LINER LTC3887 Dual, multiphase current mode synchronous controller for sub-milliohm dcr sensing Datasheet

LTC3774
Dual, Multiphase Current
Mode Synchronous Controller
for Sub-Milliohm DCR Sensing
DESCRIPTION
FEATURES
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Sub-Milliohm DCR Current Sensing
Operates with Power Blocks, DRMOS or External
Gate Drivers and MOSFETs
Supports Phase Shedding and N+1 Phase
Redundancy
Programmable DCR Temperature Compensation
±0.75% Maximum Total DC Output Error Over
Temperature
Dual Differential Remote Output Voltage Sense
Amplifiers
Phase-Lockable Fixed Frequency Range: 200kHz to
1.2MHz
VIN Range: 4.5V to 38V
VOUT Range: 0.6V to 3.5V
Supports Smooth Start-Up into Pre-Biased Outputs
Programmable Soft-Start or VOUT Tracking
Hiccup Mode/Soft Recovery from Output Overcurrent
36-Lead (5mm × 6mm) QFN Package
The LTC®3774 is a dual PolyPhase® current mode synchronous step-down switching regulator controller that
drives power blocks, DRMOS or external gate drivers and
power MOSFETs. It offers an LTC-proprietary technique
that enhances the signal-to-noise ratio of the current
sense signal, allowing the use of inductors with very low
DC winding resistances as the current sense element for
maximum efficiency and reduced jitter.
The maximum current sense voltage is programmable
from 10mV to 30mV. High speed, low offset remote sense
differential amplifiers and a precise 0.6V reference provide
accurate output voltages between 0.6V and 3.5V from a wide
4.5V to 38V input supply range. Soft recovery from output
shorts or overcurrent minimizes output overshoot. Burst
Mode® operation, continuous and pulse-skipping modes
are supported. The constant operating frequency can be
synchronized to an external clock or linearly programmed
from 200kHz to 1.2MHz. Up to six LTC3774 controllers can
be paralleled for 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 8- or 12-phase operation.
APPLICATIONS
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The LTC3774 is available in a 36-lead (5mm × 6mm) QFN
package.
Computer Systems
Telecom and Datacom Systems
Industrial Equipment
DC Power Distribution Systems
L, LT, LTC, LTM, Linear Technology, the Linear logo, PolyPhase and Burst Mode are registered
trademarks and No RSENSE and Hot Swap are trademarks of Analog Devices, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Protected by U.S. Patents, including
5481178, 5705919, 5929620, 6177787, 6580258, 6498466, 6611131, patent pending.
TYPICAL APPLICATION
High Efficiency Dual Phase 1.5V/60A Step-Down Converter
VIN
RUN1, 2
ILIM1, 2
HIZB1
HIZB2
1/4 INTVCC
0.33µH
(0.32mΩ DCR)
DRMOS
LTC3774
PWM1
PWMEN1
VOSNS1–
SNSA1+
SNS1–
SNSD1+
15k
300µF
4V
+
10k
2200pF
15k
VOSNS1+
ITH1
TK/SS1
TK/SS2
0.1µF
PHSMD
CLKOUT
PGOOD1,2
MODE/PLLIN
VIN
4.5V TO 20V
22µF
50V
0.33µH
(0.32mΩ DCR)
fIN
500kHz
DRMOS
PWM2
PWMEN2
GND
VOSNS2–
SNSA2+
SNS2–
SNSD2+
FREQ
VOSNS2+
ITH2
VOUT
1.5V
60A
INTVCC
4.7µF
330µF
4V
37.5k
3774 TA01a
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
+
3774fc
1
LTC3774
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
PIN CONFIGURATION
(Note 1)
ILIM1
PHSMD
FREQ
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
INTVCC
VIN
TOP VIEW
ILIM2
VIN Voltage.................................................. –0.3V to 40V
HIZB Voltage............................................... –0.3V to 40V
RUN, PGOOD, INTVCC Voltage...................... –0.3V to 6V
SNSA1+, SNSA2+, SNSD1+,
SNSD2+, SNS1–, SNS2–......................... –0.3V to INTVCC
INTVCC Peak Output Current...................................20mA
All Other Pin Voltages............................ –0.3V to INTVCC
Operating Junction Temperature Range
(Note 2)................................................... –40°C to 125°C
Storage Temperature Range................... –65°C to 150°C
36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29
ITEMP2 1
28 ITEMP1
ITH2 2
27 ITH1
VOSNS2– 3
VOSNS2
+
26 VOSNS1–
25 VOSNS1+
4
TK/SS2 5
24 TK/SS1
37
GND
HIZB2 6
23 HIZB1
PWMEN2 7
22 PWMEN1
PWM2 8
21 PWM1
RUN2 9
20 RUN1
19 GND
GND 10
SNSD1+
SNS1–
SNSA1+
PGOOD1
PGOOD2
SNSA2+
SNS2–
SNSD2+
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
UHE PACKAGE
36-LEAD (5mm × 6mm) PLASTIC QFN
TJMAX = 125°C, θJA = 43°C/W
EXPOSED PAD (PIN 37) IS GND, MUST BE SOLDERED TO PCB
ORDER INFORMATION
http://www.linear.com/product/LTC3774#orderinfo
LEAD FREE FINISH
TAPE AND REEL
PART MARKING*
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
TEMPERATURE RANGE
LTC3774EUHE#PBF
LTC3774EUHE#TRPBF
3774
36-Lead (5mm × 6mm) Plastic QFN
–40°C to 125°C
LTC3774IUHE#PBF
LTC3774IUHE#TRPBF
3774
36-Lead (5mm × 6mm) Plastic QFN
–40°C to 125°C
Consult LTC Marketing for parts specified with wider operating temperature ranges. *The temperature grade is identified by a label on the shipping container.
For more information on lead free part marking, go to: http://www.linear.com/leadfree/
For more information on tape and reel specifications, go to: http://www.linear.com/tapeandreel/. Some packages are available in 500 unit reels through
designated sales channels with #TRMPBF suffix.
2
3774fc
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LTC3774
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The l denotes the specifications which apply over the specified operating
junction temperature range, otherwise specifications are at TA = 25°C (Note 2). VIN = 15V, VRUN = 5V unless otherwise specified.
SYMBOL
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
Main Control Loop/Whole System
VIN
Input Voltage Range
4.5
VOUT
Output Voltage Range
VOSNS+
Regulated Feedback Voltage
IOSNS+
Feedback Current
VREFLNREG
Reference Voltage Line Regulation
VIN = 4.5V to 38V
VLOADREG
Output Voltage Load Regulation
∆ITH = 1.2V to 0.7V
∆ITH = 1.2V to 1.6V
gm
Transconductance Amplifier gm
ITH = 1.2V, Sink/Source 5µA
f0dB
DA Unity-Gain Crossover Frequency
(Note 5)
ITH = 1.2V (Note 3)
+
VOVL
Feedback Overvoltage Lockout
Measured at VOSNS
IQ
Input DC Supply Current
Normal Mode
Shutdown
(Note 4)
l
0.6
l
595.5
l
l
l
5
VRUN = 0V
38
3.5
V
600
604.5
mV
–30
–100
nA
0.002
0.01
%/V
0.01
0.01
0.1
0.1
%
%
2
mmho
4
MHz
7.5
10
%
9
40
60
mA
µA
DFMAX
Maximum Duty Factor
In Dropout
96
98
UVLO
Undervoltage Lockout
VINTVCC Falling
3.5
3.75
UVLOHYS
UVLO Hysteresis
%
4.0
500
+ = 3.3V
V
V
mV
ISNSA+
ISNSD+
ISNS–
Sense Pin Bias Currents
VSNSA
Sense Pin Bias Currents
VSNSD+ = 3.3V
30
Sense Pin Bias Currents
VSNS– = 3.3V
10
µA
AVT_SNS
Total Sense Signal Gain to Current
Comparator
5
V/V
ITEMP
DCR Tempco Compensation Current
VITEMP = 0.5V
l
27
30
33
µA
ITK/SS
Soft-Start Charge Current
VTK/SS = 0V
l
1
1.25
1.5
µA
tSS(INTERNAL)
Internal Soft-Start Time
VTK/SS = 5V
600
µs
VHIZB
HIZB Pin On Threshold
VHIZB Rising
2.2
V
VHIZB_HYS
HIZB Pin On Hysteresis
600
mV
VRUN
RUN Pin On Threshold
VRUN_HYS
RUN Pin On Hysteresis
VRUN Rising
IRUN
RUN Pin Pull-Up Current
RUN < On Threshold
RUN > On Threshold
VSENSE(MAX)
Maximum Current Sense Threshold
±0.5
l
1.1
RUN < 1.1V
RUN > 1.34V
ITH = 2V, VSNS– = 3.3V
ILIM = 0V
ILIM = 1/4 INTVCC
ILIM = Float
ILIM = 3/4 INTVCC
ILIM = INTVCC
l
l
l
l
l
9.25
14
19
24
28.25
1.22
±2
µA
nA
1.34
V
80
mV
1
5
µA
µA
10.25
15
20
25
29.75
11.25
16
21
26
31.25
mV
mV
mV
mV
mV
90
200
Ω
2
µA
Power Good
VPGOOD(ON)
PGOOD Pull-Down Resistance
IPGOOD(OFF)
PGOOD Leakage Current
tPGOOD
VPGOOD High to Low Delay
VPGOOD
PGOOD Trip Level
VPGOOD = 5V
–2
45
VOSNS+ with Respect to Set Output Voltage
VOSNS+ Ramping Up
VOSNS+ Ramping Down
5
–5
7.5
–7.5
µs
10
–10
%
%
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3
LTC3774
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The l denotes the specifications which apply over the specified operating
junction temperature range, otherwise specifications are at TA = 25°C (Note 2). VIN = 15V, VRUN = 5V unless otherwise specified.
SYMBOL
PARAMETER
VPG(HYST)
PGOOD Trip Level Hysteresis
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
2
UNITS
%
INTVCC Linear Regulator
VINTVCC
Linear Regulator Voltage
6V < VIN < 38V
VLDO INT
INTVCC Load Regulation
5.3
5.5
5.7
V
ICC = 0mA to 20mA
0.5
2
%
RFREQ < 23.2kΩ
RFREQ = 30.1kΩ
RFREQ = 47.5kΩ
RFREQ = 54.9kΩ
RFREQ = 75.0kΩ
Maximum Frequency
Minimum Frequency
150
250
600
750
1.05
Oscillator and Phase-Locked Loop
fOSC
Oscillator Frequency
VPHSMD = 0V
IFREQ
FREQ Pin Output Current
RMODE/PLLIN
MODE/PLLIN Input Resistance
VMODE/PLLIN
PLLIN Input Threshold
VCLKOUT
540
l
l
VFREQ = 0.8V
1.2
19
660
0.2
20
21
kHz
kHz
kHz
kHz
MHz
MHz
MHz
µA
250
kΩ
VMODE/PLLIN Rising
VMODE/PLLIN Falling
2
1.2
V
V
Low Output Voltage
High Output Voltage
ILOAD = –500µA
ILOAD = 500µA
0.2
5.2
V
V
θ2 – θ1
Channel 1-2 Phase Delay
VPHSMD = 0V
VPHSMD = 1/4 INTVCC
VPHSMD = Float
VPHSMD = 3/4 INTVCC
VPHSMD = INTVCC
180
180
180
180
120
Deg
Deg
Deg
Deg
Deg
θCLKOUT – θ1
CLKOUT to Channel 1
Phase Delay
VPHSMD = 0V
VPHSMD = 1/4 INTVCC
VPHSMD = Float
VPHSMD = 3/4 INTVCC
VPHSMD = INTVCC
60
60
90
45
240
Deg
Deg
Deg
Deg
Deg
θ1 – θCLKIN
Channel 1 to CLKIN Phase Delay
VPHSMD = 0V
VPHSMD = 1/4 INTVCC
VPHSMD = Float
VPHSMD = 3/4 INTVCC
VPHSMD = INTVCC
0
90
0
0
0
Deg
Deg
Deg
Deg
Deg
PWM/PWMEN Outputs
PWM
PWM Output High Voltage
ILOAD = 500µA
l
PWM Output Low Voltage
ILOAD = –500µA
l
PWM Output Current in Hi-Z State
PWMEN
PWMEN Output High Voltage
ILOAD = 500µA
Note 1: Stresses beyond those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings
may cause permanent damage to the device. Exposure to any Absolute
Maximum Rating condition for extended periods may affect device
reliability and lifetime.
Note 2: The LTC3774 is tested under pulsed load conditions such that
TJ ≈ TA. The LTC3774E is guaranteed to meet performance specifications
from 0°C to 85°C operating junction temperature. Specifications over
the –40°C to 125°C operating junction temperature range are assured by
design, characterization and correlation with statistical process controls.
The LTC3774I is guaranteed to meet performance specifications over the
full –40°C to 125°C operating junction temperature range. The maximum
ambient temperature consistent with these specifications is determined by
4
5.0
l
–5
l
5.0
V
0.5
V
5
µA
V
specific operating conditions in conjunction with board layout, the package
thermal impedance and other environmental factors.
TJ is calculated from the ambient temperature, TA, and power dissipation,
PD, according to the following formula:
LTC3774UHE: TJ = TA + (PD • 43°C/W)
Note 3: The LTC3774 is tested in a feedback loop that servos VITH to a
specified voltage and measures the resultant VFB.
Note 4: Dynamic supply current is higher due to the gate charge being
delivered at the switching frequency. See Applications Information.
Note 5: Guaranteed by design.
3774fc
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LTC3774
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Maximum Current Sense
Threshold vs Feedback Voltage
(Current Foldback)
30
25
20
15
10
INTVCC
3/4 INTVCC
1/2 INTVCC
5
0
0
0.5
1/4 INTVCC
0
1
3.5
1.5
2
2.5
3
COMMON MODE VOLTAGE (V)
35
35
ILIM = INTVCC
30
ILIM = 3/4 INTVCC
25
ILIM = 1/2 INTVCC
20
ILIM = 1/4 INTVCC
15
ILIM = 0
10
5
0
0.1
0
25
20
15
10
5
0
–5
10
50
5
2
INTVCC VOLTAGE (V)
6
SHUTDOWN CURRENT (µA)
60
40
30
20
0
5
10
15 20 25 30
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
35
40
0
5
0
10
15 20 25 30
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
3774 G04
4
3
2
35
40
0
0
5
10
15 20 25 30
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
35
40
3774 G06
3774 G05
Load Step (Continuous
Conduction Mode)
Oscillator Frequency
vs Input Voltage
1200
VIN = 12V
75kΩ
1000
VOUT = 1.5V
50mV/DIV
AC-COUPLED
800
47.5kΩ
600
ILOAD
5A-DIV
15A TO 30A
400
50µs/DIV
23.2kΩ
200
0
2
1
10
FREQUENCY (kHz)
0
0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 1.75
V(ITH) (V)
INTVCC Line Regulation
12
4
0
3774 G03
Shutdown Current
vs Input Voltage
6
ILIM = 0
ILIM = 1/4 INTVCC
ILIM = 1/2 INTVCC
ILIM = 3/4 INTVCC
ILIM = INTVCC
3774 G02
Input Quiescent Current
vs Input Voltage
8
Current Sense Threshold
vs ITH Voltage
30
–10
0.6
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
FEEDBACK VOLTAGE (V)
3774 G01
QUIESCENT CURRENT (mA)
CURRENT SENSE THRESHOLD (mV)
35
MAXIMUM CURRENT SENSE THRESHOLD (mV)
MAXIMUM CURRENT SENSE THRESHOLD (mV)
Maximum Current Sense Threshold
vs Common Mode Voltage
0
5
10
15 20 25 30
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
35
3774 G08
40
3774 G07
3774fc
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LTC3774
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
VIN = 7V
VOUT = 1.5V
4.5
80
4.0
70
3.5
POWER LOSS (W)
EFFICIENCY (%)
90
Power Loss
5.0
60
50
40
30
20
BURST MODE
PULSE-SKIPPING
CCM
10
0
0.01
0.1
1
10
VIN = 7V
VOUT = 1.5V
90
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1
0
0.01
100
10
BURST MODE
PULSE-SKIPPING
CCM
0.1
2.5
2.0
RUN Threshold vs Temperature
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.3
RUN THRESHOLD (V)
BURST MODE
PULSE-SKIPPING
CCM
1.3
1.2
1.5
1.0
100
10
3774 G11
TK/SS Pull-Up Current
vs Temperature
3.0
1
ILOAD (A)
3774 G10
ITK/SS (µA)
POWER LOSS (W)
30
ILOAD (A)
VIN = 12V
VOUT = 1.5V
3.5
40
10
Power Loss
4.0
50
0.5
3774 G09
4.5
60
20
ILOAD (A)
5.0
70
1.0
0.1
VIN = 12V
VOUT = 1.5V
80
BURST MODE
PULSE-SKIPPING
CCM
0
0.01
100
Efficiency
100
EFFICIENCY (%)
Efficiency
100
ON
1.2
OFF
1.1
1.0
1.1
0.5
0
0.01
0.1
1
10
1
–50 –25
100
0
ILOAD (A)
3774 G12
5.0
700
4.6
UVLO THRESHOLD (V)
650
598.5
625
600
575
550
597.0
0
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3774 G15
6
4.4
RISE
4.2
4.0
FALL
3.8
3.6
3.4
525
500
–50 –25
Undervoltage Lockout Threshold
(INTVCC) vs Temperature
4.8
675
603.0
FREQUENCY (kHz)
REGULATED FEEDBACK VOLTAGE (mV)
604.5
600.0
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3774 G14
Oscillator Frequency
vs Temperature
601.5
0
3774 G13
Regulated Feedback Voltage
vs Temperature
595.5
–50 –25
0.9
–50 –25
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3.2
0
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3774 G16
3.0
–50 –25
0
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3774 G17
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LTC3774
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Shutdown Current vs Temperature
60
9.75
55
SHUTDOWN CURRENT (µA)
QUIESCENT CURRENT (mA)
Quiescent Current vs Temperature
10.00
9.50
9.25
9.00
8.75
8.50
8.25
50
45
40
35
30
25
8.00
–50 –25
0
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
20
–50 –25
0
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3774 G18
3774 G19
FREQ Pin Source Current
vs Temperature
Prebiased Output at 0.5V
21.5
FREQ PIN CURRENT (µA)
21.0
VOUT
500mV/DIV
20.5
TRACK/SS
500mV/DIV
20.0
19.5
50ms/DIV
3774 G08
19.0
18.5
–50 –25
0
25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3774 G20
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LTC3774
PIN FUNCTIONS
PGOOD1, PGOOD2 (Pin 15, Pin 14): Power Good Indicator Outputs. Open drain outputs that pull to ground when
output voltage is not in regulation.
VOSNS1–, VOSNS2– (Pin 26, Pin 3): Remote Sense Differential Amplifier Inverting inputs. Connect to sense ground
at the output load.
SNSA1+, SNSA2+ (Pin 16, Pin 13): AC Current Sense
Comparator (+) Inputs. This input senses the signal from
the output inductor’s DCR with a filter bandwidth of five
times larger than the inductor’s L/DCR value.
ITH1, ITH2 (Pin 27, Pin 2): Current Control Thresholds
and Error Amplifier Compensation Points. The current
comparator’s threshold increases with the ITH control
voltage.
SNS1–, SNS2– (Pin 17, Pin 12): Negative current Sense
Inputs. The negative input of the current comparator is
normally connected to the output.
ITEMP1, ITEMP2 (Pin 28, Pin 1): Input of the temperature
sensing comparators. Connect this pin to an external NTC
resistor placed near the inductors. Floating this pin disables
the DCR temperature compensation function.
SNSD1+, SNSD2+ (Pin 18, Pin 11): DC Current Sense
Comparator (+) Inputs. This input senses the signal from
the output inductor’s DCR with a filter bandwidth equal to
the inductor’s L/DCR value.
RUN1, RUN2 (Pin 20, Pin 9): Run Control Inputs. A voltage above 1.22V turns on the IC. There is a 1µA pull-up
current on this pin. Once the RUN pin rises above the
1.22V threshold the pull-up increases to 5µA.
PMW1, PWM2 (Pin 21, Pin 8): (Top) Gate Signal Outputs.
This signal goes to the PWM or top gate input of the external gate driver or integrated driver MOSFET or Power
Block. This is a three-state compatible output.
PWMEN1, PWMEN2 (Pin 22, Pin 7): Enable pins for nonthree-state compatible drivers. This pin has an internal
open-drain pull-up to INTVCC . An external resistor to GND
is required. This pin is low when the corresponding PWM
pin is high impedance.
HIZB1, HIZB2 (Pin 23, Pin 6): Phase Shedding Input Pins.
When this pin is low, the corresponding PWM pin goes
high impedance and PWMEN goes low. Tie to INTVCC or
VIN to disable this function.
TK/SS1, TK/SS2 (Pin 24, Pin 5): Output Voltage Tracking
and Soft-Start Inputs. The voltage ramp rate at this pin
sets the voltage ramp rate of the output. A capacitor to
ground accomplishes soft-start. This pin has a 1.25µA
pull-up current.
VOSNS1+, VOSNS2+ (Pin 25, Pin 4): Remote Sense Differential Amplifier Non-inverting Inputs. Connect to Feedback
divider center tap with the divider across the output load.
The remote sense differential amplifier’s output is internally
connected to the error amplifier inverting input.
8
ILIM1, ILIM2 (Pin 29, Pin 36): Current Comparator Sense
Voltage Limit Selection pins.
PHSMD (Pin 30): Phase Mode Pin. This pin selects CH1CH2 and CH1-CLKOUT phase relationships.
FREQ (Pin 31): Frequency Set/Select Pin. A resistor
between this pin and GND sets the switching frequency.
This pin sources 20uA.
MODE/PLLIN (Pin 32): Dual Function Pin. Tying this pin
to GND, INTVCC or floating it enables forced continuous
mode, pulse-skipping mode or Burst Mode operation respectively. Applying a clock signal to this pin causes the
internal PLL to synchronize the internal oscillator to the
clock signal and forces forced continuous mode. The PLL
compensation network is integrated on to the IC.
CLKOUT (Pin 33): Clock Output Pin. This pin is used to
synchronize other LTC3774s.
INTVCC (Pin 34): Internal 5.5V Regulator Output. The control circuits are powered from this voltage. Decouple this
pin to GND with a minimum of 4.7µF low ESR tantalum
or ceramic capacitor. This pin is intended to be used as a
reference only. Please do not bias other applications off
this voltage!
VIN (Pin 35): Main Input Supply. Decouple this pin to GND
with a capacitor (0.1µF to 1µF)
GND (Pins 19, 10, Exposed Pad Pin 37): Ground. All
small-signal components and compensation components
should be connected here. The exposed pad must be
soldered to the PCB ground for electrical connection and
rated thermal performance.
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
3774fc
LTC3774
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
PHSMD
HIZB
ITEMP
MODE/PLLIN
FREQ
TEMPSNS
VIN
0.6V
MODE/SYNC
DETECT
5.5V
REG
+
–
INTVCC
F
PLL-SYNC
BURST EN
CLKOUT
S
R Q
ICMP
+
–
INTVCC
ON
PWMEN
–
+
PWM
FCNT
OSC
SNSA+
SWITCH
LOGIC
IREV
SNS–
RUN
OV
ILIM
PGOOD
SLOPE
COMPENSATION
+
INTVCC
UVLO
0.555V
UV
–
1
R
ITHB
SNSD+
+
ACTIVE CLAMP
AMP
SLEEP
OV
–
+
–
– + +
0.5V
SS
–
EA
RUN
1.25µA
+
VIN
+
–
0.6V
REF
SNS–
–
+
VOSNS+
0.645V
+
1/2
DIFFAMP
GND
–
1.22V
20k
0.55V
20k
VOSNS–
1µA/5µA
3774 BD
ITH
RC
CC1
RUN
TK/SS
CSS
NOTE: FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM SHOWS 1 CHANNEL ONLY. THE 2 CHANNELS ARE IDENTICAL.
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
9
LTC3774
OPERATION
Main Control Loop
The LTC3774 uses an LTC proprietary current sensing,
current mode step-down architecture. During normal
operation, the top MOSFET is turned on every cycle when
the oscillator sets the RS latch, and turned off when the
main current comparator, ICMP , resets the RS latch. The
peak inductor current at which ICMP resets the RS latch
is controlled by the voltage on the ITH pin, which is the
output of the error amplifier, EA. The remote sense amplifier
(diffamp) produces a signal equal to the differential voltage
sensed across the output capacitor divided down by the
feedback divider and re-references it to the local IC ground
reference. The error amplifier receives this feedback signal
and compares it to the internal 0.6V reference. When the
load current increases, it causes a slight decrease in the
VOSNS+ pin voltage relative to the 0.6V reference, which in
turn causes the ITH voltage to increase until the inductor’s
average current equals the new load current. After the top
MOSFET has turned off, the bottom MOSFET is turned
on until either the inductor current starts to reverse, as
indicated by the reverse current comparator, IREV , or the
beginning of the next cycle.
The main control loop is shut down by pulling the RUN
pin low. Releasing RUN allows an internal 1.0µA current
source to pull up the RUN pin. When the RUN pin reaches
1.22V, the main control loop is enabled and the IC is
powered up. When the RUN pin is low, all functions are
kept in a controlled state.
Sensing Signal of Very Low DCR
The LTC3774 employs a unique architecture to enhance
the signal-to-noise ratio that enables it to operate with a
small sense signal of a very low value inductor DCR, 1mΩ
or less, to improve power efficiency, and reduce jitter due
to the switching noise which could corrupt the signal. The
LTC3774 can sense a DCR value as low as 0.2mΩ with
careful PCB layout.The LTC3774 comprises two positive
sense pins, SNSD+ and SNSA+, to acquire signals and
processes them internally to provide the response as with
a DCR sense signal that has a 14dB signal-to-noise ratio
improvement. In the meantime, the current limit threshold
is still a function of the inductor peak current and its DCR
value, and can be accurately set from 10mV to 30mV in
10
5mV steps with the ILIM pin. The filter time constant,
R1C1, of the SNSD+ should match the L/DCR of the output
inductor, while the filter at SNSA+ should have a bandwidth
of five times larger than SNSD+, R2•C2 equals R1•C1/5.
Internal Soft-Start
By default, the start-up of the output voltage is normally
controlled by an internal soft-start ramp. The internal softstart ramp represents a noninverting input to the error
amplifier. The VOSNS+ pin is regulated to the lower of the
error amplifier’s three noninverting inputs (the internal
soft-start ramp, the TK/SS pin or the internal 600mV reference). As the ramp voltage rises from 0V to 0.6V over
approximately 600µs, the output voltage rises smoothly
from its prebiased value to its final set value.
Certain applications can result in the start-up of the converter into a non-zero load voltage, where residual charge
is stored on the output capacitor at the onset of converter
switching. In order to prevent the output from discharging
under these conditions, the bottom MOSFET is disabled
until soft-start is greater than VOSNS+.
Shutdown and Start-Up (RUN and TK/SS Pins)
The LTC3774 can be shut down using the RUN pin.
Pulling the RUN pin below 1.14V shuts down the main
control loop for the controller and most internal circuits,
including the INTVCC regulator. Releasing the RUN pin
allows an internal 1.0µA current to pull up the pin and
enable the controller. Alternatively, the RUN pin may be
externally pulled up or driven directly by logic. Be careful
not to exceed the absolute maximum rating of 6V on this
pin. The start-up of the controller’s output voltage, VOUT ,
is controlled by the voltage on the TK/SS pin. When the
voltage on the TK/SS pin is less than the 0.6V internal
reference, the LTC3774 regulates the VOSNS+ voltage to
the TK/SS pin voltage instead of the 0.6V reference. This
allows the TK/SS pin to be used to program a soft-start
by connecting an external capacitor from the TK/SS pin
to GND. An internal 1.25µA pull-up current charges this
capacitor, creating a voltage ramp on the TK/SS pin. As
the TK/SS voltage rises linearly from 0V to 0.6V (and
beyond), the output voltage, VOUT , rises smoothly from
zero to its final value. Alternatively, the TK/SS pin can be
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
LTC3774
OPERATION
used to cause the start-up of VOUT to track that of another
supply. Typically, this requires connecting to the TK/SS
pin an external resistor divider from the other supply to
ground (see the Applications Information section). When
the RUN pin is pulled low to disable the controller, or when
INTVCC drops below its undervoltage lockout threshold of
3.75V, the TK/SS pin is pulled low by an internal MOSFET.
When in undervoltage lockout, the controller is disabled
and the external MOSFETs are held off.
Light Load Current Operation (Burst Mode Operation,
Pulse-Skipping or Continuous Conduction)
The LTC3774 can be enabled to enter high efficiency Burst
Mode operation, constant-frequency pulse-skipping mode
or forced continuous conduction mode. To select forced
continuous operation, tie the MODE pin to GND. To select
pulse-skipping mode of operation, tie the MODE/PLLIN
pin to INTVCC. To select Burst Mode operation, float the
MODE/PLLIN pin. When the controller is enabled for Burst
Mode operation, the peak current in the inductor is set to
approximately one-third of the maximum sense voltage
even though the voltage on the ITH pin indicates a lower
value. If the average inductor current is higher than the
load current, the error amplifier, EA, will decrease the
voltage on the ITH pin. When the ITH voltage drops below
0.5V, the internal sleep signal goes high (enabling “sleep”
mode) and both external MOSFETs are turned off.
In sleep mode, the load current is supplied by the output
capacitor. As the output voltage decreases, the EA’s output
begins to rise. When the output voltage drops enough, the
sleep signal goes low, and the controller resumes normal
operation by turning on the top external MOSFET on the
next cycle of the internal oscillator. When the controller
is enabled for Burst Mode operation, the inductor current
is not allowed to reverse. The reverse current comparator
(IREV) turns off the bottom external MOSFET just before
the inductor current reaches zero, preventing it from reversing and going negative. Thus, the controller operates
in discontinuous operation.
In forced continuous operation, the inductor current is
allowed to reverse at light loads or under large transient
conditions. The peak inductor current is determined by
the voltage on the ITH pin, just as in normal operation. In
this mode, the efficiency at light loads is lower than in
Burst Mode operation. However, continuous mode has the
advantages of lower output ripple and less interference
with audio circuitry.
When the MODE/PLLIN pin is connected to INTVCC, the
LTC3774 operates in PWM pulse skipping mode at light
loads. At very light loads, the current comparator, ICMP ,
may remain tripped for several cycles and force the external
top MOSFET to stay off for the same number of cycles (i.e.,
skipping pulses). The inductor current is not allowed to
reverse (discontinuous operation). This mode, like forced
continuous operation, exhibits low output ripple as well as
low audio noise and reduced RF interference as compared
to Burst Mode operation. It provides higher low current
efficiency than forced continuous mode, but not nearly as
high as Burst Mode operation.
Frequency Selection and Phase-Locked Loop
(FREQ and MODE/PLLIN Pins)
The selection of switching frequency is a trade-off between
efficiency and component size. Low frequency operation increases efficiency by reducing MOSFET switching
losses, but requires larger inductance and/or capacitance
to maintain low output ripple voltage.
If the MODE/PLLIN pin is not being driven by an external
clock source, the FREQ pin can be used to program the
controller’s operating frequency from 200kHz to 1.2MHz.
There is a precision 20µA current flowing out of the FREQ
pin so that the user can program the controller’s switching
frequency with a single resistor to GND. A curve is provided
later in the Applications Information section showing the
relationship between the voltage on the FREQ pin and
switching frequency.
A phase-locked loop (PLL) is available on the LTC3774
to synchronize the internal oscillator to an external clock
source that is connected to the MODE/PLLIN pin. The PLL
loop filter network is integrated inside the LTC3774. The
phase‑locked loop is capable of locking any frequency
within the range of 200kHz to 1.2MHz. The frequency setting
resistor should always be present to set the controller’s
initial switching frequency before locking to the external
clock. The controller operates in forced continuous mode
when it is synchronized.
3774fc
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11
LTC3774
OPERATION
0,120
240,60
0,180
90,270
LTC3774
LTC3774
LTC3774
LTC3774
MODE/PLLIN
MODE/PLLIN
+240
CLKOUT
INTVCC
CLKOUT
CLKOUT
PHSMD
PHSMD
MODE/PLLIN
MODE/PLLIN
+90
CLKOUT
PHSMD
PHSMD
3774 F01a
3774 F01b
Figure 1a. 3-Phase Operation
Figure 1b. 4-Phase Operation
0,180
60,240
120,300
LTC3774
LTC3774
LTC3774
MODE/PLLIN
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
+60
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
PHSMD
+60
CLKOUT
PHSMD
PHSMD
3774 F01c
Figure 1c. 6-Phase Operation
0,180
90,270
135,315
225,45
LTC3774
LTC3774
LTC3774
LTC3774
MODE/PLLIN
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
+90
PHSMD
3/4 INTVCC
MODE/PLLIN
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
+45
PHSMD
CLKOUT
+90
CLKOUT
PHSMD
PHSMD
3774 F01d
Figure 1d. 8-Phase Operation
0,180
60,240
120,300
LTC3774
LTC3774
LTC3774
MODE/PLLIN
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
+60
PHSMD
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
PHSMD
CLKOUT
PHSMD
150,330
210,30
270,90
LTC3774
LTC3774
LTC3774
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
1/4 INTVCC
+60
PHSMD
MODE/PLLIN
+60
CLKOUT
PHSMD
MODE/PLLIN
+60
CLKOUT
PHSMD
3774 F01e
Figure 1e. 12-Phase Operation
12
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
LTC3774
OPERATION
Multiphase Operation
VOUT
10Ω
COUT2
COUT1
10Ω
FEEDBACK DIVIDER
For output loads that demand high current, multiple
LTC3774s can be daisychained to run out of phase to provide
more output current without increasing input and output
voltage ripple. The MODE/PLLIN pin allows the LTC3774 to
synchronize to the CLKOUT signal of another LTC3774. The
CLKOUT signal can be connected to the MODE/PLLIN pin of
the following LTC3774 stage to line up both the frequency
and the phase of the entire system. Tying the PHSMD pin to
INTVCC, GND or floating it generates a phase difference
(between CH1 and CLKOUT) of 240°, 60° or 90° respectively, and a phase difference (between CH1 and CH2) of
120°, 180° or 180°. Tying PHSMD to 1/4 or 3/4 of INTVCC
generates a phase difference of 60° and 45° between CH1
and CLKOUT. Figure 1 shows the PHSMD connections
necessary for 3-, 4-, 6-, 8- or 12-phase operation. A total
of 12 phases can be daisychained to run simultaneously
out of phase with respect to each other.
RD1
RD2
CF1
Sensing the Output Voltage with a
Differential Amplifier
The LTC3774 includes a low offset, high input impedance,
unity-gain, high bandwidth differential amplifier for applications that require true remote sensing. Sensing the
load across the load capacitors directly benefits regulation
in high current, low voltage applications, where board
interconnection losses can be a significant portion of the
total error budget. Connect VOSNS+ to the center tap of the
feedback divider across the output load, and VOSNS– to
the load ground. See Figure 2.
The LTC3774 differential amplifier is configured for unity
gain, meaning that the difference between VOSNS+ and
VOSNS– is translated to its output, relative to GND. The
differential amplifier’s output is internally connected to
the error amplifier inverting input.
Care should be taken to route the VOSNS+ and VOSNS– PCB
traces parallel to each other all the way to the remote sensing points on the board. In addition, avoid routing these
sensitive traces near any high speed switching nodes in
the circuit. Ideally, the VOSNS+ and VOSNS– traces should
be shielded by a low impedance ground plane to maintain
signal integrity.
VOSNS+
VOSNS–
LTC3774
+
DIFFAMP
–
3774 F02
Figure 2. Differential Amplifier Connection
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
13
LTC3774
OPERATION
Power Good (PGOOD Pin)
Undervoltage Lockout
The PGOOD pin is connected to the open drain of an internal N-channel MOSFET. The MOSFET turns on and pulls
the PGOOD pin low when the VOSNS+ pin voltage is not
within ±7.5% of the 0.6V reference voltage. The PGOOD
pin is also pulled low when the RUN pin is below 1.14V
or when the LTC3774 is in the soft-start or tracking up
phase. When the VOSNS+ pin voltage is within the ±7.5%
regulation window, the MOSFET is turned off and the
pin is allowed to be pulled up by an external resistor to a
source of up to 6V. The PGOOD pin will flag power good
immediately when the VOSNS+ pin is within the regulation
window. However, there is an internal 45µs power-bad
mask when the VOSNS+ goes out of the window.
The LTC3774 has two functions that help protect the
controller in case of undervoltage conditions. A precision
UVLO comparator constantly monitors the INTVCC voltage
to ensure that an adequate gate-drive voltage is present.
It locks out the switching action when INTVCC is below
3.75V. To prevent oscillation when there is a disturbance
on the INTVCC, the UVLO comparator has 500mV of precision hysteresis.
Output Overvoltage Protection
An overvoltage comparator, OV, guards against transient
overshoots (>7.5%) as well as other more serious conditions that may overvoltage the output. In such cases, the
top MOSFET is turned off and the bottom MOSFET is turned
on until the overvoltage condition is cleared.
14
Another way to detect an undervoltage condition is to
monitor the VIN supply. Because the RUN pin has a precision turn-on reference of 1.22V, one can use a resistor
divider to VIN to turn on the IC when VIN is high enough.
An extra 4µA of current flows out of the RUN pin once the
RUN pin voltage passes 1.22V. The RUN comparator itself
has about 80mV of hysteresis. One can program additional
hysteresis for the RUN comparator by adjusting the values
of the resistive divider. For accurate VIN undervoltage
detection, VIN needs to be higher than 4.75V. Always
set the VIN undervoltage detection threshold higher than
the power stage UVLO threshold so that the LTC3774 is
enabled after the power stage is.
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The Typical Application on the first page of this data sheet
is a basic LTC3774 application circuit. The LTC3774 is
designed and optimized for use with a very low DCR
value by utilizing a novel approach to reduce the noise
sensitivity of the sensing signal by a factor of 14dB. DCR
sensing is becoming popular because it saves expensive
current sensing resistors and is more power efficient,
especially in high current applications. However, as the
DCR value drops below 1mΩ, the signal-to-noise ratio
is low and current sensing is difficult. LTC3774 uses an
LTC proprietary technique to solve this issue. In general,
external component selection is driven by the load requirement, and begins with the DCR and inductor value. Next,
power MOSFETs are selected. Finally, input and output
capacitors are selected.
Current Limit Programming
The ILIM pin is a 5-level logic input which sets the maximum current limit of the controller. When ILIM is either
grounded, floated or tied to INTVCC, the typical value for
the maximum current sense threshold will be 10mV,
20mV or 30mV, respectively. Setting ILIM to one-fourth
INTVCC and three-fourths INTVCC for maximum current
sense thresholds of 15mV and 25mV. Setting ILIM using
a resistor divider off of INTVCC will allow the maximum
current sense threshold setting to not change when the
5.5V LDO is in dropout at start-up. Please note that the
ILIM pin has an internal 500k pull-down to GND and a 500k
pull-up to INTVCC.
Which setting should be used? For the best current limit
accuracy, use the highest setting that is applicable to the
output requirements.
SNSD+, SNSA+ and SNS– Pins
The SNSA+ and SNS– pins are the inputs to the current
comparators, while the SNSD+ pin is the input of an
internal amplifier. The operating input voltage range is
0V to 3.5V for all three sense pins. All the positive sense
pins that are connected to the current comparator or the
amplifier are high impedance with input bias currents
of less than 1µA, but there is also a resistance of about
300k from the SNS– pin to ground. The SNS– should
be connected directly to VOUT. The SNSD+ pin connects
to the filter that has a R1•C1 time constant matched to
L/DCR of the inductor. The SNSA+ pin is connected to
the second filter with the time constant one-fifth that
of R1•C1. Care must be taken not to float these pins
during normal operation. Filter components, especially
capacitors, must be placed close to the LTC3774, and
the sense lines should run close together to a Kelvin connection underneath the current sense element (Figure 3).
Because the LTC3774 is designed to be used with a very
low DCR value to sense inductor current, without proper
care, the parasitic resistance, capacitance and inductance
will degrade the current sense signal integrity, making
the programmed current limit unpredictable. As shown
in Figure 4, resistors R1 and R2 are placed close to the
output inductor and capacitors C1 and C2 are close to
the IC pins to prevent noise coupling to the sense signal.
TO SENSE FILTER,
NEXT TO THE CONTROLLER
3774 F03
COUT
INDUCTOR
Figure 3. Sense Lines Placement with Inductor DCR
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
15
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
VIN
VIN
5V
VLOGIC BOOST
LTC3774
PWM
RITEMP
ITEMP
L
R1
SNSD+
SNS–
RP
43.2k
DCR
VOUT
BG
RS
20k
RNTC
100k
INDUCTOR
VCC
TG
LTC4449
IN
TS
SNSA+
R2
C1
C2
3774 F04
GND
PLACE C1, C2 NEXT TO IC
PLACE R1, R2 NEXT TO INDUCTOR
R1C1 = 5 • R2C2
Figure 4. Inductor DCR Current Sensing
The LTC3774 could also be used like any typical current
mode controller by disabling the SNSD+ pin, shorting it
to ground. An RSENSE resistor or a RC filter can be used
to sense the output inductor signal and connects to the
SNSA+ pin. If the RC filter is used, its time constant,
R • C, is equaled to L/DCR of the output inductor. In these
applications, the current limit, VSENSE (MAX), will be five
times larger for the specified ILIM, and the operating
voltage range of SNSA+ and SNS– is from 0V to 5.25V.
Inductor DCR Sensing
The LTC3774 is specifically designed for high load current
applications requiring the highest possible efficiency; it is
capable of sensing the signal of an inductor DCR in the
sub milliohm range (Figure 4). The DCR is the DC winding
resistance of the inductor’s copper, which is often less than
1mΩ for high current inductors. In high current and low
output voltage applications, a conduction loss of a high
DCR or a sense resistor will cause a significant reduction
in power efficiency. For a specific output requirement,
chose the inductor with the DCR that satisfies the maxi-
16
mum desirable sense voltage, and uses the relationship
of the sense pin filters to output inductor characteristics
as depicted below.
DCR =
VSENSE(MAX)
∆I
IMAX + L
2
L/DCR = R1• C1 = 5 • R2 • C2
where:
VSENSE(MAX): Maximum sense voltage for a given ILIM
threshold
IMAX: Maximum load current
∆IL: Inductor ripple current
L, DCR: Output inductor characteristics
R1•C1: Filter time constant of the SNSD+ pin
R2 • C2: Filter time constant of the SNSA+ pin
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
To ensure that the load current will be delivered over the full
operating temperature range, the temperature coefficient of
DCR resistance, approximately 0.4%/°C, should be taken
into account. The LTC3774 features a DCR temperature
compensation circuit that uses an NTC temperature sensing
resistor for this purpose. See the Inductor DCR Sensing
Temperature Compensation section for details.
Typically, C1 and C2 are selected in the range of 0.047µF
to 0.47µF. If C1 and C2 are chosen to be 220nF, and an
inductor of 330nH with 0.32mΩ DCR is selected, R1 and
R2 will be 4.7k and 942Ω respectively. The bias current at
SNSD+ and SNSA+ is about 30nA and 500nA respectively,
and it causes some small error to the sense signal.
There will be some power loss in R1 and R2 that relates to
the duty cycle, and will be the most in continuous mode
at the maximum input voltage:
PLOSS (R) =
( VIN(MAX) – VOUT ) • VOUT
currents. However, the DCR of the inductor, which is the
small amount of DC winding resistance of the copper,
typically has a positive temperature coefficient. As the
temperature of the inductor rises, its DCR value increases.
The current limit of the controller is therefore reduced.
The LTC3774 offers a method to counter this inaccuracy
by allowing the user to place an NTC temperature sensing
resistor near the inductor to actively correct this error. The
ITEMP pin, when left floating, is at a voltage around 5V and
DCR temperature compensation is disabled. The ITEMP
pin has a constant 30µA precision current flowing out the
pin. By connecting an NTC resistor from the ITEMP pin
to SGND, the maximum current sense threshold can be
varied over temperature according the following equation:
VSENSEMAX(ADJ) = VSENSE(MAX) •
2–
VITEMP
2.8
1.5
where:
R
Ensure that R1 and R2 have a power rating higher than this
value. However, DCR sensing eliminates the conduction
loss of a sense resistor; it will provide a better efficiency
at heavy loads. To maintain a good signal-to-noise ratio
for the current sense signal, using a minimum ∆VSENSE of
2mV for duty cycles less than 40% is desirable. The actual
ripple voltage will be determined by the following equation:
V
V –V
∆VSENSE = OUT • IN OUT
VIN R1• C1• fOSC
VSENSEMAX(ADJ) is the maximum adjusted current sense
threshold.
VSENSE(MAX) is the maximum current sense threshold
specified in the Electrical Characteristics table. It is typically 30mV, 25mV, 20mV, 15mV or 10mV depending
on the setting ILIM pins.
VITEMP is the voltage of the ITEMP pin.
Inductor DCR Sensing Temperature Compensation
and the ITEMP Pin
The valid voltage range for DCR temperature compensation
on the ITEMP pin is 1.4V to 0.6V, with 1.4V or above being
no DCR temperature correction and 0.6V the maximum
correction. However, if the duty cycle of the controller is less
than 25%, the ITEMP range is extended from 1.4V to 0V.
Inductor DCR current sensing provides a lossless method
of sensing the instantaneous current. Therefore, it can
provide higher efficiency for applications of high output
The NTC resistor has a negative temperature coefficient,
meaning its value decreases as temperature rises. The
VITEMP voltage, therefore, decreases as temperature
3774fc
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17
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
increases and in turn, the VSENSEMAX(ADJ) will increase to
compensate the DCR temperature coefficient. The NTC
resistor, however, is nonlinear and the user can linearize its value by building a resistor network with regular
resistors. Consult the NTC manufacturer’s data sheets for
detailed information.
Calculate the values for RP and RS. A simple method is to
graph the following RS versus RP equations with RS on
the y-axis and RP on the x-axis.
Another use for the ITEMP pins, in addition to NTC compensated DCR sensing, is adjusting VSENSE(MAX) to values
between the nominal values of 10mV, 15mV, 20mV, 25mV
and 30mV for a more precise current limit. This is done
by applying a voltage less than 1.4V to the ITEMP pin.
VSENSE(MAX) will be varied per the previous equation and
the same duty cycle limitations will apply. The current
limit can be adjusted using this method either with a sense
resistor or DCR sensing.
Next, find the value of RP that satisfies both equations
which will be the point where the curves intersect. Once
RP is known, solve for RS.
NTC Compensated DCR Sensing
For DCR sensing applications where a more accurate
current limit is required, a network consisting of an NTC
thermistor placed from the ITEMP pin to ground will provide
correction of the current limit over temperature. Figure 4
shows this network. Resistors RS and RP will linearize
the impedance the ITEMP pin sees. To implement NTC
compensated DCR sensing, design the DCR sense filter
network per the same procedure mentioned in the previous
selection, except calculate the divider components using
the room temperature value of the DCR.
1. Set the ITEMP pin resistance to 46.7k at 25°C. With
30µA flowing out of the ITEMP pin, the voltage on the
ITEMP pin will be 1.4V at room temperature. Current
limit correction will occur for inductor temperatures
greater than 25°C.
2. Calculate the ITEMP pin resistance and the maximum
inductor temperature which is typically 100°C. Use the
equations:
RITEMP100C =
RS = RITEMP25C – RNTC25C || RP
RS = RITEMP100C – RNTC100C || RP
The resistance of the NTC thermistor can be obtained
from the vendor’s data sheet either in the form of graphs,
tabulated data or formulas. The approximate value for the
NTC thermistor for a given temperature can be calculated
from the following equation:
⎛ ⎛ 1
1 ⎞⎞
R = RO • exp ⎜ B • ⎜
–
⎟⎟
⎝ ⎝ T + 273 TO + 273 ⎠ ⎠
where:
R = resistance at temperature T, which is in degrees C
RO = resistance at temperature TO, typically 25°C
B = B-constant of the thermistor.
Figure 5 shows a typical resistance curve for a 100k
thermistor and the ITEMP pin network over temperature.
Starting values for the NTC compensation network are
listed below:
• NTC RO = 100k
• RS = 20k
• RP = 50k
But, the final values should be calculated using the above
equations and checked at 25°C and 100°C.
VITEMP100C
30µA
I
•DCR(MAX)•R2 / (R1+R2) • (100°C – 25°C) • 0.4 / 100
VITEMP100C = 1.4V – 4.2 MAX
VSENSE(MAX)
18
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approach. Figure 6 shows a typical curve of IMAX versus
inductor temperature.
10000
THERMISTOR RESISTANCE
RO = 100k
TO = 25°C
B = 4334 FOR 25°C/100°C
RESISTANCE (kΩ)
1000
The same thermistor network can be used to correct for
temperatures less than 25°C. But make sure VITEMP is
greater than 0.6V for duty cycles of 25% or more, otherwise temperature correction may not occur at elevated
ambients. For the most accurate temperature detection,
place the thermistors next to the inductor as shown in
Figure 7. Take care to keep the ITEMP pin away from the
switch nodes.
100
10
RITEMP
RS = 20k
RP = 43.2k
100k NTC
1
–40 –20 0
20 40 60 80 100 120
INDUCTOR TEMPERATURE (°C)
25
3774 F05
Figure 5. Resistance Versus Temperature for the ITEMP Pin
Network and the 100k NTC
20
IMAX =
VSENSEMAX(ADJ) – ∆VSENSE / 2
( (
)
DCR(MAX) at 25°C • 1+ TL(MAX) – 25°C • 0.4 / 100
)
where:
IMAX (A)
After determining the components for the temperature
compensation network, check the results by plotting IMAX
versus inductor temperature using the following equations:
CORRECTED
IMAX
15
NOMINAL
IMAX
UNCORRECTED
RS = 20k
IMAX
RP = 43.2k
NTC THERMISTOR:
5 R = 100k
O
TO = 25°C
B = 4334
0
–40 –20 0
20 40
60 80 100 120
INDUCTOR TEMPERATURE (°C)
10
3774 F06
V
2.0V – ITEMP
2.8
VSENSEMAX(ADJ) = VSENSE(MAX) •
1.5
Figure 6. Worst-Case IMAX Versus Inductor Temperature Curve
with and without NTC Temperature Compensation
VITEMP = 30µA • (RS +RP ||RNTC )
VOUT
Use typical values for VSENSE(MAX).
The resulting current limit should be greater than or equal
to IMAX for inductor temperatures between 25°C and 100°C.
RNTC
L1
These are typical values for the NTC compensation network:
• NTC RO = 100k, B-constant = 3000 to 4000
SW1
3774 F07
• RS ≈ 20k
• RP ≈ 50k
Generating the IMAX versus inductor temperature curve plot
first using the above values as a starting point and then
adjusting the RS and RP values as necessary is another
Figure 7. Thermistor Location. Place Thermistor Next to
Inductor for Accurate Sensing of the Inductor Temperature,
But Keep the ITEMP Pin Away from the Switch Nodes and Gate
Drive Traces
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LTC3774
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Pre-Biased Output Start-Up
Phase Shedding/n+1 Redundancy (HIZB Pin)
There may be situations that require the power supply to
start up with a pre-bias on the output capacitors. In this
case, it is desirable to start up without discharging that
output pre-bias. The LTC3774 can safely power up into a
pre-biased output without discharging it.
Unlike the RUN pins, the HIZB pins cause the PWM to enter
its high impedance state while not pulling down on ITH or
TK/SS. This allows two possibilities: First, one can shed a
phase based on load requirements via the HIZB pin. This improves low current efficiency in a single output multiphase
case by reducing switching losses. Second, for applications
that require n+1 redundancy, it is now easy to disconnect
a channel with damaged MOSFETs or drivers. When combined with a Hot Swap™ controller, such as the LTC4226,
the HIZB pin could be connected to the gate of the Hot
Swap switch. When a damaged MOSFET triggers the Hot
Swap controller, it also disables the corresponding channel’s power stage, disconnecting it. Since ITH and TK/SS
are unaffected, it does not affect the rest of the system.
The propagation delay from HIZB falling to high impedance
on PWM is <200ns.
The LTC3774 accomplishes this by disabling both the top
and bottom MOSFETs until the TK/SS pin voltage and the
internal soft-start voltage are above the VOSNS+ pin voltage. When VOSNS+ is higher than TK/SS or the internal
soft-start voltage, the error amp output is railed low. The
control loop would like to turn the bottom MOSFET on,
which would discharge the output. Disabling both top and
bottom MOSFETs prevents the pre-biased output voltage
from being discharged. When TK/SS and the internal
soft-start both cross 500mV or VOSNS+, whichever is
lower, both top and bottom MOSFETs are enabled. If the
pre-bias is higher than the OV threshold, the bottom gate
is turned on immediately to pull the output back into the
regulation window.
Overcurrent Fault Recovery
When the output of the power supply is loaded beyond its
preset current limit, the regulated output voltage will collapse depending on the load. The output may be shorted
to ground through a very low impedance path or it may
be a resistive short, in which case the output will collapse
partially, until the load current equals the preset current
limit. The controller will continue to source current into
the short. The amount of current sourced depends on
the ILIM pin setting and the VOSNS+ voltage as shown in
the Current Foldback graph in the Typical Performance
Characteristics section.
Upon removal of the short, the output soft starts using
the internal soft-start, thus reducing output overshoot. In
the absence of this feature, the output capacitors would
have been charged at current limit, and in applications
with minimal output capacitance this may have resulted
in output overshoot. Current limit foldback is not disabled
during an overcurrent recovery. The load must step below
the folded back current limit threshold in order to restart
from a hard short.
20
Inductor Value Calculation
Given the desired input and output voltages, the inductor
value and operating frequency, fOSC, directly determine
the inductor’s peak-to-peak ripple current:
IRIPPLE =
VOUT ⎛ VIN – VOUT ⎞
⎟
⎜
VIN ⎝ fOSC • L ⎠
Lower ripple current reduces core losses in the inductor,
ESR losses in the output capacitors, and output voltage
ripple. Thus, highest efficiency operation is obtained at
low frequency with a small ripple current. Achieving this,
however, requires a large inductor.
A reasonable starting point is to choose a ripple current
that is about 40% of IOUT(MAX). Note that the largest ripple
current occurs at the highest input voltage. To guarantee
that ripple current does not exceed a specified maximum,
the inductor should be chosen according to:
L≥
VIN – VOUT VOUT
•
fOSC •IRIPPLE VIN
Inductor Core Selection
Once the inductance value is determined, the type of inductor must be selected. Core loss is independent of core
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size for a fixed inductor value, but it is very dependent on
inductance selected. As inductance increases, core losses
go down. Unfortunately, increased inductance requires
more turns of wire and therefore copper losses will increase.
Ferrite designs have very low core loss and are preferred
at high switching frequencies, so design goals can concentrate on copper loss and preventing saturation. Ferrite
core material saturates “hard,” which means that inductance collapses abruptly when the peak design current is
exceeded. This results in an abrupt increase in inductor
ripple current and consequent output voltage ripple. Do
not allow the core to saturate!
PWM and PWMEN Pins
The PWM pins are three-state compatible outputs, designed to drive MOSFET drivers, DrMOSs, etc which do
not represent a heavy capacitive load. An external resistor
divider may be used to set the voltage to mid-rail while in
the high impedance state.
The PWMEN outputs have an open-drain pull-up to INTVCC
and require an appropriate external pull-down resistor.
This pin is intended to drive the enable pins of the MOSFET drivers that do not have three-state compatible PWM
inputs. PWMEN is low only when PWM is high impedance,
and high at any other PWM state.
When selecting a DrMOS or gate driver to use with the
LTC3774, care must be taken to ensure that the absolute
maximum voltage rating for the DrMOS or gate driver’s
PWM input is not exceeded. The LTC3774’s PWM output
driver is biased from INTVCC, which is typically 5.5V,
while the DrMOS or gate driver is generally biased from
a 5V supply. If the DrMOS or gate driver has a maximum
PWM rating less than 5.5V then tie the VIN and INTVCC
pins of the LTC3774 together and tie the combined pins
to the 5V supply with a 1Ω or 2.2 Ω resistor. Please a
4.4µF capacitor from the combined VIN and INTVCC pins
to ground. Refer to Figure 11 for an example. Contact
factory applications support for assistance.
Power MOSFET and Schottky Diode
(Optional) Selection
At least two external power MOSFETs need to be selected:
One N-channel MOSFET for the top (main) switch and one
or more N‑channel MOSFET(s) for the bottom (synchronous) switch. The number, type and on-resistance of all
MOSFETs selected take into account the voltage step-down
ratio as well as the actual position (main or synchronous)
in which the MOSFET will be used. A much smaller and
much lower input capacitance MOSFET should be used
for the top MOSFET in applications that have an output
voltage that is less than one-third of the input voltage. In
applications where VIN >> VOUT , the top MOSFETs’ onresistance is normally less important for overall efficiency
than its input capacitance at operating frequencies above
300kHz. MOSFET manufacturers have designed special
purpose devices that provide reasonably low on-resistance
with significantly reduced input capacitance for the main
switch application in switching regulators.
The peak-to-peak MOSFET gate drive levels are set by the
internal regulator voltage, VINTVCC, requiring the use of
logic-level threshold MOSFETs in most applications. Pay
close attention to the BVDSS specification for the MOSFETs
as well; many of the logic-level MOSFETs are limited to
30V or less. Selection criteria for the power MOSFETs
include the on-resistance, RDS(ON), input capacitance,
input voltage and maximum output current. MOSFET input
capacitance is a combination of several components but
can be taken from the typical gate charge curve included
on most data sheets (Figure 8). The curve is generated by
forcing a constant input current into the gate of a common
source, current source loaded stage and then plotting the
gate voltage versus time.
VIN
VGS
MILLER EFFECT
a
V
b
QIN
CMILLER = (QB – QA)/VDS
+
VGS
–
+V
DS
–
3774 F08
Figure 8. Gate Charge Characteristic
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LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The initial slope is the effect of the gate-to-source and
the gate-to-drain capacitance. The flat portion of the
curve is the result of the Miller multiplication effect of the
drain-to-gate capacitance as the drain drops the voltage
across the current source load. The upper sloping line is
due to the drain-to-gate accumulation capacitance and
the gate-to-source capacitance. The Miller charge (the
increase in coulombs on the horizontal axis from a to b
while the curve is flat) is specified for a given VDS drain
voltage, but can be adjusted for different VDS voltages by
multiplying the ratio of the application VDS to the curve
specified VDS values. A way to estimate the CMILLER term
is to take the change in gate charge from points a and b
on a manufacturer’s data sheet and divide by the stated
VDS voltage specified. CMILLER is the most important selection criteria for determining the transition loss term in
the top MOSFET but is not directly specified on MOSFET
data sheets. CRSS and COS are specified sometimes but
definitions of these parameters are not included. When the
controller is operating in continuous mode the duty cycles
for the top and bottom MOSFETs are given by:
Main Switch Duty Cycle =
VOUT
VIN
⎛V – V ⎞
Synchronous Switch Duty Cycle = ⎜ IN OUT ⎟
VIN
⎝
⎠
The power dissipation for the main and synchronous
MOSFETs at maximum output current are given by:
PMAIN =
VOUT
IMAX
VIN
(
)
2
(1+ δ)RDS(ON) +
⎛ IMAX ⎞
⎟ (RDR ) (CMILLER ) •
⎝ 2 ⎠
⎡
1 ⎤
1
⎢
⎥• f
+
⎢⎣ VINTVCC – VTH(MIN) VTH(MIN) ⎥⎦
( VIN )2 ⎜
PSYNC =
VIN – VOUT
IMAX
VIN
(
)
2
(1+ δ)RDS(ON)
where δ is the temperature dependency of RDS(ON), RDR
is the effective top driver resistance (approximately 2Ω at
VGS = VMILLER), VIN is the drain potential and the change
22
in drain potential in the particular application. VTH(MIN)
is the data sheet specified typical gate threshold voltage
specified in the power MOSFET data sheet at the specified
drain current. CMILLER is the calculated capacitance using
the gate charge curve from the MOSFET data sheet and
the technique described above.
Both MOSFETs have I2R losses while the topside N-channel
equation includes an additional term for transition losses,
which peak at the highest input voltage. For VIN < 20V,
the high current efficiency generally improves with larger
MOSFETs, while for VIN > 20V, the transition losses rapidly
increase to the point that the use of a higher RDS(ON) device
with lower CMILLER actually provides higher efficiency. The
synchronous MOSFET losses are greatest at high input
voltage when the top switch duty factor is low or during
a short-circuit when the synchronous switch is on close
to 100% of the period.
The term (1 + δ ) is generally given for a MOSFET in the
form of a normalized RDS(ON) vs temperature curve, but
δ = 0.005/°C can be used as an approximation for low
voltage MOSFETs.
An optional Schottky diode across the synchronous
MOSFET conducts during the dead time between the conduction of the two large power MOSFETs. This prevents the
body diode of the bottom MOSFET from turning on, storing
charge during the dead time and requiring a reverse-recovery
period which could cost as much as several percent in efficiency. A 2A to 8A Schottky is generally a good compromise
for both regions of operation due to the relatively small
average current. Larger diodes result in additional transition
loss due to their larger junction capacitance.
MOSFET Driver Selection
Gate driver ICs, DrMOSs and power blocks with an interface
compatible with the LTC3774's three-state PWM outputs
or the LTC3774's PWM/PWMEN outputs can be used.
Always enable the power stage first, before the LTC3774
is enabled.
CIN and COUT Selection
In continuous mode, the source current of the top MOSFET
is a square wave of duty cycle (VOUT)/(VIN). To prevent
large voltage transients, a low ESR capacitor sized for the
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maximum RMS current of one channel must be used. The
maximum RMS capacitor current is given by:
CIN Required IRMS ≈
1/2
IMAX ⎡
⎣( VOUT ) ( VIN – VOUT )⎤⎦
VIN
ment is satisfied the capacitance is adequate for filtering.
The steady-state output ripple (∆VOUT) is determined by:
⎛
1 ⎞
∆VOUT ≈ ∆IRIPPLE ⎜ESR +
⎟
8fCOUT ⎠
⎝
This formula has a maximum at VIN = 2VOUT, where IRMS
= IOUT/2. This simple worst-case condition is commonly
used for design because even significant deviations do not
offer much relief. Note that capacitor manufacturers’ ripple
current ratings are often based on only 2000 hours of life.
This makes it advisable to further derate the capacitor, or
to choose a capacitor rated at a higher temperature than
required. Several capacitors may be paralleled to meet
size or height requirements in the design. Due to the high
operating frequency of the LTC3774, ceramic capacitors
can also be used for CIN. Always consult the manufacturer
if there is any question.
where f = operating frequency, COUT = output capacitance
and ∆IRIPPLE = ripple current in the inductor. The output
ripple is highest at maximum input voltage since ∆IRIPPLE
increases with input voltage. The output ripple will be less
than 50mV at maximum VIN with ∆IRIPPLE = 0.4IOUT(MAX)
assuming:
Ceramic capacitors are becoming very popular for small
designs but several cautions should be observed. X7R, X5R
and Y5V are examples of a few of the ceramic materials
used as the dielectric layer, and these different dielectrics
have very different effect on the capacitance value due to
the voltage and temperature conditions applied. Physically,
if the capacitance value changes due to applied voltage
change, there is a concomitant piezo effect which results
in radiating sound! A load that draws varying current at
an audible rate may cause an attendant varying input voltage on a ceramic capacitor, resulting in an audible signal.
A secondary issue relates to the energy flowing back into
a ceramic capacitor whose capacitance value is being
reduced by the increasing charge. The voltage can increase
at a considerably higher rate than the constant current being
supplied because the capacitance value is decreasing as
the voltage is increasing! Nevertheless, ceramic capacitors,
when properly selected and used, can provide the lowest
overall loss due to their extremely low ESR.
The emergence of very low ESR capacitors in small, surface
mount packages makes very small physical implementations possible. The ability to externally compensate the
switching regulator loop using the ITH pin allows a much
wider selection of output capacitor types. The impedance
characteristic of each capacitor type is significantly different than an ideal capacitor and therefore requires accurate
modeling or bench evaluation during design. Manufacturers
such as Nichicon, Nippon Chemi-Con and Sanyo should be
considered for high performance through-hole capacitors.
The OS-CON semiconductor dielectric capacitors available
from Sanyo and the Panasonic SP surface mount types
have a good (ESR)(size) product.
A small (0.1µF to 1µF) bypass capacitor, CIN, between the
chip VIN pin and ground, placed close to the LTC3774, is
also suggested. A 2.2Ω to 10Ω resistor placed between
CIN and VIN pin provides further isolation.
The selection of COUT is driven by the required effective
series resistance (ESR). Typically once the ESR require-
COUT required ESR < N • RSENSE
and
COUT >
1
(8f) (RSENSE )
Once the ESR requirement for COUT has been met, the RMS
current rating generally far exceeds the IRIPPLE(P-P) requirement. Ceramic capacitors from AVX, Taiyo Yuden, Murata
and TDK offer high capacitance value and very low ESR,
especially applicable for low output voltage applications.
In surface mount applications, multiple capacitors may
have to be paralleled to meet the ESR or RMS current
handling requirements of the application. Aluminum
electrolytic and dry tantalum capacitors are both available
in surface mount configurations. New special polymer
surface mount capacitors offer very low ESR also but
have much lower capacitive density per unit volume. In
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23
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
the case of tantalum, it is critical that the capacitors are
surge tested for use in switching power supplies. Several
excellent choices are the AVX TPS, AVX TPSV, the KEMET
T510 series of surface mount tantalums or the Panasonic
SP series of surface mount special polymer capacitors
available in case heights ranging from 2mm to 4mm. Other
capacitor types include Sanyo POSCAP, Sanyo OS-CON,
Nichicon PL series and Sprague 595D series. Consult the
manufacturers for other specific recommendations.
Differential Amplifier
The LTC3774 has true remote voltage sense capability. The
sense connections should be returned from the load, back
to the differential amplifier’s inputs through a common,
tightly coupled pair of PC traces. The differential amplifier
rejects common mode signals capacitively or inductively
radiated into the feedback PC traces as well as ground
loop disturbances. The LTC3774 diffamp has high input
impedance on VOSNS+ pin. The output of the diffamp connects to the inverting input of the error amplifier internally.
Setting Output Voltage
The LTC3774 output voltage is set by an external feedback resistive divider carefully placed across the output,
as shown in Figure 2. The regulated output voltage is
determined by:
⎛ R ⎞
VOUT = 0.6V • ⎜1+ D1 ⎟
⎝ RD2 ⎠
To improve the frequency response, a feedforward capacitor, CF1 , may be used. Great care should be taken to
route the VOSNS+ line away from noise sources, such as
the inductor or the SW line.
To minimize the effect of the voltage drop caused by high
current flowing through board conductance; connect
VOSNS– and VOSNS+ sense lines close to the ground and
the load output respectively.
External Soft-Start and Tracking
The LTC3774 has the ability to either soft-start by itself
or track the output of another channel or external supply.
When the controller is configured to soft-start by itself, a
24
capacitor may be connected to its TK/SS pin or the internal
soft-start may be used. The controller is in the shutdown
state if its RUN pin voltage is below 1.22V and its TK/SS
pin is actively pulled to ground in this shutdown state. If
the RUN pin voltage is above 1.22V, the controller powers
up. A soft-start current of 1.25µA then starts to charge the
TK/SS soft-start capacitor. Note that soft-start or tracking
is achieved not by limiting the maximum output current of
the controller but by controlling the output ramp voltage
according to the ramp rate on the TK/SS pin. The soft-start
or tracking range is defined to be the voltage range from
0V to 0.6V on the TK/SS pin. The total soft-start time can
be calculated as:
tSOFTSTART = 0.6 •
CSS
1.25µA
Regardless of the mode selected by the MODE/PLLIN pin,
the controller always starts in discontinuous mode up to
TK/SS = 0.5V. Between TK/SS = 0.5V and 0.565V, it will
operate in forced continuous mode and revert to the
selected mode once TK/SS > 0.565V. The output ripple
is minimized during the 65mV forced continuous mode
window, ensuring a clean PGOOD signal. When the channel is configured to track another supply, the feedback
voltage of the other supply is duplicated by a resistor
divider and applied to the TK/SS pin. Therefore, the voltage ramp rate on this pin is determined by the ramp rate
of the other supply’s voltage. It is only possible to track
another supply that is slower than the internal soft-start
ramp. Note that the small soft-start capacitor charging
current is always flowing, producing a small offset error.
To minimize this error, select the tracking resistive divider
value to be small enough to make this error negligible.
In order to track down another channel or supply after
the soft-start phase expires, the LTC3774 is forced into
continuous mode of operation as soon as VOSNS+ is below
the power good lower threshold regardless of the setting
on the MODE/PLLIN pin. However, the LTC3774 should
always be set in forced continuous mode tracking down
when there is no load. After TK/SS drops below 0.1V, the
controller operates in discontinuous mode.
The LTC3774 allows the user to program how its output
ramps up and down by means of the TK/SS pin. Through
these pins, the output can be set up to either coincidentally
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or ratiometrically track another supply’s output, as shown
in Figure 9. In the following discussions, VOUT2 refers to
the LTC3774’s channel 2 as a slave and VOUT1 refers to
channel 1 as a master. To implement the coincident tracking in Figure 9a, connect an additional resistive divider to
VOUT1 and connect its mid-point to the TK/SS pin of the
slave controller. The ratio of this divider should be the
same as that of the slave controller’s feedback divider
shown in Figure 10a. In this tracking mode, VOUT1 must
be set higher than VOUT2. To implement the ratiometric
tracking in Figure 9b, the ratio of the VOUT2 divider should
be exactly the same as the master controller’s feedback
divider shown in Figure 10b . By selecting different resis-
tors, the LTC3774 can achieve different modes of tracking
including the two in Figure 9.
So which mode should be programmed? While either
mode in Figure 9 satisfies most practical applications,
some trade-offs exist. The ratiometric mode saves a pair
of resistors, but the coincident mode offers better output
regulation. Under ratiometric tracking, when the master
controller’s output experiences dynamic excursion (under
load transient, for example), the slave controller output
will be affected as well. For better output regulation, use
the coincident tracking mode instead of ratiometric.
VOUT1
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
VOUT1
VOUT2
VOUT2
TIME
TIME
(9a) Coincident Tracking
3774 F09
(9b) Ratiometric Tracking
Figure 9. Two Different Modes of Output Voltage Tracking
VOUT1
TO
TK/SS2
PIN
VOUT2
R3
R1
R4
R2
TO
VOSNS1+
PIN
TO
VOSNS2+
PIN
R3
R4
VOUT1
VOUT2
TO
TK/SS2
PIN
R1
R2
TO
VOSNS1+
PIN
TO
VOSNS2+
PIN
R3
R4
3774 F10
(10a) Coincident Tracking Setup
(10b) Ratiometric Tracking Setup
Figure 10. Setup and Coincident and Ratiometric Tracking
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LTC3774
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INTVCC (LDO)
The LTC3774 features a true PMOS LDO that supplies
power to INTVCC from the VIN supply. INTVCC powers
the LTC3774’s internal circuitry. The LDO regulates the
voltage at the INTVCC pin to 5.5V when VIN is greater than
6V. The LDO can supply a peak current of 20mA and must
be bypassed to ground with a minimum of 4.7µF ceramic
capacitor or low ESR electrolytic capacitor. No matter what
type of bulk capacitor is used, an additional 0.1µF ceramic
capacitor placed directly adjacent to the INTVCC and GND
pins is highly recommended.
For applications where the main input power is 5V, tie
the VIN and INTVCC pins together and tie the combined
pins to the 5V input with a 1Ω or 2.2Ω resistor as shown
in Figure 11 to minimize the voltage drop caused by the
gate charge current. This will override the INTVCC linear
regulator and will prevent INTVCC from dropping too low
due to the dropout voltage.
LTC3774
VIN
INTVCC
RVIN
1Ω
CINTVCC
4.7µF
+
5V
CIN
3774 F11
Figure 11. Setup for a 5V Input
Fault Conditions: Current Limit and Current Foldback
The LTC3774 includes current foldback to help limit
load current when the output is shorted to ground. If the
output falls below 50% of its nominal output level, then
the maximum sense voltage is progressively lowered
from its maximum programmed value to one-third of the
maximum value. Foldback current limiting is not disabled
during soft-start or tracking up. Under short-circuit conditions with very low duty cycles, the LTC3774 will begin
cycle skipping in order to limit the short-circuit current.
In this situation the bottom MOSFET will be dissipating
most of the power but less than in normal operation. The
short circuit ripple current is determined by the minimum
26
on-time tON(MIN) of the LTC3774 (≈90ns with power stage),
the input voltage and inductor value:
∆IL(SC) = tON(MIN) •
VIN
L
The resulting short-circuit current is:
⎛ 1/ 3VSENSE(MAX) 1
⎞
ISC = ⎜
− ∆IL(SC) ⎟
2
RSENSE
⎝
⎠
After a short, or while starting, make sure that the load
current takes the folded-back current limit into account.
Phase-Locked Loop and Frequency Synchronization
The LTC3774 has a phase-locked loop (PLL) comprised
of an internal voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a
phase detector. This allows the turn-on of the top MOSFET
to be locked to the rising edge of an external clock signal
applied to the MODE/PLLIN pin. The phase detector is
an edge sensitive digital type that provides zero degrees
phase shift between the external and internal oscillators.
This type of phase detector does not exhibit false lock to
harmonics of the external clock.
The output of the phase detector is a pair of complementary current sources that charge or discharge the internal
filter network. There is a precision 20µA current flowing
out of the FREQ pin. This allows the user to use a single
resistor to GND to set the switching frequency when no
external clock is applied to the MODE/PLLIN pin. The
internal switch between the FREQ pin and the integrated
PLL filter network is on, allowing the filter network to be
pre-charged at the same voltage as of the FREQ pin. The
relationship between the voltage on the FREQ pin and
operating frequency is shown in Figure 12 and specified
in the Electrical Characteristics table. If an external clock
is detected on the MODE/PLLIN pin, the internal switch
mentioned above turns off and isolates the influence of the
FREQ pin. Note that the LTC3774 can only be synchronized
to an external clock whose frequency is within range of
the LTC3774’s internal VCO. A simplified block diagram
is shown in Figure 13.
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LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
external oscillators are identical. At the stable operating
point, the phase detector output is high impedance and
the filter capacitor CLP holds the voltage.
1300
FREQUENCY (kHz)
1100
Typically, the external clock (on the MODE/PLLIN pin) input
high threshold is 1.6V, while the input low threshold is 1V.
900
700
Using the CLKOUT and PHSMD Pins in Multiphase
Applications
500
300
100
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0 1.2
VFREQ (V)
1.4
1.6
The LTC3774 features CLKOUT and PHSMD pins that
allow multiple LTC3774 ICs to be daisy chained together
in multiphase applications. The clock output signal on the
CLKOUT pin can be used to synchronize additional ICs in
a 3-, 4-, 6-, 8- or 12-phase power supply solution feeding
a single high current output, or even several outputs from
the same input supply.
1.8
3774 F12
Figure 12. Relationship Between Oscillator
Frequency and Voltage at the FREQ Pin
2.4V 5.5V
20µA
RSET
FREQ
MODE/PLLIN
EXTERNAL
OSCILLATOR
DIGITAL
SYNC
PHASE/
FREQUENCY
DETECTOR
VCO
The PHSMD pin is used to adjust the phase relationship
between channel 1 and channel 2, as well as the phase
relationship between channel 1 and CLKOUT. The phases
are calculated relative to zero degrees, defined as the rising
edge of PWM1. Refer to the Applications Information section
for more details on how to create multiphase applications.
Minimum On-Time Considerations
3774 F13
Figure 13. Phase-Locked Loop Block Diagram
If the external clock frequency is greater than the internal oscillator’s frequency, fOSC, then current is sourced
continuously from the phase detector output, pulling up
the filter network. When the external clock frequency is
less than fOSC, current is sunk continuously, pulling down
the filter network. If the external and internal frequencies
are the same but exhibit a phase difference, the current
sources turn on for an amount of time corresponding to
the phase difference. The voltage on the filter network is
adjusted until the phase and frequency of the internal and
Minimum on-time, tON(MIN), is the smallest time duration
that the LTC3774 is capable of turning on the top MOSFET.
It is determined by internal timing delays, power stage
timing delays and the gate charge required to turn on the
top MOSFET. Low duty cycle applications may approach
this minimum on-time limit and care should be taken to
ensure that:
tON(MIN) <
VOUT
VIN ( f)
If the duty cycle falls below what can be accommodated
by the minimum on-time, the controller will begin to skip
cycles. The output voltage will continue to be regulated,
but the voltage ripple and current ripple will increase.
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27
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The minimum on-time for the LTC3774 is approximately
90ns, with good PCB layout, minimum 30% inductor
current ripple and at least 2mV ripple on the current
sense signal. The minimum on-time can be affected by
PCB switching noise in the voltage and current loop.
As the peak sense voltage decreases the minimum ontime gradually increases This is of particular concern in
forced continuous applications with low ripple current at
light loads. If the duty cycle drops below the minimum
on-time limit in this situation, a significant amount of cycle
skipping can occur with correspondingly larger current
and voltage ripple.
Efficiency Considerations
The percent efficiency of a switching regulator is equal to
the output power divided by the input power times 100%.
It is often useful to analyze individual losses to determine
what is limiting the efficiency and which change would
produce the most improvement. Percent efficiency can
be expressed as:
%Efficiency = 100% – (L1 + L2 + L3 + ...)
where L1, L2, etc. are the individual losses as a percentage of input power.
Although all dissipative elements in the circuit produce
losses, four main sources usually account for most of the
losses in LTC3774 circuits: 1) IC VIN current, 2) MOSFET
driver current, 3) I2R losses, 4) topside MOSFET transition losses.
1. The VIN current is the DC supply current given in the
Electrical Characteristics table. VIN current typically
results in a small (<0.1%) loss.
2. The MOSFET driver current results from switching the
gate capacitance of the power MOSFETs. Each time
a MOSFET gate is switched from low to high to low
again, a packet of charge dQ moves from the driver
supply to ground. The resulting dQ/dt is a current
out of the driver supply that is typically much larger
than the control circuit current. In continuous mode,
IGATECHG = f(QT + QB), where QT and QB are the gate
charges of the topside and bottom side MOSFETs.
28
3. I2R losses are predicted from the DC resistances of the
fuse (if used), MOSFET, inductor and current sense resistor. In continuous mode, the average output current
flows through L and RSENSE, but is chopped between
the topside MOSFET and the synchronous MOSFET.
If the two MOSFETs have approximately the same
RDS(ON), then the resistance of one MOSFET can simply
be summed with the resistances of L and RSENSE to
obtain I2R losses. For example, if each RDS(ON) = 10mΩ,
RL = 10mΩ, RSENSE = 5mΩ, then the total resistance is
25mΩ. This results in losses ranging from 2% to 8%
as the output current increases from 3A to 15A for a 5V
output, or a 3% to 12% loss for a 3.3V output.
Efficiency varies as the inverse square of VOUT for the
same external components and output power level. The
combined effects of increasingly lower output voltages
and higher currents required by high performance digital
systems is not doubling but quadrupling the importance
of loss terms in the switching regulator system!
4. Transition losses apply only to the topside MOSFET(s),
and become significant only when operating at high
input voltages (typically 15V or greater). Transition
losses can be estimated from:
Transition Loss = (1.7) VIN2 • IO(MAX) • CRSS • f
Other hidden losses such as copper trace and internal
battery resistances can account for an additional 5%
to 10% efficiency degradation in portable systems. It
is very important to include these system level losses
during the design phase. The internal battery and fuse
resistance losses can be minimized by making sure that
CIN has adequate charge storage and very low ESR at
the switching frequency. A 25W supply will typically
require a minimum of 20µF to 40µF of capacitance
having a maximum of 20mΩ to 50mΩ of ESR. Other
losses including Schottky conduction losses during
dead time and inductor core losses generally account
for less than 2% total additional loss.
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LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Checking Transient Response
The regulator loop response can be checked by looking at
the load current transient response. Switching regulators
take several cycles to respond to a step in DC (resistive)
load current. When a load step occurs, VOUT shifts by an
amount equal to ∆ILOAD • ESR, where ESR is the effective
series resistance of COUT . ∆ILOAD also begins to charge or
discharge COUT generating the feedback error signal that
forces the regulator to adapt to the current change and
return VOUT to its steady-state value. During this recovery
time VOUT can be monitored for excessive overshoot or
ringing, which would indicate a stability problem. The
availability of the ITH pin not only allows optimization of
control loop behavior but also provides a DC-coupled and
AC-filtered closed-loop response test point. The DC step,
rise time and settling at this test point truly reflects the
closed-loop response. Assuming a predominantly second
order system, phase margin and/or damping factor can be
estimated using the percentage of overshoot seen at this
pin. The bandwidth can also be estimated by examining the
rise time at the pin. The ITH external components shown
in the Typical Application circuit will provide an adequate
starting point for most applications. The ITH series RC-CC
filter sets the dominant pole-zero loop compensation.
The values can be modified slightly (from 0.5 to 2 times
their suggested values) to optimize transient response
once the final PC layout is done and the particular output
capacitor type and value have been determined. The output
capacitors need to be selected because the various types
and values determine the loop gain and phase. An output
current pulse of 20% to 80% of full-load current having a
rise time of 1µs to 10µs will produce output voltage and
ITH pin waveforms that will give a sense of the overall
loop stability without breaking the feedback loop. Placing
a power MOSFET directly across the output capacitor and
driving the gate with an appropriate signal generator is a
practical way to produce a realistic load step condition. The
initial output voltage step resulting from the step change
in output current may not be within the bandwidth of the
feedback loop, so this signal cannot be used to determine
phase margin. This is why it is better to look at the ITH
pin signal which is in the feedback loop and is the filtered
and compensated control loop response. The gain of the
loop will be increased by increasing RC and the bandwidth
of the loop will be increased by decreasing CC. If RC is
increased by the same factor that CC is decreased, the
zero frequency will be kept the same, thereby keeping the
phase shift the same in the most critical frequency range
of the feedback loop. The output voltage settling behavior
is related to the stability of the closed-loop system and
will demonstrate the actual overall supply performance.
A second, more severe transient is caused by switching
in loads with large (>1µF) supply bypass capacitors. The
discharged bypass capacitors are effectively put in parallel
with COUT , causing a rapid drop in VOUT . No regulator can
alter its delivery of current quickly enough to prevent this
sudden step change in output voltage if the load switch
resistance is low and it is driven quickly. If the ratio of
CLOAD to COUT is greater than 1:50, the switch rise time
should be controlled so that the load rise time is limited
to approximately 25 • CLOAD. Thus a 10µF capacitor would
require a 250µs rise time, limiting the charging current
to about 200mA.
PC Board Layout Checklist
When laying out the printed circuit board, the following
checklist should be used to ensure proper operation of the
IC. These items are also illustrated graphically in the layout
diagram of Figure 14. Check the following in the PC layout:
1. The INTVCC decoupling capacitor should be placed
immediately adjacent to the IC between the INTVCC pin
and GND plane. A 1µF ceramic capacitor of the X7R or
X5R type is small enough to fit very close to the IC. An
additional 4.7µF to 10µF of ceramic, tantalum or other
very low ESR capacitance is recommended in order to
keep the internal IC supply quiet.
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29
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
L1
VIN
SW2
RIN
+
CIN
D1
VOUT
RSENSE
COUT
SW1
+
RL
3774 F14
BOLD LINES INDICATE HIGH, SWITCHING CURRENTS. KEEP LINES TO A MINIMUM LENGTH
Figure 14. Branch Current Waveforms
2. Place the feedback divider between the + and – terminals
of COUT. Route VOSNS+ and VOSNS– with minimum PC
trace spacing from the IC to the feedback divider.
3. Are the SNSA+, SNSD+ and SNS– printed circuit traces
routed together with minimum PC trace spacing? The
filter capacitors between SNSA+, SNSD+ and SNS–
should be as close as possible to the pins of the IC.
4. Do the (+) plates of CIN connect to the drain of the
topside MOSFET as closely as possible? This capacitor
provides the pulsed current to the MOSFET.
5. Keep the switching nodes away from sensitive smallsignal nodes (SNSD+, SNSA+, SNS–, VOSNS+, VOSNS–).
Ideally the PWM and switch nodes printed circuit traces
should be routed away and separated from the IC and
especially the quiet side of the IC. Separate the high dv/
dt traces from sensitive small-signal nodes with ground
traces or ground planes.
6. Use a low impedance source such as a logic gate to
drive the MODE/PLLIN pin and keep the lead as short
as possible.
30
7. The 47pF to 330pF ceramic capacitor between the ITH
pin and signal ground should be placed as close as
possible to the IC. Figure 14 illustrates all branch currents in a switching regulator. It becomes very clear
after studying the current waveforms why it is critical to
keep the high switching current paths to a small physical
size. High electric and magnetic fields will radiate from
these loops just as radio stations transmit signals. The
output capacitor ground should return to the negative
terminal of the input capacitor and not share a common ground path with any switched current paths. The
left half of the circuit gives rise to the noise generated
by a switching regulator. The ground terminations of
the synchronous MOSFET and Schottky diode should
return to the bottom plate(s) of the input capacitor(s)
with a short isolated PC trace since very high switched
currents are present. External OPTI-LOOP® compensation allows overcompensation for PC layouts which are
not optimized but this is not the recommended design
procedure.
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LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
8. Are the signal and power grounds kept separate? The
IC ground pin and the ground return of CINTVCC must
return to the combined COUT (–) terminals. The VOSNS+
and ITH traces should be as short as possible. The path
formed by the top N-channel MOSFET, Schottky diode
and the CIN capacitor should have short leads and PC
trace lengths. The output capacitor (–) terminals should
be connected as close as possible to the (–) terminals
of the input capacitor by placing the capacitors next to
each other and away from the Schottky loop described
above.
9. Use a modified “star ground” technique: a low impedance, large copper area central grounding point on
the same side of the PC board as the input and output
capacitors with tie-ins for the bottom of the INTVCC
decoupling capacitor, the bottom of the voltage feedback
resistive divider and the GND pin of the IC.
Design Example
As a design example of the front page circuit for a twochannel high current regulator, assume VIN = 12V(nominal),
VIN = 20V(maximum), VOUT = 1.5V, IMAX = 60A, and
f = 400kHz (see front page schematic).
The regulated output voltage is determined by:
⎛ R ⎞
VOUT = 0.6V • ⎜1+ B ⎟
⎝ RA ⎠
The inductance value is based on a 35% maximum ripple
current assumption (10.5A per phase). The highest value
of ripple current occurs at the maximum input voltage:
L=
VOUT
f • ∆IL(MAX)
⎛
⎞
⎜1− VOUT ⎟
⎜ V
⎟
IN(MAX) ⎠
⎝
This design will require 0.33µH. The Würth 744301033,
0.32µH inductor is chosen. At the nominal input voltage
(12V), the ripple current will be:
⎞
VOUT ⎛
V
⎜1− OUT ⎟
f • L ⎜⎝ VIN(NOM) ⎟⎠
∆IL(NOM) =
It will have 10A (33%) ripple. The peak inductor current
will be the maximum DC value plus one-half the ripple
current, or 35A per phase.
The minimum on-time occurs at the maximum VIN, and
should not be less than 100ns (includes margin):
tON(MIN) =
VOUT
VIN(MAX)f
=
1.5V
= 187ns
20V(400kHz)
DCR sensing is used in this circuit. If C1 and C2 are chosen
to be 220nF, based on the chosen 0.33µH inductor with
0.32mΩ DCR, R1 and R2 can be calculated as:
L
= 4.69k
DCR • C1
L
R2 =
= 937Ω
DCR • C2 • 5
R1=
Using a 10k 1% resistor from the VFB node to ground, the
top feedback resistor is 15k.
The frequency is set by biasing the FREQ pin to 0.75V
(see Figure 12).
Choose R1 = 4.64k and R2 = 931Ω.
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31
LTC3774
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The maximum DCR of the inductor is 0.34mΩ. The
VSENSE(MAX) is calculated as:
VSENSE(MAX) = IPEAK • DCRMAX = 12mV
The current limit is chosen to be 15mV. If temperature
variation is considered, please refer to Inductor DCR
Sensing Temperature Compensation with NTC Thermistor.
The power dissipation on the topside MOSFET can be
easily estimated. Choosing an Infineon BSC050NE2LS
MOSFET results in: RDS(ON) = 7.1mΩ (max), VMILLER =
2.8V, CMILLER ≅ 108pF. At maximum input voltage with
TJ (estimated) = 75°C:
1.5V
(30A )2 [1+(0.005)(75°C – 25°C)] •
20V
⎛ 30A ⎞
(0.0071Ω) + (20V )2 ⎜ ⎟ (2Ω) (108pF ) •
⎝ 2 ⎠
⎡
1 ⎤
1
⎢⎣ 5.5V – 2.8V + 2.8V ⎥⎦( 400kHz )
= 599mW + 377mW
PMAIN =
= 976mW / phase
32
For a 0.32mΩ DCR, a short-circuit to ground will result
in a folded back current of:
ISC =
(1/ 3) 15mV – 1 ⎛ 90ns(20V) ⎞ = 12.9A / phase
0.00032Ω
⎜
⎟
2 ⎝ 0.33µH ⎠
An Infineon BSC010NE2LS, RDS(ON) = 1.1mΩ, is chosen
for the bottom FET. The resulting power loss is:
20V – 1.5V
(30A )2 •
20V
⎡⎣1+ (0.005) • (75°C – 25°C)⎤⎦ • 0.0011Ω
PSYNC =
PSYNC = 1.14W/phase
CIN is chosen for an equivalent RMS current rating of at
least 13.7A. COUT is chosen with an equivalent ESR of
4.5mΩ for low output ripple. The output ripple in continuous mode will be highest at the maximum input voltage.
The output voltage ripple due to ESR is approximately:
VORIPPLE = RESR (∆IL) = 0.0045Ω • 10A = 45mVP-P
Further reductions in output voltage ripple can be made
by placing a 100µF ceramic capacitor across COUT.
3774fc
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RUN2
VIN
INTVCC
RUN1
180µF
220pF
2.2Ω
4.7µF
10k
220pF
1µF
37.4k
RP1
43.2k
RP2
43.2k
RNTC2
100k
RS2
20k
ILIM1
PHSMD
FREQ
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
INTVCC
VIN
ILIM2
RNTC1
100k RS1
20k
L1, L2: WÜRTH 744301033
COUT1,3: MURATA GRM31CR60J107ME39L
COUT2,4: SANYO 2R5TPE330M9
1.5nF
10k
+
30.1k
1.5nF
10k
10k
VIN
LTC3774
0.01µF
10k
VIN
10k
10k
22pF
VIN
SNSD1+
SNS1–
SNSA1+
PGOOD1
PGOOD2
SNSA2+
SNS2–
SNSD2+
VIN
7V TO 14V
0.01µF
22pF
ITEMP1
ITH1
VOSNS1–
+
V
OSNS1
TK/SS1
HIZB1
PWMEN1
PWM1
RUN1
GND
22µF
INTVCC
100k
100k
INTVCC
22µF
22µF
2.2µF
0.22µF
0.22µF
0.22µF
0.22µF
22µF
2.2µF
VIN
VIN
10k
10k
1Ω
10k
5V BIAS
BOOT
PHASE
VSWH
5V BIAS
BOOT
PHASE
VSWH
FDMF6820A
PWM
10k
1Ω
FDMF6820A
PWM
VCIN
CGND
VCIN
CGND
15k
SMOD
10k
PGND
PGND
DISB
VDRV
SMOD
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
DISB
ITEMP2
ITH2
VOSNS2–
VOSNS2+
TK/SS2
HIZB2
PWMEN2
PWM2
RUN2
GND
VDRV
0.22µF
2.2µF
0.22µF
2.2µF
4.64k
4.64k
L2
0.33µH
931Ω
931Ω
L1
0.33µH
COUT3
100µF
2×
COUT1
100µF
2×
Dual 1.5V/30A and 1.2V/30A LTC3774 Converter with DRMOS and DCR Temperature Coefficient Compensation
+
+
3774 TA02
COUT4
330µF
3×
COUT2
330µF
3×
1.2V/30A
VOUT2
1.5V/30A
VOUT1
LTC3774
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
3774fc
33
VIN
INTVCC
RUN1
+
180µF
2.2Ω
4.7µF
3.3nF
3.01k
1µF
37.4k
330pF
ILIM1
PHSMD
FREQ
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
INTVCC
VIN
ILIM2
10k
VIN
LTC3774
VIN
10k
VIN
SNSD1+
SNS1–
SNSA1+
PGOOD1
PGOOD2
SNSA2+
SNS2–
SNSD2+
VIN
7V TO 14V
0.01µF
22pF
ITEMP1
ITH1
VOSNS1–
VOSNS1+
TK/SS1
HIZB1
PWMEN1
PWM1
RUN1
GND
22µF
INTVCC
10k
10k
INTVCC
22µF
22µF
2.2µF
0.22µF
0.22µF
0.22µF
0.22µF
22µF
2.2µF
1Ω
5V BIAS
VIN
10k
1Ω
VIN
10k
10k
PHASE
VSWH
0.22µF
2.2µF
0.22µF
2.2µF
4.64k
4.64k
L2
0.33µH
931Ω
931Ω
L1
0.33µH
L1, L2: WÜRTH 744301033
COUT1: MURATA GRM31CR60J107ME39L
COUT2: SANYO 2R5TPE330M9
5V BIAS
PWM
BOOT
FDMF6820A
10k
PHASE
VSWH
PWM
BOOT
FDMF6820A
VCIN
CGND
VCIN
CGND
ITEMP2
ITH2
VOSNS2–
VOSNS2+
TK/SS2
HIZB2
PWMEN2
PWM2
RUN2
GND
PGND
PGND
10k
SMOD
10k
DISB
VDRV
SMOD
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DISB
34
VDRV
2-Phase 1.2V/60A LTC3774 Converter with DRMOS
COUT1
100µF
4×
COUT2
330µF
6×
3774 TA03
1.2V/60A
VOUT
LTC3774
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
3774fc
VIN
INTVCC
+
180µF
2.2Ω
4.7µF
3.3nF
3.01k
1µF
37.4k
330pF
ILIM1
PHSMD
FREQ
MODE/PLLIN
CLKOUT
INTVCC
VIN
ILIM2
10k
VIN
0.01µF
SNSD1+
SNS1–
SNSA1+
PGOOD1
PGOOD2
SNSA2+
SNS2–
SNSD2+
22pF
10k
LTC3774
ITEMP1
ITH1
VOSNS1–
+
V
OSNS1
TK/SS1
HIZB1
PWMEN1
PWM1
RUN1
GND
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VIN
10k
ITEMP2
ITH2
VOSNS2–
VOSNS2+
TK/SS2
HIZB2
PWMEN2
PWM2
RUN2
GND
RUN
10k
INTVCC
100k
100k
INTVCC
4.7nF
1µF
0.22µF
2.2Ω
VCC
0.22µF
0.22µF
2.2Ω
VCC
0.22µF
4.7nF
1µF
VIN
TS
TS
0.22nF
TG
VCC
BOOST
BG
GND
LTC4449
VLOGIC
IN
0.22nF
TG
VCC
BOOST
BG
GND
LTC4449
VLOGIC
IN
VIN
7V TO 14V
22nF
×2
22nF
×2
BSC010NE2LS
BSC050NE2LS
BSC010NE2LS
BSC050NE2LS
2-Phase 1.2V/60A LTC3774 Converter with Discrete Drivers with MOSFETs
4.64k
4.64k
+
COUT2
330µF
6×
COUT1
4×
3774 TA04
1.2V/60A
VOUT
L1, L2: WÜRTH 744301033
COUT1: MURATA GRM31CR60J107ME39L
COUT2: SANYO 2R5TPE330M9
L2
0.33µH
931Ω
931Ω
L1
0.33µH
LTC3774
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
3774fc
35
LTC3774
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
Please refer to http://www.linear.com/product/LTC3774#packaging for the most recent package drawings.
UHE Package
36-Lead Plastic QFN (5mm × 6mm)
(Reference LTC DWG # 05-08-1876 Rev Ø)
0.70 ±0.05
5.50 ±0.05
4.10 ±0.05
3.50 REF
PACKAGE
OUTLINE
3.60 ±0.05
4.60 ±0.05
0.25 ±0.05
0.50 BSC
4.50 REF
5.10 ±0.05
6.50 ±0.05
PIN 1 NOTCH
R = 0.30 TYP
OR 0.35 × 45°
CHAMFER
RECOMMENDED SOLDER PAD LAYOUT
APPLY SOLDER MASK TO AREAS THAT ARE NOT SOLDERED
5.00 ±0.10
0.00 – 0.05
0.200 REF
R = 0.10
TYP
3.50 REF
29
36
0.40 ±0.10
PIN 1
TOP MARK
(SEE NOTE 6)
28
1
4.50 REF
6.00 ±0.10
4.60 ±0.10
3.60
±0.10
20
10
(UHE36) QFN 0410 REV Ø
0.75 ±0.05
19
0.25 ±0.05
11
R = 0.125
TYP
0.50 BSC
BOTTOM VIEW—EXPOSED PAD
NOTE:
1. DRAWING IS NOT A JEDEC PACKAGE OUTLINE
2. DRAWING NOT TO SCALE
3. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
36
4. DIMENSIONS OF EXPOSED PAD ON BOTTOM OF PACKAGE DO NOT INCLUDE
MOLD FLASH. MOLD FLASH, IF PRESENT, SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.20mm ON ANY SIDE
5. EXPOSED PAD SHALL BE SOLDER PLATED
6. SHADED AREA IS ONLY A REFERENCE FOR PIN 1 LOCATION
ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF PACKAGE
3774fc
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
LTC3774
REVISION HISTORY
REV
DATE
DESCRIPTION
PAGE NUMBER
A
01/14
Replaced Undervoltage Lockout curve
B
07/15
Minor typographical changes
Changed INTVCC pin description
8
C
04/17
Claification on selecting DrMOS Devices
21
Revised Inductor DCR Sensing Temp Comp and NTC Compensated DCR Sensing sections
6
17, 18
3, 4, 6, 9
3774fc
Information furnished by Linear Technology Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed for its use. Linear Technology Corporation makes no representation that the interconnection
of its circuits
as described
herein will not infringe on existing patent rights.
For more
information
www.linear.com/LTC3774
37
LTC3774
TYPICAL APPLICATION
Dual Phase 1.2V/30A LTC3774 Converter with Hot Swap Circuits On the Input of Each Phase
1N4448HWT
VIN1
5V BIAS
1N4448HWT
1Ω
37.4k
VIN2
VCIN
1N4448HWT
VIN1
0.007Ω FDMS86500DC
VIN
INTVCC
4.7µF
CLS
GND
VCC2
ON2
10k
OUT1
GATE1
SENSE1
0.1µF 10k
10k
FTMR1
LTC4226
10k
37.4k
10k
FAULT1
FAULT2
3.3nF
LTC3774
0.22µF
SNS1–
SNSA1+
PHSMD
PGOOD1
TK/SS1,2
PGOOD2
ITEMP1,2
SNSA2+
VOSNS1,2+
VOSNS1,2–
SNSD2+
ITH1,2
CLKOUT
0.22µF
VOUT
1.2V/30A
931Ω
0.22µF
SNS2–
+
0.22µF 4.64k
COUTCER1
330µF
2.5V
6×
MODE/PLLIN
330pF
5V BIAS
VIN2
0.007Ω
931Ω
HIZB2 PWM2 PWMEN2 GND
100pF
100pF
4.64k
SNSD1+
FREQ
ILIM1,2
3.01k
FTMR2
OUT2
64.9k
GATE2
ON1
22µF
25V
SENSE2
VCC1
5VBIAS
150µF
25V
2×
COUTCER1
100µF
6.3V
2×
HIZB1 PWM1 PWMEN1
RUN1, 2
1µF
+
L4
0.33µH
HIZB1
1N4448HWT
2.2k
VIN
10V TO 14V
0.22µF
VSWH
1Ω
FDMS86500DC
2.2µF
2.2µF
VCIN
HIZB2
L1, L2: WÜRTH 744301033
COUTCER1,2: MURATA GRM31CR60J107ME39L
COUTBLK: SANYO 2R5TPE330M9
22µF
25V
2×
VDRV
CMHZ4690
PWM
BOOT
FDMF6820
DrMOS
VIN
PHASE
PGND
2.4M
PGND
22µF
25V
2×
PWM
BOOT
FDMF6820
DrMOS
VIN
PHASE
CGND
1µF
CGND
30.1k
D17
CMHZ4690
2.2µF
VDRV
2.2µF
10k
0.22µF
L3
0.33µH
VSWH
COUTCER2
100µF
6.3V
2×
3774 TA05
RELATED PARTS
PART NUMBER
LTM4630
LTM4630-1A
LTM4630-1B
DESCRIPTION
Dual 18A or Single 36A DC/DC μModule Regulator
COMMENTS
4.5V ≤ VIN ≤ 15V, 0.6V ≤ VOUT ≤ 1.8V
±1.5% Max VOUT Error Over Line, Load and Temp
–1A Version: ±0.8% Max VOUT Error Over Line, Load and Temp
LTC3887
Dual Output Multiphase Step-Down DC/DC Controller with
Digital Power System Management and ±0.5% Accuracy
4.5V≤ VIN ≤ 24V, 0.5V ≤ VOUT ≤ 5.5V, Analog Control Loop,
70ms Start-Up, I2C/PMBus Interface with EEPROM and 16-bit ADC
LTC3875
Dual, Multiphase Synchronous Controller with
Sub Milliohm DCR Sensing and Temperature Compensation
4.75V≤ VIN ≤ 38V, 0.6V ≤ VOUT ≤ 3.5V/5V
Excellent Current Share when Paralleled
LTC3861
Dual, Multiphase, Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller
with Diff Amp and Tri-State Output Drive
Operates with Power Blocks, DrMOS or
External MOSFETs 3V≤ VIN ≤ 24V
LTC3855
Dual Output, 2-phase, Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC
Controller with Diff Amp and DCR Temperature Compensation
4.5V≤ VIN ≤ 38V, 0.8V ≤ VOUT ≤ 12V
PLL Fixed Frequency 250kHz to 770kHz,
LTC3856
Single Output 2-Phase Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC
Controller with Diff Amp and DCR Temperature Compensation
4.5V≤ VIN ≤ 38V, 0.8V≤ VOUT ≤ 5V
PLL Fixed 250kHz to 770kHz Frequency
LTC3838
Dual Output, 2-phase, Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC
Controller with Diff Amp and Controlled On-Time
4.5V≤ VIN ≤ 38V, 0.8V ≤ VOUT ≤ 5.5V
PLL, Up to 2MHz Switching Frequency
LTC3869/
LTC3869-2
Dual Output, 2-Phase Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC
Controller, with Accurate Current Share
4V≤ VIN ≤ 38V, VOUT3 up to 12.5V
PLL Fixed 250kHz to 750kHz Frequency
LTC4449
High Speed Synchronous N-Channel MOSFET Driver
VIN up to 38V, 4V ≤ VCC ≤ 6.5V Adaptive
Shoot-Through Protection, 2mm x 3mm DFN-8
38
3774fc
LT 0417 REV C • PRINTED IN USA
For more information www.linear.com/LTC3774
www.linear.com/LTC3774
 LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 2013
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