FN6641 - Intersil

DATASHEET
Dual/n-Phase Buck PWM Controller with Integrated
Drivers
ISL8120
Features
The ISL8120 integrates two voltage-mode PWM leading-edge
modulation control with input feed-forward synchronous buck
PWM controllers to control a dual independent voltage
regulator or a 2-phase single output regulator. It also
integrates current sharing control for the power module to
operate in parallel, which offers high system flexibility.
• Wide VIN Range Operation: 3V to 22V
- VCC Operation from 3V to 5.60V
The ISL8120 integrates an internal linear regulator, which
generates VCC from input rail for applications with only one
single supply rail. The internal oscillator is adjustable from
150kHz to 1.5MHz, and is able to synchronous to an external
clock signal for frequency synchronization and phase
paralleling applications. Its PLL circuit can output a
phase-shift-programmable clock signal for the system to be
expanded to 3-, 4-, 6-, 12- phases with desired interleaving
phase shift.
• Programmable Phase Shift for 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, up to 12-Phase Applications
The ISL8120’s Fault Hand Shake feature protects any channel
from overloading/stressing due to system faults or phase
failure. The undervoltage fault protection features are also
designed to prevent a negative transient on the output voltage
during falling down. This eliminates the Schottky diode that is
used in some systems for protecting the load device from
reversed output voltage damage.
• Excellent Output Voltage Regulation: 0.6V ±0.6%/±0.9%
Internal Reference Over Commercial/Industrial Temperature
• Frequency Synchronization
• Fault Hand Shake Capability for High System Reliability
• Digital Soft-Start with Pre-Charged Output Start-up
Capability
• Dual Independent Channel Enable Inputs with Precision
Voltage Monitor and Voltage Feed-forward Capability
- Programmable Input Voltage POR and its Hysteresis with
a Resistor Divider at EN Input
• Extensive Circuit Protection Functions: Output Overvoltage,
Undervoltage, Overcurrent protection, Over temperature and
Pre-Power-On-Reset Overvoltage Protection Option
Applications
• Power Supply for Datacom/Telecom and POL
Related Literature
• Paralleling Power Module
• Technical Brief TB389 “PCB Land Pattern Design and
Surface Mount Guidelines for QFN (MLFP) Packages”
• DDR I and II Applications
• Wide and Narrow Input Voltage Range Buck Regulators
• High Current Density Power Supplies
• Multiple Outputs VRM and VRD
Channels 1 and 2 Gate Drive
PVCC
3Ω
BOOTn
UGATEn
PWMn
10kΩ
GATE
CONTROL
LOGIC
FAULT LOGIC
SHOOTTHROUGH
PROTECTION
PHASEn
10kΩ
LGATEn
FIGURE 1. INTEGRATED DRIVER BLOCK DIAGRAM
February 9, 2015
FN6641.2
1
CAUTION: These devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge; follow proper IC Handling Procedures.
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Intersil (and design) is a trademark owned by Intersil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.
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ISL8120
Pin Configuration
FB1
VMON1
VSEN1-
VSEN1+
ISEN1B
ISEN1A
VCC
BOOT1
ISL8120
(32 LD QFN)
TOP VIEW
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
COMP1 1
24 UGATE1
ISET 2
23 PHASE1
ISHARE 3
22 LGATE1
EN/VFF1 4
21 PVCC
33
GND
FSYNC 5
20 LGATE2
EN/VFF2 6
19 PHASE2
CLKOUT/REFIN 7
18 UGATE2
17 BOOT2
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
COMP2
FB2
VMON2
VSEN2-
VSEN2+
ISEN2B
ISEN2A
VIN
PGOOD 8
Functional Pin Descriptions
PIN
NUMBER
SYMBOL
DESCRIPTION
1, 9
COMP1, COMP2
These pins are the error amplifier outputs. They should be connected to FB1, FB2 pins through desired compensation
networks when both channels are operating independently. When VSEN1-, VSEN2- are pulled within 400mV of VCC, the
corresponding error amplifier is disabled and its output (COMP pin) is high impedance. Thus, in multiphase operations,
all other SLAVE phases’ COMP pins can tie to the MASTER phase’s COMP1 pin (1st phase), which modulates each
phase’s PWM pulse with a single voltage feedback loop. While the error amplifier is not disabled, an independent
compensation network is required for each cascaded IC.
2
ISET
This pin sources a 15µA offset current plus the average current of both channels in multiphase mode or only Channel
1’s current in independent mode. The voltage (VISET) set by an external resistor (RISET) represents the average current
level of the local active channel(s).
3
ISHARE
This pin is used for current sharing purposes and is configured to current share bus representing all modules’ average
current. It sources 15µA offset current plus the average current of both channels in multiphase mode or Channel 1’s
current in independent mode. The share bus (ISHARE pins connected together) voltage (VISHARE) set by an external
resistor (RISHARE) represents the average current level of all ISL8120 controller connected to current share bus. The
ISHARE bus voltage compares with ISET voltage to generates current share error signal for current correction block of
each cascaded controller. The share bus impedance RISHARE should be set as RISET/NCTRL (RISET divided by number
of ISL8120 in current sharing controllers). There is a 1.2V threshold for average overcurrent protection on this pin.
VISHARE is compared with a 1.2V threshold for average overcurrent protections. For full-scale current, RISHARE should
be 1.2V/123µA = ~10k. Typically 10k is used for RSHARE and RSET.
4, 6
EN/VFF1, EN/VFF2 These pins have triple functions. The voltage on EN/FF_ pin is compared with a precision 0.8V threshold for system
enable to initiate soft-start. With a voltage lower than the threshold, the corresponding channel can be disabled
independently. By connecting these pins to the input rail through a voltage resistor divider, the input voltage can be
monitored for UVLO (undervoltage lockout) function. The undervoltage lockout and its hysteresis levels can be
programmed by these resistor dividers. The voltages on these pins are also fed into the controller to adjust the sawtooth
amplitude of each channel independently to realize the feed-forward function.
Furthermore, during fault (such as overvoltage, overcurrent, and over-temperature) conditions, these pins (EN/FF_) are
pulled low to communicate the information to other cascaded ICs.
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February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Functional Pin Descriptions (Continued)
PIN
NUMBER
SYMBOL
DESCRIPTION
5
FSYNC
The oscillator switching frequency is adjusted by placing a resistor (RFS) from this pin to GND. The internal oscillator
will lock to an external frequency source if this pin is connected to a switching square pulse waveform, typically the
CLKOUT input signal from another ISL8120 or an external clock. The internal oscillator synchronizes with the leading
edge of the input signal.
7
CLKOUT/REFIN
This pin has a dual function depending on the mode in which the chip is operating. It provides a clock signal to
synchronize with other ISL8120(s) with its VSEN2- pulled within 400mV of VCC for multiphase (3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12phase) operation. When the VSEN2- pin is not within 400mV of VCC, ISL8120 is in dual mode (dual independent PWM
output). The clockout signal of this pin is not available in this mode, but the ISL8120 can be synchronized to external
clock. In dual mode, this pin works as the following two functions:
1. An external reference (0.6V target only) can be in place of the Channel 2’s internal reference through this pin for
DDR/tracking applications (see “DDR and Dual Mode Operation” on page 35).
2. The ISL8120 operates as a dual-PWM controller for two independent regulators with selectable phase degree
shift, which is programmed by the voltage level on REFIN (see “DDR and Dual Mode Operation” on page 35).
8
PGOOD
Provides an open drain Power-Good signal when both channels are within 9% of the nominal output regulation point
with 4% hysteresis (13%/9%) and soft-start complete. PGOOD monitors the outputs (VMON1/2) of the internal
differential amplifiers.
32, 10
FB1, FB2
These pins are the inverting inputs of the error amplifiers. These pins should be connected to VMON1, VMON2 with the
compensation feedback network. No direct connection between FB and VMON pins is allowed. With VSEN2- pulled
within 400mV of VCC, the corresponding error amplifier is disabled and the amplifier’s output is high impedance. FB2
is one of the two pins to determine the relative phase relationship between the internal clock of both channels and the
CLKOUT signal. See Table 1 on page 22.
31, 11
VMON1, VMON2
These pins are outputs of the unity gain amplifiers. They are connected internally to the OV/UV/PGOOD comparators.
These pins should be connected to the FB1, FB2 pins by a standard feedback network when both channels are
operating independently. When VSEN1-, VSEN2- are pulled within 400mV of VCC, the corresponding differential
amplifier is disabled and its output (VMON pin) is high impedance. In such an event, the VMON pin can be used as an
additional monitor of the output voltage with a resistor divider to protect the system against single point of failure,
which occurs in the system using the same resistor divider for both of the UV/OV comparator and output voltage
feedback.
30, 12
VSEN1-, VSEN2-
These pins are the negative inputs of standard unity gain operational amplifier for differential remote sense for the
corresponding regulator (Channels 1and 2), and should be connected to the negative rail of the load/processor.
When VSEN1-, VSEN2- are pulled within 400mV of VCC, the corresponding error amplifier and differential amplifier are
disabled and their outputs are high impedance. Both VSEN2+ and FB2 input signal levels determine the relative phases
between the internal controllers as well as the CLKOUT signal. See Table 1 on page 22.
When configured as multiple power modules (each module with independent voltage loop) operating in parallel, in
order to implement the current sharing control, a resistor (100 typ.) needs to be inserted between the VSEN1- pin and
the output voltage negative sense point (between VSEN1- and lower voltage sense resistor), as shown in the “Typical
Application Circuits” “Multiple Power Modules in Parallel with Current Sharing Control” on page 13. This introduces
a correction voltage for the modules with lower load current to keep the current distribution balanced among modules.
The module with the highest load current will automatically become the master module. The recommended value for
the VSEN1- resistor is 100 and it should not be large in order to keep the unit gain amplifier input impedance
compatibility.
29, 13
VSEN1+, VSEN2+
These pins are the positive inputs of the standard unity gain operational amplifier for differential remote sense for the
corresponding channel (Channels 1 and 2), and should be connected to the positive rail of the load/processor. These
pins can also provide precision output voltage trimming capability by pulling a resistor from this pin to the positive rail
of the load (trimming down) or the return (typical VSEN1-, VSEN2- pins) of the load (trimming up). The typical input
impedance of VSEN+ with respect to VSEN- is 600k. By setting the resistor divider connected from the output voltage
to the input of the differential amplifier, the desired output voltage can be programmed. To minimize the system
accuracy error introduced by the input impedance of the differential amplifier, a resistor below 1k is recommended to
be used for the lower leg (ROS) of the feedback resistor divider.
With VSEN2- pulled within 400mV of VCC, the corresponding error amplifier is disabled and VSEN2+ is one of the two
pins to determine the relative phase relationship between the internal clock of both channels and the CLKOUT signal.
See Table 1 on page 22 for details.
28, 14
ISEN1B, ISEN2B
These pins are the inverting (-) inputs of the current sensing amplifiers to provide rDS(ON), DCR, or precision resistor
current sensing together with the ISEN1A, ISEN2A pins. Refer to “Typical Application Circuits” “2-Phase Operation with
DCR Sensing” on page 7 for DCR sensing set up and “2-Phase Operation with rDS(ON) Sensing” on page 8 for rDS(ON)
sensing set up.
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ISL8120
Functional Pin Descriptions (Continued)
PIN
NUMBER
SYMBOL
27, 15
ISEN1A, ISEN2A
16
VIN
This pin is the input of the internal linear regulator. It should be tied directly to the input rail. The internal linear device
is protected against reverse bias generated by the remaining charge of the decoupling capacitor at PVCC when losing
the input rail. When used with an external 3.3V to 5V supply, this pin should be tied directly to PVCC.
25, 17
BOOT1, BOOT2
These pins provide the bootstrap biases for the high-side drivers. Internal bootstrap diodes connected to the PVCC pin
provide the necessary bootstrap charge. Its typical operational voltage range is 2.5V to 5.6V.
24, 18
UGATE1, UGATE2
These pins provide the gate signals to drive the high-side devices and should be connected to the MOSFETs’ gates.
23, 19
PHASE1, PHASE2
Connect these pins to the source of the high-side MOSFETs and the drain of the low-side MOSFETs. These pins represent
the return path for the high-side gate drives.
22, 20
LGATE1, LGATE2
These pins provide the drive for the low-side devices and should be connected to the MOSFETs’ gates.
21
PVCC
This pin is the output of the internal series linear regulator. It provides the bias for both low-side and high-side drives.
Its operational voltage range is 3V to 5.6V. The decoupling ceramic capacitor in the PVCC pin is 10µF.
26
VCC
This pin provides bias power for the analog circuitry. An RC filter is recommended between the connection of this pin
to a 3V to 5.6V bias (typically PVCC). R is suggested to be a 5Ω resistor. And in 3.3V applications, the R could be shorted
to allow the low end input in concerns of the VCC falling threshold. The VCC decoupling capacitor is strongly
recommended to be as large as a 10µF ceramic capacitor. This pin can be powered either by the internal linear
regulator or by an external voltage source.
33
GND
The bottom pad is the signal and power ground plane. All voltage levels are referenced to this pad. This pad provides a
return path for the low-side MOSFET drives and internal power circuitries as well as all analog signals. Connect this pad
to the circuit ground with the shortest possible path (more than 5 to 6 vias to the internal ground plane, placed on the
soldering pad are recommended).
DESCRIPTION
These pins are the non-inverting (+) inputs of the current sensing amplifiers to provide rDS(ON), DCR, or precision
resistor current sensing together with the ISEN1B, ISEN2B pins.
Ordering Information
PART NUMBER
(Notes 1, 2, 3)
PART
MARKING
TEMP. RANGE
(°C)
PACKAGE
(Pb-free)
PKG.
DWG.#
ISL8120CRZ
ISL8120 CRZ
0 to +70
32 Ld QFN
L32.5x5B
ISL8120IRZ
ISL8120 IRZ
-40 to +85
32 Ld QFN
L32.5x5B
1. Add “-T*” suffix for tape and reel. Please refer to TB347 for details on reel specifications.
2. These Intersil Pb-free plastic packaged products employ special Pb-free material sets, molding compounds/die attach materials, and 100% matte
tin plate plus anneal (e3 termination finish, which is RoHS compliant and compatible with both SnPb and Pb-free soldering operations). Intersil
Pb-free products are MSL classified at Pb-free peak reflow temperatures that meet or exceed the Pb-free requirements of IPC/JEDEC J STD-020.
3. For Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL), please see device information page for ISL8120. For more information on MSL please see techbrief TB363.
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ISL8120
Table of Contents
Controller Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Typical Application Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2-Phase Operation with DCR Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2-Phase Operation with rDS(ON) Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Dual Regulators with DCR Sensing and Remote Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Double Data Rate I or II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3-Phase Regulator with Precision Resistor Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4 Phase Operation with DCR Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Multiple Power Modules in Parallel with Current Sharing Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3-Phase Regulator with Resistor Sensing and 1 Phase Regulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6 Phase Operation with DCR Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Absolute Maximum Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Thermal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Recommended Operating Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Typical Performance Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Modes of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Functional Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voltage Feed-forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Soft-start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power-Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overvoltage and Undervoltage Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PRE-POR Overvoltage Protection (PRE-POR-OVP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Over-Temperature Protection (OTP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inductor Current Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resistive Sensing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overcurrent Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current Sharing Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal Series Linear and Power Dissipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oscillator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frequency Synchronization and Phase Lock Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Differential Amplifier for Remote Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal Reference and System Accuracy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DDR and Dual Mode Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Layout Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
24
24
25
25
26
26
26
27
27
28
29
32
33
33
33
34
35
36
Package Outline Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
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ISL8120
Controller Block Diagram
PGOOD
VCC
VIN
8
26
16
PGOOD
CIRCUIT
VCC
400mV
EN1
EN2
VMON1
VMON2
CH1_FAULT
CH2_FAULT
INTERNAL
LINEAR REGULATOR
POWER-ON
RESET
21 PVCC
SAW1
25 BOOT1
ICSH_CORR
INT. VREF
VSEN1- 30
MOSFET
DRIVER

E/A
SS1
VSEN1+ 29
CURRENT
BALANCE
CIRCUIT
FB1 32
PWM1 1
CHANNEL
CURRENT
SAMPLING
COMP1 1
OV/UV
COMP1
INT. VREF
CHANNEL 1
CH1
OCP
SOFT-START AND
FAULT LOGIC
EN1
EN/VFF1 4
22 LGATE1
Ch1 Fault
IAVG_CS ICS1 ICSH_ERR
EN_TH
23 PHASE1
PWM1
VMON1 31
24 UGATE1
27 ISEN1A
28 ISEN1B
ICS1
7-CYCLE
DELAY
108µA
AVG_OCP
IEN_HYS
1.2V
EN/VFF1 EN/VFF2
SAW1
MASTER CLOCK
OSCILLATOR
GENERATOR
FSYNC 5
CLKOUT/
REFIN
VCC
400mV
CURRENT
SHARE
BLOCK
ICSH_ERR
3
ISHARE
2
ISET
M/D CONTROL
INT. VREF
7
ICSH_CORR
RELATIVE
PHASE
CONTROL
M/D CONTROL
ICS1
AVERAGE
ICS2
CURRENT
IAVG_CS+15µA
M/D = 1 (Multiphase operation) : IAVG_CS = (ICS1+ICS2) / 2
M/D = 0 (Dual-output Operation) : IAVG_CS = ICS1
PVCC
VSEN2- 12
SAW2
VSEN2+ FB2
VSEN2+ 13
17 BOOT2
VMON2 11

E/A
SS2
FB2 10
CURRENT
BALANCE
CIRCUIT
COMP2 9
EN_TH
INT. VREF
EN2
EN/VFF2 6
OV/UV
COMP2
MOSFET
DRIVER
PWM2
CHANNEL 2
SOFT-START AND
FAULT LOGIC
IEN_HYS
AVG_OCP
CH2
OCP
IAVG_CS
19 PHASE2
Ch2 Fault
ICS2
ICSH_ERR
7-CYCLE
DELAY
18 UGATE2
20 LGATE2
108µA
ICS2
PWM1 2
CHANNEL
CURRENT
SAMPLING
15 ISEN2A
14 ISEN2B
M/D CONTROL
EP
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6
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits
2-Phase Operation with DCR Sensing
VIN
+3V TO +22V
CHFIN
RCC
CF1
VCC
CBIN
CF2
PVCC
BOOT1
CBOOT1
UGATE1
VIN
Q1
LOUT1
VOUT<VCC - 1.8V
PHASE1
CF3
COUT1
Q2
LGATE1
EN/VFF1, 2
ISEN1A
ISEN1B
ISL8120
Local sensing
(secondary sensing point)
RISEN1
10
COMP1/2 Z
COMP1
10
FB1
RSET
ISET
VMON1/2
ISHARE
ROS1
VSEN1-
VSENSE+
RFB1
VSEN1+
CSEN1
VSENSERemote sensing
PGOOD
VIN
BOOT2
RFS
UGATE2
FSYNC
CBOOT2
Q3
LOUT2
PHASE2
LGATE2
Q4
CLKOUT
ISEN2A
RISEN2
ISEN2B
VCC OR GND
VCC OR GND
VCC
FB2
VSEN2-
VSEN2+
GND
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7
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
2-Phase Operation with rDS(ON) Sensing
VIN
+3V TO +22V
CHFIN
RCC
CF1
VCC
CBIN
CF2
PVCC
BOOT1
CBOOT1
UGATE1
VIN
Q1
LOUT1
VOUT
PHASE1
CF3
ISEN1B
RISEN1
EN/FF1, 2
COUT1
Q2
LGATE1
ISEN1A
Local sensing
(secondary sensing point)
10
ISL8120
COMP1/2
10
ZCOMP1
FB1
RSET
ISET
VMON1/2
ISHARE
VSENSE+
RFB1
VSEN1+
ROS1
VSEN1-
CSEN1
VSENSERemote sensing
PGOOD
VIN
BOOT2
CBOOT2
RFS
UGATE2
FSYNC
Q3
LOUT2
PHASE2
ISEN2B
RISEN2
Q4
LGATE2
ISEN2A
CLKOUT/REFIN
VCC OR GND
VCC
FB2
VCC OR GND
VSEN2-
VSEN2+
GND
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8
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
Dual Regulators with DCR Sensing and Remote Sense
VIN
+3.3 TO +22V
RCC
CF2
CHFIN
CBIN
CF1
VCC
PVCC
BOOT1
CBOOT1
UGATE1
VIN
Q1
LOUT1
PHASE1
CF3
VOUT1
COUT1
LGATE1
Q2
2k
VIN
ISEN1A
COMP1
ISL8120
10
RISEN1
ISEN1B
EN/FF1
10
ZCOMP1
FB1
ZFB1
VMON1
VCC
CLKOUT/REFIN
VSENSE1+
RFB1
VSEN1+
ROS1
VSEN1-
PGOOD
CSEN1
VSENSE1-
VIN
BOOT2
CBOOT2
RFS
UGATE2
FSYNC
Q3
LOUT2
PHASE2
VOUT2
Q4
LGATE2
COUT2
2k
VIN
ISEN2A
10
ISEN2B
EN/FF2
COMP2
RISEN2
10
ZCOMP2
FB2
ZFB2
RSET
VMON2
ISET
GND
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RFB2
VSEN2+
ISHARE
9
VSEN2-
ROS2
CSEN2
VSENSE2+
VSENSE2-
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
Double Data Rate I or II
VIN
+3.3 TO +22V
RCC
CF2
CHFIN
CBIN
CF1
VCC
PVCC
BOOT1
CBOOT1
UGATE1
VIN
Q1
CF3
2.5V (DDR I)
1.8V (DDR II)
LOUT1
PHASE1
VDDQ
RFS
COUT1
LGATE1
FSYNC
Q2
2k
ISEN1A
ISL8120
10
RISEN1
ISEN1B
10
COMP1 Z
COMP1
FB1
ZFB1
VMON1
VSENSE1+
RFB1
VSEN1+
VDDQ
ROS1
VSEN1-
CSEN1
VSENSE1-
R*(VTT/0.6-1)
(Notes 4, 5)
CLKOUT/REFIN
1nF
R
VDDQ Or VIN
BOOT2
CBOOT2
UGATE2
(Or tie REFIN pin to VMON1 pin)
Q3
1.25V (DDR I)
0.9V (DDR II)
LOUT2
PHASE2
VTT
LGATE2
COUT2
Q4
( VDDQ/2)
2k
ISEN2A
10
ISEN2B
RISEN2
COMP2 Z
COMP1
10
FB2
PGOOD
ZFB1
VMON2
RSET
ISET
RFB2
VSEN2+
ISHARE
GND
VSEN2-
ROS2
CSEN2
VSENSE2+
VSENSE2-
NOTES:
4. Setting the upper resistor to be a little higher than R*(VDDQ/0.6 - 1) will set the final REFIN voltage (stead state voltage after soft-start)
derived from the VDDQ to be a little higher than internal 0.6V reference. In this way, the VTT final voltage will use the internal 0.6V
reference after soft-start. The other way is to add more delay at EN/VFF1 pin to have Channel 2 tracking VDDQ (check Table 1 on
page 22 for more details).
5. Another way to set REFIN voltage is to connect VMON1 directly to the REFIN pin.
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10
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
3-Phase Regulator with Precision Resistor Sensing
VIN
+3V TO +22V
VCC
CF1
CF2
RCC
CIN
PVCC
BOOT1
CBOOT2
VIN
CF3
UGATE1
LOUT2
PHASE1
ISL8120
EN/FF1
Q1
LGATE1
PHASE 2
Q2
ISEN1A
CLKOUT/REFIN
PGOOD
RISEN2
ISEN1B
COMP1
FB1
BOOT2
VMON1
UGATE2
PHASE2
VSEN1+
LGATE2
VSEN1-
ISEN2A
VCC
GND
ISEN2B
EN/FF2
FSYNC
FB2
VMON2
ISHARE
VSEN2+
ISET
VSEN2-
R
R
VOUT
COUT
RCC
VCC
CF1
VIN
FSYNC
UGATE1
EN/FF1,2
PGOOD
BOOT2
PHASE 1 AND 3
UGATE2
LGATE1
VSENSE
ZCOMP1
ZFB1
VMON1/2
LGATE2
VSEN1-
ISEN2B
GND
VCC
VSENSE
RISEN1
ISEN1B
FB1
ISEN2A
VCC
10
Q2
RFB1
VSEN1+
RISEN3
10
ISEN1A
COMP1/2
PHASE2
Q4
CBOOT1
LOUT1
ISL8120
CBOOT3
Q3
Q1
PHASE1
RFS
LOUT3
VIN
BOOT1
CF3
VIN
CF2
PVCC
ROS1
CSEN1
ISHARE
FB2
VSEN2+
R
VSEN2-
CLKOUT/REFIN
GND
ISET
R
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11
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
4 Phase Operation with DCR Sensing
VIN
+3V TO +22V
CIN
RCC
VCC
CF1
BOOT1
CF3
CBOOT2
VIN
UGATE1
CLKOUT/REFIN
PHASE1
PGOOD
EN/FF Bus
Q1
LGATE1
LOUT2
VOUT
COUT
Q2
EN/FF1, 2
ISEN1A
VSEN1, 2+
FB2
VCC
VSEN1,2-
VIN
ISL8120
ISEN1B
PHASE 2 AND 4
Q3
Q4
10
RISEN2
COMP1/2
BOOT2
CBOOT4
LOUT4
CF2
PVCC
10
FB1
UGATE2
VMON1/2
RFB1
PHASE2
ISET
ROS1
R
GND
LGATE2
ISEN2A
COS
2ND DIVIDER TO AVOID
SINGLE POINT FAILURE
VSENSE1+
VSENSE1-
FSYNC
ISEN2B
ISHARE
RISEN4
R
RCC
VCC
CF1
VIN
FSYNC
UGATE1
BOOT2
CBOOT3
LOUT3
PGOOD
Q3
Q1
CBOOT1
LOUT1
PHASE1
RFS
VIN
VIN
BOOT1
CF3
EN/FF Bus
CF2
PVCC
LGATE1
EN/FF1, 2
ISL8120
ISEN1A
PHASE 1 AND 3
ISEN1B
UGATE2
COMP1/2
PHASE2
Q2
RISEN1
ZCOMP1
ZFB1
FB1
VMON1/2
Q4
LGATE2
RFB1
VSEN1+
ISEN2A
RISEN3
VSEN1-
ROS1
CSEN1
ISEN2B
VCC
VCC
VCC
ISHARE
FB2
VSEN2+
R
VSEN2-
CLKOUT/REFIN
GND
ISET
R
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12
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
Multiple Power Modules in Parallel with Current Sharing Control
VIN
+3V to +22V
CIN
VCC
CF4
RCC2
BOOT1
CBOOT3
VIN
CF6
EN
CF5
PVCC
UGATE1
PGOOD
PHASE1
FSYNC
LGATE1
Q5
LOUT3
COUT2
Q6
2k
EN/FF1, 2
ISEN1A
VIN
BOOT2
ISEN1B
CBOOT4
LOUT4
VOUT2
RISEN3
UGATE2
Q7
PHASE2
COMP1/2
ISL8120
Q8
LGATE2
ZFB2
FB1
RFB2
VSEN1+
ISEN2A
VCC
VCC
ROS2
VSEN1-
ISEN2B
VCC
10
ZCOMP2
VMON1/2
2k
RISEN4
10
2-PHASE
MODULE #1
VSEN2+
FB2
CSEN2
VSENSE2+
VSENSE2-
RCSR2
VLOAD
CLKOUT/REFIN
ISHARE
VSEN2-
GND
ISET
R
R
VCC
CF1
RCC1
CF2
PVCC
VIN
BOOT1
VIN
CF3
UGATE1
Q1
CBOOT1
LOUT1
VOUT1
PHASE1
LGATE1
EN/FF1, 2
EN
PGOOD
VIN
2k
ISEN1A
BOOT2
UGATE2
Q3
COMP1/2
PHASE2
10
ZCOMP1
ZFB1
FB1
ISL8120
Q4
RISEN1
ISEN1B
CBOOT2
LOUT2
COUT1
Q2
VMON1/2
LGATE2
ISEN2A
RISEN2
ISHARE
VCC
VCC
VSEN2+
FB2
ROS1
VSEN1-
ISEN2B
VCC
RFB1
VSEN1+
2k
10
CSEN1
VSENSE1+
VSENSE1-
RCSR1
2-PHASE
R
MODULE #2
FSYNC
VSEN2GND
ISET
R
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13
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
3-Phase Regulator with Resistor Sensing and 1 Phase Regulator
VIN
+3V TO +22V
VCC
CF1
CIN
CF2
RCC
PVCC
BOOT1
CBOOT2
VIN
CF3
UGATE1
Q1
LOUT2
VOUT1
PHASE1
EN/FF1
EN VOUT1
LGATE1
Q2
COUT1
EN/FF2
EN VOUT2
VIN
PGOOD
ISEN1A
BOOT2
ISEN1B
COMP1
CBOOT4
FB1
UGATE2
Q3
LOUT4
VOUT2
PHASE2
COUT2
VSEN1+
VSEN1-
ISEN2A
VSENSE1+
VCC
ISET
10
ISEN2B
10
ZFB2
RISEN4
FSYNC
FB2
ISHARE
VMON2
VSEN2+
VSEN2-
VSENSE1R
ZCOMP2
VSENSE2+
10
10
VMON1
ISL8120
LGATE2
Q4
RISEN2
GND
R
PHASE 2
VSENSE2-
VCC
CF1
RCC
VIN
BOOT1
VIN
FSYNC
CF3
UGATE1
CBOOT1
LOUT1
Q1
PHASE1
RFS
LGATE1
EN/FF1, 2
EN VOUT1
CF2
PVCC
Q2
PGOOD
VIN
BOOT2
ISL8120
Q3
UGATE2
COMP1/2
PHASE2
Q4
RISEN1
ISEN1B
CBOOT3
LOUT3
ISEN1A
ZCOMP1
FB1
ZFB1
VMON1/2
LGATE2
RFB1
VSEN1+
ISEN2A
VSEN1-
ROS1
CSEN1
ISEN2B
VCC
RISEN3
GND
VCC
FB2
VSEN2+
ISHARE
PHASE 1 AND 3
VSEN2-
14
R
ISET
VSEN2+
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CLKOUT/REFIN
GND
R
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Application Circuits (Continued)
6 Phase Operation with DCR Sensing
+3V TO +22V
VIN
RCC
VCC
CF1
VIN
CLKOUT/REFIN
CF3
EN/FF1, 2
CIN
PVCC
BOOT1
CF2
UGATE1
PHASE1
LGATE1
Q1
Q2
PGOOD
GND
VCC
VIN
FB2
VSEN2+
VSEN2BOOT2
CBOOT6
LOUT6
Q3
Q4
ISL8120
PHASE 3 AND 6
UGATE2
PHASE2
LGATE2
ISEN2B
RISEN3
VCC
R
RCC
VCC
CF1
VIN
CF3
VIN
Q4
UGATE2
PHASE2
ISL8120
LGATE2
ISEN2B
GND
VCC OR GND
VCC
FB2
VSEN2+
VSEN2-
CF3
PHASE 2 AND 5
GND
VCC
CF1
FSYNC
RCC
VIN
UGATE2
PHASE2
LGATE2
15
FB2
VSEN2+
VSEN2-
ISHARE
ISET
R
PVCC
BOOT1
Q1
VOUT1
COUT1
RISEN1
10
ZFB1
10
ZCOMP1
VMON2
VSEN1ISHARE
GND
CBOOT1
LOUT1
Q2
ROS1
PHASE 1 AND 4
VIN
CF2
VSEN1+
ISEN2A
ISEN2B
GND
VCC OR GND
VCC
RISEN2
COMP1/2
FB1
VMON1/2
VSEN1+
VSEN1-
ISEN1A
ISEN1B
VMON1
FB1
COMP1/2
ISL8120
RISEN4
Q2
UGATE1
PHASE1
LGATE1
BOOT2
Q4
CBOOT2
LOUT2
R
EN/FF1, 2
PGOOD
Q3
Q1
VCC
CLKOUT/REFIN
FSYNC
ISEN2A
RISEN5
VIN
CF2
ISEN1A
ISEN1B
BOOT2
Q3
PVCC
BOOT1
UGATE1
PHASE1
LGATE1
EN/FF1,2
PGOOD
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COMP1/2
FB1
VMON1/2
VSEN1+
VSEN1ISET
FSYNC
ISHARE
GND
RISEN6
VIN
CBOOT4
LOUT4
ISEN1A
ISEN1B
R
ISEN2A
CBOOT5
LOUT5
CBOOT3
LOUT3
CLKOUT/REFIN
ISET
RFB1
ROS1
RFB1
CSEN1
VSENSE1+
VSENSE1-
R
R
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Thermal Information
Input Voltage, VIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -0.3V to +27V
Driver Bias Voltage, PVCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -0.3V to +6.5V
Signal Bias Voltage, VCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -0.3V to +6.5V
BOOT/UGATE Voltage, VBOOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -0.3V to +36V
Phase Voltage, VPHASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VBOOT - 7V to VBOOT + 0.3V
BOOT to PHASE Voltage, VBOOT - VPHASE . . . . . . . . . . . -0.3V to VCC +0.3V
Input, Output or I/O Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -0.3V to VCC +0.3V
Thermal Resistance (Typical Notes 6, 7)
JA(°C/W) JC(°C/W)
32 Ld QFN Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.5
Maximum Junction Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-55°C to +150°C
Maximum Storage Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-65°C to +150°C
Pb-Free Reflow Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see link below
http://www.intersil.com/pbfree/Pb-FreeReflow.asp
Recommended Operating Conditions
Input Voltage, VIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3V to 22V
Driver Bias Voltage, PVCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3V to 5.6V
Signal Bias Voltage, VCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3V to 5.6V
Boot to Phase Voltage (Overcharged), VBOOT - VPHASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . <6V
Commercial Ambient Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0°C to +70°C
Industrial Ambient Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40°C to +85°C
Maximum Junction Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +125°C
CAUTION: Do not operate at or near the maximum ratings listed for extended periods of time. Exposure to such conditions may adversely impact product
reliability and result in failures not covered by warranty.
NOTES:
6. JA is measured in free air with the component mounted on a high effective thermal conductivity test board with “direct attach” features. See Tech
Brief TB379.
7. For JC, the “case temp” location is the center of the exposed metal pad on the package underside.
Electrical Specifications Recommended Operating Conditions, Unless Otherwise Noted. Boldface limits apply over the operating
temperature range, -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) or 0°C to +70°C (Commercial).
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
TEST CONDITIONS
MIN
(Note 9)
TYP
MAX
(Note 9)
UNITS
VCC SUPPLY CURRENT
Nominal Supply VIN Current
IQ_VIN
VIN = 20V; VCC = PVCC; FSW = 500kHz;
UGATE, LGATE = open
11
15
20
mA
Nominal Supply VIN Current
IQ_VIN
VIN = 3.3V; VCC = PVCC;
FSW = 500kHz; UGATE, LGATE = open
8
12
14
mA
Shutdown Supply PVCC Current
IPVCC
EN = 0V, PVCC = 5V
0.5
1
1.4
mA
Shutdown Supply VCC Current
IVCC
EN = 0V, VCC = 3V
7
10
12
mA
IPVCC
PVCC = 4V to 5.6V
250
mA
PVCC = 3V to 4V
150
mA
1

INTERNAL LINEAR REGULATOR
Maximum Current (Note 8)
Saturated Equivalent Impedance (Note 8)
RLDO
P-Channel MOSFET (VIN = 5V)
PVCC Voltage Level
PVCC
IPVCC = 0mA; 0°C < TA < +85°C;
VIN = 12V
5.15
5.4
5.65
V
IPVCC = 0mA; -40°C < TA < +85°C;
VIN = 12V
5.15
5.4
5.95
V
Equivalent LDO Output Resistance
RLDO_OUT
VIN = 12V

0.3
POWER-ON RESET
Rising VCC Threshold
2.85
2.97
V
Falling VCC Threshold
2.65
2.75
V
0°C < TA < +75°C
2.85
2.97
V
-40°C < TA < +85°C
2.85
3.05
2.65
2.75
Rising PVCC Threshold
Falling PVCC Threshold
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16
V
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Electrical Specifications Recommended Operating Conditions, Unless Otherwise Noted. Boldface limits apply over the operating
temperature range, -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) or 0°C to +70°C (Commercial). (Continued)
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
System Soft-start Delay (Note 8)
tSS_DLY
TEST CONDITIONS
MIN
(Note 9)
After PLL, VCC, and PVCC PORs, and
EN(s) above their thresholds
TYP
MAX
(Note 9)
384
UNITS
Cycles
ENABLE
Turn-On Threshold Voltage
Hysteresis Sink Current
IEN_HYS
0.75
0.8
0.86
V
0°C < TA < +85°C
25
30
35
µA
-40°C < TA < +85°C
23
30
35
µA
Undervoltage Lockout Hysteresis (Note 8)
VEN_HYS
VEN_RTH = 10.6V; VEN_FTH = 9V
RUP = 53.6k, RDOWN = 5.23k
Sink Current
IEN_SINK
VENFF = 1V
Sink Impedance
REN_SINK
VENFF = 1V
1.6
V
15.4
mA
64

1500
kHz
406
kHz
OSCILLATOR
Oscillator Frequency Range
150
Oscillator Frequency
RFS = 100k, Figure 30
Total Variation
VCC = 5V; -40°C < TA < +85°C
Peak-to-Peak Ramp Amplitude
VRAMP
VCC = 5V, VEN = 0.8V
Linear Gain of Ramp Over VEN
GRAMP
GRAMP = VRAMP/VEN
Ramp Peak Voltage
VRAMP_PEAK
VRAMP
VEN = VCC = 5.4V, RUP = 2k
Peak-to-Peak Ramp Amplitude
VRAMP
VEN = VCC = 3V; RUP = 2k
Ramp Amplitude Upon Disable
VRAMP
VEN = 0V; VCC = 3.5V to 5.5V
Ramp Amplitude Upon Disable
VRAMP
VEN = 0V; VCC < 3.4V
377
-9
+9
1
%
VP-P
1.25
VEN = VCC
Peak-to-Peak Ramp Amplitude
Ramp DC Offset
344
VRAMP_OS
VCC - 1.4
V
3
VP-P
0.6
VP-P
1
VP-P
VCC - 2.4
VP-P
1
V
FREQUENCY SYNCHRONIZATION AND PHASE LOCK LOOP
Synchronization Frequency
VCC = 5V
PLL Locking Time
VCC = 5.4V; FSW = 400kHz
150
105
VCC = 2.97V; FSW = 400kHz
Input Signal Duty Cycle Range (Note 8)
1500
kHz
µs
150
10
90
%
410
ns
PWM
Minimum PWM OFF Time
tMIN_OFF
Current Sampling Blanking Time (Note 8)
310
tBLANKING
345
175
ns
REFERENCE
Channel 1 Reference Voltage (Include Error
and Differential Amplifiers’ Offsets)
VREF1
-0°C < TA < +70°C
0.6
-0.6
-40°C < TA < +85°C
0.6
-0.7
Channel 2 Reference Voltage (Include Error
and Differential Amplifiers’ Offsets)
VREF2
-0°C < TA < +70°C
%
V
0.75
0.6
-0.75
17
0.7
-0.75
%
V
0.6
-40°C < TA < +85°C
Submit Document Feedback
V
0.6
%
V
0.95
%
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Electrical Specifications Recommended Operating Conditions, Unless Otherwise Noted. Boldface limits apply over the operating
temperature range, -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) or 0°C to +70°C (Commercial). (Continued)
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
TEST CONDITIONS
MIN
(Note 9)
TYP
MAX
(Note 9)
UNITS
ERROR AMPLIFIER
DC Gain (Note 8)
Unity Gain-Bandwidth (Note 8)
UGBW_EA
RL = 10k, CL = 100pF, at COMP Pin
98
dB
RL = 10k, CL = 100pF, at COMP Pin
80
MHz
Input Common Mode Range (Note 8)
-0.2
Output Voltage Swing
VCC = 5V
Slew Rate (Note 8)
SR_EA
Input Current (Note 8)
IFB
VCC - 1.8
0.85
VCC - 1.0
V
V
RL = 10k, CL = 100pF, at COMP Pin
20
V/µs
Positive Direction Into the FB pin
100
nA
Output Sink Current
ICOMP
3
mA
Output Source Current
ICOMP
6
mA
Disable Threshold (Note 8)
VVSEN-
VCC - 0.4
V
0
dB
5
MHz
DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER
DC Gain (Note 8)
UG_DA
Unity Gain Bandwidth (Note 8)
Unity Gain Amplifier
UGBW_DA
VSEN+ pin Sourcing Current
IVSEN+
Maximum Source Current for Current
Sharing (See “Typical Application Circuits
on page 11) (Note 8)
IVSEN1-
Input Impedance
RVSEN+_to
_VSEN-
0.2
1
2.5
µA
VSEN1- Source Current for Current
Sharing when parallel multiple modules
each of which has its own voltage loop
350
µA
VVSEN+ /IVSEN+ , VVSEN+ = 0.6V
-600
k
Output Voltage Swing (Note 8)
Input Common Mode Range (Note 8)
VVSEN-
VMON1, VMON2 = Tri-State
Upper Drive Source Resistance
RUGATE
Upper Drive Sink Resistance
0
VCC - 1.8
V
-0.2
VCC - 1.8
V
VCC - 0.4
V
45mA Source Current
1.0

RUGATE
45mA Sink Current
1.0

Lower Drive Source Resistance
RLGATE
45mA Source Current
1.0

Lower Drive Sink Resistance
RLGATE
45mA Sink Current
0.4

Channel Overcurrent Limit (Note 8)
ISOURCE
VCC = 2.97V to 5.6V
108
µA
Channel Overcurrent Limit
ISOURCE
VCC = 5V; 0°C < TA < +70°C
94
108
122
µA
VCC = 5V; -40°C < TA < +85°C
89
108
122
µA
Disable Threshold (Note 8)
GATE DRIVERS
OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
Share Pin OC Threshold
VOC_ISHARE
VCC = 2.97V to 5.6V
(comparator offset included)
VCC = 5V
(comparator offset included)
1.20
1.16
1.20
V
1.22
V
CURRENT SHARE
Internal Balance Accuracy (Note 8)
VCC = 2.97V and 5.6V, 1% Resistor
Sense, 10mV Signal
±5
%
Internal Balance Accuracy (Note 8)
VCC = 4.5V and 5.6V, 1% Resistor Sense,
10mV Signal
±5
%
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18
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Electrical Specifications Recommended Operating Conditions, Unless Otherwise Noted. Boldface limits apply over the operating
temperature range, -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) or 0°C to +70°C (Commercial). (Continued)
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
MIN
(Note 9)
TEST CONDITIONS
External Current Share Accuracy (Note 8)
VCC = 2.97V and 5.6V, 1% Resistor
Sense, 10mV Signal
MAX
(Note 9)
TYP
±20
UNITS
%
POWER-GOOD MONITOR
Undervoltage Falling Trip Point
VUVF
Undervoltage Rising Hysteresis
VUVR_HYS
Overvoltage Rising Trip Point
VOVR
Overvoltage Falling Hysteresis
VOVF_HYS
Percentage Below Reference Point
-15
-13
Percentage Above UV Trip Point
-11
4
Percentage Above Reference Point
11
%
13
Percentage below OV Trip Point
%
15
4
%
%
PGOOD Low Output Voltage
IPGOOD = 2mA
0.35
V
Sinking Impedance
IPGOOD = 2mA
70

Maximum Sinking Current (Note 8)
VPGOOD < 0.8V
10
mA
OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION
OV Latching Trip Point
EN/FF = UGATE = LATCH Low,
LGATE = High
OV Non-Latching Trip Point (Note 8)
EN/FF = Low, UGATE = Low,
LGATE = High
LGATE Release Trip Point
EN/FF = Low/HIGH, UGATE = Low,
LGATE = Low
118
120
122
%
113
%
87
%
Over-Temperature Trip (Note 8)
150
°C
Over-Temperature Release Threshold
(Note 8)
125
°C
OVER-TEMPERATURE PROTECTION
NOTES:
8. Limits should be considered typical and are not production tested.
9. Compliance to datasheet limits is assured by one or more methods: production test, characterization and/or design.
0.606
0.606
0.604
0.604
0.602
0.602
VFB2 (V)
VFB1 (V)
Typical Performance Curves
0.600
0.600
0.598
0.598
0.596
0.596
0.594
-50
-25
0
25
50
75
100
TEMPERATURE (°C)
FIGURE 2. CHANNEL 1 ACCURACY vs TEMPERATURE
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19
125
0.594
-50
-25
0
25
50
75
100
125
TEMPERATURE (°C)
FIGURE 3. CHANNEL 2 ACCURACY vs TEMPERATURE
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Typical Performance Curves
(Continued)
410
5.7
VIN = 12V; 100mA LOAD
5.6
400
Fsw ( kHz )
PVCC ( V )
5.5
5.4
5.3
390
380
5.2
370
5.1
5.0
-50
-25
0
25
50
75
100
125
360
-50
150
-25
0
25
TEMPERATURE (°C)
0.810
0.810
0.808
0.808
0.806
0.806
0.804
0.804
0.802
0.800
0.798
0.796
0.796
0.792
50
75
100
125
0.790
-50
150
-25
0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
33
33
32
32
31
30
29
28
25
50
75
100
TEMPERATURE (°C)
125
150
FIGURE 7. VENFF2 ENABLE THRESHOLD vs TEMPERATURE
IENFF2_HYST (µA)
IENFF1_HYST (µA)
FIGURE 6. VENFF1 ENABLE THRESHOLD vs TEMPERATURE
27
-50
150
0.798
0.794
25
125
0.800
0.792
0
100
0.802
0.794
-25
75
FIGURE 5. SWITCHING FREQUENCY vs TEMPERATURE
Vth_ENFF1 (V)
Vth_ENFF1 (V)
FIGURE 4. PVCC vs TEMPERATURE
0.790
-50
50
TEMPERATURE (°C)
31
30
29
28
-25
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
FIGURE 8. ENFF1 HYSTERESIS CURRENT vs TEMPERATURE
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20
27
-50
-25
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
FIGURE 9. ENFF2 HYSTERESIS CURRENT vs TEMPERATURE
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Modes of Operation
There are 9 typical operation modes depending upon the signal
levels on EN1/FF1, EN2/FF2, VSEN2+, VSEN2-, FB2, and
CLKOUT/REFIN.
MODE 1: The IC is completely disabled when EN1/FF1 and
EN2/FF2 are pulled below 0.8V.
MODE 2: With EN1/FF1 pulled low and EN2/FF2 pulled high
(Mode 2A), or EN1/FF1 pulled high and EN2/FF2 pulled low
(Mode 2B), the ISL8120 operates as a single phase regulator.
The current sourcing out from the ISHARE pin represents the first
channel current plus 15µA offset current.
MODE 3: When VSEN2- is used as a negative sense line, both
channels’ phase shift depends upon the voltage level of
CLKOUT/REFIN. When the CLKOUT/REFIN pin is within 29% to
45% of VCC, Channel 2 delays 0° over Channel 1 (Mode 3A);
when within 45% to 62% of VCC, 90° delay (Mode 3B); when
greater than 62% to VCC, 180° delay (Mode 3C). Refer to the
“Internal Reference and System Accuracy” on page 34.
MODE 4: When VSEN2- is used as a negative remote sense line,
and CLKOUT/REFIN is connected to an external voltage ramp
lower than the internal soft-start ramp and lower than 0.6V, the
external ramp signal will replace Channel 2’s internal soft-start
ramp to be tracked at start-up, controller operating in DDR mode.
The controller will use the lowest voltage among the internal 0.6V
reference, the external voltage in CLKOUT/REFIN pin and the
soft-start ramp signal. Channel 1 is delayed 60° behind Channel
2. Refer to the “Internal Reference and System Accuracy” on
page 34.
MODE 6: With VSEN2- pulled within 400mV of VCC, FB2 pulled
high and VSEN2+ pulled low, the internal channels (as 1st and
3rd Phase, respectively) are 240° out-of-phase and operate in 3phase single output mode, combined with another ISL8120 at
MODE 2B. The CLKOUT/REFIN pin signals out 120° relative
phases to the falling edge of Channel 1’s clock signal to
synchronize with the second ISL8120’s Channel 1 (as 2nd
Phase).
MODE 7: With VSEN2- pulled within 400mV of VCC and FB2 and
VSEN2+ pulled high, the internal channel is 180° out-of-phase.
The CLKOUT/REFIN pin (rising edge) signals out 90° relative
phase to the Channel 1’s clock signal (falling edge of PWM) to
synchronize with another ISL8120, which can operate at Mode 3,
4, 5A, or 7A. A 4-phase single output converter can be
constructed with two ISL8120s operating in Mode 5A or 7A
(Mode 7A). If the share bus is not connected between ICs, each IC
could generate an independent output (Mode 7B). When the
second ISL8120 operates as two independent regulators (Mode
3) or in DDR mode (Mode 4), then a three independent output
system is generated (Mode 7C). Both ICs can also be constructed
as a 3-phase converter (0°, 90°, and 180°, not a equal phase
shift for 3-phase) with a single phase regulator (270°).
MODE 8: The output CLKOUT signal allows expansion for 12phase operation with the cascaded sequencing, as shown in
Table 1. No external clock is required in this mode for the desired
phase shift.
MODE 9: With an external clock, the part can be expanded for 5,
7, 8, 9 10 and 11 phase single output operation with the desired
phase shift.
MODE 5: With VSEN2- pulled within 400mV of VCC and FB2
pulled to ground, the internal channels are 180° out-of-phase
and operate in 2-phase single output mode (5A). The
CLKOUT/REFIN pin (rising edge) also signals out clock with 60°
phase shift relative to the Channel 1’s clock signal (falling edge
of PWM) for 6-phase operation with two other ISL8120s (5B).
When the share pins are not connected to each other for the
three ICs in sync, two of which can operate in Mode 5A (3
independent outputs can be generated (Mode 5D) and Modes 3
and 4 (to generate 4 independent outputs (Mode 5C)
respectively.
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FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
Submit Document Feedback
TABLE 1.
1ST IC (I = INPUT; O = OUTPUT; I/O = INPUT AND OUTPUT, BI-DIRECTION)
22
VSEN2+
(I)
CLKOUT/REFIN
WRT 1ST
(I or O)
ISHARE (I/O)
REPRESENTS WHICH
CHANNEL(S) CURRENT
2ND CHANNEL
WRT 1ST
(O)
(NOTE 10)
OPERATION
MODE
of 2ND IC
OPERATION
MODE
of 3RD IC
OUTPUT
(See Description for Details)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
DISABLED
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
-
N/A
-
-
-
SINGLE PHASE
-
1ST CHANNEL
-
-
-
SINGLE PHASE
0°
-
-
DUAL REGULATOR
MODE
EN1/
FF1
(I)
EN2/
FF2
(I)
VSEN2(I)
FB2
(I)
1
<0.8V
<0.8V
-
2A
<0.8V
>0.8V
ACTIVE
2B
>0.8V
<0.8V
-
MODES OF OPERATION
-
-
3A
>0.8V
>0.8V
<VCC -0.4V
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
29% to 45% of VCC
(I)
1ST CHANNEL
3B
>0.8V
>0.8V
<VCC -0.4V
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
45% to 62% of VCC
(I)
1ST CHANNEL
90°
-
-
DUAL REGULATOR
3C
>0.8V
>0.8V
<VCC -0.4V
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
> 62% of VCC
(I)
1ST CHANNEL
180°
-
-
DUAL REGULATOR
4
>0.8V
>0.8V
<VCC-0.4V
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
< 29% of VCC
(I)
1ST CHANNEL
-60°
-
-
DDR MODE
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
GND
VCC/GND
60°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
180°
-
-
2-PHASE
5B
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
GND
VCC/GND
60°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
180°
5A
5A or 7A
6-PHASE
5C
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
GND
VCC/GND
60°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
180°
5A
5A or 7A
3 OUTPUTs
5D
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
GND
VCC/GND
60°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
180°
5A
3 or 4
4 OUTPUTs
6
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
VCC
GND
120°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
240°
2B
-
3-PHASE
7A
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
VCC
VCC
90°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
180°
5A or 7A
-
4-PHASE
7B
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
VCC
VCC
90°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
180°
5A or 7A
-
2 OUTPUTs
(1st IC in Mode 7A)
7C
NOTE 11 NOTE 11
VCC
VCC
VCC
90°
Average
of Channel 1 & 2
180°
3, 4
-
3 OUTPUTs
(1st IC in Mode 7A)
8
Cascaded IC Operation MODEs 5A+5A+7A+5A+5A+5A/7A, No External Clock Required
12-PHASE
9
External Clock or External Logic Circuits Required for Equal Phase Interval
5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or (PHASE >12)
NOTES:
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
10. “2ND CHANNEL WRT 1ST” is referred to as “channel 2 lag channel 1 by the degrees specified by the number in the corresponding table cells”. For example, 90° with 2ND CHANNEL WRT 1ST
means channel 2 lags channel 1 by 90°; -60° with 2ND CHANNEL WRT 1ST means channel 2 leads channel 1 by 60°.
11. All EN/FF pins are tied together.
ISL8120
5A
ISL8120
Functional Description
CH1 UG (1ST IC)
D
1-D
180°
CH2 UG (1ST IC)
D
90°
50%
CLKOUT (1ST IC)
90°
D
CH1 UG (2ND IC)
180°
CH2 UG (2ND IC)
D
4 phase timing diagram (MODE 7A)
CH1 UG (1ST IC)
D
1-D
240°
D
CH2 UG (1ST IC)
120°
CLKOUT (1ST IC)
50%
120°
CH1 UG (2ND IC)
1-D
D
CH2 UG(2ND IC, OFF, EN2/FF2 = 0)
3-PHASE TIMING DIAGRAM (MODE 6)
VCC
VSEN2- VSEN2+
FB2
VMON2
CLKOUT/REFIN
COMP2
400mV
DIFF
AMP2
UV/OV
COMP2
ERROR
AMP2
VREF2 = VREF
CLOCK GENERATOR
AND
RELATIVE PHASES CONTROL
CHANNEL 1
PWM CONTROL
BLOCK
CHANNEL 2
PWM CONTROL
BLOCK
FIGURE 10. SIMPLIFIED RELATIVE PHASES CONTROL
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FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Initialization
VIN
Initially, the ISL8120 Power-On Reset (POR) circuits continually
monitor the bias voltages (PVCC and VCC) and the voltage at
the EN pin. The POR function initiates soft-start operation 384
clock cycles after the EN pin voltage is pulled to be above 0.8V,
all input supplies exceed their POR thresholds and the PLL
locking time expires, as shown in Figure 11. During shutdown
or fault conditions, the soft-start is reset quickly while UGATE
and LGATE change states immediately (<100ns) upon the input
drop below falling POR.
ISL8120
R
VCC POR
384
Cycles
AND
EN1/FF1 POR
SOFT-START
OF CHANNEL 1
384
Cycles
AND
PVCC POR
SOFT-START
OF CHANNEL 2
The enable pin can be used as a voltage monitor and to set
desired hysteresis with an internal 30µA sinking current going
through an external resistor divider. The sinking current is
disengaged after the system is enabled. This feature is
especially designed for applications that require higher input
rail POR for better undervoltage protection. For example, in
12V applications, RUP = 53.6k and RDOWN = 5.23k will set the
turn-on threshold (VEN_RTH) to 10.6V and turn-off threshold
(VEN_FTH) to 9V, with 1.6V hysteresis (VEN_HYS).
The multiphase system can immediately turn off all ICs under
fault conditions of one or more phases by pulling all EN/FF
pins low. Thus, no bouncing occurs among channels at fault
and no single phase could carry all current and be over
stressed.
R
V
UP
EN_REF
R DOWN = --------------------------------------------------------------V EN_FTH – V EN_REF
EN_FTH
EN_RTH
–V
RDOWN
V
EN_HYS
= ---------------------------------------------------------UP
I
N
EN_HYS
PHASE
VCC
GRAMP = 1.25
where N is number of EN/FF pins connected together
= V
EN/FF2
Other than used as a voltage monitor described in the previous
section, the voltages applied to the EN/FF pins are also fed to
adjust the amplitude of each channel’s individual sawtooth.
The amplitude of each channel’s sawtooth is set to 1.25 times
the corresponding EN/FF voltage upon its enable (above 0.8V).
This helps to maintain a constant gain
( G M = VIN  D MAX  V RAMP ) contributed by the modulator
and the input voltage to achieve optimum loop response over a
wide input voltage range. The amplitude of each channel’s
sawtooth is set to 1.25 times the corresponding EN/VFF
voltage upon its enable (above 0.8V). The sawtooth ramp
offset voltage is 1V, and the peak of the sawtooth is limited to
VCC - 1.4V. This allows a maximum peak-to-peak amplitude of
sawtooth ramp to be VCC - 2.4V. A constant voltage (0.8V) is
fed into the ramp generator to maintain a minimum
peak-to-peak ramp.
FIGURE 11. SOFT-START INITIALIZATION LOGIC
V
EN/FF1
EN/FF2
Voltage Feed-forward
EN2/FF2 POR
V EN_HYS
R UP = -----------------------------------Nx I EN_HYS
EN/FF1
FIGURE 12. TYPICAL 4-PHASE WITH FAULT HANDSHAKE
PLL LOCKING
VCC POR
ISL8120
2-PHASE
There is an internal transistor, which will pull-down the EN/FF
pin under fault conditions. The multiphase system can
immediately turn off all ICs under fault conditions of one or
more phases by pulling all EN/FF pins low. Thus, no bouncing
occurs among channels at fault and no single phase could
carry all current and be over stressed. The pull-up resistor
(RUP) should be scaled to sink no more than 5mA current to
the EN/VFF pin. Essentially, the EN/FF pins cannot be directly
connected to VCC.
HIGH = ABOVE POR; LOW = BELOW POR
PVCC POR
RUP
2-PHASE
VCC - 1.4V
UPPER LIMIT
å
EN_HYS
V RAMP = LIMIT(V CC_FF  G RAMP , VCC - 1.4V - V RAMP_OFFSET 
0.8V
VCC_FF
LIMITER
SAWTOOTH
AMPLITUDE
(DVRAMP)
VIN
VRAMP_OFFSET = 1.0V
LOWER LIMIT
(RAMP OFFSET)
0.8V
RUP
SYSTEM DELAY
RDOWN
EN/FF
384 Clock
Cycles
SOFT-START
IEN_HYS = 30µA
OV, OT, OC, AND PLL LOCKING FAULTS (ONLY FOR EN/FF1)
FIGURE 13. SIMPLIFIED ENABLE AND VOLTAGE FEEDFORWARD CIRCUIT
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FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
With VCC = 5.4V, the ramp has an allowable maximum
peak-to-peak voltage of 3V and minimum of 1V. Therefore, the
feed-forward voltage effective range is typically 3x.
A 384 cycle delay is added after the system reaches its rising
POR and prior to the soft-start. The RC timing at the EN/FF pin
should be sufficiently small to ensure that the input bus reaches
its static state and the internal ramp circuitry stabilizes before
soft-start. A large RC could cause the internal ramp amplitude
not to synchronize with the input bus voltage during output startup or when recovering from faults. It is recommended to use
open drain or open collector to gate this pin for any system delay,
as shown in Figure 13.
Soft-start
The ISL8120 has two independent digital soft-start circuitry with
fixed 1280 switching cycles. The soft-start time is inversely
proportional to the switching frequency and is determined by the
1280-cycle digital counter. Refer to Figure 14. The full soft-start
time from 0V to 0.6V can be estimated using Equation 1.
1280
t SS = ------------f SW
(EQ. 1)
The ISL8120 has the ability to work under a pre-charged output
(see Figure 15). The output voltage would not be yanked down
during pre-charged start-up. If the pre-charged output voltage is
greater than the final target level but lowered to 120% setpoint,
the switching will not start until the FB voltage reduces to the
internal soft-start signal or the end of the soft-start is declared
(see Figure 16).F
SS SETTLING AT VREF + 100mV
FIRST PWM PULSE
OV = 113%
FIRST PWM PULSE
VOUT TARGET VOLTAGE
FIGURE 16. SOFT-START WITH VOUT BELOW OV BUT ABOVE FINAL
TARGET VOLTAGE
Power-Good
Both channels share the same PGOOD output. Either of the
channels indicating out-of-regulation will pull-down the PGOOD
pin. The Power-Good comparators monitor the voltage on the
VMON pins. The trip points are shown in Figure 17. PGOOD will
not be asserted until after the completion of the soft-start cycle
of both channels. States of both EN/FF1 and EN/FF2 have
impact on the PGOOD signal. If one of the VMON pins’ voltage is
out of the threshold window, PGOOD will not pull low until the
fault presents for three consecutive clock cycles.
ENFF1
0.8V
+
-
EN1
VMON1
+
VREF
-
ENFF2
0.8V
+
-
EN2
PGOOD1
CH1 SOFT-START DONE
VMON2
+
VREF
-
PGOOD2
CH2 SOFT-START DONE
VMON
EN1
PGOOD1
0.0V
-100mV
t
t
1280
= -------------SS
F SW
PGOOD
EN2
PGOOD2
384
ª -------------SS_DLY F
SW
PGOOD1
PGOOD2
FIGURE 14. SOFT-START WITH VOUT = 0V
+20%
FIRST PWM PULSE
SS SETTLING AT VREF + 100mV
VMON1, 2
VMON
+13%
+9%
PRE-CHARGED LEVEL
VREF
-100mV
-9%
FIGURE 15. SOFT-START WITH VOUT = UV
-13%
PGOOD1,2
PGOOD LATCH OFF
AFTER 120% OV
FIGURE 17. POWER-GOOD THRESHOLD WINDOW
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25
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Overvoltage and Undervoltage Protection
The Overvoltage (OV) and Undervoltage (UV) protection circuitry
monitor the voltage on the VMON pins.
OV protection is active upon VCC POR. An OV condition (>120%)
would latch IC off (the high-side MOSFET to latch off
permanently; the low-side MOSFET turns on immediately at the
time of OV trip and then turns off after the VMON drops below
87%). The EN/FF and PGOOD are also latched low at OV event.
The latch condition can be reset only by recycling VCC. In
Dual/DDR mode, each channel is responsible for its own OV
event with the corresponding VMON as the monitor. In
multiphase mode, both channels respond simultaneously when
either triggers an OV event.
There is another non-latch OV protection (113% of target level).
At the condition of EN/FF low and the output over 113% OV, the
lower side MOSFET will turn on until the output drops below 87%.
This is to protect the overall power trains in case of only one
channel of a multiphase system detecting OV. The low-side
MOSFET always turns on at the conditions of EN/FF = LOW and
the output voltage above 113% (all VMON pins and EN/FF pins
are tied together) and turns off after the output drops below 87%.
Thus, in a high phase count application (Multiphase Mode), all
cascaded ICs can latch off simultaneously via the EN/FF pins
(EN/FF pins are tied together in multiphase mode), and each IC
shares the same sink current to reduce the stress and eliminate
the bouncing among phases.
VMON1
113%
87%
OR
FORCE
LGATE1
HIGH
AND
EN/FF1
VMON1>120%
OR
AND
MULTIPHASE
MODE = HIGH
VMON2
113%
87%
AND
OR
EN/FF2
FORCE
LGATE2
HIGH
FIGURE 18. FORCE LGATE HIGH LOGIC
The UV functionality is not enabled until the end of soft-start. In a
UV event, if the output drops below -13% of the target level due to
some reason (cases when EN/FF is not pulled low) other than OV,
OC, OT, and PLL faults, the lower MOSFETs will turn off to avoid
any negative voltage ringing.
26
VOUT
3 CYCLES
3 CYCLES
UV
PGOOD
OV LATCH
UGATE AND EN/FF LATCH LOW
FIGURE 19. PGOOD TIMING UNDER UV AND OV
PRE-POR Overvoltage Protection (PRE-POROVP)
When both the VCC and PVCC are below PORs (not including EN
POR), the UGATE is low and LGATE is floating (high impedance).
EN/VFF has no control on LGATE when VCC and PVCC are below
their PORs. When VCC and PVCC are above their PORs, the LGATE
would not be floating but toggling with its PWM pulses. An
internal 10k resistor, connected in between PHASE and LGATE
nodes, implements the PRE-POR-OVP circuit. The output of the
converter that is equal to phase node voltage via output
inductors is then effectively clamped to the low-side MOSFET’s
gate threshold voltage, which provides some protection to the
load if the upper MOSFET(s) is shorted during start-up, shutdown,
or normal operations. For complete protection, the low-side
MOSFET should have a gate threshold that is much smaller than
the maximum voltage rating of the load.
The PRE-POR-OVP works against pre-biased start-up when
pre-charged output voltage is higher than the threshold of the
low-side MOSFET, however, it can be disabled by placing a
resistor from LGATE to ground. The resistor value can be
estimated from Equation 2.
10k
R  -----------------------------------------------------------V pre – biased  max 
-------------------------------------------------- – 1
V th  min 
VMON2 > 120%
Submit Document Feedback
120%
(EQ. 2)
The resistor value should be as large as possible to minimize
power dissipation, while providing sufficient margin for the
internal 10k and MOSFET’s Vth tolerances. For example, a 2k
resistor is recommended for applications using logic-level
MOSFET with the maximum pre-biased voltage less than 5V.
Over-Temperature Protection (OTP)
When the junction temperature of the IC is greater than +150°C
(typically), both EN/FF pins pull low to inform other cascaded
channels via their EN/FF pins. All connected EN/FFs stay low and
release after the IC’s junction temperature drops below +125°C
(typically), with a +25°C hysteresis (typical).
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Inductor Current Sensing
The ISL8120 supports inductor DCR sensing, MOSFET’s rDS(ON)
sensing, or resistive sensing techniques. The circuits shown in
Figures 20, 21, and 22 represent one channel of the controller.
This circuitry is identical for both channels.
Note that the common mode input voltage range of the current
sense amplifiers is VCC - 1.8V. Therefore, the rDS(ON) sensing
must be used for applications with output voltage greater than
VCC - 1.8V. For example, when VCC = 5.4V, the inductor DCR and
the resistive sensing configurations can be used for output
voltage less than 3V. For higher output voltage, rDS(ON) sensing
configuration must be used.
INDUCTOR DCR SENSING
VIN
I s
L
UGATE(n)
L
PHASE(n)
VOUT
DCR
INDUCTOR
+
+
VC(s)
R
COUT
-
ISL8120
INTERNAL CIRCUIT
VL
-
LGATE(n)
RISEN(n)
(PTC)
+
-
ISEN(n)A
ISEN(n)B
ISEN
FIGURE 20. DCR SENSING CONFIGURATION
An inductor’s winding is characteristic of a distributed resistance
as measured by the DCR (Direct Current Resistance) parameter.
Consider the inductor DCR as a separate lumped quantity, as
shown in Figure 20. The inductor current, IL; will also pass
through the DCR. Equation 3 shows the s-domain equivalent
voltage across the inductor VL.
(EQ. 3)
V L = I L   s  L + DCR 
A simple R-C network across the inductor extracts the DCR
voltage, as shown in Figure 20. The voltage on the capacitor VC,
can be shown to be proportional to the inductor current IL, see
Equation 4.
L
 s  ------------+ 1   DCR  I L 
 DCR

V C = -------------------------------------------------------------------- s  RC + 1 
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27
2
2
D   V IN – max – V OUT  +  1 – D   V OUT
R min = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------k  P R – pkg   P
(EQ. 5)
Where PR-pkg is the maximum power dissipation specification
for the resistor package and P is the derating factor for the
same parameter (eg.: PR-pkg = 0.063W for 0402 package,
P = 80% @ +85°C). k is the margin factor, also to limit
temperature raise in the resistor package, recommend using 0.4.
Once Rmin has been calculated, solve for the maximum value of
C using Equation 6:
L
C max = -------------------------------R min  DCR
C
I CS  n 
SAMPLE
&
HOLD
If the R-C network components are selected such that the RC
time constant (= R*C) matches the inductor time constant
(= L/DCR), the voltage across the capacitor VC is equal to the
voltage drop across the DCR, i.e. proportional to the inductor
current. The value of R should be as small as feasible for best
signal-to-noise ratio. Make sure the resistor package size is
appropriate for the power dissipated and include this loss in
efficiency calculations. In calculating the minimum value of R,
the average voltage across C (which is the average ILDCR
product) is small and can be neglected. Therefore, the minimum
value of R may be approximated using Equation 5.
(EQ. 4)
(EQ. 6)
and choose the next-lowest readily available value. Then
substitute the chosen value into the same equation and
recalculate the value of R. Choose the 1% resistor standard value
closest to this re-calculated value of R. For example, when
VIN_MAX = 14.4V, VOUT = 2.5V, L = 1µH and DCR = 1.5m, with
0402 package Equation 5 yields RMIN of 1476 and Equation 6
yields CMAX of 0.45µF. By choosing 0.39µF and recalculating the
resistor it yields 1.69k
With the internal low-offset current amplifier, the capacitor
voltage VC is replicated across the sense resistor RISEN.
Therefore, the current out of ISEN(n)B pin, ISEN, is proportional to
the inductor current. After 175ns blanking period with respect to
the falling edge of the PWM pulse of each channel, the ISEN
current is filtered and sampled for 175ns. The sampling current
ICS then can be derived as shown by Equation 7:
V OUT


1–D
 I L + ----------------   ---------------- – t MIN_OFF   DCR
L
2F


SW
ICS = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------R ISEN
(EQ. 7)
Where IL is the inductor DC current, FSW is the switching
frequency, and tMIN_OFF is 350ns.
Resistive Sensing
For accurate current sense, a dedicated current-sense resistor
RSENSE in series with the output inductor can serve as the
current sense element (see Figure 21). This technique is more
accurate, but reduces overall converter efficiency due to the
additional power loss on the current sense element RSENSE.
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
VIN
UGATE(n)
I
L
PHASE(n)
Equation 9 shows the sampling current, ICS, when using MOSFET
rDS(ON) sensing.
L
RSENSE
VOUT
COUT
LGATE(n)
ISL8120
INTERNAL CIRCUIT
I
CS  n 
RISEN(n)
SAMPLE
AND
HOLD
+
-
V OUT


1–D
 I L + ----------------   ---------------- – t MIN_OFF   r DS  ON 
L
2F SW


I CS = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------R ISEN
(EQ. 9)
Both inductor DCR and MOSFET rDS(ON) value will increase as the
temperature increases. Therefore the sensed current will
increase as the temperature of the current sense element
increases. In order to compensate the temperature effect on the
sensed current signal, a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC)
resistor can be selected for the sense resistor RISEN.
Overcurrent Protection
ISEN(n)A
ISEN(n)B
ISEN
FIGURE 21. SENSE RESISTOR IN SERIES WITH INDUCTOR
Equation 8 shows the sampling current, ICS, when using sensing
resistor
V OUT


1–D
 IL + ----------------   ---------------- – t MIN_OFF   RSENSE
L
2F


SW
ICS = -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------R ISEN
(EQ. 8)
For overload and hard short condition, the overcurrent protection
reduces the regulator RMS output current much less than full
load by putting the controller into hiccup mode. A delay time,
equal to 3 soft-start intervals, is inserted to allow the disturbance
to be cleared out. After the delay time, the controller then
initiates a soft-start interval. If the output voltage comes up and
returns to the regulation, PGOOD transitions high. If the OC trip is
exceeded during the soft-start interval, the controller pulls
EN/VFF low again. The PGOOD signal will remain low and the
soft-start interval will be allowed to expire. Another soft-start
interval will be initiated after the delay interval. If an overcurrent
trip occurs again, this same cycle repeats until the fault is
removed.
Similar to DCR current sensing approach, the resistive sensing
approach can be used with output voltage less than VCC - 1.8V.
The OCP function is enabled at start-up. The ISL8120 monitors 2
signals: sampled channel current, ICS, and ISHARE voltage for
over current protection.
MOSFET rDS(ON) SENSING
CHANNEL CURRENT OCP
I CS  n 
VIN
ISEN
IL
SAMPLE
AND
HOLD
ISEN(n)B
RISEN
(PTC)
+
ISEN(n)A
I x r DS  ON 
L
+
N-CHANNEL
MOSFETs
ISL8120 INTERNAL CIRCUIT
EXTERNAL CIRCUIT
FIGURE 22. MOSFET rDS(ON) CURRENT-SENSING CIRCUIT
The controller can also sense the channel load current by
sampling the voltage across the synchronous MOSFET rDS(ON)
(see Figure 22). The amplifier is ground-reference by connecting
the ISEN(n)A pin to the source of the synchronous MOSFET.
ISEN(n)B pin is connected to the synchronous MOSFET’S drain
through the current sense resistor RISEN. The voltage across
RISEN is equivalent to the voltage drop across the rDS(ON) of the
lower MOSFET while it is conducting. The resulting current out of
the ISEN(n)B pin is proportional to the channel current IL.
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28
Each sampled channel current, ICS, is compared to 108µA (typ.)
for the OCP trip point. The channel over current trip point can be
set by using RISEN value such that the over current trip point
corresponds to the channel sensing current, ICS, of 108µA. For
DCR current sensing, Equation 7, and rDS(ON) current sensing,
Equation 9, the RISEN can be estimated from Equations 10 and
11, respectively.
V OUT


1–D
 IOC + ----------------   ---------------- – t MIN_OFF   DCR
L
2F SW


R ISEN = ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------108A
(EQ. 10)
V OUT


1–D
 IOC + ----------------   ---------------- – t MIN_OFF   r DS  ON 
L
2F SW


R ISEN = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------108A
(EQ. 11)
Without temperature compensation, the OCP trip point should be
evaluated based on the DCR or MOSFET rDS(ON) values at the
maximum device’s temperature.
While configured as multi-phase operation (VSEN2- > VCC400mV), the channel OCP has 7 clock cycles delay before
entering hiccup mode.
In dual-output operation, the 7-clock cycle delay on Channel2 is
bypassed so the circuit responds to over current condition
immediately. In this mode, the 7-clock cycle delay in Channel1 is
still active. The fast OCP response on Channel1 will be rely on the
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
OCP on ISHARE pin where the voltage on this pin represents the
Channel1 current.
ISHARE OCP
Refer to the block diagram, ISHARE pin sources out a current
IAVG_CS with 15µA offset. In the 2-phase mode, IAVG_CS is the
average of both Channels 1 and 2 sampled currents as
calculated in Equation 12.
ICS1 + ICS2
IAVG_CS = ----------------------------------2
(EQ. 12)
When both channels operate independently, the average
function is disabled, and the current correction block of
Channel 2 is also disabled. The IAVG_CS is Channel 1 sensed
current ICS1. Channel 1 makes any necessary current correction
by comparing the voltages at ISET and ISHARE pins (for 3-phase,
two ISL8120s configuration).
When the share bus does not connect to other ICs, the ISET and
ISHARE pins can be shorted together and grounded via a single
resistor to ensure zero share error.
While in the dual-output mode, IAVG_CS is a copy of channel1’s
sampled current.
In multiphase operation, the VISHARE represents the average
current of all ISL8120 and compares with the ISHARE pin precision
1.2V threshold to determine the overcurrent condition. At the same
time, each channel has additional overcurrent trip point at 108µA
with 7-cycle delay for channel overcurrent protection. This scheme
helps protect against loss of channel(s) in multi-phase mode so that
no single channel could carry excessive current in such event. With
RISHARE = 10kIt would make the channel current OCP and
ISHARE OCP trip at the same over current level; (108µA + 15µA) x
10k1.23V.
Note that it is not necessary for the RISHARE to be scaled to trip at
the same level as the 108µA OCP comparator if the application
allows. For instance, when Channel1 operates independently, the
OC trip set by 1.2V comparator can be lower than 108A trip point.
To set the ISHARE OCP in the multi-phase configuration, the RISEN
must be determined first by using Equations 10 or 11. The IOC in
Equations 10 or 11 is overcurrent for each phase, which is
approximately IOC_total/number of phases. Upon determining
RISET, Equations 7, 8, 9, and 11 can be used to determine ISHARE
OCP, as shown in Equation 12.
1.2V
R ISHARE = ----------------------------------------------------------------------N CNTL

 I AVG_CS + 15A 
i
(EQ. 13)
i=1
R ISET = R ISHARE  N CNTL
where NCNTL is the number of the ISL8120 controllers in parallel
or multiphase operations.
For the RISEN chosen for OCP setting, the final value is usually higher
than the number calculated from Equation 9. The reason for which
is practical, especially for low DCR applications since the PCB and
inductor pad soldering resistance would have large effects in total
impedance, affecting the DCR voltage to be sensed.
Current Sharing Loop
When the ISL8120 operates in 2-phase mode (VSEN2- is pulled
within VCC - 400mV), the current control loop keeps Channel 1
and Channel 2 currents in balance. The sensed currents from
both channels are combined to create an average current
reference (IAVG), which represents average current of both
channel currents. The signal IAVG is then subtracted from the
individual sensed current (ICS1 or ICS2) to produce a current
correction signal for each channel. The block diagram of current
sharing control circuit is shown in Figure 24.
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29
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
DCR SENSING
IOUT1
VOUT
L1
IOUT1
VOUT
PHASE1
L1
DCR1
C
rDS(ON) SENSING
IOUT2
PHASE1
DCR2
DCR1
R
R
L2
C
LOW-SIDE
MOSFET
RISEN1
RISEN1
VOUT
PHASE2
(PTC)
(PTC)
RISEN2
ISEN1B
ISEN1B
ISEN1A
ISEN2A
ISEN1A
VCC
ISEN2B
DCR2
AMP
DCR1
AMP
ICS2
ICS1
400mV
VSEN2-
CHANNEL 1
PWM CONTROL
BLOCK
VSEN2+
E/A
CHANNEL 1
CURRENT
CORRECTION +
BLOCK
-
IAVG_CS +15µA
ISHARE
+


2
+
IAVG
-
+
-
ICSH_ERR
CURRENT
SHARE
BLOCK
CHANNEL 2
CURRENT
CORRECTION
BLOCK
CHANNEL 2
PWM CONTROL
BLOCK
IAVG_CS
ISET
CHANNEL 1
IAVG_CS +15µA
RISET
1.2V
AVG_OC
COMP
ITRIP=108A
SOFT-START &
FAULT LOGIC
7 CYCLES
DELAY
CHANNEL 2
SOFT-START &
FAULT LOGIC
OC2
COMP
VISHARE
7 CYCLES
DELAY
IAVG = (ICS1 + ICS2) / 2
ITRIP=108µA
OC1
COMP
IAVG_CS = IAVG or ICS1
ICSH_ERR = (VISARE - VISET)/GCS
FIGURE 23. SIMPLIFIED CURRENT SAMPLING AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
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30
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
IAVG = (ICS1 + ICS2) / 2
IAVG_CS = IAVG or ICS1
ERROR
AMP 2
ERROR
AMP 1
ISHARE = IAVG_CS + 15µA
ISET = IAVG_CS + 15µA
ICS1
IAVG_CS
-

+
CURRENT
MIRROR
BLOCK
SHARE BUS
RISHARE
+
-

+
VERROR1

ICS2
CURRENT
MIRROR
BLOCK
ICSH_ERR
ISHARE
-
+
ICSH_ERR
IAVG_CS+15µA
CURRENT
SHARING ERROR
BLOCK
IAVG_CS+15µA
RISET
CURRENT
CORRECTION
BLOCK
ICSH_ERR -
ICSH_ERR

VCC
CURRENT
CORRECTION
BLOCK
-
VERROR2
400mV
IAVG_CS
VSEN2-
CURRENT
CORRECTION
BLOCK
ISET
RISHARE=RISET/NCTRL
VSEN1- VSEN1+
VMON1
FIGURE 24. SIMPLIFIED CURRENT SHARE AND INTERNAL BALANCE IMPLEMENTATION
VIN
REN/VFF_up
REN/VFF_low
With
voltage
loop
EN/FF1,2 COM1/2
VSEN1+ CLKOUT
EN/FF1,2
VSEN1/2-
VSEN1ISL81201
ISHARE ISET
COM1/2
FSYNC
VSEN1/2-
VCC ISL81202
ISHARE
RISET1
ISET
COM1/2
FSYNC
VCC ISL81203
ISHARE ISET
CLKOUT
RISET3
RISET2
RISHARE2
RISHARE1
EN/FF1,2
RISHARE3
SHARE BUS
RISHARE_ = RISET_
FIGURE 25. SIMPLIFIED 6-PHASE SINGLE OUTPUT IMPLEMENTATION
Submit Document Feedback
31
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
CURRENT SHARE CONTROL IN MULTIPHASE SINGLE
OUTPUT WITH SHARED COMP VOLTAGE
In multiphase/multi-IC implementation with one single error
amplifier for the voltage loop, all COMP pins must be tied
together. Therefore, all other channels’ error amplifiers that are
not used in voltage loop should be disabled with their
corresponding VSEN- pulled to VCC, as shown in Figure 25.
For current sharing purposes, all ISHARE pins must also be tied
together. The share bus (VISHARE) represents the average current
of all ISL8120s connected to the same ISHARE bus. The ISHARE
pin sources a copy of the IAVG_CS with 15µA offset (IAVG_CS
equals to IAVG or ICS1 depending upon the configuration). The
ISET pin also sources out a copy of IAVG_CS with 15µA offset. The
voltage on ISET pin represents individual current for each IC. The
current share error signal (ICSH_ERR) is then fed into the current
correction block to adjust each channel’s PWM pulse
accordingly.
operation. The internal linear regulator’s input (VIN) can range
between 3V to 22V. PVCC pin is the output of the internal linear
regulator and it provides power for both the internal MOSFET
drivers through the PVCC pin. VCC pin is the bias input for the IC
small signal analog circuitry. By connecting PVCC to VCC pin, the
internal linear regulator supplies bias power to VCC. The VCC pin
should be connected to the PVCC pin with an RC filter to prevent
high frequency driver switching noise from the analog circuitry.
When VIN drops below 5.0V, the pass element will saturate; PVCC
will track VIN with a dropout of the linear regulator. When used
with an external 5V supply, the VIN pin is recommended to be
tied directly to PVCC.
2.65V TO 5.6V
2W
It is recommended to have 3 analog signals: CLKOUT-SYNC,
ISHARE, and EN/FF for communication among the paralleled
modules. All the modules are synchronized and the phase shift
can also be configured to optimal to reduce the input current
ripple by interleaving effects. The connections of these three
wires allows the system to be started at the same time and
achieve good current balance in start-up without overcurrent trip.
Internal Series Linear and Power
Dissipation
The VIN pin is connected to PVCC with an internal series linear
regulator. The PVCC and VIN pins should have the recommended
bypass ceramic capacitors (10µF) connected to GND for proper
Submit Document Feedback
32
PVCC
VCC
VIN
Z1
Z2
5V
FIGURE 26. INTERNAL REGULATOR IMPLEMENTATION
The LDO is capable of supplying 250mA with regulated 5.4V
output. In 3.3V input applications, when the VIN pin voltage is 3V,
the LDO can still supply 150mA while maintaining LDO output
voltage higher than VCC falling threshold to keep IC operating.
Figure 27 shows the LDO voltage drop under different load
current. However, its thermal capability should not be exceeded.
The power dissipation inside the IC could be estimated with
Equation 14.
P IC =  VIN – PVCC   I VIN + P DR
 Q G1  N Q1 Q G2  N Q2
I VIN =  ------------------------------ + ------------------------------  PVCC  F SW + I Q_VIN
V GS2 
 V GS1
(EQ. 14)
6.0
5.5
5.0
PVCC (V)
The power module controlled by ISL8120 with its own voltage
loop can be paralleled to supply one common output load with its
integrated Master-Slave current sharing control, as shown in the
“Typical Application Circuits” on page 13. A resistor RCSR need to
be inserted between VSEN1- pin and the lower resistor of the
voltage sense resistor divider for each module. With this resistor,
the correction current sourcing from the VSEN1- pin will create a
voltage offset to maintain even current sharing among modules.
The recommended value for the VSEN1- resistor RCSR is 100
and it should not be large in order to keep the unity gain
amplifier input pin impedance compatibility. The maximum
source current from the VSEN1- pin is 350µA, which is combined
with RCSR to determine the current sharing regulation range. The
generated correction voltage on RCSR is suggested to be within
5% of VREF (0.6V) to avoid fault triggering of UV/OV and PGOOD
during dynamic events.
10µF
1µF
If one single external resistor is used as RISHARE connecting the
ISHARE bus to ground for all the ICs in parallel, RISHARE should
be set equal to RISET/NCTRL (where NCNTL is the number of the
ISL8120 controllers in parallel or multiphase operations), and
the share bus voltage (VISHARE) set by the RISHARE, represents
the average current of all channels. RISHARE can also be set by
putting one resistor in each IC’ s ISHARE pin and using the same
value with RISET (RISHARE = RISET), which results in the total
equivalent resistance value as RISET/NCTRL.
CURRENT SHARE CONTROL LOOP IN MULTI-MODULE
WITH INDEPENDENT VOLTAGE LOOP
3V TO 22V
4.5
PVCC @ (250mA + Iq)
4.0
3.5
PVCC @ (100mA + Iq)
3.0
PVCC @ (140mA + Iq)
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
VIN PIN VOLTAGE (V)
FIGURE 27. PVCC vs VIN VOLTAGE
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
voltage applied to its corresponding EN/FF pin. See “Voltage
Feed-forward” on page 24.
P DR = P DR_UP + P DR_LOW
R HI1
R LO1

 P Qg_Q1
P DR_UP =  -------------------------------------- + ----------------------------------------  --------------------R
+
R
R
+
R
2
 HI1
EXT1
LO1
EXT1
Frequency Synchronization and Phase Lock
Loop
R HI2
R LO2

 P Qg_Q2
P DR_LOW =  -------------------------------------- + ----------------------------------------  --------------------R
+
R
R
+
R
2
 HI2
EXT2
LO2
EXT2
(EQ. 15)
Q G1  PVCC 2
P Qg_Q1 = ---------------------------------------  F SW  N Q1
V GS1
Q G2  PVCC 2
P Qg_Q2 = ---------------------------------------  F SW  N Q2
V GS2
The FSYNC pin has two primary capabilities: fixed frequency
operation and synchronized frequency operation. By tying a
resistor (RFSYNC) to GND from the FSYNC pin, the switching
frequency can be set at any frequency between 150kHz and
1.5MHz. The value of RFSYNC can be estimated using Equation 16.
The frequency setting curve shown in Figure 30 is also provided to
assist in selecting the correct value for RFSYNC.
1,600
SWITCHING FREQUENCY (kHz)
R GI2
R EXT2 = R G2 + ------------N Q2
R GI1
R EXT2 = R G1 + ------------N Q1
Where the gate charge (QG1 and QG2) is defined at a particular
gate to source voltage (VGS1and VGS2) in the corresponding
MOSFET datasheet; IQ_VIN is the driver’s total quiescent current
with no load at drive outputs; NQ1 and NQ2 are number of upper
and lower MOSFETs, respectively.
To keep the IC within its operating temperature range, an
external power resistor could be used in series with VIN pin to
bring the heat out of the IC, or and external LDO could be used
when necessary.
PVCC
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
20 40
60
80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260
R_FS (kΩ)
FIGURE 30. RFS vs SWITCHING FREQUENCY
BOOT
D
.
4
CGD
RHI1
RLO1
R FSYNC  k  = 4.671 10  Fsw  kHz 
G
RG1
UGATE
CDS
RGI1
CGS
Q1
S
PHASE
FIGURE 28. TYPICAL UPPER-GATE DRIVE TURN-ON PATH
PVCC
D
CGD
RHI2
LGATE
RLO2
G
RG2
CDS
RGI2
CGS
Q2
S
GND
FIGURE 29. TYPICAL LOWER-GATE DRIVE TURN-ON PATH
Oscillator
The Oscillator is a sawtooth waveform, providing for leading edge
modulation with 350ns minimum PWM off-time. The oscillator
(Sawtooth) waveform has a DC offset of 1.0V. Each channel’s
peak-to-peak of the ramp amplitude is set proportional the
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33
– 1.04
(EQ. 16)
By connecting the FSYNC pin to an external square pulse
waveform (such as the CLOCK signal, typically 50% duty cycle
from another ISL8120), the ISL8120 will synchronize its
switching frequency to the fundamental frequency of the input
waveform. The maximum voltage to the FSYNC pin is VCC + 0.3V.
The Frequency Synchronization feature will synchronize the
leading edge of CLKOUT signal with the falling edge of Channel
1’s PWM clock signal. The CLKOUT is not available until the PLL
locks.
The locking time is typically 130µs for FSW = 500kHz. EN/FF1 is
released for a soft-start cycle until the FSYNC stabilized and the
PLL is in locking. The PLL circuits control only EN/FF1, and
control Channel 2’s soft-start instead of EN/FF2. Therefore, it is
recommended to connect all EN/FF pins together in multiphase
configuration.
The loss of a synchronization signal for 13 clock cycles causes
the IC to be disabled until the PLL returns locking, at which point
a soft-start cycle is initiated and normal operation resumes.
Holding FSYNC low will disable the IC.
Differential Amplifier for Remote Sense
The differential remote sense buffers help compensate the droop
due to load on the positive and negative rails and maintain the
high system accuracy of ±0.6%. They have precision unity gain
resistor matching networks, which has a ultra low offset of 1mV.
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
VSENSE- (REMOTE)
10
VOUT (LOCAL)
VSENSE+ (REMOTE)
CSEN
GND (LOCAL)
10
RFB
ROS
ZFB
VSEN-
VCC
VSEN+
VMON
ZCOMP
FB
PGOOD
COMP
400mV
GAIN=1
VREF
OV/UV
COMP
ERROR AMP
PGOOD
FIGURE 31. SIMPLIFIED REMOTE SENSING IMPLEMENTATION
The output of the remote sense buffer is connected directly to the
internal OV/UV comparator. As a result, a resistor divider should
be placed on the input of the buffer for proper regulation, as
shown in Figure 31. The VMON pin should be connected to the FB
pin by a standard feedback network. The output voltage can be
set by using Equation 17:
R FB 

V OUT = V ref   1 + ------------
R OS

(EQ. 17)
To optimize system accuracy, it is highly recommended to
include this impedance into calculation and use resistor with
resistance as low as possible for the lower leg (ROS) of the
feedback resistor divider. Note that any RC filter at the inputs of
the differential amplifier, will contribute as a pole to the overall
loop compensation.
VCC
I = VSEN+ + 1µA
40k
20k
VSEN+
1µA
20k
RDIF = -600k
VSEN-
20k
20k
FIGURE 32. EQUIVALENT DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFER
The differential remote sense buffer has a precision unity gain
resistor matching network, which has a ultra low offset of 1mV.
This true remote sensing scheme helps compensate the droop
due to load on the positive and negative rails and maintain the
high system accuracy of ±0.6%.
As some applications will not need the differential remote sense,
the output of the remote sense buffer can be disabled and be
placed in high impedance by pulling VSEN- within 400mV of VCC.
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34
In such an event, the VMON pin can be used as an additional
monitor of the output voltage with a resistor divider to protect the
system against single point of failure, which occurs in the system
using the same resistor divider for the UV/OV comparator and the
output regulation. The resistor divider ratio should be the same
as the one for the output regulation so that the correct voltage
information is provided to the OV/UV comparator. Figure 33
shows the differential sense amplifier can be directly used as a
monitor without pulling VSEN- high.
Internal Reference and System Accuracy
The internal reference is set to 0.6V. Including bandgap variation
and offset of differential and error amplifiers, it has an accuracy
of ±0.6% over commercial temperature range, and 0.9% over
industrial temperature range. While the remote sense is not
used, its offset (VOS_DA) should be included in the tolerance
calculation. Equations 18 and 19 show the worst case of system
accuracy calculation. VOS_DA should set to zero when the
differential amplifier is in the loop, the differential amplifier’s
input impedance (RDIF) is typically -600k with a tolerance of
20% (RDIF%) and can be neglected when ROS is less than 100.
To set a precision setpoint, ROS can be scaled by two paralleled
resistors.
Figure 34 shows the tolerance of various output voltage
regulation for 1%, 0.5%, and 0.1% feedback resistor dividers.
Note that the farther the output voltage setpoint away from the
internal reference voltage, the larger the tolerance; the lower the
resistor tolerance (R%), the tighter the regulation.
R FB   1 – R% 

%min =  Vref   1 – Ref%  – V OS_DA    1 + ----------------------------------------
R OSMAX 

(EQ. 18)
1
R OSMAX = ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
1
----------------------------------------- + ---------------------------------------------------R OS   1 + R%  R DIF   1 + R DIF % 
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
VOUT
RFB
RFB
ROS
ROS
ZCOMP
VSEN+
VCC
GND
VSEN-
VMON
FB
PGOOD
COMP
400mV
GAIN=1
VREF
OV/UV
COMP
ERROR AMP
PGOOD
FIGURE 33. DUAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE SENSE FOR SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE PROTECTION
R FB   1 – R% 

%max =  Vref   1 – Ref%  – V OS_DA    1 + ----------------------------------------
R OSMIN 

(EQ. 19)
1
R OSMIN = ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
1
--------------------------------------- + ------------------------------------------------R OS   1 – R %  R DIF   1 – R DIF % 
2.5
R% = 1%
2.0
OUTPUT REGULATION (%)
1.5
0.5%
1.0
0.1%
0.5
0.0
-0.5
0.1%
-1.0
0.5%
-1.5
-2.0
-2.5
1%
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
FIGURE 34. OUTPUT REGULATION WITH DIFFERENT RESISTOR
TOLERANCE FOR Ref% = ±0.6%
DDR and Dual Mode Operation
If the CLKOUT/REFIN is less than 29% of VCC, an external
soft-start ramp (0.6V) can be in parallel with the Channel 2’s
internal soft-start ramp for DDR/tracking applications (DDR
Mode).
CLKOUT/REFIN pin. As for the external input signal and internal
reference signal (ramp and 0.6V), the one with the lowest voltage
will be the one to be used as the reference comparing with FB
signal. So in DDR configuration, VTT channel should start-up later
after its internal soft-start ramp in which way the VTT will track
the voltage on REFIN pin derived from VDDQ. This can be
achieved by adding more filtering at EN//FF1 compared with
EN/FF2.
Since the UV/OV comparator uses the same internal reference 0.6V,
to guarantee UV/OV and Pre-charged start-up functions of
Channel 2, the target voltage derived from Channel 1 (VDDQ) should
be scaled close to 0.6V, and it is suggested to be slightly above
(+2%) 0.6V with an external resistor divider, which will have Channel
2 use the internal 0.6V reference after soft-start. Any capacitive load
at REFIN pin should not slow down the ramping of this input 150mV
lower than the Channel 2’ internal ramp. Otherwise, the UV
protection could be fault triggered prior to the end of the soft-start.
The start-up of Channel 2 can be delayed to avoid such situation
happening, if high capacitive load presents at REFIN pin for noise
decoupling. During shutdown, Channel 2 will follow Channel 1 until
both channels drops below 87%, at which point both channels enter
UV protection zone. Depending on the loading, Channel 1 might drop
faster than Channel 2. To solve this race condition, Channel 2 can
either power up from Channel 1 or bridge the Channel 1 with a high
current Schottky diode. If the system requires to shutdown both
channels when either has a fault, tying EN/FF1 and EN/FF2 will do
the job. In DDR mode, Channel 1 delays 60° over Channel 2.
In Dual mode, depending upon the resistor divider level of REFIN
from VCC, the ISL8120 operates as a dual-PWM controller for
two independent regulators with a phase shift, as shown in Table
2. The phase shift is latched as VCC raises above POR and cannot
be changed on the fly.
The output voltage (typical VTT output) of Channel 2 tracks with
the input voltage (typical VDDQ*(1+k) from Channel 1) at the
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FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
TABLE 2.
MODE
DECODING
REFIN RANGE
PHASE for CHANNEL 2
WRT CHANNEL 1
REQUIRED
REFIN
DDR
<29% of VCC
-60°
0.6V
Dual
29% to 45% of VCC
0°
37% VCC
Dual
45% to 62% of VCC
90°
53% VCC
Dual
62% to VCC
180°
VCC
VCC
VDDQ
VSEN2-
PHASE-SHIFTED
CLOCK
ISL8120
STATE
MACHINE
k*R
CLKOUT/REFIN
400mV
R
VTT
k = ------------ – 1
0.6V
Internal SS
0.6V
FB2
E/A2
FIGURE 35. SIMPLIFIED DDR IMPLEMENTATION
Layout Considerations
MOSFETs switch very fast and efficiently. The speed at which the
current transitions from one device to another causes voltage spikes
across the interconnecting impedances and parasitic circuit
elements. These voltage spikes can degrade efficiency, radiate
noise into the circuit and lead to device overvoltage stress. Careful
component selection, layout, and placement minimizes these
voltage spikes. Consider, as an example, the turnoff transition of the
upper PWM MOSFET. Prior to turnoff, the upper MOSFET was
carrying current. During the turnoff, current stops flowing in the
upper MOSFET and is picked up by the lower MOSFET. Any
inductance in the switched current path generates a large voltage
spike during the switching interval. Careful component selection,
tight layout of the critical components, and short, wide circuit traces
minimize the magnitude of voltage spikes.
There are two sets of critical components in a DC/DC converter
using a ISL8120 controller. The power components are the most
critical because they switch large amounts of energy. Next, are
small signal components that connect to sensitive nodes or
supply critical bypassing current and signal coupling.
The power components should be placed first, which include the
MOSFETs, input and output capacitors, and the inductors. It is
important to have a symmetrical layout for each power train,
preferably with the controller located equidistant from each.
Symmetrical layout allows heat to be dissipated equally across
all power trains. Equidistant placement of the controller to the
power trains (it controls through the integrated drivers), helps
keep the gate drive traces equally short, resulting in equal trace
impedances and similar drive capability of all sets of MOSFETs.
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When placing the MOSFETs, try to keep the source of the upper
FETs and the drain of the lower FETs as close as thermally
possible. Input high-frequency capacitors, CHF, should be placed
close to the drain of the upper FETs and the source of the lower
FETs. Input bulk capacitors, CBULK, case size typically limits
following the same rule as the high-frequency input capacitors.
Place the input bulk capacitors as close to the drain of the upper
FETs as possible and minimize the distance to the source of the
lower FETs.
Locate the output inductors and output capacitors between the
MOSFETs and the load. The high-frequency output decoupling
capacitors (ceramic) should be placed as close as practicable to
the decoupling target, making use of the shortest connection
paths to any internal planes, such as vias to GND next or on the
capacitor solder pad.
The critical small components include the bypass capacitors
(CFILTER) for VCC and PVCC, and many of the components
surrounding the controller including the feedback network and
current sense components. Locate the VCC/PVCC bypass
capacitors as close to the ISL8120 as possible. It is especially
important to locate the components associated with the
feedback circuit close to their respective controller pins, since
they belong to a high-impedance circuit loop, sensitive to EMI
pick-up.
A multi-layer printed circuit board is recommended. Dedicate one
solid layer, usually the one underneath the component side of the
board, for a ground plane and make all critical component
ground connections with vias to this layer. Dedicate another solid
layer as a power plane and break this plane into smaller islands
of common voltage levels. Keep the metal runs from the PHASE
terminal to output inductors short. The power plane should
support the input power and output power nodes. Use copper
filled polygons on the top and bottom circuit layers for the phase
nodes. Use the remaining printed circuit layers for small signal
wiring.
ROUTING UGATE, LGATE, AND PHASE TRACES
Great attention should be paid to routing the UGATE, LGATE, and
PHASE traces since they drive the power train MOSFETs using short,
high current pulses. It is important to size them as large and as short
as possible to reduce their overall impedance and inductance. They
should be sized to carry at least one ampere of current (0.02” to
0.05”). Going between layers with vias should also be avoided, but if
so, use two vias for interconnection when possible.
Extra care should be given to the LGATE traces in particular since
keeping their impedance and inductance low helps to
significantly reduce the possibility of shoot-through. It is also
important to route each channels UGATE and PHASE traces in as
close proximity as possible to reduce their inductances.
CURRENT SENSE COMPONENT PLACEMENT AND
TRACE ROUTING
One of the most critical aspects of the ISL8120 regulator layout is
the placement of the inductor DCR current sense components and
traces. The R-C current sense components must be placed as close
to their respective ISENA and ISENB pins on the ISL8120 as
possible.
FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
The sense traces that connect the R-C sense components to each
side of the output inductors should be routed away from the
noisy switching components. These traces should be routed side
by side, and they should be very thin traces. It’s important to
route these traces as far away from any other noisy traces or
planes as possible. These traces should pick up as little noise as
possible. These traces should also originate from the geometric
center of the inductor pin pads and that location should be the
single point of contact the trace makes with its respective net.
It is recommended to fill the thermal pad area with vias. A typical
via array fills the thermal pad foot print such that their centers
are 3x the radius apart from each other. Keep the vias small but
not so small that their inside diameter prevents solder wicking
through during reflow.
Connect all vias to the ground plane. It is important the vias have
a low thermal resistance for efficient heat transfer. It is
important to have a complete connection of the plated-through
hole to each plane.
GENERAL POWERPAD DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The following is an example of how to use vias to remove heat
from the IC.
FIGURE 36. PCB VIA PATTERN
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without notice. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned to verify that data sheets are current before placing orders. Information furnished by Intersil is believed to be
accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by Intersil or its subsidiaries for its use; nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third
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FN6641.2
February 9, 2015
ISL8120
Package Outline Drawing
L32.5x5B
32 LEAD QUAD FLAT NO-LEAD PLASTIC PACKAGE
Rev 3, 5/10
4X 3.5
5.00
28X 0.50
A
B
6
PIN 1
INDEX AREA
6
PIN #1 INDEX AREA
32
25
1
5.00
24
3 .30 ± 0 . 15
17
(4X)
8
0.15
9
16
0.10 M C A B
+ 0.07
32X 0.40 ± 0.10
TOP VIEW
4 32X 0.23 - 0.05
BOTTOM VIEW
SEE DETAIL "X"
0.10 C
0 . 90 ± 0.1
C
BASE PLANE
SEATING PLANE
0.08 C
( 4. 80 TYP )
(
( 28X 0 . 5 )
SIDE VIEW
3. 30 )
(32X 0 . 23 )
C
0 . 2 REF
5
( 32X 0 . 60)
0 . 00 MIN.
0 . 05 MAX.
DETAIL "X"
TYPICAL RECOMMENDED LAND PATTERN
NOTES:
1. Dimensions are in millimeters.
Dimensions in ( ) for Reference Only.
2. Dimensioning and tolerancing conform to AMSE Y14.5m-1994.
3. Unless otherwise specified, tolerance : Decimal ± 0.05
4. Dimension applies to the metallized terminal and is measured
between 0.15mm and 0.30mm from the terminal tip.
5. Tiebar shown (if present) is a non-functional feature.
6. The configuration of the pin #1 identifier is optional, but must be
located within the zone indicated. The pin #1 identifier may be
either a mold or mark feature.
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FN6641.2
February 9, 2015