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Data
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TERSIL
1-888-IN
Multi-Phase PWM Controller
Features
The ISL6569 provides core-voltage regulation by driving two
interleaved synchronous-rectified buck-converter channels
in parallel. Interleaving the channel timing results in
increased ripple frequency which reduces input and output
ripple currents. The reduction in ripple results in lower
component cost, reduced dissipation, and a smaller
implementation area.
• Multi-Phase Power Conversion
- 2 Phase Operation
The ISL6569 uses cost and space-saving rDS(ON) sensing
for channel current balance, active voltage positioning, and
over-current protection. Output voltage is monitored by an
internal differential remote sense amplifier. A high-bandwidth
error amplifier drives the output voltage to match the
programmed 5-bit DAC reference voltage. The resulting
compensation signal guides the creation of pulse width
modulated (PWM) signals to control companion Intersil
MOSFET drivers. The OFS pin allows direct offset of the
DAC voltage from 0V to 50mV using a single external
resistor. The reference and amplifiers are trimmed to ensure
a system accuracy of ± 1% over temperature.
• Input Voltage: 12V or 5V Bias
Outstanding features of this controller IC include
Dynamic VIDTM technology allowing seamless on-the-fly VID
changing without the need of any external components.
Output voltage “droop” or active voltage positioning is
optional. When employed, it allows the reduction in size and
cost of the output capacitors required to support load
transients. A threshold-sensitive enable input allows the use
of an external resistor divider for start-up coordination with
Intersil MOSFET drivers or any other devices powered from
a separate supply.
Superior over-voltage protection is achieved by gating on the
lower MOSFET of all phases to crowbar the output voltage.
An optional second crowbar on VIN, formed with an external
MOSFET or SCR gated by the OVP pin, is triggered when
an over-voltage condition is detected. Under-voltage
conditions are detected, but PWM operation is not disrupted.
Over-current conditions cause a hiccup-mode response as
the controller repeatedly tries to restart. After a set number
of failed startup attempts, the controller latches off. A power
good logic signal indicates when the converter output is
between the UV and OV thresholds.
ISL6569
FN9085.7
• Active Channel Current Balancing
• Precision rDS(ON) Current Sharing
- Lossless
- Low Cost
• Precision CORE Voltage Regulation
- ± 1% System Accuracy Over Temperature
- Differential Remote Output Voltage Sensing
- Programmable Reference Offset
• Microprocessor Voltage Identification Input
- 5-Bit VID Input
- 0.800V to 1.550V in 25mV Steps
- Dynamic VIDTM Technology
• Programmable Droop Voltage
• Fast Transient Recovery Time
• Over Current Protection
• Digital Soft Start
• Threshold Sensitive Enable Input
• High Ripple Frequency (160kHz to 2MHz)
• QFN Package:
- Compliant to JEDEC PUB95 MO-220 QFN - Quad Flat
No Leads - Package Outline
- Near Chip Scale Package footprint, which improves
PCB efficiency and has a thinner profile
• Pb-Free Available (RoHS Compliant)
Applications
• AMD Hammer Family Processor Voltage Regulator
• Low Output Voltage, High Current DC-DC Converters
• Voltage Regulator Modules
CAUTION: These devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge; follow proper IC Handling Procedures.
1-888-INTERSIL or 321-724-7143 | Intersil (and design) is a registered trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.
Copyright © Intersil Americas Inc. 2002-2004. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
Dynamic VID™ is a trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.
1
ISL6569
COMP 9
16 VCC
FB 10
15 GND
IOUT 11
14 RGND
VDIFF 12
13 VSEN
PGOOD
28
27
26
25
VID2
1
24 NC
VID1
2
23 NC
VID0
3
22 ISEN1
NC
4
21 PWM1
OFS
5
20 PWM2
COMP
6
19 GND
FB
7
18 ISEN2
NC
8
17 NC
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
NC
17 ISEN2
FS/DIS
18 GND
OFS 8
29
VCC
VID0 7
EN
19 PWM2
30
GND
VID1 6
GND
20 PWM1
31
GND
21 ISEN1
VID2 5
OVP
VID3 4
32
RGND
22 PGOOD
VID4
23 FS/DIS
VID4 3
VSEN
24 EN
OVP 2
VDIFF
GND 1
NC
ISL6569CR (32 LD QFN 5X5)
TOP VIEW
VID3
ISL6569CB (24 LD SOIC)
TOP VIEW
IOUT
Pinouts
Ordering Information
PART NUMBER
TEMP. (oC)
PACKAGE
PKG. DWG. #
ISL6569CB
0 to 70
24 Ld SOIC
M24.3
ISL6569CBZ
(See Note)
0 to 70
24 Ld SOIC
(Pb-free)
M24.3
ISL6569CR
0 to 70
32 Ld 5x5 QFN L32.5x5
ISL6569CRZ
(See Note)
0 to 70
32 Ld 5x5 QFN L32.5x5
(Pb-free)
*Add “-T” suffix to part number for tape and reel packaging.
NOTE: Intersil Pb-free products employ special Pb-free material
sets; molding compounds/die attach materials and 100% matte tin
plate termination finish, which are 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.
2
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Block Diagram
PGOOD
VCC
FS
EN
1.23V
VID4
6V
OSCILLAT0R
AND
SAWTOOTH
VID3
DYNAMIC
VID2
POR
AND
SOFT START
VID
DAC
VID1
UV
PWM1
350mV
+
VID0
+
+
PWM2
-
+
e/a
FB
-
+
COMP
OFS
x0.1
100A
OVP
VDIFF
OV
2.2V
VSEN
90A
diff
OC
RGND
I1
ISEN1
IDROOP
AVERAGE
+
1/2
+
I2
CURRENT
SENSE
ISEN2
GND
3
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Typical Application - 2 Phase Converter
+12V
+12V
+12V
300
PVCC
BOOT
UGATE
VCC
RGND
VSEN
PHASE
VCC
DRIVER
HIP6601B
VDIFF
LGATE
PWM
PWM1
FB
IOUT
RISEN1
GND
VOUT
ISEN1
+12V
COMP
OFS
+12V
ISL6569
PVCC
FS/DIS
RT
VID4
UGATE
VCC
VID3
DRIVER
HIP6601B
VID2
PHASE
LGATE
VID1
PWM2
VID0
PWM
P
LOAD
BOOT
RISEN2
GND
PGOOD
+12V
ISEN2
EN
GND
4
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Thermal Information
Supply Voltage, VCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .+7V
Input, Output, or I/O Voltage . . . . . . . . . . GND -0.3V to VCC + 0.3V
ESD Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Class 3kV
Thermal Resistance
Operating Conditions
Supply Voltage, VCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5V ±5%
Ambient Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0oC to 70oC
Junction Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0oC to 125oC
JA (oC/W)
JC (oC/W)
SOIC Package (Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
N/A
QFN Package (Note 2). . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
4
Maximum Junction Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150oC
Maximum Storage Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . -65oC to 150oC
Maximum Lead Temperature (Soldering 10s) . . . . . . . . . . . . .300oC
(SOIC - Lead Tips Only)
For Recommended soldering conditions see Tech Brief TB389.
CAUTION: Stress above those listed in “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. This is a stress only rating and operation of the
device at these or any other conditions above those indicated in the operational section of this specification is not implied.
NOTES:
1. JA is measured with the component mounted on a high effective thermal conductivity test board in free air. See Tech Brief TB379 for details.
2. JA is measured in free air with the component mounted on a high effective thermal conductivity test board with “direct attach” features.
JC, the “case temp” is measured at the center of the exposed metal pad on the package underside. See Tech Brief TB379.
Operating Conditions: VCC = 5V, TA = 0o C to 70oC. Unless otherwise specified.
Electrical Specifications
PARAMETER
TEST CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
VCC SUPPLY CURRENT
Nominal Supply
VCC = 5VDC; EN = 5VDC; RT = 100k ±1%
8.0
10.8
14.0
mA
Shutdown Supply
VCC = 5VDC; EN = 0VDC; RT = 100k ±1%
8.0
10.3
13.0
mA
VCC Voltage
VCC tied to 12VDC thru 300 resistor, RT = 100k
5.63
5.8
5.97
V
VCC Sink Current
VCC tied to 12VDC thru 300 resistor, RT = 100k
15
20
25
mA
VCC Rising
4.25
4.35
4.50
V
VCC Falling
3.75
3.85
4.00
V
EN Rising
1.205
1.23
1.255
V
Hysteresis
86
92
98
mV
0.792
0.8
0.808
V
SHUNT REGULATOR
POWER-ON RESET AND ENABLE
POR Threshold
ENABLE Threshold
REFERENCE VOLTAGE AND DAC
Reference Voltage
System Accuracy
(Note 3)
-1
-
1
%VID
VID on Fly Step Size
RT = 100k
-
25
-
mV
VID Pull Up
-
-20
-
A
VID Input Low Level
-
-
0.8
V
VID Input High Level
-
1.36
1.6
V
-
100
-
A
47.0
50.0
53.0
mV
Accuracy
-10
-
10
%
Adjustment Range
0.08
-
1.0
MHz
0.8
1.0
1.2
V
Sawtooth Amplitude
-
1.37
-
V
Max Duty Cycle
-
75
-
%
PIN-ADJUSTABLE OFFSET
OFS Current
Offset Accuracy
ROFS = 5.00k±1%
OSCILLATOR
Disable Voltage
IFS/DIS = 1mA
5
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Operating Conditions: VCC = 5V, TA = 0o C to 70oC. Unless otherwise specified. (Continued)
Electrical Specifications
PARAMETER
TEST CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
ERROR AMPLIFIER
Open-Loop Gain
RL = 10k to ground
-
72
-
dB
Open-Loop Bandwidth
CL = 100pF, RL = 10k to ground
-
18
-
MHz
Slew Rate
CL = 100pF, Load = ±400mA
-
7.1
11
V/s
Maximum Output Voltage
RL = 10k to ground
3.6
4.5
-
V
Source Current
3.0
7.0
9.0
mA
Sink Current
1.6
3.0
5.4
mA
Input Impedance
-
80
-
k
Bandwidth
-
20
-
MHz
Slew Rate
-
6
-
V/s
-5
-
5
%
-
6
-
mV
72
90
108
A
-
-
0.4
V
REMOTE-SENSE AMPLIFIER
SENSE CURRENT
IOUT Accuracy
ISEN1 = ISEN2 = 50A
ISEN Offset Voltage
Over-Current Trip Level
POWER GOOD AND PROTECTION MONITORS
PGOOD Low Voltage
IPGOOD = 4mA
Under-Voltage Offset From VID
VSEN Falling
320
350
420
mV
Over-Voltage Threshold
VSEN Rising
2.08
2.13
2.20
V
OVP Voltage
IOVP = 100mA, VCC = 5V
2.2
3.28
4.0
V
NOTE:
3. These parts are designed and adjusted for accuracy within the system tolerance.
Functional Pin Description
NC
VID4
OVP
GND
EN
FS/DIS
PGOOD
ISL6569CR 32 LEAD 5X5 (QFN)
TOP VIEW
VID3
ISL6569C 24 LEAD (SOIC)
TOP VIEW
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
1
24 NC
VID1
2
23 NC
VID0
3
22 ISEN1
NC
4
21 PWM1
OFS
5
20 PWM2
COMP
6
19 GND
FB
7
18 ISEN2
NC
8
17 NC
VID1 6
19 PWM2
VID0 7
18 GND
OFS 8
17 ISEN2
COMP 9
16 VCC
FB 10
15 GND
IOUT 11
14 RGND
VDIFF 12
13 VSEN
6
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
NC
VID2
VCC
20 PWM1
GND
VID2 5
GND
21 ISEN1
RGND
22 PGOOD
VID3 4
VSEN
23 FS/DIS
VID4 3
VDIFF
24 EN
OVP 2
IOUT
GND 1
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
GND
ISEN1, ISEN2
Bias and reference ground for the IC.
Current sense inputs. A resistor connected between these
pins and their respective phase nodes sets a current
proportional to the current in the lower MOSFET during it’s
conduction interval. This current is used as a reference for
channel balancing, load sharing, protection, and load-line
droop.
OVP
Over-voltage protection pin. This pin is pulled to VCC and is
latched when an over-voltage condition is detected. Connect
this pin to the gate of an SCR or MOSFET tied across VIN
and ground. A fuse must be placed upstream to open the
input supply rail and prevent damage to the load device.
VID4, VID3, VID2, VID1, VID0
The state of these five inputs program the internal DAC,
which provides the reference voltage for output regulation.
Connect these pins to either open-drain or active pull-up
type outputs. Pulling these pins above 2.9V can cause a
reference offset inaccuracy.
OFS
Connecting a resistor between this pin and ground creates a
positive offset voltage which is added to the DAC voltage,
allowing easy implementation of load-line regulation. For no
offset, simply tie this pin to ground.
FB and COMP
The internal error amplifier inverting input and output
respectively. Connect the external R-C feedback
compensation network of the regulator to these pins.
IOUT
The current carried out of this pin is proportional to output
current and can be used to incorporate output voltage droop
and/or load sharing. The scale factor is set by the ratio of the
ISEN resistors and the lower MOSFET rDS(ON). If droop is
desired, connect this pin to FB. When not used for droop or
load sharing, simply leave this pin open.
PWM1, PWM2
Pulse-width modulating outputs. Connect these pins to the
individual HIP660x driver PWM input pins. These logic
outputs command the driver IC(s) in switching the halfbridge configuration of MOSFETs.
PGOOD
Power good is an open-drain logic output that changes to a
logic low when the voltage at VDIFF is 350mV below the VID
setting or above 2.2V.
FS/DIS
A dual function pin for setting the switching frequency and
disabling the controller. Place a resistor from this pin to
ground to set the switching frequency between 25kHz and
1MHz. Pulling this pin below 0.8V disables the controller.
EN
Threshold sensitive enable input of the controller. Transition
this pin above 1.23V (typical enable threshold) to initiate a
soft-start cycle. Pull this pin below 1.14V, taking into account
the enable hysteresis, to disable the controller once in
operation. Connect a resistor divider to this pin to set the
power-on voltage level for proper coordination with Intersil
MOSFET drivers. If this function is not required, simply tie
this pin to VCC.
Multi-Phase Control
VSEN, RGND, VDIFF
VSEN and RGND are the inputs to the differential remotesense amplifier. Connect these pins to the sense points of
the remote load. Connect an appropriately sized feedback
resistor, RFB, between VDIFF and FB.
VCC
Supplies all the power necessary to operate the chip. The IC
starts to operate when the voltage on this pin exceeds the
rising POR threshold and shuts down when the voltage on
this pin drops below the falling POR threshold. Connect this
pin directly to a +5V supply or through a series 255 resistor
to a +12V supply.
7
Microprocessor load current profiles have increased to the
point where the multi-phase power conversion advantage is
pronounced. The technical challenges associated with
producing a single-phase converter which is both costeffective and thermally viable have forced a change to the
cost-saving approach of multi-phase. The ISL6569 controller
helps reduce the complexity of implementation by integrating
vital functions and requiring minimal output components.
The block diagram in Figure 1 provides a top level view of
multi-phase power conversion using the ISL6569 controller.
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
OFS
VIN
100A
COMP
PWM
CIRCUIT
+
PWM1
L1
HIP6601B
x0.1
VOUT
REFERENCE
&
DAC
PWM
CIRCUIT
+
ISEN1
RISEN1
-
CO
VIN
P
LOAD
+
PWM2
L2
HIP6601B
+
ERROR
AMPLIFIER
-
FB
AVERAGE
IOUT
ISEN2
IOUT
RISEN2
+
VDIFF
x1
-
-
CURRENT
SENSE
-
CURRENT
SENSE
+
+
VSEN
RGND
FIGURE 1. SIMPLIFIED BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A ISL6569 CONVERTER
Interleaving
The switching of each channel in a multi-phase converter is
timed to be symmetrically out of phase with the other
channel. In a 2-phase converter, channel-2 switches half a
cycle after channel-1. As a result, the converter has a ripple
frequency twice that of either phase. Figure 2 illustrates the
multiplicative effect on output ripple frequency. The two
channel currents (IL1and IL2), combine to form the AC ripple
current and the DC load current. The ripple component has
twice the ripple frequency of either channel current. Each
PWM pulse is terminated half of a cycle, or 2.0s, after the
PWM pulse of the previous phase. The peak-to-peak current
waveform for each phase is about 7A, and the dc components
of the inductor currents combine to feed the load.
IL1 + IL2, 7A/DIV
IL2, 7A/DIV
PWM2, 5V/DIV
IL1, 7A/DIV
PWM1, 5V/DIV
1s/DIV
FIGURE 2. PWM AND INDUCTOR-CURRENT WAVEFORMS
FOR 2-PHASE CONVERTER
In addition, the peak-to-peak amplitude of the combined
inductor currents is reduced in proportion to the number of
phases. To understand the reduction of ripple current
amplitude in the multi-phase circuit, examine the equation
8
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
representing an individual channel’s peak-to-peak inductor
current.
 V IN – V OUT  V OUT
I PP = ----------------------------------------------------L fS V
(EQ. 1)
IN
In Equation 1, VIN and VOUT are the input and output
voltages respectively, L is the single-channel inductor value,
and fS is the switching frequency.
The output capacitors conduct the ripple component of the
inductor current. In the case of multi-phase converters, the
capacitor current is the sum of the ripple currents from each
of the individual channels. Compare Equation 1 to the
expression for the peak-to-peak current after the summation
of two symmetrically phase-shifted inductor currents in
Equation 2.
 V IN – 2 V OUT  V OUT
I C, PP = ---------------------------------------------------------L fS V
(EQ. 2)
IN
Peak-to-peak ripple current decreases by an amount proportional to the number of channels. Output-voltage ripple is a
function of capacitance, capacitor equivalent series resistance (ESR), and inductor ripple current. Reducing the inductor ripple current allows the designer to use fewer or less
costly output capacitors.
Increased ripple frequency and lower ripple amplitude mean
that the designer can use less per-channel inductance and
lower total output capacitance for any performance
specification.
INPUT-CAPACITOR CURRENT, 10A/DIV
CHANNEL 2
INPUT CURENT
10A/DIV
The converter depicted in Figure 3 delivers 36A to a 1.5V load
from a 12V input. The RMS input capacitor current is 8.6A.
Compare this to a single-phase converter also stepping down
12V to 1.5V at 36A. The single-phase converter has 11.9A
RMS input capacitor current. The single-phase converter input
capacitor bank must support 38% more RMS current than an
equivalent 2-phase converter.
Figure 16 in the section entitled Input Capacitor Selection
can be used to determine the input-capacitor RMS current
based on load current, duty cycle. It is provided as an aid in
determining the optimal input capacitor solution.
PWM Operation
One switching cycle is defined as the time between PWM1
pulse termination signals. The pulse termination signal is an
internally generated clock signal which triggers the falling
edge of PWM1. The cycle time of the pulse termination
signal is the inverse of the switching frequency set by the
resistor between the FS/DIS pin and ground. Each cycle
begins when the clock signal commands the channel-1
PWM output to go low. The PWM1 transition signals the
channel-1 MOSFET driver to turn off the channel-1 upper
MOSFET and turn on the channel-1 synchronous MOSFET.
The PWM2 pulse terminates 1/2 of a cycle after PWM1.
Once a PWM signal transitions low, it is held low for a
minimum of 1/4 cycle. This forced off time is required to
ensure an accurate current sample. Current sensing is
described in the next section. After the forced off time
expires, the PWM output is enabled. The PWM output state
is driven by the position of the error amplifier output signal,
VCOMP, minus the current correction signal relative to the
sawtooth ramp as illustrated in Figure 1. When the modified
VCOMP voltage crosses the sawtooth ramp, the PWM output
transitions high. The MOSFET driver detects the change in
state of the PWM signal and turns off the synchronous
MOSFET and turns on the upper MOSFET. The PWM signal
will remain high until the pulse termination signal marks the
beginning of the next cycle by triggering the PWM signal low.
SAMPLED
CURRENT
CHANNEL 1
INPUT CURRENT
10A/DIV
I1
1s/DIV
FIGURE 3. CHANNEL INPUT CURRENTS AND
INPUT-CAPACITOR RMS CURRENT FOR
3-PHASE CONVERTER
Another benefit of interleaving is to reduce input ripple
current. Input capacitance is determined in part by the
maximum input ripple current. Multi-phase topologies can
improve overall system cost and size by lowering input ripple
current and allowing the designer to reduce the cost of input
capacitance. The example in Figure 3 illustrates input
currents from a two-phase converter combining to reduce
the total input ripple current.
9
VIN
r
DS  ON 
I SEN = I
-------------------------L1 R
ISEN
SAMPLE
&
HOLD
CHANNEL 1
UPPER MOSFET
IL1
RISEN
+
ISEN1
I L1 r DS  ON 
+
CHANNEL 1
LOWER MOSFET
ISL6569 INTERNAL CIRCUIT
EXTERNAL CIRCUIT
FIGURE 4. CHANNEL 1 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
CURRENT-SENSING CIRCUITRY
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Current Sensing
During the forced off time following a PWM transition low, the
controller senses channel load current by sampling the
voltage across the lower MOSFET rDS(ON). A groundreferenced amplifier, internal to the ISL6569, connects to the
PHASE node through a 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 into the ISEN pin is proportional to the channel
current, IL. The ISEN current is then sampled and held after
sufficient settling time every switching cycle. The sampled
current is used for channel-current balance, load-line
regulation, overcurrent protection, and module current
sharing.
The circuitry shown in Figure 4 represents channel-1 of a
two channel converter. This circuitry is repeated for
channel-2 of the converter. From Figure 4, the following
equation for channel-1 sampled current, I1, is derived
r DS  ON 
I 1 = I L1 ---------------------R ISEN
(EQ. 3)
where IL1 is half of the total load current.
If rDS(ON) sensing is not desired, an independent currentsense resistor in series with the lower MOSFET source can
serve as a sense element.
Channel-Current Balance
The sampled current from both channels, I1 and I2, is used
to gauge both overall load current and the relative channel
current carried in each leg of the converter. The individual
sample currents are averaged. The resulting average
current, IAVG, provides a measure of the total load current
demand on the converter and the appropriate level of
channel current. Using Figures 4 and 5, the average current
is defined as
I1 + I2
I AVG = --------------2
(EQ. 4)
I OUT r DS  ON 
I AVG = ---------------------------------2
R ISEN
VCOMP
+
+
-
PWM1
SAWTOOTH SIGNAL
f(j)
IER
IAVG
-
2
I2

+
I1
FIGURE 5. CHANNEL-1 PWM FUNCTION AND
CURRENT-BALANCE ADJUSTMENT
Two considerations designers face are MOSFET selection
and inductor design. Both are significantly improved when
channel currents track at any load level. The need for
complex drive schemes for multiple MOSFETs, exotic
magnetic materials, and expensive heat sinks is avoided.
Resulting in a cost-effective and easy to implement solution
relative to single-phase conversion. Channel current balance
insures the thermal advantage of multi-phase conversion is
realized. Heat dissipation is spread over multiple channels
and a greater area than single phase approaches.
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to deliberately
design some channel-current unbalance into the system. In
a highly compact design, one channel may be able to cool
more effectively than the other due to nearby air flow or heat
sinking components. The other channel may have more
difficulty cooling with comparatively less air flow and heat
sinking. The hotter channel may also be located close to
other heat-generating components tending to drive it’s
temperature even higher. In these cases, the proper
selection of the current sense resistors (RISEN in Figure 4)
introduces channel current unbalance into the system.
Increasing the value of RISEN in the cooler channel and
decreasing it in the hotter channel moves both channels into
thermal balance at the expense of current balance.
Voltage Regulation
where IOUT is the total load current.
The average current is then subtracted from the individual
channel sample currents. The resulting error current, IER, is
then filtered before it adjusts VCOMP. The modified VCOMP
signal is compared to a sawtooth ramp signal and produces
a pulse width which corrects for any unbalance and drives
the error current toward zero. Figure 5 illustrates Intersil’s
patented current balance method as implemented on one
channel of a multi-phase converter.
10
The output of the error amplifier, VCOMP, is compared to the
sawtooth waveform to modulate the pulse width of the PWM
signals. The PWM signals control the timing of the Intersil
MOSFET drivers and regulate the converter output to the
specified reference voltage. Three distinct inputs to the error
amplifier determine the voltage level of VCOMP. The internal
and external circuitry which control voltage regulation is
illustrated in Figure 6.
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
EXTERNAL CIRCUIT
RC
CC
ERROR AMPLIFIER
feeds out the OFS pin into a user selected external resistor
to ground. The resulting voltage across the resistor, VOFS, is
internally divided down by ten to create the offset voltage.
This method of offsetting the DAC voltage is more accurate
than external methods of level-shifting the FB pin.
-
TABLE 1. VOLTAGE IDENTIFICATION CODES
ISL6569 INTERNAL CIRCUIT
COMP
FB
+
RFB
+
+
IAVG
IOUT
VCOMP
VDROOP
-
REFERENCE
VOLTAGE
VDIFF
VOUT
REMOTE
SENSE
POINTS
GND
OFS
ROFS
VID1
VID0
DAC
0
0
0
0
0
1.550
0
0
0
0
1
1.525
0
0
0
1
0
1.500
0
0
0
1
1
1.475
0
1
0
0
1.450
0
0
1
0
1
1.425
-
0
0
1
1
0
1.400
0
0
1
1
1
1.375
0
1
0
0
0
1.350
0
1
0
0
1
1.325
0
1
0
1
0
1.300
0
1
0
1
1
1.275
0
1
1
0
0
1.250
0
1
1
0
1
1.225
0
1
1
1
0
1.200
0
1
1
1
1
1.175
1
0
0
0
0
1.150
1
0
0
0
1
1.125
1
0
0
1
0
1.100
1
0
0
1
1
1.075
1
0
1
0
0
1.050
1
0
1
0
1
1.025
1
0
1
1
0
1.000
1
0
1
1
1
0.975
1
1
0
0
0
0.950
1
1
0
0
1
0.925
1
1
0
1
0
0.900
1
1
0
1
1
0.875
1
1
1
0
0
0.850
1
1
1
0
1
0.825
1
1
1
1
0
0.800
1
1
1
1
1
Shutdown
x0.1
OFFSET
VOLTAGE
100A
FIGURE 6. OUTPUT-VOLTAGE AND LOAD-LINE
REGULATION
Most multi-phase controllers simply have the output voltage
fed back to the inverting input of the error amplifier through a
resistor. The ISL6569 features an internal differential
remote-sense amplifier in the feedback path. The amplifier
removes the voltage error encountered when measuring the
output voltage relative to the local controller ground
reference point, resulting in a more accurate means of
sensing output voltage. Connect the microprocessor sense
pins to the non-inverting input, VSEN, and inverting input,
RGND, of the remote-sense amplifier. The remote-sense
amplifier output, VDIFF, is then tied through an external
resistor to the inverting input of the error amplifier.
A digital to analog converter (DAC) generates a reference
voltage based on the state of logic signals at pins VID4
through VID0. The DAC decodes the a 5-bit logic signal
(VID) into one of the discrete voltages shown in Table 1.
Each VID input offers a 20A pull-up to an internal 2.5V
source for use with open-drain outputs. External pull-up
resistors or active-high output stages can augment the pullup current sources, but a slight accuracy error can occur if
they are pulled above 2.9V. The DAC-selected reference
voltage is connected to the non-inverting input of the error
amplifier.
The ISL6569 features a second non-inverting input to the
error amplifier which allows the user to directly offset the
DAC reference voltage in the positive direction only. The
offset voltage is created by an internal current source which
11
VID2
0
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOTE-SENSE
AMPLIFIER
+
VOFS
-
VID3
+
VSEN
RGND
VID4
The integrating compensation network shown in Figure 6
assures that the steady-state error in the output voltage is limited to the error in the reference voltage (output of the DAC)
plus offset errors in the OFS current source, remote-sense
and error amplifiers. Intersil specifies the guaranteed toler-
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
ance of the ISL6569 to include all variations in current
sources, amplifiers and the reference so that the output voltage remains within the specified system tolerance of ± 1%
over temperature.
LOAD-LINE REGULATION
Microprocessor load current demands change from near noload to full load often during operation. The resulting sizable
transient current slew rate causes an output voltage spike
since the converter is not able to respond fast enough to the
rapidly changing current demands. The magnitude of the
spike is dictated by the ESR and ESL of the output
capacitors selected. In order to drive the cost of the output
capacitor solution down, one commonly accepted approach
is active voltage positioning. By adding a well controlled
output impedance, the output voltage can effectively be level
shifted in a direction which works against the voltage spike.
The average current of all the active channels, IAVG, flows
out IOUT, see Figure 6. IOUT is connected to FB through a
load-line regulation resistor, RFB. The resulting voltage drop
across RFB is proportional to the output current, effectively
creating an output voltage droop with a steady-state value
defined as
V DROOP = I AVG R FB
(EQ. 5)
In most cases, each channel uses the same RISEN value to
sense current. A more complete expression for VDROOP is
derived by combining equations 4 and 5.
I OUT r DS  ON 
V DROOP = ---------------------------------- R FB
2
R ISEN
DYNAMIC VID
Next generation microprocessors can change VID inputs at
any time while the regulator is in operation. The power
management solution is required to monitor the DAC inputs
and respond to VID voltage transitions, or ‘on-the-fly’ VID
changes, in a controlled manner. Supervising the safe output
voltage transition within the DAC range of the processor
without discontinuity or disruption.
The ISL6569 checks the five VID inputs at the beginning of
each channel-1 switching cycle. If the VID code has
changed, the controller waits one complete switching cycle
to validate the new code. If the VID code is stable for this
entire switching cycle, then the controller will begin
executing the output voltage change. The controller begins
incrementing the reference voltage by making 25mV steps
every two switching cycles until it reaches the new VID code.
The total time required for a VID change, tDV, is dependent
on the switching frequency (fS), the size of the change
(VID), and the time before the next switching cycle begins.
Since the ISL6569 recognizes VID-code changes only at the
beginning of switching cycles, up to one full cycle may pass
before a VID change registers. This is followed by a
one-cycle wait before the output voltage begins to change.
The one-cycle uncertainty in Equation 8 is due to the
possibility that the VID code change may occur up to one full
cycle before being recognized.
1 VID
1 2 VID
-----  2
------------------ – 1 < t DV  -----  ------------------
f S  0.025
f S 0.025
(EQ. 8)
(EQ. 6)
Droop is an optional feature of the ISL6569. If active voltage
positioning is not required, simply leave the IOUT pin open.
The time required for a converter running with fS = 500kHz
to make a 1.2V to 1.4V reference-voltage change is between
30s and 32s as calculated using Equation 8. This example
is also illustrated in Figure 7.
REFERENCE OFFSET
Typical microprocessor tolerance windows are centered
around a nominal DAC set point. Implementing a load-line
requires offsetting the output voltage above this nominal
DAC set point; centering the load-line within the static
specification window. The ISL6569 features an internal
100A current source which feeds out the OFS pin. Placing
a resistor from OFS and ground allows the user to set the
amount of positive offset desired directly to the reference
voltage. The voltage developed across the OFS resistor,
ROFS, is divided down internally by a factor of 10 and
directly counters the DAC voltage at the error amplifier noninverting input. Select the resistor value based on the
voltage offset desired, VOFS, using Equation 7.
01110
00110
VID, 5V/DIV
VID CHANGE OCCURS
ANYWHERE HERE
VREF, 100mV/DIV
1.2V
1.2V
VOUT, 100mV/DIV
5s/DIV
V OFS  10
R OFS = -------------------------100A
(EQ. 7)
12
FIGURE 7. DYNAMIC-VID WAVEFORMS FOR 500kHz ISL6569
BASED MULTI-PHASE BUCK CONVERTER
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Operation Initialization
Before converter operation is initialized, proper conditions
must exist on the enable and disable inputs. Once these
conditions are met, the controller begins a soft-start interval.
Once the output voltage is within the proper window of
operation, the PGOOD output changes state to update an
external system monitor.
Enable and Disable
The PWM outputs are held in a high-impedance state to
assure the drivers remain off while in shutdown mode. Four
separate input conditions must be met before the ISL6569 is
released from shutdown mode.
First, the bias voltage applied at VCC must reach the internal
power-on reset (POR) circuit rising threshold. Once this
threshold is met, the EN input signal becomes the gate for
soft-start initialization. Hysteresis between the rising and
falling thresholds insures that once enabled, the ISL6569 will
not inadvertently turn off unless the bias voltage drops
substantially. See Electrical Specifications for specifics on
POR rising and falling thresholds.
ISL6569 INTERNAL CIRCUIT
EXTERNAL CIRCUIT
Finally, the 11111 VID code is reserved as a signal to the
controller that no load is present. The controller will enter
shutdown mode after receiving this code and will start up
upon receiving any other code.
To enable the controller, VCC must be greater than the POR
threshold; the voltage on EN must be greater than 1.23V;
FS/DIS must not be grounded; and VID cannot be equal to
11111. Once these conditions are true, the controller
immediately initiates a soft-start sequence.
Soft-Start
The soft-start time, tSS, is determined by an 11-bit counter
that increments with every pulse of the phase clock. For
example, a converter switching at 250kHz per phase has a
soft-start time of
2048
T SS = ------------- = 8.3ms
f SW
During the soft-start interval, the soft-start voltage, VRAMP,
increases linearly from zero to 140% of the programmed
DAC voltage. At the same time a current source, IRAMP, is
decreasing from 160A down to zero. These signals are
connected as shown in Figure 9 (IOUT may or may not be
connected to FB depending on the particular application).
+5V
VCC
OV LATCH
SIGNAL
+
-
EXTERNAL CIRCUIT
+12V
RC
CC
ISL6569 INTERNAL CIRCUIT
COMP
10.7k
ENABLE
COMPARATOR
POR
CIRCUIT
(EQ. 9)
ERROR AMPLIFIER
FB
EN
1.40k
1.23V (± 2%)
RFB
VCOMP
+
IOUT
REFERENCE
VOLTAGE
IRAMP
VDIFF
VRAMP
FIGURE 8. POWER SEQUENCING USING THRESHOLDSENSITIVE ENABLE (EN) FUNCTION
Second, the ISL6569 features an enable input (EN) for
power sequencing between the controller bias voltage and
another voltage rail. The enable comparator holds the
ISL6569 in shutdown until the voltage at EN rises above
1.23V. The enable comparator has about 90mV of hysteresis
to prevent bounce. It is important that the driver ICs reach
their POR level before the ISL6569 becomes enabled. The
schematic in Figure 8 demonstrates sequencing the
ISL6569 with the HIP660X family of Intersil MOSFET drivers
which require 12V bias.
Third, the frequency select\disable input (FS/DIS) will
shutdown the converter when pulled to ground. Under this
condition, the internal oscillator is disabled. The oscillator
resumes operation upon release of FS/DIS and a soft-start
sequence is initiated.
13
IAVG
IDEAL DIODES
FIGURE 9. RAMP CURRENT AND VOLTAGE FOR
REGULATING SOFT-START SLOPE
AND DURATION
The ideal diodes in Figure 9 assure that the controller tries to
regulate its output to the lower of either the reference voltage
or VRAMP. Since IRAMP creates an initial offset across RFB
(RFB x 160A), the first PWM pulse will not be seen until
VRAMP is greater than the RFB IRAMP offset. This produces a
delay after the ISL6569 enables before the output voltage
starts moving. For example, if VID = 1.5V, RFB = 1k and TSS
= 8.3ms, the delay time can be expressed using Equation 10.
T SS
- = 560s
t DELAY = -------------------------------------------------1.4  VID
1 + ---------------------------------------–
6
R FB 160  10
(EQ. 10)
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Following the delay, the soft start ramps linearly until VRAMP
reaches VID. For the system described above, this first
linear ramp will continue for approximately
T SS
t RAMP1 = ---------- – t DELAY
1.4
I
PGOOD
(EQ. 11)
= 5.27ms
The final portion of the soft-start sequence is the time
remaining after VRAMP reaches VID and before IRAMP gets to
zero. This is also characterized by a slight change in the slope
of the output voltage ramp which, for the current example,
exists for a time of
-
+
UV
+
350mV
-
+
(EQ. 12)
VOUT, 500mV/DIV
EN, 5V/DIV
tDELAY tRAMP1
tRAMP2
1ms/DIV
FIGURE 10. SOFT-START WAVEFORMS FOR ISL6569 BASED
MULTI-PHASE BUCK CONVERTER
NOTE: Switching frequency 500kHz and RFB = 2.67k
Fault Monitoring and Protection
The ISL6569 actively monitors voltage and current feedback
to detect fault conditions. Fault monitors trigger protective
measures to prevent damage to a microprocessor load. One
common power good indication signal is provided for linking
to external system monitors. The schematic in Figure 11
outlines the interaction between the fault monitors and the
power good signal.
90A
+
IAVG
OV
OVP
-
= 2.34ms
This behavior is seen in the example in Figure 10 of a converter
switching at 500kHz. For this converter, RFB is set to 2.67k
leading to TSS = 4.0ms, tDELAY = 700ns, tRAMP1 = 2.23ms,
and tRAMP2 = 1.17ms.
OC
DAC
REFERENCE
VDIFF
t RAMP2 = T SS – t RAMP1 – t DELAY
POR
CIRCUIT
2.2V
FIGURE 11. POWER GOOD AND PROTECTION CIRCUITRY
Power Good Signal
The power good pin (PGOOD) is an open-drain logic output
which indicates that the converter is operating properly and
the output voltage is within a set window. The under-voltage
(UV) and over-voltage (OV) comparators create the output
voltage window. The controller also takes advantage of
current feedback to detect output over-current (OC)
conditions. PGOOD pulls low during shutdown and releases
high during soft-start once the output voltage exceeds the
UV threshold. Once high, PGOOD will only transition low
when the controller is disabled or a fault condition is
detected. It will return high under certain circumstances once
a fault clears.
Under-Voltage Protection
The voltage on VDIFF is internally offset by 350mV before it
is compared with the DAC reference voltage. By positively
offsetting the output voltage, an UV threshold is created
which moves relative to the VID code. During soft-start, the
slow rising output voltage eventually exceeds the UV
threshold. Assuming the POR leg of the PGOOD NOR gate
has not detected an OC fault, the PGOOD signal will go
high.
If a fault condition arises during operation and the output
voltage drops below the UV threshold, PGOOD will
immediately pull low, but converter operation will continue.
PGOOD will return high once the output voltage surpasses
the UV threshold.
f the ISL6569 is disabled during operation, the PGOOD
signal will not pull low until the output voltage decays below
the UV threshold.
Over-Voltage Protection
When the output of the differential amplifier (VDIFF) reaches
2.2V, PGOOD immediately goes low indicating a fault. Two
protective actions are taken by the ISL6569 to protect the
microprocessor load.
14
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
First, all PWM outputs are commanded low. Directing the
Intersil drivers to turn on the lower MOSFETs; shunting the
output to ground preventing any further increase in output
voltage. The PWM outputs remain low until VDIFF falls to the
programmed DAC level at which time they go into a highimpedance state. The Intersil drivers respond by turning off
both upper and lower MOSFETs. If the over-voltage
condition reoccurs, the ISL6569 will again command the
lower MOSFETs to turn on. The ISL6569 will continue to
protect the load in this fashion as long as the over-voltage
repeats.
Second, the OVP pin pulls to VCC and can deliver 100mA
into the gate of either a MOSFET or SCR placed on the input
rail (VIN) or VOUT. Turning on the MOSFET or SCR
collapses the power rail and causes a fuse placed further up
stream to blow. The fuse must be sized such that the
MOSFET or SCR will not overheat before the fuse blows.
Once an over-voltage condition is detected, normal PWM
operation ceases and PGOOD remains low until the
ISL6569 is reset. Cycling the voltage on EN below 1.23V or
the bias to VCC below the POR-falling threshold will reset
the controller.
Over-Current Protection
The ISL6569 takes advantage of the proportionality between
the load current and the average current, IAVG, to detect an
over-current condition. See the Channel-Current Balance
section for more detail on how the average current is
created. The average current is continually compared with a
constant 90A reference current. Once the average current
exceeds the reference current, the comparator triggers the
converter to shutdown. The POR circuit places all PWM
signals in a high-impedance state which commands the
drivers to turn off both upper and lower MOSFETs. PGOOD
pulls low and the system remains in this state while the
controller counts 2048 phase clock cycles. This is followed
by a soft-start attempt (see Soft-Start).
During the soft-start interval, the over-current protection
circuitry remains active. As the output voltage ramps up, if
an over-current condition is detected, the ISL6569
immediately places all PWM signals in a high-impedance
state. The ISL6569 repeats the 2048-cycle wait period and
follows with another soft-start attempt, as shown in
Figure 12. This hiccup mode of operation repeats up to
seven times. On the eighth soft-start attempt, the part
latches off. Once latched off, the ISL6559 can only be reset
when the voltage on EN is brought below 1.23V or VCC is
brought below the POR falling threshold.
15
OUTPUT CURRENT, 20A/DIV
0A
OUTPUT VOLTAGE,
500mV/DIV
0V
5ms/DIV
FIGURE 12. OVERCURRENT BEHAVIOR IN HICCUP MODE
Upon completion of a successful soft-start attempt, operation
will continue as normal, PGOOD will return high, and the
over-current latch counter will reset.
During VID-on-the-fly transitions, the OC comparator output
is blanked. The quality and mix of output capacitors used in
different applications leads to a wide output capacitance
range. Depending upon the magnitude and direction of the
VID change, the change in voltage across the output
capacitors could result in significant current flow. Summing
this instantaneous current with the load current already
present could drive the average current above the reference
current level and cause an OC trip during the transition. By
blanking the OC comparator during the VID-on-the-fly
transition, nuisance tripping is avoided.
General Design Guide
This design guide is intended to provide a high-level
explanation of the steps necessary to create a multi-phase
power converter. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with
many of the basic skills and techniques referenced below. In
addition to this guide, Intersil provides complete reference
designs that include schematics, bills of materials, and
example board layouts for all common microprocessor
applications.
Power Stages
Principally, the designer will be concerned with whether
components can be mounted on both sides of the circuit
board; whether through-hole components are permitted; and
the total board space available for power-supply circuitry.
Generally speaking, the most economical solutions are
those where each phase handles between 15 and 20A. All
surface-mount designs will tend toward the lower end of this
current range and, if through-hole MOSFETs can be used,
higher per-phase currents are possible. In cases where
board space is the limiting constraint, current can be pushed
as high as 30A per phase, but these designs require heat
sinks and forced air to cool the MOSFETs.
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
MOSFETs
The choice of MOSFETs depends on the current each
MOSFET will be required to conduct; the switching frequency;
the capability of the MOSFETs to dissipate heat; and the
availability and nature of heat sinking and air flow.
LOWER MOSFET POWER CALCULATION
The calculation for heat dissipated in the lower MOSFET is
simple, since virtually all of the heat loss in the lower
MOSFET is due to current conducted through the channel
resistance (rDS(ON)). In Equation 13, IM is the maximum
continuous output current; IPP is the peak-to-peak inductor
current (see Equation 1); d is the duty cycle (VOUT/VIN); N is
the number of active channels; and L is the per-channel
inductance.
I L, 2PP  1 – d 
 I M 2
P L = r DS  ON   -----  1 – d  + -------------------------------12
 2
(EQ. 13)
An additional term can be added to the lower-MOSFET loss
equation to account for additional loss accrued during the
dead time when inductor current is flowing through the
lower-MOSFET body diode. This term is dependent on the
diode forward voltage at IM, VD(ON); the switching
frequency, fS; and the length of dead times, td1 and td2, at
the beginning and the end of the lower-MOSFET conduction
interval respectively.
I

I M I PP
M I PP t
P D = V D  ON  f S  ----- t d1 +  ----- – --------- d2
 2- + -------2 
2
2
(EQ. 14)
Thus the total maximum power dissipated in each lower
MOSFET is approximated by the summation of PL and PD.
UPPER MOSFET POWER CALCULATION
In addition to rDS(ON) losses, a large portion of the upperMOSFET losses are due to currents conducted across the
input voltage (VIN) during switching. Since a substantially
higher portion of the upper-MOSFET losses are dependent
on switching frequency, the power calculation is more
complex. Upper MOSFET losses can be divided into
separate components involving the upper-MOSFET
switching times; the lower-MOSFET body-diode reverserecovery charge, Qrr; and the upper MOSFET rDS(ON)
conduction loss.
When the upper MOSFET turns off, the lower MOSFET does
not conduct any portion of the inductor current until the
voltage at the phase node falls below ground. Once the
lower MOSFET begins conducting, the current in the upper
MOSFET falls to zero as the current in the lower MOSFET
ramps up to assume the full inductor current. In Equation 15,
16
the required time for this commutation is t1 and the
approximated associated power loss is PUP,1.
I M I PP  t 1 
P UP,1  V IN  -----  ----  f
 2- + -------2   2 S
(EQ. 15)
The upper MOSFET begins to conduct and this transition
occurs over a time t2. In Equation 16, the approximate power
loss is PUP,2.
 I M I PP  t 2 
P UP, 2  V IN  ----- – ---------  ----  f S
2  2
2
(EQ. 16)
A third component involves the lower MOSFET’s reverserecovery charge, Qrr. Since the inductor current has fully
commutated to the upper MOSFET before the lowerMOSFET’s body diode can draw all of Qrr, it is conducted
through the upper MOSFET across VIN. The power
dissipated as a result is PUP,3 and is approximately
(EQ. 17)
P UP,3  V IN Q rr f S
Finally, the resistive part of the upper MOSFET’s dissipation
is given in Equation 18 as PUP,4.
2
 I M
I PP2
P UP,4 = r DS  ON   ----- d + ---------12
 2
(EQ. 18)
In this case, of course, rDS(ON) is the on resistance of the
upper MOSFET.
The total power dissipated by the upper MOSFET at full load
can now be approximated as the summation of the results
from Equations 15, 16, 17 and 18. Since the power
equations depend on MOSFET parameters, choosing the
correct MOSFETs can be an iterative process that involves
repetitively solving the loss equations for different MOSFETs
and different switching frequencies until converging upon the
best solution.
Current Sensing
The ISEN pins are denoted ISEN1 and ISEN2. The resistors
connected between these pins and their respective phase
nodes determine the gain in the load-line regulation loop and
the channel-current balance loop. Select the values for these
resistors based on the room temperature rDS(ON) of the
lower MOSFETs; the full-load operating current, IFL;
according to Equation 19 (see also Figure 4).
r DS  ON  I FL
- -------R ISEN = ---------------------50 10 – 6 2
(EQ. 19)
In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to adjust the
value of one or both of the ISEN resistors. This can arise
when the components of one channel are inhibited from
dissipating their heat so that the affected channel runs hotter
than desired (see the section entitled Channel-Current
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Balance). In this case, chose a new, smaller value of RISEN
for the affected phase. Choose RISEN,2 in proportion to the
desired decrease in temperature rise in order to cause
proportionally less current to flow in the hotter phase.
T
R ISEN ,2 = R ISEN ----------2
T 1
(EQ. 20)
In Equation 20, make sure that T2 is the desired temperature
rise above the ambient temperature, and T1 is the measured
temperature rise above the ambient temperature. While a
single adjustment according to Equation 20 is usually
sufficient, it may occasionally be necessary to adjust RISEN
two or more times to achieve perfect thermal balance
between both channels.
Load-Line Regulation Resistor
The load-line regulation resistor is labeled RFB in Figure 6.
Its value depends on the desired full-load droop voltage
(VDROOP in Figure 6). If Equation 19 is used to select each
ISEN resistor, the load-line regulation resistor is as shown
in Equation 21.
V DROOP
R FB = -----------------------–6
50 10
(EQ. 21)
If one or both of the ISEN resistors was adjusted for thermal
balance, as in Equation 20, the load-line regulation resistor
should be selected according to Equation 22. Where IFL is
the full-load operating current and RISEN(n) is the ISEN
resistor connected to the nth ISEN pin.
V DROOP
R FB = -------------------------------I FL r DS  ON 
 RISEN  n 
(EQ. 22)
n
Output Filter Design
The output inductors and the output capacitor bank together
form a low-pass filter responsible for smoothing the pulsating
voltage at the phase nodes. The output filter also must
provide the transient energy during the interval of time after
the beginning of the transient until the regulator can
respond. Because it has a low bandwidth compared to the
switching frequency, the output filter necessarily limits the
system transient response leaving the output capacitor bank
to supply or sink load current while the current in the output
inductors increases or decreases to meet the demand.
In high-speed converters, the output capacitor bank is
usually the most costly (and often the largest) part of the
circuit. Output filter design begins with minimizing the cost of
this part of the circuit. The critical load parameters in
choosing the output capacitors are the maximum size of the
load step, I; the load-current slew rate, di/dt; and the
maximum allowable output-voltage deviation under transient
loading, VMAX. Capacitors are characterized according to
their capacitance, ESR, and ESL (equivalent series
inductance).
17
At the beginning of the load transient, the output capacitors
supply all of the transient current. The output voltage will
initially deviate by an amount approximated by the voltage
drop across the ESL. As the load current increases, the
voltage drop across the ESR increases linearly until the load
current reaches its final value. The capacitors selected must
have sufficiently low ESL and ESR so that the total outputvoltage deviation is less than the allowable maximum.
Neglecting the contribution of inductor current and regulator
response, the output voltage initially deviates by an amount
di
V   ESL  ----- +  ESR  I
dt
(EQ. 23)
The filter capacitor must have sufficiently low ESL and ESR
so that V < VMAX.
Most capacitor solutions rely on a mixture of high-frequency
capacitors with relatively low capacitance in combination
with bulk capacitors having high capacitance, but limited
high-frequency performance. Minimizing the ESL of the
high-frequency capacitors allows them to support the output
voltage as the current increases. Minimizing the ESR of the
bulk capacitors allows them to supply the increased current
with less output voltage deviation.
The ESR of the bulk capacitors also creates the majority of
the output-voltage ripple. As the bulk capacitors sink and
source the inductor ac ripple current (see Interleaving and
Equation 2), a voltage develops across the bulk-capacitor
ESR equal to IC,PP (ESR). Thus, once the output capacitors
are selected, the maximum allowable ripple voltage,
VPP(MAX), determines the lower limit on the inductance.
 V – 2V

OUT V OUT
 IN
L   ESR  ---------------------------------------------------------f S V IN V PP MAX 
(EQ. 24)
Since the capacitors are supplying a decreasing portion of
the load current while the regulator recovers from the
transient, the capacitor voltage becomes slightly depleted.
The output inductors must be capable of assuming the entire
load current before the output voltage decreases more than
VMAX. This places an upper limits on inductance.
4CVO
L  ---------------V MAX – I  ESR 
 I  2
(EQ. 25)
 2.5  C
L  ----------------- V MAX – I  ESR   V IN – V O


 I  2
(EQ. 26)
Equation 26 gives the upper limit on L for the cases when
the trailing edge of the current transient causes a greater
output-voltage deviation than the leading edge. Equation 25
addresses the leading edge. Normally, the trailing edge
dictates the selection of L because duty cycles are usually
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
less than 50%. Nevertheless, both inequalities should be
evaluated, and L should be selected based on the lower of
the two results. In each equation, L is the per-channel
inductance, and C is the total output capacitance.
each of the three cases which follow, there is a separate set
of equations for the compensation components.
Case 1:
Compensation
2f 0 V pp LC
R C = R FB ----------------------------------0.75V IN
The two opposing goals of compensating the voltage
regulator are stability and speed. Depending on whether the
regulator employs the optional load-line regulation as
described in Load-Line Regulation, there are two distinct
methods for achieving these goals.
COMPENSATING LOAD-LINE REGULATED
CONVERTER
Since the system poles and zero are effected by the values
of the components that are meant to compensate them, the
solution to the system equation becomes fairly complicated.
Fortunately there is a simple approximation that comes very
close to an optimal solution. Treating the system as though it
were a voltage-mode regulator by compensating the L-C
poles and the ESR zero of the voltage-mode approximation
yields a solution that is always stable with very close to ideal
transient performance.
C2 (OPTIONAL)
RC
CC
COMP
+
IOUT
VDROOP
ISL6569
FB
RFB
VDIFF
FIGURE 13. COMPENSATION CONFIGURATION FOR
LOAD-LINE REGULATED ISL6569 CIRCUIT
The feedback resistor, RFB, has already been chosen as
outlined in Load-Line Regulation Resistor. Select a target
bandwidth for the compensated system, f0. The target
bandwidth must be large enough to assure adequate
transient performance, but smaller than 1/3 of the perchannel switching frequency. The values of the
compensation components depend on the relationships of f0
to the L-C pole frequency and the ESR zero frequency. For
18
0.75V IN
C C = ----------------------------------2V PP R FB f 0
Case 2:
The load-line regulated converter behaves in a similar
manner to a peak-current mode controller because the two
poles at the output-filter L-C resonant frequency split with
the introduction of current information into the control loop.
The final location of these poles is determined by the system
function, the gain of the current signal, and the value of the
compensation components, RC and CC.
1
------------------- > f 0
2 LC
1
1
-------------------  f 0 < ----------------------------2C  ESR 
2 LC
V PP  2  2 f 02 LC
R C = R FB -------------------------------------------0.75 V
(EQ. 27)
IN
0.75V IN
C C = -----------------------------------------------------------2
 2  f 02 V PP R FB LC
Case 3:
1
f 0 > -----------------------------2C  ESR 
2 f 0 V pp L
R C = R FB ----------------------------------------0.75 V IN  ESR 
0.75V IN  ESR  C
C C = -----------------------------------------------2V PP R FB f 0 L
In Equations 27, L is the per-channel filter inductance
divided by 2 (the number of active channels); C is the sum
total of all output capacitors; ESR is the equivalent-series
resistance of the bulk output-filter capacitance; and VPP is
the peak-to-peak sawtooth signal amplitude as described in
Figure 5 and Electrical Specifications.
Once selected, the compensation values in Equations 27
assure a stable converter with reasonable transient performance. In most cases, transient performance can be
improved by making adjustments to RC. Slowly increase the
value of RC while observing the transient performance on an
oscilloscope until no further improvement is noted. Normally,
CC will not need adjustment. Keep the value of CC from
Equations 27 unless some performance issue is noted.
The optional capacitor C2, is sometimes needed to bypass
noise away from the PWM comparator (see Figure 13). Keep
a position available for C2, and be prepared to install a highfrequency capacitor of between 22pF and 150pF in case any
trailing edge jitter problem is noted.
Compensation without load-line regulation
The non load-line regulated converter is accurately modeled
as a voltage-mode regulator with two poles at the L-C
resonant frequency and a zero at the ESR frequency. A
type-III controller, as shown in Figure 14, provides the
necessary compensation.
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
The first step is to choose the desired bandwidth, f0, of the
compensated system. Choose a frequency high enough to
assure adequate transient performance but not higher than
1/3 of the switching frequency. The type-III compensator has
an extra high-frequency pole, fHF. This pole can be used for
added noise rejection or to assure adequate attenuation at
the error-amplifier high-order pole and zero frequencies. A
good general rule is to chose fHF = 10 f0, but it can be higher
if desired. Choosing fHF to be lower than 10 f0 can cause
problems with too much phase shift below the system
bandwidth.
resistance of the bulk output-filter capacitance; and VPP is
the peak-to-peak sawtooth signal amplitude as described in
Figure 5 and Electrical Specifications.
Input Supply Voltage Selection
The VCC input of the ISL6569 can be connected to either a
+5V supply directly or through a current limiting resistor to a
+12V supply. An integrated 5.8V shunt regulator maintains
the voltage on the VCC pin when a +12V supply is used. A
300 resistor is suggested for limiting the current into the
VCC pin to approximately 20mA.
Switching Frequency
C2
RC
CC
There are a number of variables to consider when choosing
the switching frequency, as there are considerable effects on
the upper-MOSFET loss calculation. These effects are
outlined in MOSFETs, and they establish the upper limit for
the switching frequency. The lower limit is established by the
requirement for fast transient response and small outputvoltage ripple as outlined in Input Supply Voltage Selection.
Choose the lowest switching frequency that allows the
regulator to meet the transient-response requirements.
COMP
IOUT
RFB
R1
ISL6569
FB
C1
Switching frequency is determined by the selection of the
frequency-setting resistor, RT (see the figure Typical
Application on page 4). Figure 15 and Equation 29 are
provided to assist in the selecting the correct value for RT.
VDIFF
FIGURE 14. COMPENSATION CIRCUIT FOR ISL6569 BASED
CONVERTER WITHOUT LOAD-LINE
REGULATION.
R T = 10
11.09 – 1.13 log  f S  
(EQ. 29)
Input Capacitor Selection
In the solutions to the compensation equations, there is a
single degree of freedom. For the solutions presented in
Equations 28, RFB is selected arbitrarily. The remaining
compensation components are then selected according to
Equations 28.
C  ESR 
R 1 = R FB ----------------------------------------LC – C  ESR 
The input capacitors are responsible for sourcing the ac
component of the input current flowing into the upper
MOSFETs. Their RMS current capacity must be sufficient to
handle the ac component of the current drawn by the upper
MOSFETs which is related to duty cycle and the number of
active phases.
1000
LC – C  ESR 
C 1 = ----------------------------------------R FB
0.75V IN
C 2 = ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2  2 f 0 f HF LCR FB V PP
2
V PP  2 f 0 f HF LCR FB
 
R C = -------------------------------------------------------------------2f

0.75 V
 HF LC – 1
RT (k)
(EQ. 28)
100
IN

0.75V IN 2f
 HF LC – 1
C C = ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2  2 f 0 f HF LCR FB V PP
In Equations 28, L is the per-channel filter inductance
divided by the number of active channels; C is the sum total
of all output capacitors; ESR is the equivalent-series
19
10
10
100
1000
SWITCHING FREQUENCY (KHZ)
10000
FIGURE 15. RT VS SWITCHING FREQUENCY
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Next, place the input and output capacitors. Position one
high-frequency ceramic input capacitor next to each upper
MOSFET drain. Place the bulk input capacitors as close to
the upper MOSFET drains as dictated by the component
size and dimensions. Long distances between input
capacitors and MOSFET drains results in too much trace
inductance and a reduction in capacitor performance. Locate
the output capacitors between the inductors and the load,
while keeping them in close proximity around the
microprocessor socket.
INPUT-CAPACITOR CURRENT (IRMS / IO)
0.3
0.2
0.1
IC,PP = 0
IC,PP = 0.5 IO
IC,PP = 0.75 IO
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DUTY CYCLE (VIN / VO)
FIGURE 16. NORMALIZED INPUT-CAPACITOR RMS
CURRENT VS DUTY CYCLE FOR 2-PHASE
CONVERTER
For a two phase design, use Figure 16 to determine the
input-capacitor RMS current requirement given the duty
cycle, maximum sustained output current (IO), and the ratio
of the combined peak-to-peak inductor current (IC,PP) to IO.
Select a bulk capacitor with a ripple current rating which will
minimize the total number of input capacitors required to
support the RMS current calculated. The voltage rating of
the capacitors should also be at least 1.25 times greater
than the maximum input voltage.
Layout Considerations
The following multi-layer printed circuit board layout strategies
minimize the impact of board parasitics on converter
performance. The following sections highlight some important
practices which should not be overlooked during the layout
process.
The ISL6569 can be placed off to one side or centered
relative to the individual phase switching components.
Routing of sense lines and PWM signals will guide final
placement. Critical small signal components to place close
to the controller include the ISEN resistors, RT resistor,
feedback resistor, and compensation components.
Bypass capacitors for the ISL6569 and HIP660X driver bias
supplies must be placed next to their respective pins. Stray
trace parasitics will reduce their effectiveness.
Plane Allocation and Routing
Dedicate one solid layer, usually a middle layer, for a ground
plane. Make all critical component ground connections with
vias to this plane. Dedicate one additional layer for power
planes; breaking the plane up into smaller islands of
common voltage. Use the remaining layers for small signal
wiring.
Route PHASE planes of copper filled polygons on the top
and bottom once the switching component placement is set.
Size the trace width between the driver gate pins and the
MOSFET gates to carry 1A of current. When routing
components in the switching path, use short wide traces to
reduce the associated parasitics.
Component Placement
Within the allotted implementation area, orient the switching
components first. The switching components are the most
critical because they switch large amounts of energy and
tend to generate large amounts of noise. How the switching
components are placed should also take into account power
dissipation. Align the output inductors and MOSFETs such
that space between the components is minimized while
creating the PHASE plane. Place the Intersil HIP660X
drivers as close as possible to the MOSFETs they control to
reduce the parasitics due to trace length between critical
driver input and output signals. If possible, duplicate the
same placement of switching components for each phase.
20
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Small Outline Plastic Packages (SOIC)
M24.3 (JEDEC MS-013-AD ISSUE C)
N
INDEX
AREA
24 LEAD WIDE BODY SMALL OUTLINE PLASTIC PACKAGE
0.25(0.010) M
H
B M
INCHES
E
-B-
1
2
3
L
SEATING PLANE
-A-
h x 45o
A
D
-C-
e
A1
B
0.25(0.010) M
C
0.10(0.004)
C A M
SYMBOL
MIN
MAX
MIN
MAX
NOTES
A
0.0926
0.1043
2.35
2.65
-
A1
0.0040
0.0118
0.10
0.30
-
B
0.013
0.020
0.33
0.51
9
C
0.0091
0.0125
0.23
0.32
-
D
0.5985
0.6141
15.20
15.60
3
E
0.2914
0.2992
7.40
7.60
4
e
µ
B S
1. Symbols are defined in the “MO Series Symbol List” in Section 2.2 of
Publication Number 95.
0.05 BSC
1.27 BSC
-
H
0.394
0.419
10.00
10.65
-
h
0.010
0.029
0.25
0.75
5
L
0.016
0.050
0.40
1.27
6
N

NOTES:
MILLIMETERS
24
0o
24
8o
0o
7
8o
Rev. 0 12/93
2. Dimensioning and tolerancing per ANSI Y14.5M-1982.
3. Dimension “D” does not include mold flash, protrusions or gate burrs.
Mold flash, protrusion and gate burrs shall not exceed 0.15mm
(0.006 inch) per side.
4. Dimension “E” does not include interlead flash or protrusions. Interlead flash and protrusions shall not exceed 0.25mm (0.010 inch) per
side.
5. The chamfer on the body is optional. If it is not present, a visual index
feature must be located within the crosshatched area.
6. “L” is the length of terminal for soldering to a substrate.
7. “N” is the number of terminal positions.
8. Terminal numbers are shown for reference only.
9. The lead width “B”, as measured 0.36mm (0.014 inch) or greater
above the seating plane, shall not exceed a maximum value of
0.61mm (0.024 inch)
10. Controlling dimension: MILLIMETER. Converted inch dimensions
are not necessarily exact.
21
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004
ISL6569
Quad Flat No-Lead Plastic Package (QFN)
Micro Lead Frame Plastic Package (MLFP)
L32.5x5
32 LEAD QUAD FLAT NO-LEAD PLASTIC PACKAGE
(COMPLIANT TO JEDEC MO-220VHHD-2 ISSUE C
MILLIMETERS
SYMBOL
MIN
NOMINAL
MAX
NOTES
-
A
0.80
0.90
1.00
A1
-
-
0.05
-
A2
-
-
1.00
9
0.30
5,8
A3
b
0.20 REF
0.18
0.23
9
D
5.00 BSC
-
D1
4.75 BSC
9
D2
2.95
3.10
3.25
7,8
E
5.00 BSC
-
E1
4.75 BSC
9
E2
2.95
e
3.10
3.25
7,8
-
0.50 BSC
-
k
0.25
-
-
L
0.30
0.40
0.50
8
L1
-
-
0.15
10
N
32
Nd
2
8
3
Ne
8
8
3
P
-
-
0.60

-
-
12
9
9
Rev. 1 10/02
NOTES:
1. Dimensioning and tolerancing conform to ASME Y14.5-1994.
2. N is the number of terminals.
3. Nd and Ne refer to the number of terminals on each D and E.
4. All dimensions are in millimeters. Angles are in degrees.
5. Dimension b applies to the metallized terminal and is measured
between 0.15mm and 0.30mm from the terminal tip.
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.
7. Dimensions D2 and E2 are for the exposed pads which provide
improved electrical and thermal performance.
8. Nominal dimensions are provided to assist with PCB Land Pattern
Design efforts, see Intersil Technical Brief TB389.
9. Features and dimensions A2, A3, D1, E1, P &  are present when
Anvil singulation method is used and not present for saw
singulation.
10. Depending on the method of lead termination at the edge of the
package, a maximum 0.15mm pull back (L1) maybe present. L
minus L1 to be equal to or greater than 0.3mm.
For additional products, see www.intersil.com/en/products.html
Intersil products are manufactured, assembled and tested utilizing ISO9001 quality systems as noted
in the quality certifications found at www.intersil.com/en/support/qualandreliability.html
Intersil products are sold by description only. Intersil Corporation reserves the right to make changes in circuit design, software and/or specifications at any time
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
parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Intersil or its subsidiaries.
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22
FN9085.7
December 29, 2004