an9993

VDDQ and VTT Termination Regulation for DDR
DRAM Memory Power Utilizing the ISL6530
®
Application Note
April 2002
AN9993
Author: Douglas Mattingly
Introduction
Quick Start Evaluation
The ISL6530 and the ISL6531 are dual, voltage mode
controllers with many functions that are needed for DDR
DRAM Memory power applications. The ISL6530 and
ISL6531 contain high performance error amplifiers, a high
accuracy reference, an internal 50% tracking reference, a
fixed 300kHz internal oscillator with a 90o phase shift for
dual synchronous buck regulators, over-current protection
circuitry, Power Good indication, and two shut down options.
There are two MOSFET drivers for use in both synchronousrectified Buck converters. The ISL6530 and ISL6531 are
also capable of regulating the output voltage while the
tracking DC-DC converter is sinking current. All these
features are packaged in a 24 lead SOIC or a small 32 Lead
4x4[mm] MLFP.
The ISL6530/31EVAL1 board is shipped ‘ready to use’ right
from the box. The ISL6530/31EVAL1 board will only accept
5V from a standard power supply. Both outputs can be
exercised through external loads. The VTT regulator has the
ability to source or sink current while the VDDQ regulator
may only source current.
ISL6530 and ISL6531
Recommended Test Equipment
The ISL6530 and ISL6531 are pin for compatible
replacements to each other. All functions are identical
between the two ICs. The difference between the ISL6530
and the ISL6531 lies in the compensation of the VTT
regulator. The ISL6531 features internal compensation for
the VTT regulator. More complete descriptions of both ICs
can be found in their respective datasheets[1,2].
To test the functionality of the ISL6530, the following
equipment is recommended:
An LED lights up to indicate that the output voltages are
within regulation.
- A 5V, 10A capable bench power supply
- Two electronic loads
- Four channel oscilloscope with probes
- Precision digital multimeters
Reference Designs
There are four different evaluation boards that are included
in the scope of this application note. Table 1 describes each
of the boards.
Table 1 - Evaluation Boards
Board Name
There are posts available on the board for introducing power
to the board and also for drawing current from the regulated
outputs. Two probe points are also available for use. These
probe points provide Kelvin connections to the PGOOD
(TP4) and VREF_OUT (TP3) pins.
IC
ISL6530CB
24 ld SOIC
ISL6530EVAL2
ISL6530CR
32 ld 4x4 MLFP
ISL6531EVAL1
ISL6531CB
24 ld SOIC
ISL6531EVAL2
ISL6531CR
32 ld 4x4 MLFP
There are 3 sets of jumpers that are used for the supplying
the input voltage and loading the VDDQ and VTT outputs.
INPUT VOLTAGE
Connect the positive lead of the 5V bench power supply
to the VCC post (J1). Connect the ground lead of the
supply to GND post (J2).
Package
ISL6530EVAL1
Power and Load Connections
LOADING VDDQ
Connect the positive terminal of the first electronic load to
the VDDQ post (J3). Connect the return terminal of the
same load to the GND post (J4).
The ISL6530EVAL1 is an evaluation board that highlights
the operation of the ISL6530 in an embedded DDR DRAM
Memory Power application. The VDDQ supply has been
designed to supply 2.5V at a maximum load of 10A. The VTT
termination supply will track the VDDQ supply at 50% and
was designed for a maximum load of 5A, sourcing or sinking.
The schematic, Bill of Materials, and Board Layout for the
ISL6530EVAL1 can be found in the Appendix. Customization
of the reference design is discussed in this application note.
LOADING VTT - SOURCING CURRENT
To test VTT while the regulator sources current, connect
the positive terminal of the second electronic load to the
VTT post (J5). Connect the return terminal of the same
load to the GND post (J6).
LOADING VTT - SINKING CURRENT
To test VTT while the regulator sinks current, connect the
positive terminal of the second electronic load to the
VDDQ post (J3). Connect the return terminal of the same
load to the VTT post (J5).
CAUTION: The return terminal of the load must float for
this to work properly.
1
CAUTION: These devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge; follow proper IC Handling Procedures.
1-888-INTERSIL or 1-888-468-3774 | Intersil (and design) is a registered trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.
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AN9993
Start Up
There are two distinct start up methods for the VDDQ and
VTT regulators. The first method is invoked through the
application of power to the IC. The Softstart feature allows
for a controlled turn on of the outputs once the Power On
Reset (POR) threshold of the input voltage has been
reached. Figure 1 shows the start up profile of the two
regulators in relation to the start up of the 5V input supply.
profile of the regulators with no load applied. Figure 4 shows
the shutdown of the regulators will their full loads applied.
VOCSET/SD
1V/DIV
VDDQ
1V/DIV
VTT
VCC
1V/DIV
1V/DIV
2.5s/DIV
VDDQ
FIGURE 3. SHUTDOWN WITH NO LOAD
1V/DIV
VTT
1V/DIV
VOCSET/SD
1V/DIV
2ms/DIV
FIGURE 1. START UP FROM POR
The second method of start up is through the use of the
Shutdown feature. Holding the OCSET/SD pin below 0.8V
will disable both regulators by forcing both the upper and
lower MOSFETs of both regulators off. Releasing the
OCSET/SD pin allow the regulators to start up. Figure 2
show the start up profile of the two regulators with this
method.
VTT
1V/DIV
50μs/DIV
FIGURE 4. SHUTDOWN WITH FULL LOAD
VOCSET/SD
1V/DIV
VTT Sleep State
VDDQ
1V/DIV
VTT
1V/DIV
2ms/DIV
FIGURE 2. START UP FROM SHUT DOWN
Shutdown
Shutting Down Both VDDQ and VTT
As discussed in the previous section, if the OCSET/SD pin is
pulled down and held below 0.8V, both the VDDQ and VTT
regulators will be turned off. Figure 3 shows the shutdown
2
VDDQ
1V/DIV
The VTT regulator can be placed in a sleep state where the
output is regulated to a wider tolerance while VDDQ
continues to regulate. This is done by applying a logic high
signal to the V2_SD pin. During this state, VDDQ can support
a load while VTT cannot. This allows a very quick recovery
back into synchronous buck mode. Once removed from this
state by releasing the high signal on the V2_SD pin, the
output rapidly returns to regulation. Figure 5 illustrates the
VTT regulator going into sleep mode and Figure 6 shows the
regulator being taken out of the sleep state.
Reference Design Customization
The ISL6530/31EVAL1 board has a number of options that
will allow the designer to customize the board. One
modification that can be made is to overdrive the internal
resistor divider which sets the reference voltage for the VTT
regulator in relation to VDDQ. This may be done by
populating resistors R5 and R6, as to create a tracking ratio
AN9993
VV2_SD
VDDQ
1V/DIV
10mV/DIV
VDDQ
1V/DIV
VTT
VTT
1V/DIV
10mV/DIV
5μs/DIV
1s/DIV
FIGURE 7. VDDQ AND VTT RIPPLE VOLTAGES
FIGURE 5. VTT SLEEP MODE
shows VDDQ under transient loading. Figure 9 shows VTT
under a transient loading that causes VTT to source current.
Figure 10 shows VTT under a transient that causes VTT to
sink current. Figure 11 shows both VDDQ and VTT under
simultaneous transient loading.
VV2_SD
1V/DIV
VDDQ
VDDQ
1V/DIV
100mV/DIV
VTT
VTT
100mV/DIV
1V/DIV
50μs/DIV
VDDQ Load Current
5A/DIV
FIGURE 6. VTT RETURN FROM SLEEP MODE
other than the internally generated 50%. Please refer to the
datasheet for proper component selection.
200μs/DIV
In order to increase performance during a load transient on
either output, two 0603 capacitor pads have been provided
at each output. These pads allow the designer to add
ceramic capacitors on the output. Ceramic capacitors help to
decrease the overall output capacitance ESR while they
have much lower lead inductance. The pad reference
designators are C20 and C21 for the VTT output and
reference designators C13 and C14 for the VDDQ output.
FIGURE 8. TRANSIENT ON VDDQ
VDDQ
50mV/DIV
The VDDQ output also has two extra bulk capacitor pads,
designated C11 and C12. The designer may wish to utilize
these to decrease the ripple voltage, improve transient
performance or both.
VTT
50mV/DIV
Ripple Voltage
Figure 7 shows the ripple voltage on both the VDDQ output
and the VTT output.
Transient Performance
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 show the response of the outputs
when subjected to a variety of transient loads. Figure 8
3
0A
VTT Load Current
5A/DIV
200μs/DIV
FIGURE 9. SOURCING TRANSIENT ON VTT
AN9993
96%
94%
VDDQ
92%
50mV/DIV
90%
VTT
88%
50mV/DIV
86%
84%
VTT Load Current
5A/DIV
0A
82%
80%
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
200μs/DIV
Load Current
FIGURE 10. SINKING TRANSIENT ON VTT
FIGURE 13. VDDQ EFFICIENCY
8
9
10
VDDQ
100mV/DIV
VTT
100mV/DIV
Conclusion
VTT Load Current
5A/DIV
The ISL6530/31EVAL1 board is a dual DC-DC converter
reference design for DDR Memory Power applications that
require up to 10A on VDDQ and up to 5A on VTT. In addition,
the design may be modified for applications with different
requirements.
0A
VDDQ Load Current
5A/DIV
0A
200μs/DIV
References
FIGURE 11. TRANSIENTS ON VDDQ AND VTT
Efficiency
Each channel of the ISL6530 is highly efficient which leads
to a high overall system efficiency. The efficiency of the VTT
regulator in current sourcing and current sinking modes is
shown in Figures 12. Figure 13 illustrates the efficiency of
the VDDQ regulator.
96%
95%
94%
93%
VTT Sourcing
92%
91%
VTT Sinking
90%
89%
88%
87%
86%
0
1
2
3
4
Load Current
FIGURE 12. VTT EFFICIENCY (SOURCING CURRENT)
4
5
For Intersil documents available on the web, see
http://www.intersil.com/
[1] ISL6530 Data Sheet, Intersil Corporation, FN9052
[2] ISL6531 Data Sheet, Intersil Corporation, FN9053
AN9993
ISL6530EVAL1 Schematic
VCC
J1
R1
SW1
C1
C2
GND
J2
LP1
15
21
R2
R3
20
SW2
C3
D1
VCC
OCSET/SD
BOOT1
V2_SD
Q1
UGATE1 1
R4
9
C6
GNDA
TP4
PHASE1
3
L1
19
Q4
LGATE1
ISL6530
R5
C30
J3
VDDQ
@10A
C7,8,9,10,11,12
22
Q2
23
GND
J4
TP3
C15
8
No
Pop
C13,14
PGOOD
PVCC1
C28
C4,5
2
4
VREF_IN
PGND1
24
VREF
TP2
D2
6
COMP1
BOOT2
11
C17
C26
UGATE2
C27
12
C16
R26
PHASE2
5
10
FB1
L2
C25
LGATE2
14
C20,21
J5
VTT
@5A
C18,19
Q3
R19 R20
R25
7
PGND2
SENSE1
COMP2
C29
TP1
16
C23
17
R21
R23
R6
C24
No
Pop
5
J6
SENSE2
FB2
18
C22
R22
GND
13
U1
AN9993
ISL6530EVAL1 Bill of Material
Ref Des
C1
C2,6,15,16
C3,17
C4,5,7,8,9,
10,18,19
C11,12
Description
Vendor
Vendor P/N
Qty
1nF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
1
0.1μF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
4
1μF Capacitor, 0805
Various
---
3
Panasonic
EEFUE0J151R
8
---
---
---
150μF Capacitor
Not Populated (Reserved for 150μF Panasonic SP Capacitor)
C22
10nF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
1
C24
68pF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
1
C23
2700pF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
1
C25
15nF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
1
C27
100pF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
1
C26
5600pF Capacitor, 0603
Various
---
1
0.1μF Capacitor, 0805
Various
---
2
---
---
0
Digikey
MA732
2
Panasonic
ETQP6F1R0SFA
2
MOSFET, 8 Pin SOIC
Fairchild
ITF86130
2
Q3
Dual MOSFET, 8 Pin SOIC
Fairchild
ITF86110
1
Q4
2N7002 MOSFET, SOT23
Various
---
1
R1
3.48kΩ 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
R2
750Ω 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
R3,4
10kΩ 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
2
R5,6
0603 Resistor (Not Populated)
---
---
0
3.01kΩ 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
R22
158Ω 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
R23
8.87kΩ 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
R20
1.43kΩ 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
R26
6.34kΩ 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
R25
100Ω 1% Resistor, 0603
Various
---
1
Pushbutton, miniature
Digikey
CKN1100-ND
2
C28,29
C13,14,20,
21
D1,2
L1, L2
Q1,2
R19,21
SW1,2
0805 Capacitor (Not Populated)
Diode, 30mA, 30V
1μH Inductor
6
AN9993
Ref Des
Description
Vendor
Vendor P/N
Qty
LP1
LED
Digikey
L63111CT-ND
1
U1
Dual Synchronous Buck PWM Controller
for DDR Applications
Intersil
ISL6530CB
1
TP3,4
Test Points
Digikey
5002K-ND
2
J1,2,3,4,
5,6
Test Points
Keystone
1514-2
6
ISL6530EVAL1 Layout
TOP SILK
SCREEN
TOP
7
AN9993
INTERNAL 1
GROUND
INTERNAL 2
POWER
8
AN9993
BOTTOM
BOTTOM SILK
SCREEN
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