ sets the frequency to 300kHz (nominal). If
the resistance is increased, the switching frequency decreases. An approximate relationship is that for every 7.3kΩ
increase or decrease in the value of the frequency set resistor, the total switching period increases or decreases by 1µs.
Pin 4, SGND: Signal Ground pin. This is the lower rail for the
control and logic sections. SGND should be connected on
the PCB to the system ground, which in turn is connected to
PGND. The layout is important and the recommendations in
the section Layout Guidelines should be followed.
Pin 5, EN: IC Enable pin. When EN is taken high, the output
is enabled by means of a Soft-start power-up sequence.
When EN is brought low, Power Not Good is signaled within
100ns. This causes Soft-shutdown to occur (see Pins 2 and
6). The Soft-start capacitor is then discharged by an internal
1.8kΩ resistor (RSS_DCHG, see Electrical Characteristics
table). When the Enable pin is toggled, a fault condition is
not asserted. Therefore in this case, the lower FET is not
latched ON, even as the output voltage ramps down, eventually falling below the under-voltage threshold. In fact, in
this situation, both the upper and the lower FETs are latched
OFF, until the Enable pin is taken high again. If a fault
shutdown has occurred, taking the Enable pin low and then
high again (toggling), resets the internal latches, and the IC
will resume normal switching operation.
Pin 6, PGOOD: Power Good output pin. An open-drain logic
output that is pulled high with an external pull-up resistor,
indicating that the output voltage is within a pre-defined
Power Good window. Outside this window, the pin is internally pulled low (Power Not Good signaled) provided the
output error lasts for more than 7µs. The pin is also pulled
low within 100ns of the Enable pin being taken low, irrespec-
Pin Description
Pin 1, VDD: 5V supply rail for the control and logic sections.
For normal operation the voltage on this pin must be brought
above 4.5V. Subsequently, the voltage on this pin (including
any ripple component) should not be allowed to fall below 4V
for a duration longer than 7µs. Since this pin is also the
supply rail for the internal control sections, it should be
well-decoupled particularly at high frequencies. A minimum
0.1µF-0.47µF (ceramic) capacitor should be placed on the
component side very close to the IC with no intervening vias
between this capacitor and the VDD/SGND pins. If the voltage on Pin 1 falls below the lower UVLO threshold, upper
FET(s) are latched OFF and the lower FET(s) are latched
ON. Power Not Good is then signaled immediately (on Pin
6). To initiate recovery, the EN pin must be taken below 0.8V
and then back above 2V (with VDD held above 4.5V). Or the
voltage on the VDD pin must be taken below 1.0V and then
back again above 4.5V (with EN pin held above 2V). Normal
operation will then resume assuming that the fault condition
has been cleared.
Pin 2, SS: Soft-start pin. A Soft-start capacitor is placed
between this pin and ground. A typical capacitance of 0.1µF
is recommended between this pin and ground. The IC connects an internal 1.8 kΩ resistor (RSS_DCHG, see Electrical
Characteristics table) between this pin and ground to discharge any remaining charge on the Soft-start capacitor
under several conditions. These conditions include the initial
power-up sequence, start-up by toggling the EN pin, and
also recovery from a fault condition. The purpose is to bring
down the voltage on the Soft-start pin to below 100mV for
obtaining reset. Reset having thus been obtained, an 11µA
current source at this pin charges up the Soft-start capacitor.
The voltage on this pin controls the maximum duty cycle,
and this produces a gradual ramp-up of the output voltage,
thereby preventing large inrush currents into the output capacitors. The voltage on this pin finally clamps close to 5V.
This pin is connected to an internal 115µA current sink
whenever a current limit event is in progress. This sink
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Supplied As
2
condition is asserted. Then lower FET is latched ON and the
upper FET is latched OFF.
Pin 10, SENSE: Output voltage sense pin. It is tied directly
to the output rail. The SENSE pin voltage is used together
with the VIN voltage (on Pin 18) to (internally) calculate the
CCM (continuous conduction mode) duty cycle. This calculation is used by the IC to set the minimum duty cycle in the
SKIP mode to 85% of the CCM value. It is also used to set
the adaptive duty cycle clamp. An internal 20Ω resistor from
the SENSE pin to ground discharges the output capacitor
gently (Soft-shutdown) whenever Power Not Good is signaled on Pin 6.
Pin 11, ILIM: Current Limit pin. When the bottom FET is ON,
a 62µA (typical) current flows out of the ILIM pin and into an
external resistor that is connected to the drain of the lower
MOSFET. This current through the resistor creates a voltage
on the ILIM pin. However, the drain voltage of the lower
MOSFET will go more negative as the load current is increased through the RDS_ON of the MOSFET. At some value
of instantaneous current, the voltage on this pin will transit
from positive to negative. The point where it is zero is the
current limiting condition and is detected by the Current Limit
Comparator. When a current limit condition has been detected, the next ON-pulse of the upper FET will be omitted.
The lower FET will again be monitored to determine if the
current has fallen below the threshold. If it has, the next
ON-pulse will be permitted. If not, the upper FET will be
turned OFF and will stay so for several cycles if necessary,
until the current returns to normal. Eventually, if the overcurrent condition persists, and the upper FET has not been
turned ON, the output will clearly start to fall. Ultimately the
output will fall below the under-voltage threshold, and a fault
condition will be asserted by the IC.
(Continued)
tive of the output voltage level. PGOOD must always first be
"high" before it can respond to a proper fault "low" condition.
Under fault assertion, the low-side MOSFET is always
latched ON. This will not happen if regulation has not already
been achieved.
Pin 7, FPWM: Logic input for selecting either the Forced
PWM (FPWM) Mode or Pulse-skip Mode (SKIP). When the
pin is driven high, the IC operates in the FPWM mode, and
when pulled low or left floating, the SKIP mode is enabled. In
FPWM mode, the lower FET is always ON whenever the
upper FET is OFF (except for a narrow shoot-through protection deadband). This leads to continuous conduction
mode of operation, which has a fixed frequency and (almost)
fixed duty cycle down to very light loads. But this does
reduce efficiency at light loads. The alternative mode is SKIP
mode. This mode forces the lower MOSFET ON only until
the voltage on the Switch pin is more negative than 2.2mV
(typical). As an example, for a 21mΩ FET, this translates to
a current threshold of 2.2mV/21mΩ = 0.1A. Therefore, if the
(instantaneous) inductor current falls below this value, the
lower FET will turn OFF every cycle at this point (when
operated in SKIP mode). This threshold is set by the zerocross Comparator in the Block Diagram. Note that if the
inductor current is high enough to be always above this
zero-cross threshold (VSW_ZERO, see Electrical Characteristics table), there will be no observable difference between
FPWM and SKIP mode settings (in steady-state). SKIP
mode is clearly a discontinuous mode of operation. However, in conventional discontinuous mode, the duty cycle
keeps falling (towards zero) as the load decreases. But the
LM27241 does not allow the duty cycle to fall by more than
15% of its original value (at the CCM-DCM boundary). This
forces pulse-skipping, and the average frequency is effectively decreased as the load decreases. This mode of operation improves efficiency at light loads, but the frequency is
effectively no longer a constant. Note that a minimum preload of 0.1mA should be maintained on the output to ensure
regulation in SKIP mode. The resistive divider from output to
ground used to set the output voltage could be designed to
serve as part or all of this required pre-load.
Pin 8, COMP: Compensation pin. This is also the output of
the error amplifier. The voltage level on this pin is compared
with an internally generated ramp signal to set the duty cycle
for normal regulation. Since the Feedback pin is the inverting
input of the same error amplifier, appropriate control loop
compensation components are placed between this pin and
the Feedback pin. The COMP pin is internally pulled low
during Soft-start so as to limit the duty cycle. Once Soft-start
is completed, the voltage on this pin can take up the value
required to maintain output regulation. An internal voltage
clamp at this pin forms an adaptive duty cycle clamp feature.
This serves to limit the maximum allowable duty cycles and
peak currents under sudden overloads. But at the same time
it has enough headroom to permit an adequate response to
step loads within the normal operating range.
Pin 9, FB: Feedback pin. This is the inverting input of the
error amplifier. The voltage on this pin under regulation is
nominally at 0.6V. A Power Good window on this pin determines if the output voltage is within regulation limits ( ± 13%).
If the voltage falls outside this window for more than 7µs,
Power Not Good is signaled on the PGOOD pin (Pin 6).
Output over-voltage and under-voltage conditions are also
detected by comparing the voltage on the Feedback pin with
appropriate internal reference voltage levels. If the voltage
exceeds the safe window ( ± 30%) for longer than 7µs, a fault
Pin 12, SW: The Switching node of the buck regulator. Also
serves as the lower rail of the floating driver of the upper
FET.
Pin 13, HDRV: Gate drive pin for the upper FET. The top
gate driver is interlocked with the bottom gate driver to
prevent shoot-through/cross-conduction.
Pin 14, BOOT: Bootstrap pin. This is the upper supply rail for
the floating driver of the upper FET. It is bootstrapped by
means of a ceramic capacitor connected to the channel
Switching node. This capacitor is charged up by the IC to a
value of about 5V as derived from the V5 pin (Pin 17).
Pin 15, PGND: Power Ground pin. This is the return path for
the bottom FET gate drive. The PGND is to be connected on
the PCB to the system ground and also to the Signal ground
(Pin 4) in accordance with the recommended Layout Guidelines .
Pin 16, LDRV: Gate drive pin for the bottom FET (Low-side
drive). The bottom gate driver is interlocked with the top gate
driver to prevent shoot-through/cross-conduction. It is always latched high when a fault condition is asserted by the
IC.
Pin 17, V5: Upper rail of the lower FET driver. Also used to
charge up the bootstrap capacitor of the upper FET driver.
This is connected to an external 5V supply. The 5V rail may
be the same as the rail used to provide power to the VDD pin
(Pin 1), but the VDD pin will then require to be welldecoupled so that it does not interact with the V5 pin. A
low-pass RC filter consisting of a ceramic 0.1µF capacitor
(preferably 0.22µF) and a 10Ω resistor will suffice as shown
in the Typical Applications circuit.
Pin 18, VIN: The input to the Buck regulator power stage. It
is also used by the internal ramp generator to implement the
3
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LM27241
Pin Description
LM27241
Pin Description
lowed DCM duty cycle to 85% of the CCM value. This is a
high input impedance pin, drawing only about 100µA (typical) from the input rail.
(Continued)
line feedforward feature. The VIN pin is also used with the
SENSE pin voltage to predict the CCM (continuous conduction mode) duty cycle and to thereby set the minimum al-
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Pin 19, 20 NC: No Connect.
4
Junction Temperature
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required,
please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/
Distributors for availability and specifications.
ESD Rating (Note 4)
Voltages from the indicated pins to SGND/PGND unless
otherwise indicated (Note 2):
Soldering Dwell Time,
Temperature
Wave
Infrared
Vapor Phase
VIN
-0.3V to 30V
V5
-0.3V to 7V
VDD
2kV
Ambient Storage Temperature
Range
-0.3V to 7V
BOOT
+150˚C
-65˚C to +150˚C
4 sec, 260˚C
10 sec, 240˚C
75 sec, 219˚C
-0.3V to 36V
BOOT to SW
Operating Ratings (Note 1)
-0.3V to 7V
SW
-0.3V to 30V
ILIM
-0.3V to 30V
SENSE, FB
-0.3V to 7V
PGOOD
-0.3V to 7V
EN
-0.3V to 7V
Power Dissipation (TA = 25˚C)
(Note 3)
VIN
5.5V to 28V
VDD, V5
4.5V to 5.5V
Junction Temperature
-5˚C to +125˚C
0.75W
Electrical Characteristics
Specifications with standard typeface are for TJ = 25˚C, and those with boldface apply over full Operating Junction Temperature range. VDD = V5 = 5V, VSGND = VPGND = 0V, VIN = 15V, VEN = 3V, RFADJ = 22.1K unless otherwise stated (Note 5).
Datasheet min/max specification limits are guaranteed by design, test, or statistical analysis.
Symbol
Parameter
Conditions
Min
Typical
(Note 7)
Max
Units
591
600
609
mV
nA
Reference
VFB_REG
FB Pin Voltage at
Regualtion
VDD = 4.5V to 5.5V,
VIN = 5.5V to 28V
VFB_LINE REG
VFB Line Regulation
VDD = 4.5V to 5.5V,
VIN = 5.5V to 28V
0.5
IFB
FB Pin Current (sourcing)
VFB at regulation
20
100
Chip Supply
IQ_VIN
VIN Quiescent Current
VFB = 0.7V
100
200
µA
ISD_VIN
VIN Shutdown Current
VEN = 0V
0
5
µA
IQ_VDD
VDD Quiescent Current
VFB= 0.7V
1.75
3
mA
ISD_VDD
VDD Shutdown Current
VEN = 0V
8
15
µA
IQ_V5
V5 Normal Operating
Current
VFB = 0.7V
0.3
0.5
mA
VFB = 0.5V
0.5
1.25
ISD_V5
V5 Shutdown Current
VEN = 0V
0
5
µA
IQ_BOOT
BOOT Quiescent Current
VFB = 0.7V
2
5
µA
VFB = 0.5V
300
500
ISD_BOOT
BOOT Shutdown Current
VEN = 0V
1
5
VDD_UVLO
VDD UVLO Threshold
VDD rising from 0V
3.9
4.2
4.5
V
HYSVDD_UVLO
VDD UVLO Hysteresis
VDD = V5 falling from
VDD_UVLO
0.5
0.7
0.9
V
VEN = 0 to 5V
2
1.8
µA
Logic
IEN
EN Input Current
VEN_HI
EN Input Logic High
VEN_LO
EN Input Logic Low
RFPWM
FPWM Pull-down
VFPWM_HI
FPWM Input Logic High
VFPWM_LO
FPWM Input Logic Low
VFPWM = 2V
0
V
1.3
0.8
V
100
200
1000
kΩ
2
1.8
1.3
5
µA
V
0.8
V
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LM27241
Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
LM27241
Electrical Characteristics
(Continued)
Specifications with standard typeface are for TJ = 25˚C, and those with boldface apply over full Operating Junction Temperature range. VDD = V5 = 5V, VSGND = VPGND = 0V, VIN = 15V, VEN = 3V, RFADJ = 22.1K unless otherwise stated (Note 5).
Datasheet min/max specification limits are guaranteed by design, test, or statistical analysis.
Symbol
Parameter
Conditions
Min
Typical
(Note 7)
Max
Units
Power Good
VPGOOD_HI
Power Good Upper
Threshold as a Percentage
of Internal Reference
FB voltage rising above
VFB_REG
110
113
116
%
VPGOOD_LOW
Power Good Lower
Threshold as a Percentage
of Internal Reference
FB voltage falling below
VFB_REG
84
87
90
%
HYSPGOOD
Power Good Hysteresis
∆tPG_OK
Power Good Delay
From output voltage “good”
to PGOOD assertion.
10
20
30
µs
∆tPG_NOK
From the output voltage
“bad” to PGOOD
de-assertion
4
7
10
∆tSD
From Enable low to PGOOD
low
0.03
0.1
7
%
VPGND_SAT
PGOOD Saturation Voltage
PGOOD de-asserted (Power
Not Good) and sinking
1.5mA
0.12
0.4
V
IPGOOD_LEAK
PGOOD Leakage Current
PGOOD = 5V and asserted
0
1
µA
VOVP_RISING
Fault OVP Latch Threshold
as a Percentage of Internal
Reference
FB voltage rising above
VFB_REG
125
130
135
%
VOVP_FALLING
Fault UVP Latch Threshold
as a Percentage of Internal
Reference
FB voltage falling below
VFB_REG
65
70
75
%
∆tFAULT
Fault Delay
From Fault detection (any
output) to Fault assertion
ISS_CHG
Soft-start Charging Current
VSS = 1V
RSS_DCHG
Soft-shutdown Resistance
(SS pin to SGND)
VEN = 0V, VSS = 1V
ISS_DCHG
Soft-start Discharge
Current
In Current Limit
VSS_RESET
Soft-start pin reset voltage
(Note 6)
SS charged to 0.5V, EN low
to high
100
mV
VOS
SS to COMP Offset
Voltage
VSS = 0.5V and 1V, VFB =
0V
600
mV
70
dB
COMP rising
4.45
V/µs
COMP falling
2.25
OV and UV Protection
7
µs
Soft-start
8
11
14
Ω
1800
80
115
µA
160
µA
Error Amplifier
GAIN
DC Gain
VSLEW
Voltage Slew Rate
BW
Unity Gain Bandwidth
6.5
MHz
ICOMP_SOURCE
COMP Source Current
VFB < VFB_REG
VCOMP = 0.5V
2
5
mA
ICOMP_SINK
COMP Sink Current
VFB > VFB_REG
VCOMP = 0.5V
7
14
mA
Current Limit and Zero-Cross
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6
(Continued)
Specifications with standard typeface are for TJ = 25˚C, and those with boldface apply over full Operating Junction Temperature range. VDD = V5 = 5V, VSGND = VPGND = 0V, VIN = 15V, VEN = 3V, RFADJ = 22.1K unless otherwise stated (Note 5).
Datasheet min/max specification limits are guaranteed by design, test, or statistical analysis.
Symbol
Parameter
Conditions
IILIM
ILIM Pin Current (sourcing)
VILIM = 0V
VILIM_TH
IILIM Threshold Voltage
VSW_ZERO
Zero-cross Threshold (SW
Pin)
LDRV goes low
PWM Frequency
RFADJ = 22.1kΩ
Min
Typical
(Note 7)
Max
Units
46
62
76
µA
0
10
-10
-2.2
mV
mV
Oscillator
FOSC
255
300
RFADJ = 12.4kΩ
500
RFADJ = 30.9kΩ
200
VIN = 15V
1.6
VIN = 24V
2.95
345
kHz
VRAMP
PWM Ramp Peak-to-peak
Amplitude
VVALLEY
PWM Ramp Valley
0.8
V
∆FOSC_VIN
Frequency Change with
VIN
VIN = 5.5V to 24V
±1
%
∆FOSC_VDD
Frequency Change with
VDD
VDD = 4.5V to 5.5V
±2
%
VFREQ_VIN
FREQ Pin Voltage vs. VIN
0.105
V/V
30
ns
V
System
tON_MIN
Minimum ON Time
VFPWM = 3V
DMAX
Maximum Duty Cycle
VIN = 5.5V
60
75
%
VIN = 15V
40
50
%
VIN = 28V, VDD= 4.5V
22
28
%
Gate Drivers
RHDRV_SOURCE
HDRV Source Impedance
HDRV Pin Current
(sourcing)= 1.2A
7
Ω
RHDRV_SINK
HDRV Sink Impedance
HDRV Pin Current (sinking)
= 1A
2
Ω
RLDRV_SOURCE
LDRV Source Impedance
LDRV Pin Current (sourcing)
= 1.2A
7
Ω
RLDRV_SINK
LDRV Sink Impedance
LDRV Pin Current (sinking)
= 2A
1
Ω
tDEAD
Cross-conduction
Protection Delay
(deadtime)
HDRV Falling to LDRV
Rising
40
ns
LDRV Falling to HDRV
Rising
70
Note 1: Absolute maximum ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Operating Ratings are conditions under which operation of the
device is guaranteed. For guaranteed performance limits and associated test conditions, see the Electrical Characteristics table.
Note 2: PGND and SGND are all electrically connected together on the PCB.
Note 3: The maximum allowable power dissipation is calculated by using PDmax = (TJMAX - TA) /θJA , where TJMAX is the maximum junction temperature, TA is the
ambient temperature, and θJA is the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of the specified package. The 0.75W rating of the TSSOP-20 package for example results
from using 125˚C, 25˚C, and 118˚C/W for TJMAX, TA, and θJA respectively. The rated power dissipation should be derated by 10mW/˚C above 25˚C ambient for the
TSSOP package. The θJA value above represents the worst-case condition with no heat sinking. Heat sinking will permit more power to be dissipated at higher
ambient temperatures. For detailed information on soldering plastic TSSOP package, refer to http://www.national.com/packaging/.
Note 4: ESD is applied by the human body model, which is a 100pF capacitor discharged through a 1.5 kΩ resistor into each pin.
Note 5: RFADJ is the frequency adjust resistor between FREQ pin and Ground.
Note 6: If the LM27241 starts up with a pre-charged soft start capacitor, it will first discharge the capacitor to VSS_RESET and then begin the normal Soft-start
process.
Note 7: Typical numbers are at 25˚C and represent the most likely norm.
7
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LM27241
Electrical Characteristics
LM27241
Block Diagram
20120101
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8
Efficiency for 2.5V Output
Efficiency for 1.5V Output
20120105
20120106
Efficiency for 1.05V Output
Modulator (Plant) Gain
20120108
20120107
9
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LM27241
Typical Performance Characteristics Input Voltage is 12V, 18V, 24V (in order) starting from uppermost curve to lowermost curve in each of the Efficiency plots below.
LM27241
Operation Descriptions
GENERAL
The LM27241 is a synchronous buck controller using a
voltage-mode control topology. This topology was selected
to provide fixed-frequency PWM regulation at very low duty
cycles, in preference to current-mode control, because the
latter has inherent limitations in being able to achieve low
pulse widths due to blanking time requirements. Because of
a minimum pulse width of about 30ns for the LM27241, very
low duty cycles (low output, high input) are possible. The
main advantage of current-mode control is the fact that the
slope of its ramp (derived from the switch current), automatically increases with increase in input voltage. This leads to
improved line rejection and fast response to line variations.
In typical voltage-mode control, the ramp is derived from the
clock, not from the switch current. But by using the input
voltage together with the clock signal to generate the ramp
as in the LM27241, this advantage of current-mode control
can in fact be completely replicated. The technique is called
line feedforward. In addition, the LM27241 features a userselectable Pulse-skip mode that significantly improves efficiency at light loads by reducing switching losses, and driver
consumption, both of which are proportional to switching
frequency.
INPUT VOLTAGE FEEDFORWARD
The feedforward circuit of the LM27241 adjusts the slope of
the internal PWM ramp in proportion to the regulator input
voltage. See Figure 1 for an illustration of how the duty cycle
changes as a result of the change in the slope of the ramp,
even though the error amplifier output has not had time to
react to the line disturbance. The almost instantaneous duty
cycle correction provided by the feedforward circuit significantly improves line transient rejection.
20120109
FIGURE 1. Voltage Feedforward
FORCED-PWM MODE AND PULSE-SKIP MODE
Forced-PWM mode (FPWM) leads to Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) even at very light loads. It is one of two
user-selectable modes of operation provided by the
LM27241. When FPWM is chosen (FPWM pin high), the
bottom FET will always be turned ON whenever the top FET
is OFF. See Figure 2 for a typical FPWM plot.
20120110
CH1: HDRV, CH2: LDRV, CH3: SW, CH4: IL (0.2A/div)
Output 1V @ 0.04A, VIN = 10V, FPWM, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz
FIGURE 2. Normal FPWM Mode Operation at Light
Loads
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10
the FPWM mode. See Figure 3 for a typical plot of SKIP
mode at very light loads. Note the bunching of several
fixed-width pulses followed by skipped pulses. The average
frequency can actually fall very low at very light loads. Note
however that when this happens the inductor core is seeing
only very mild flux excursions, and so no significant audible
noise is created. If EMI is a particularly sensitive issue for the
particular application, the user can simply opt for the slightly
less efficient, though constant frequency FPWM mode.
(Continued)
In a conventional converter, as the load is decreased to
about 10% - 30% of maximum load current, DCM (Discontinuous Conduction Mode) occurs. In this condition the inductor current falls to zero during the OFF-time, and stays
there until the start of the next switching cycle. In this mode,
if the load is decreased further, the duty cycle decreases
(pinches off), and ultimately may decrease to the point
where the required pulse width becomes less than the minimum ON-time achievable by the converter (controller +
FETs). Then a sort of random skipping behavior occurs as
the error amplifier struggles to maintain regulation. This is
not the most desirable type of behavior. There are two
modes of operation that address this issue.
The first method is to keep the lower FET ON until the start
of the next cycle (as in the LM27241 operated in FPWM
mode). This allows the inductor current to drop to zero and
then actually reverse direction (negative direction through
inductor, passing from Drain to Source of lower FET, see
Channel 4 in Figure 2). Now the current can continue to flow
continuously till the end of the switching cycle. This maintains CCM and therefore the duty cycle does not start to
pinch off as in typical DCM. Nor does it lead to the undesirable random skipping described above. Note that the pulse
width (duty cycle) for CCM is virtually constant for any load
and therefore does not usually run into the minimum ONtime restriction. The LM27241 can exhibit skip pulsing in
FPWM when the Duty-Cycle is very low, and the switching
frequency is high (minimum ON-Time). Let us check the
LM27241 to rule out this remote possibility. For example,
with an input of 24V, an output of 1V, the duty cycle is 1/24 =
4.2%. This leads to a required ON-time of 0.042* 3.3 = 0.14
µs at a switching frequency of 300kHz (T=3.3 µs). Since
140ns exceeds the minimum ON-time of 30ns of the
LM27241, normal constant frequency CCM mode of operation is assured in FPWM mode, at virtually any load.
Another way out of the problematic spontaneous DCM operation is the second operating mode of the LM27241, the
Pulse-skip (SKIP) Mode. In SKIP Mode, a zero-cross detector at the SW pin turns off the bottom FET when the inductor
current decays to zero (actually at VSW_ZERO, see Electrical
Characteristics table). This would however still amount to
conventional DCM, with its associated problems at extremely light loads as described earlier. The LM27241 however avoids the random skipping behavior described earlier,
and replaces it with a more defined or formal SKIP mode. In
conventional DCM, a converter would try to reduce its duty
cycle from the CCM value as the load decreases, as explained previously. So it would start with the CCM duty cycle
value (at the CCM-DCM boundary), but as the load decreases, the duty cycle would try to shrink to zero. However,
in the LM27241, the DCM duty cycle is not allowed to fall
below 85% of the CCM value. So when the theoretically
required DCM duty cycle value falls below what the
LM27241 is allowed to deliver (in this mode), pulse-skipping
starts. It will be seen that several of these excess pulses may
be delivered, until the output capacitors charge up enough to
notify the error amplifier and cause its output to reverse.
Thereafter several pulses could be skipped entirely until the
output of the error amplifier again reverses. The SKIP mode
leads to a reduction in the average switching frequency.
Switching losses and FET driver losses, both of which are
proportional to switching frequency, are significantly reduced
at very light loads and efficiency is boosted. SKIP mode also
reduces the circulating currents and energy associated with
20120111
CH1: HDRV, CH2: LDRV, CH3: SW, CH4: IL (0.2A/div)
Output 1V @ 0.04A, VIN = 10V, SKIP, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz
FIGURE 3. Normal SKIP Mode Operation at Light
Loads
The SKIP mode is enabled when the FPWM pin is held low
(or left floating). Note that at higher loads, and under steady
state conditions (above CCM-DCM boundary), there will be
absolutely no difference in the behavior of the LM27241 or
the associated converter waveforms based on the voltage
applied on the FPWM pin. The differences show up only at
light loads.
Under startup, the peak current through the inductor is
higher than the steady state peak current. This is due to the
output capacitors being charged up to the regulated output
voltage. There will be no observable difference in the shape
of the ramp-up of the output rails in either SKIP mode or
FPWM mode. The design has thus forced the startup waveforms to be identical irrespective of whether the FPWM
mode or the SKIP mode has been selected.
The designer must realize that even at zero load condition,
there is circulating current when operating in FPWM mode.
This is illustrated in Figure 4. Duty cycle remains fairly constant in CCM, therefore V = L x ∆I / ∆t . It can be seen that I
(or Ipp in Figure 4) must remain constant for any load,
including zero load current. At zero load, the average current
through the inductor is zero, so the geometric center of the
sawtooth waveform (the center being always equal to load
current) is along the x-axis. At critical conduction (boundary
between conventional CCM and what should have been
DCM were it not in FPWM mode), the load current is equal to
Ipp/2. Note that excessively low values of inductance will
produce much higher current ripple and this will lead to
higher circulating currents and power dissipation.
11
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LM27241
Operation Descriptions
LM27241
Operation Descriptions
inductor could also saturate severely at this point if designed
for light loads. In general, if the designer wants to toggle the
FPWM pin while the converter is operating or if FPWM mode
is required for a light load application, the low side FET and
inductor should be closely evaluated under this specific condition. If the part is operated in FPWM mode with a light load
the user will experience lower efficiency and negative current
during the transition (as discussed). The user may also
experience a momentary drop on Vout when the transition is
made from SKIP to FPWM mode. This only occurs for no
load or very light load conditions (above the DCM boundary
there is no difference between SKIP FPWM modes).
In some cases, such as low Vout ( < 1.5V), a glitch may be
present on PGOOD. If this is problematic, the glitch may be
eliminated by either operating in SKIP mode or using a small
sized soft start capacitor. See the following section for selecting soft start capacitors .
(Continued)
20120112
FIGURE 4. Inductor Current in FPWM Mode
20120113
CH1: PGOOD, CH2: Vo, CH3: LDRV, CH4: IL (1A/div)
Output 1V @ 0A, VIN = 10V, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz
STATE-TRANSITIONS AT LIGHT LOADS
A situation can occur if the converter transitions from SKIP
mode to FPWM mode under a light load condition (converter
is operating below the DCM boundary). This can occur after
startup if FPWM mode is selected for use in a light load
condition or if the FPWM pin is toggled high during normal
operation at light load. The problem occurs because in SKIP
mode the converter is operating at a set duty cycle and a
lower average frequency. When the converter is forced into
FPWM mode, this represents a change to the system. The
pulse widths and frequencies need to re-adjust suddenly and
in the process momentary imbalances can be created. Like
the case of a pre-biased load, there can be negative surge
current passing from drain to source of the lower FET. It must
be kept in mind that though the LM27241 has current limiting
for current passing in the ‘positive’ direction (i.e. passing
from source to drain of the lower FET), there is no limit for
reverse currents. The amount of reverse current when the
FPWM pin is toggled ‘on the fly’ can be very high. This
current is determined by several factors. One key factor is
the output capacitance. Large output capacitances will lead
to higher peak reverse currents. The reverse swing will be
higher for lighter loads because of the bigger difference
between the duty cycles/average frequency in the two
modes. See Figure 5 for a plot of what happened in going
from SKIP to FPWM mode at 0A load (worst case). The peak
reverse current was as high as 3A, lasting about 0.1ms. The
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FIGURE 5. SKIP to FPWM ’On The Fly’
SOFT-START
The maximum output voltage of the error amplifier is limited
during start-up by the voltage on the 0.1µF capacitor connected between the SS pin and ground. When the controller
is enabled (by taking EN pin high) the following steps may
occur. First the SS capacitor is discharged (if it has a precharge) by a 1.8 kΩ internal resistor (RSS_DCHG, see Electrical Characteristics table). This ensures that reset is obtained. Then a charging current source ISS_CHG of 11µA is
applied at this pin to bring up the voltage of the Soft-start
capacitor voltage gradually. This causes the (maximum allowable) duty cycle to increase slowly, thereby limiting the
charging current into the output capacitor and also ensuring
that the inductor does not saturate. The Soft-start capacitor
will eventually charge up close to the 5V input rail. When EN
is pulled low the Soft-start capacitor is discharged by the
same 1.8 kΩ internal resistor and the controller is shutdown.
Now the sequence is allowed to repeat the next time EN is
taken high.
The above Soft-start sequence is actually initiated not only
whenever EN is taken high, but also under a normal
power-up or during recovery from a fault condition (more on
this later).
12
fallen out of the Power Good window (see ∆tPG_NOK in
Electrical Characteristics table). With the feedback pin voltage rising towards regulation value, there is a 20µs delay
between the output being in regulation and the signaling of
Power Good (see ∆tPG_OK in Electrical Characteristics
table). Power Not Good is signaled within 100ns of the
Enable pin being pulled low (see ∆tSD in Electrical Characteristics table), irrespective of the fact that the output could
still be in regulation. The Soft-start capacitor is also then
discharged as explained earlier.
(Continued)
As mentioned in the section ‘Forced-PWM Mode and Pulseskip Mode’ under startup, since the current is high until the
output capacitors have charged up, there will be no observable difference in the shape of the ramp-up of the output rail
in either SKIP mode or FPWM mode. The design has thus
forced the startup waveforms to be identical irrespective of
whether the FPWM mode or the SKIP mode has been
selected.
SHUTDOWN/SOFT-SHUTDOWN
When the EN pin is driven low, the LM27241 initiates shutdown by turning OFF both upper and lower FETs completely
(this occurs irrespective of FPWM or SKIP modes). See
Figure 6 for a typical shutdown plot and note that the LDRV
goes to zero (and stays there). Though not displayed, Power
Good also goes low within less than 100ns of the EN pin
going low (tSD, see Electrical Characteristics table). Therefore in this case, the controller is NOT waiting for the output
to actually fall out of the Power Good window before it
signals Power Not Good. When the part is shutdown with a
constant current load, the time taken for the output to decay
may be calculated using the equation V/t = i/C. For example,
there is a constant current 2A load applied at the output and
the charge stored on the output capacitor continues to discharge into the load. From V/t = i/C = 2A/330µF, it can be
seen that the output voltage (say 1V) will fall to zero in about
165µs.
20120191
FIGURE 7. Startup Power OK
FAULT AND RECOVERY
If the output falls outside the Power Good window, the
response is a ‘Power Not Good’ signal. The FET drive signals are not affected. But under a fault condition assertion,
LDRV goes high immediately turning the low-side FET ON
and discharging the output capacitors. The inductor current
will then invariably slew momentarily negative (passing from
drain to source of low-side FET), before it settles down to
zero. A fault will be detected when the output falls below the
Under-voltage threshold, or rises above the Over-voltage
threshold. From its detection to assertion, there is a 7µs
delay to help to prevent spurious responses. A fault condition
is also asserted during a loss of the VIN rail or the VDD rail.
If the Enable pin is brought low prior to this fault, a soft
shutdown will occur. To recover from a fault, either of the
following options is available:
1) Enable pin is toggled: i.e. taken low (below 0.8V), then
high again (2V to 5V). This must be done with VDD between
4.5V to 5V and VIN within normal range (5.5V to 28V).
2) VDD is brought below 1.0V and then brought back up
between 4.5V to 5V. This must be done with the Enable pin
held high (2V to 5V) and VIN within normal range (5.5V to
28V).
Recovery will initiate a Soft-start sequence (see description
under section ‘Soft-start’ above).
20120114
CH1: LDRV, CH2: Vo, CH3: SW, CH4: IL (1A/div)
Output 1V @ 2A, VIN = 10V, FPWM/SKIP, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz, COUT =
330µF
FIGURE 6. Shutdown
POWER GOOD/NOT GOOD SIGNALING
PGOOD is an open-drain output pin with an external pull-up
resistor connected to 5V. It goes high (non-conducting) when
the output is within the regulation band as determined by the
Power Good window detector stage on the feedback pin
(see Block Diagram). PGOOD goes low (conducting) when
the output falls out of this window. This signal is referred to
as Power Not Good here. A glitch filter of 7µs filters out
noise, and helps to prevent spurious PGOOD responses. So
Power Not Good is not asserted until 7µs after the output has
VIN POWER-OFF (UVLO)
The LM27241 has an internal comparator that monitors VIN.
If VIN falls to approximately 4.4V, switching ceases and both
top and bottom FETs are turned OFF. ‘Power Not Good’ has
meanwhile already been signaled and a fault condition asserted shortly thereafter.
13
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LM27241
Operation Descriptions
LM27241
Operation Descriptions
OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION
If the voltage on the FB pin exceeds 113% of 0.60V, a Power
Not Good signal is asserted. If the voltage on the FB pin
exceeds 130% of 0.60V, a fault condition is declared, and the
LDRV goes high. If the fault persists, the low-side FET will
stay on and the high-side FET will not turn back on until the
FB pin falls within the power good window, and the Enable
pin is toggled.
(Continued)
CURRENT LIMIT AND PROTECTION
Output current limiting is achieved by sensing the negative
Vds drop across the low-side FET when the FET is turned
ON. The Current Limit Comparator (see Block Diagram)
monitors the voltage at the ILIM pin with 62µA (typical value)
of current being sourced from the pin. The 62µA source flows
through an external resistor connected between ILIM and
the drain of the low-side FET. The voltage drop across the
ILIM resistor is compared with the drop across the low-side
FET and the current limit comparator trips when the two are
of the same magnitude. This determines the threshold of
current limiting. For example, if excessive inductor current
causes the voltage across the low-side FET to exceed the
voltage drop across the ILIM resistor, the ILIM pin will go
negative (with respect to ground) and trip the comparator.
The comparator then sets a latch that prevents the high-side
FET from turning ON during the next PWM clock cycle. The
high-side FET will resume switching only if the current limit
comparator was not tripped in the previous switching cycle.
Additionally, the Soft-start capacitor at the SS pin is discharged with a 115µA current source when an overcurrent
event is in progress. The purpose of discharging the Softstart capacitor during an overcurrent event is to eventually
allow the voltage on the SS pin to fall low enough to cause
additional duty cycle limiting.
RLIMIT = (RDS_ON x ILIMIT / 62 µA)
20120115
CH1: PGOOD, CH2: VIN, CH3: LDRV, CH4: Vo
Output 1V @ 0.02A, VIN = 9.75V, FPWM, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz, COUT =
660µF
FIGURE 8. VIN Removal in FPWM Mode
20120116
CH1: PGOOD, CH2: VIN, CH3: LDRV, CH4: Vo
Output 1V @ 0.02A, VIN = 9.75V, SKIP, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz, COUT =
660µF
FIGURE 9. VIN Removal in SKIP Mode
The recovery procedure from a VIN Power-off is the same as
for any fault condition.
VDD POWER-OFF (UVLO)
Whenever VDD starts to fall, and drops below about 3.5V,
LDRV goes high immediately, ‘Power Not Good’ is signaled
and in effect a fault condition (in this case an Under-voltage
lockout) is asserted. Recovery from a fault is discussed in
the "Fault and Recovery" section.
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14
LM27241
Operation Descriptions
(Continued)
20120118
20120117
20120161
CH1: LDRV, CH2: PGOOD, CH3: ILIM Pin, CH4: IL (5A/div)
Output 1V, 2A to Overload, VIN = 10V, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz, RLIM = 2k
20120160
CH1: PGOOD, CH2: Vo, CH3: ILIM Pin, CH4: IL (1A/div)
Output 1V, 0.04A to Overload, VIN = 10V, FPWM, L = 10µH, f = 300kHz,
RLIM = 1k
FIGURE 11. Response to Severe Overload (Type B:
current limit threshold first)
FIGURE 10. Response to Severe Overload (Type A:
fault threshold first)
15
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LM27241
At the point where current limiting occurs (peak inductor
current becomes equal to current limit) the resistor for setting
the current limit can be calculated. The (peak) current limit
value depends on two factors:
Application Information
CURRENT LIMIT RESISTOR
The timing scheme implemented in the LM27241 makes it
possible for the IC to continue monitoring an over current
condition and to respond appropriately every cycle. This is
explained as follows.
1) The peak current in the inductor with the converter delivering maximum rated load. This should be calculated at
VINMAX
2) The ‘overload margin’ (above maximum load) that needs
to be maintained. This will depend on the step loads likely to
be seen in the application and the response expected. The
peak inductor current under normal operation (maximum
load) depends on the load and the inductance. It is given by:
Consider the LM27241 working under normal conditions, just
before an overload occurs. After the end of a given ON-pulse
(say ‘ton1’), the LM27241 starts sampling the current in the
low-side FET. This is the OFF-duration called ‘toff1’ in this
analysis. Therefore, if an over-current condition is detected
during this OFF-duration ‘toff1’, the controller will decide to
omit the next ON-pulse (which would have occurred during
the duration ‘ton2’). This is done by setting an internal ‘overcurrent latch’ which will keep HDRV low. The LDRV will now
not only stay high during the present OFF-duration (‘toff1’)
but during the duration of the next (omitted) ON-pulse
(‘ton2’), and then as expected also during the succeeding
OFF-duration (‘toff2’). But the ‘over-current latch’ is reset at
the very start of the next OFF-duration ‘toff2’. Therefore if the
over-current condition persists, it can be recognized during
‘toff2’ and a decision to skip the next ON-pulse (duration
‘ton3’) can be taken. Finally, several ON-pulses may get
skipped until the current in the low-side FET falls below the
current limit threshold.
where IRIPPLE was determined in the output filter section.
Example: Let IRIPPLE be 2A. The peak current under normal
operation is
Usually it is necessary to set the current limit about 20%
higher than the peak inductor current. This overload margin
helps handle sudden load changes. A 20% margin will require a current limit of 11A x 1.2 = 13.2A.
A standard value of 1.37kΩ may be chosen.
A larger overload margin greater than 20% (say 40%) would
help in obtaining good dynamic response. This is necessary
if the load steps from an extremely low value (say zero) up to
maximum load current. A larger current limit will, however,
generate stresses in the FETs during abnormal load condition (such as a shorted output).
20120119
FIGURE 12. Understanding Current Sensing
A standard value of 1.58kΩ may be chosen.
Summarizing, for a 1.2V/10A rated output, using a 1.9µH
inductor and any low side equivalent FET (same RDS_ON as
IRF7832).
• For 20% overload margin, select current limit resistor to
be 1.37kΩ
• For 40% overload margin, select current limit resistor to
be 1.58kΩ
For this analysis, the nominal value of current sourced ILIM,
(see Electrical Characteristics table) and the RDS_ON of the
low-side FET at 100˚C should be used. This will ensure
adequate headroom without the need for excessively large
components. From the MOSFET data sheet typical RDS_ON
at 25˚C is given to be 3.7mΩ. This value is not to be used in
the current limit calculation. The maximum FET RDS_ON at
room temperature is 4.8mΩ. During normal circuit operation,
the FET temperature will rise to a temperature greater than
25˚C. Therefore RDS_ON at 100˚C is obtained. From the
datasheet, at 100˚C the RDS_ON goes up typically 1.3 times
its 25˚C value. Therefore, the RDS_ON to be used in the
actual current limit calculation is:
INDUCTOR AND OUTPUT CAPACITOR
The designer is again referred to AN-1197 for the equations
required here. The design table in the referenced Application
Note uses VD as the drop across the diode in an asynchronous configuration. Also, VSW is the drop across the switch
(high-side FET). In the case of the LM27241 a reasonable
approximation is to set VD = VSW = 0 in the design table
available in AN-1197. Then the table can be used easily for
selection of the inductor and output capacitor. A step by step
example is also provided for a general buck regulator in the
Application Note AN-1207 at http://power.national.com.
RDS_ON = 1.3 x 4.8 mΩ = 6.42 mΩ
Using IILIM = 62µA and a value of 6.42mΩ for maximum
RDS_ON will provide the lowest possible value of current limit
considering tolerances and temperature (for a given RLIM
resistor). In order to allow for output load transients, it is a
good design practice to add margin to this calculation.
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16
The input capacitors must be positioned physically close to
the power stage.
(Continued)
Only in the case of the input capacitor, the situation may be
different as is explained next.
MOSFETs
Selection of FETs for the controller must be done carefully
taking into account efficiency, thermal dissipation and drive
requirements. Typically the component selection is made
according to the most efficient FET for a given price.
When looking for a FET, it is often helpful to compose a
spreadsheet of key parameters. These parameters may be
summarized as ON resistance (RDS_ON), gate charge (QGS),
rise and fall times (tr and tf). The power dissipated in a given
device may then be calculated according to the following
equations:
High-side FET:
P = PC + PGC + PSW
Where
PC = D x (IOUT2 x RDS_ON)
PGC = 5V x QGS x f
PSW = 0.5 x VIN x IOUT x (tr + tf) x f
Low-side FET:
P = PC + PGC
Where
PC = (1 - D) x (IOUT2 x RDS_ON)
PGC = 5V x QGS x f
One will note that the gate charge requirements should be
low to ensure good efficiency. However, if a FET’s gate
charge requirement is too low (less than 8nC), the FET can
turn on spuriously. A good starting point for a 10A load is to
use a high-side and low-side FET each with an on resistance
of 5mΩ (FET on resistance is a function of temperature,
therefore it is advisable to apply the appropriate correction
factor provided in the FET datasheet), gate to source charge
of 8nC (total gate charge of 36 nC), tr = 11ns, tf = 47ns, and
temperature coefficient of 1.4. For a 5V input and 1.2V/10A
output (f = 300kHz), this yields a power dissipation of 0.62 W
(high-side FET) and 0.54 W (low-side FET). The efficiency is
then 91%. While the same FET may be used for both the
high side and low side, optimal performance may not be
realized.
20120189
FIGURE 13. Evaluation Board Transient Response
VOUT = 1.50VDC, VIN = 14V
Iout step = 2.5A to 5A, and 5A to 2.5A Load Step.
INPUT CAPACITOR
In a buck regulator, the input capacitor provides most of the
pulsed current waveform demanded by the switch. However
the DC (average) value of the current through a capacitor in
steady state must be zero. Otherwise, the capacitor would
start accumulating charge every cycle, and that would
clearly not represent a ‘steady state’ by definition.
The equation for the RMS current through the input capacitor
is then
The function D(1-D) has a maxima at D = 0.5. This would
correspond to an input voltage of 5V/0.5 = 10V. And the input
capacitor current at this worst case input voltage would be
17
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LM27241
Application Information
LM27241
Application Information
sensitive ground connections away from this ground shape.
The input capacitors should be placed as close as possible
to the MOSFET, and the vias to the ground plane should be
as close to the capacitors ground pad as possible. Ensure
that this ground plane shape is not directly connected to the
Output Capacitors Ground Shape. Note that the current limit
detector circuit compares the voltage on the ILIM pin with
respect to the PGND pin. Therefore, if the power ground is
noisy it can lead to erroneous triggering of the current limit
detector. This will manifest itself as an inability to meet the
load requirement despite over sizing the current limit resistor. It can also lead to failure of the output to recover after
encountering an overload condition. Connect the LM27241
PGND pin to this shape, and place two vias from the pin pad
to the ground plane.
Output Capacitor Ground Shape: The Output Capacitor
Ground Shape should be large as possible. Place the vias
that connect this shape to the ground plane as close to the
capacitor pads as possible.
SGND Ground Shape: A small ground shape should be
created so that all noise sensitive components such as the
lower feedback resistor, VDD supply capacitor, frequency
adjust resistor and SKIP/FPWM Mode select resistor can be
connected to. Two to three vias should connect this ground
shape to the ground plane. Place all the components mentioned as close as possible to the controller. Route the
feedback resistors from Vout to the controller as far away
from the MOSFETs and SW-node as possible.
SW-Node Shape: This shape connects the top MOSFET
source to the synchronous MOSFET drain, and then connects to the output inductor. This shape should be kept small
due to the high frequency content found at this node.
Enough copper area must be left around the MOSFET for
thermal dissipation. More details on this are also provided in
AN-1229.
HDRV & LDRV connections: Try to keep the trace lengths
from the controller to the gate of the MOSFET as short as
possible. Both these traces contain fast rise and fall times,
and low inductance trace lengths should be maintained.
CV5 & CVDD Capacitors: These two capacitors should be
placed very close to the controller and their respective pins
for best performance.
(Continued)
FREQUENCY SET RESISTOR (TYPICAL VALUE)
20120190
FIGURE 14. Frequency Adjust Resistor Guideline
RFREQ (Ω)
Frequency (kHz)
30100
226
25500
261
22100
300
16200
388
15000
411
12700
485
12400
510
10000
630
8660
720
7500
820
LAYOUT GUIDELINES
For a deeper understanding of Buck converters and the
‘critical traces’ please see Application Note AN-1229 at http://
power.national.com .
Figure 15 is based on such an understanding of the critical
sections and also the pin functions of the LM27241. Refer to
the Typical Applications circuit and the LM27241 TSSOP
pinouts to understand the layout suggestions more thoroughly.
The components shown in Figure 15 are most critical and
must be placed with the following guidelines.
There are three separate Ground shapes on the top layer,
and one ground plane that is either on the bottom layer, or on
an internal layer. The ground shapes are connected to the
ground plane through vias.
Input Capacitor Ground Shape: This ground shape connects
the input capacitors and the source of the synchronous
MOSFET (Q2). This ground shape contains high ∆i/∆t current waveforms. Therefore effort should be taken to keep
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20120143
FIGURE 15. Critical Component placement (TSSOP)
18
LM27241
Application Information
(Continued)
COMPENSATION
20120144
Output Filter Gain
Modulator Gain
The LM27241 input voltage feed forward mechanism
changes the Error Amp ramp slope, and peak to peak voltage. The DC gain of the Modulator is dependent on the peak
to peak voltage of the oscillator’s ramp. The oscillator peak
to peak voltage can be determined by referring back to the
Oscillator section in the Electrical Characteristics table.
This ratio for the above equation is usually between 9.5 for
lower input voltages and as low as 8 higher input voltages.
The DC Gain of the power stage for a Buck-Converter is
equal to VOUT/D, which is equal to VIN, and this is where the
term in the numerator in the above equation is obtained.
20120146
Exact Filter Gain
20120147
Reduces to proper form with the understanding that:
19
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LM27241
Application Information
larger than the crossover frequency when ceramic capacitors are used. Rule of thumb is if FZERO > FBW use type III
compensation.
ωZ1 and ωZ2: +20dB/DEC and +45DEG/DEC phase.
ωZ2: Adds phase lead in the vicinity of the crossover frequency.
ωPZ1 and ωP2: -20dB/DEC and -45DEG/DEC phase.
(Continued)
Must be present to in the compensation to ensure the gain
rolls off at high frequency and prevent switching ripple from
disrupting the regulation of the converter.
The Loop Bandwidth ( FBW) or known as the crossover
frequency (FCROSS ) is usually set by the designer, with the
basic guideline:
FSW/10 ≤ FBW ≤ FSW/5
COMPENSATION DESIGN STEPS
Output Filter:
Zero Frequency due to RESR:
1) Choose crossover frequency
2) Determine complex pole frequency due to output filter:
Complex Poles due to output inductor and output capacitors:
3) Determine zero frequency due to RESR
Type III Compensator (PID)
Type III Compensator:
1) Frequency at which maximum phase boost occurs is at
the average between the frequency of FP2 and FZ2
Place this at the Crossover frequency:
where 60˚ ≥ ΦMAX ≥ 45˚
20120148
FIGURE 16. Type III Compensator (PID)
Type III Compensator Transfer Function
The Type III compensation is needed in designs where
output ceramic capacitors are used, and therefore is very
small. The Zero frequency, due to RESR, is usually much
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LM27241
Application Information
(Continued)
FZ1 < FZ2 and FZ1 < FP-COMPLEX
C1 = 190p F (use 220pF).
C3 sets FBW:
DESIGN EXAMPLE
VIN = 15V
VOUT = 1.5V
FBW = 300kHz
BW = = 30kHz
LOUT = 2.2µH
LOUT = 2x100µF Tantalum + 2x47µF Ceramic
RESR Tantalum = 100mΩ
RESR Ceramic = 15mΩ
COUT total = 294µF
R3 = 1kΩ
RESR total = 13mΩ
R1 = 5kΩ
Set output voltage:
Notice that F-zero due to the RESR is greater than the
cross-over frequency (FSW). TYPE III Compensation is required.
R4 = 3.32kΩ
EVALUATION BOARD DETAILS
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is now provided for the LM27241
evaluation board. The schematic is the typical application
circuit. See Layout Guidelines for more guidance on preferred layout practices and also refer to Application Note
AN-1229. Note that a dual FET pack has been chosen for
the evaluation board.
The evaluation board has its output set to 1.5V. The rated
load 6A continuous, and 7A peak. A minimum load of 0.1mA
should be maintained on each output in SKIP mode, to
ensure regulation.
ΦMAX 45˚
Pick C2 to be 4700pF, and calculate R2. C2 = 4700 pF, & R2=
5.6 kΩ
21
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FIGURE 17.
Typical Application (Expanded View)
20120167
LM27241
Designator
Function
Description
U1
Synchronous Buck Controller
PWM Controller
Vendor
NSC
R1
Feedback Resistor
4.99 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R2
Compensation Resistor
5.62 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R3
Compensation Resistor
1.00 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R4
Feedback Resistor
3.32 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R5
Dynamic Feedback Resistor
40.2 kΩ 1% 0805 (Optional)
VISHAY
R6
Enable pull up resistor
12.7 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R7
FPWM pull up resistor
12.7 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R8
Q3 Gate to GND resistor
10 kΩ 1% 0805 (Optional)
VISHAY
VISHAY
R9
Freq Set Resistor
22.1 kΩ 1% 0805
R10
PGOOD pull up resistor
12.7 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R11
VDD filter resistor
10Ω 1% 0805
VISHAY
R12
Ilimit Resistor
1.33 kΩ 1% 0805
VISHAY
R13
Resistor (Optional)
0Ω
VISHAY
R14
Snubber Resistor (Optional)
10Ω 5% 0805
VISHAY
C1
Compensation Capacitor
220 pF 0805
TDK
C2
Compensation Capacitor
4700 pF 0805
TDK
C3
Compensation Capacitor
2200 pF 0805
TDK
C4, C6, C8, C17
Ceramic Output Capacitor
47 µF 2220 6.3V
TDK
100 µF 4V B45192
C5, C8
Tantalum Output Capacitor
C10 - C13
Ceramic/Tantalum Input Capacitors
C14
Soft Start Capacitor
0.1 µF 0805
TDK
C15, C16
VDD Filter Capacitor
0.22 µF 0805
TDK
C19
VBOOST Capacitor
0.1 µF 0805
TDK
C20
Ceramic Input Capacitor
10 µF
TDK
C21
Snubber Capacitor (Optional)
470 pF
TDK
D2
VBOOST Diode
BAT54 SOT23
Diodes INC
L1
Output Inductor
HC1216
Falco Electronics
Q1
Top MOSFET
IRF7821
International
Rectifier
Q2
Synchronous MOSFET
IRF7832
International
Rectifier
BSS138 SOT23
ON Semi
Q3
Small Signal FET VDYNAMIC
SW1
V-enable & FPWM/SKIP Set
SW2
Vdynamic Set
EPCOS
TDK/EPCOS
23
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LM27241
Bill of Materials
LM27241
PCB Layout Diagrams
20120162
FIGURE 18. Top Overlay
20120163
FIGURE 19. Top Layer
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LM27241
PCB Layout Diagrams
(Continued)
20120164
FIGURE 20. Internal Plane 1 (GND)
20120165
FIGURE 21. Internal Plane 2
25
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LM27241
PCB Layout Diagrams
(Continued)
20120166
FIGURE 22. Bottom Layer
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26
inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted
20-Lead TSSOP Package
NS Package Number MTC20
National does not assume any responsibility for use of any circuitry described, no circuit patent licenses are implied and National reserves
the right at any time without notice to change said circuitry and specifications.
For the most current product information visit us at www.national.com.
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(b) support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform when
properly used in accordance with instructions for use
provided in the labeling, can be reasonably expected to result
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device or system whose failure to perform can be reasonably
expected to cause the failure of the life support device or
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LM27241 Synchronous Buck Regulator Controller for Mobile Systems
Physical Dimensions