Step-Down Converter Delivers 25A at 12V Output from Inputs Up to 60V Victor Khasiev The LTC3890 (dual outputs) and LTC3891 (single output) step-down DC/DC controllers directly accept inputs from 4V to 60V. This wide input range covers input voltages for single or double battery automotive environments, eliminating the need for snubbers and voltage suppression circuitry typically required to protect ICs during load dumps. This range also encompasses 48V telecom applications. If no galvanic isolation is required between the input and output voltages, the LTC3890 and LTC3891 can replace expensive and bulky transformer-based converters. Compared to a transformer-based solution, an LTC3890 or LTC3891 step-down converter increases efficiency, reduces power loss in the supply lines, simplifies layout and significantly reduces the bill of materials. HIGH EFFICIENCY 2-PHASE CONVERTER PRODUCES 12V AT 25A Figure 1 shows the LTC3890 in a 2-phase single output step-down converter configuration that delivers 25A at 12V, which can be scaled up to 75A by adding more Figure 1. High efficiency converter produces 25A at 12VOUT from inputs up to 60V LTC3890 ICs to increase the number of power phases. For lower output current, the single-phase LTC3891 can be used. Implementing a 2-phase converter simply requires tying together the independent channel pins of the LTC3890, namely, 30.1k 0.1µF 47pF 4.7nF 9.76k 47pF 35.7k VOUT PLLIN LTC3890 FREQ 10pF RUN2 2.2pF SENSE1+ SS1 TG1 SS2 SW1 VIN 100Ω RJK0651DPB 0.1µF DFLS1100 ITH1 ITH2 2.2µF/100V ×4 1µF/100V SENSE1– RUN1 VFB2 PGND 3m 10µF ×2 BOOST1 + 150µF RJK0653DPB INT VOUT 12V AT 25A 4.7µF INTVCC VIN RJK0651DPB TG2 L2 10µH SW2 0.1µF DFLS1100 PGOOD2 ILIM L1 10µH INT BG1 PGOOD1 1µF 2.2Ω VIN VFB1 499k Although the ITH pins are connected together, each is terminated to a separate 47pF capacitor to compensate VIN, 16V TO 60V 1M 57.6k FB1 and FB2, TRACK/SS1 and TRACK/SS2, RUN1 and RUN2, ITH1 and ITH2. 10µF ×2 INT BOOST2 3m + EXTVCC RJK0653DPB BG2 SENSE2+ 100Ω 2.2pF SENSE2– 28 | July 2012 : LT Journal of Analog Innovation L1, L2: WÜRTH 7443631000 150µF design ideas The LTC3890 dual output, synchronous step-down converter can be easily configured as a single output, dual phase converter for high input voltage, high output current automotive and telecom applications. for possible noise from interconnecting traces. A relatively low switching frequency, around 150kHz, and a relatively high phase inductance of 10µ H are used to reduce switching losses at high input voltages. The output voltage is fed to the EXTVCC pin to reduce losses associated with biasing the chip and internal gate drivers at high input voltages. CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE Efficiency is shown in Figure 2, measured without cooling air flow. Efficiency peaks close to 98% in the middle of the load range and declines to 96% at the 25A maximum load. Figure 3 shows the average input current vs input voltage at no load in Burst Mode operation. The value of this current is below 0.5m A. Figure 4 shows a thermal map of the board with no air flow present at VIN = 20V and VOUT = 12V at 25A (300W). CONCLUSION The LTC3890 dual output, synchronous step-down converter can be easily configured as a single output, dual phase converter for high input voltage, high output current automotive and telecom applications. n where f is the switching frequency and k is a coefficient defined by the current imbalance between the phases. For converters based on the LTC3890, k = 1.08, assuming current sense resistors with a 1% tolerance. 97.5 97.0 96.5 96.0 Figure 4. Temperature hot spots with no air flow 0.22 0.20 INPUT CURRENT (mA) EFFICIENCY (%) 98.0 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.12 95.5 95.0 ∆I 2 12 (VIN – VOUT) • D ∆I = L•f VOUT D= VIN I I PH = k • OUT 2 ∆I I PK = I PH + 2 I RMS = (IPH)2 + 20V 36V 50V 98.5 Selection of power MOSFETs and input/ output capacitors is described in detail in the LTC3890 data sheet. It is important to note that the typical internal VCC voltage and, consequently, the MOSFET gate voltage is 5.1V. This means that logic level MOSFETs must be used in the design. Two values define selection of the inductor: RMS current (IRMS) and saturation current (IPK): Figure 3. Average input current vs input voltage at no load. VOUT is 12V. Figure 2. Efficiency at VIN = 20V, 36V and 50V 99.0 COMPONENT SELECTION 1 6 11 16 LOAD (A) 21 26 0.10 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 VIN July 2012 : LT Journal of Analog Innovation | 29