advertisement 36V Input, 8.5A Buck-Boost µModule Regulator Easily Parallels for Increased Power Design Note 540 Andy Radosevich Introduction The LTM®8055 is a buck-boost µModule® regulator with a 5V to 36V input range that can be easily paralleled to extend load current capability. Its 4-switch buck-boost topology features high efficiency while allowing the input voltage to be below, at or above the output—with smooth transitions between regulation modes. The LTM8055 can regulate a constant-voltage (CV) and a constant-current (CC) output, with analog programming of output current. Its out-of-phase clock output, combined with switching frequency synchronization, 0.22µF C5 68µF C7 22µF VOUT 12V 12A AT 18V ≤ VIN ≤ 36V DERATE IOUT BELOW 18VIN 6A MAXIMUM IOUT AT 7VIN 100k GND IINMON + 11k IIN IOUT VIN SVIN RUN CLKOUT SS U2 LTM8055 CTL MODE LL IOUTMON SYNC RT 0.01µF C3 22µF 36.5k 600kHz 47pF 9.31k R2 0.008Ω VOUT C4 22µF + C6 68µF C8 22µF 100k GND C2 4.7µF 2× R1 0.008Ω VOUT 47pF 36.5k 600kHz IINMON + – U3 FB RT 0.01µF COMP 0.22µF L, LT, LTC, LTM, Linear Technology, the Linear logo and µModule are registered trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. FB 4.7µF 2× High efficiency is an inherent benefit of a 4-switch buck-boost converter design, due mainly to low power losses in NMOS switches. 2-switch converters are IIN IOUT VIN SVIN RUN CLKOUT SS U1 LTM8055 CTL MODE LL IOUTMON SYNC COMP VIN 7V TO 36V enables easy phase interleaving in parallel operation. A complete solution fits a space not much larger than the 15mm × 15mm footprint of the LTM8055, including input capacitors, output capacitors and current sense resistors as needed. C1, C2 MURATA GRM32ER71H475K C3, C4, C7, C8 SAMSUNG CL21A226MAQNNNE C5, C6 AVX TPSE686M025R0200 R1, R2 VISHAY WSL20108L000FEA U3 LT1636CMS8 DN4AR F01 Figure 1. 144W Buck-Boost Regulator Circuit: Two LTM8055s Can Be Easily Paralleled to Increase Output Power. This Parallel Circuit Is Capable of 12A of Output Current When the Input Is Between 18V and 36V 07/15/540 similarly efficient but limited to buck or boost topologies. Furthermore, DC/DC supplies that use a single switch and a rectifier diode, instead of two switches, are less efficient because of power losses in the diode. Parallel Operation It is easy to parallel multiple LTM8055s to increase output power capability. Figure 1 shows a 12V output regulator composed of two parallel LTM8055s, one CV master regulator U1 and one CC slave regulator U2, capable of 12A of output current when the input is from 18V to 36V. Figure 2 shows that the efficiency of the Figure 1 circuit is as high as 93% at 24V input. The output current is derated at input voltages lower than 18V. CV operation of the master regulator and CC operation of the slave regulator assures balanced current sharing. IOUTMON monitors the output current, while the CTL pin programs the output current of the current source regulator. The master is programmed to the desired output voltage while the slave is programmed to a higher output voltage, since it normally regulates current and not voltage. The master regulates the output voltage and its IOUTMON pin connects to the CTL pin of the slave which forces the LTM8055s to share the load current equally. A unity gain buffer allows the master IOUTMON pin to drive the CTL pin of the slave. Figure 3 shows load sharing of the two parallel regulators in Figure 1, where the IOUTMON outputs remain equal during a 6A to 10A load transient test. The two switching cycles are synchronized 180° apart by simply connecting CLKOUT of U1 to the SYNC pin of U2. Out-of-phase synchronization reduces the required capacitance on the input and output. Synchronization prevents any beat frequency noise that could be caused by a random switching cycle relationship between the LTM8055s. More than two LTM8055s can be paralleled by connecting the IOUTMON pin of the master to the CTL pins of the slaves using a single unity gain buffer. An external clock generator with two or more phases may be necessary for proper channel interleaving. Current Regulation and Monitoring Parallel operation is not the only use for the LTM8055's current regulation feature. It can be used for battery and supercapacitor charging or to protect the output from overcurrent and short faults. The LTM8055 also provides input current regulation and monitoring. Input current limit can prevent the LTM8055 from overloading its input supply. Conclusion Minimal design effort is required to produce a compact and high performance converter with the LTM8055. This 36V buck-boost µModule regulator can be easily paralleled for increased output power, with 2-phase designs requiring no external clock. 100 95 VOUT 200mV/DIV EFFICIENCY (%) 90 85 80 IOUTMON, MASTER 500mV/DIV 75 IOUTMON, SLAVE 500mV/DIV 70 VIN = 12V VIN = 18V VIN = 24V 65 60 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 IOUT (A) VIN = 24V 100µs/DIV IOUT 5A/DIV DN540 F03 DN4AR F02 Figure 2. The Efficiency for the Figure 1 Circuit Is as High as 93% at 24V Input. The Output Current Is Derated at Input Voltages Lower Than 18V Data Sheet Download www.linear.com/LTM8055 Linear Technology Corporation Figure 3. The IOUTMON Outputs of the Master and Slave Regulators of Figure 1 Show Balanced Current Sharing During a 6A to 10A Load Transient For applications help, call (408) 432-1900, Ext. 3568 dn540f LT/AP 0715 111K • PRINTED IN THE USA 1630 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035-7417 (408) 432-1900 ● FAX: (408) 434-0507 ● www.linear.com LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 2015