STMICROELECTRONICS L6910

L6910
L6910A
ADJUSTABLE STEP DOWN CONTROLLER
WITH SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION
FEATURE
■ OPERATING SUPPLY VOLTAGE FROM 5V
TO 12V BUSES
■ UP TO 1.3A GATE CURRENT CAPABILITY
■ ADJUSTABLE OUTPUT VOLTAGE
■ N-INVERTING E/A INPUT AVAILABLE
■ 0.9V ±1.5% VOLTAGE REFERENCE
■ VOLTAGE MODE PWM CONTROL
■ VERY FAST LOAD TRANSIENT RESPONSE
■ 0% TO 100% DUTY CYCLE
■ POWER GOOD OUTPUT
■ OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION
■ HICCUP OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
■ 200kHz INTERNAL OSCILLATOR
■ OSCILLATOR EXTERNALLY ADJUSTABLE
FROM 50kHz TO 1MHz
■ SOFT START AND INHIBIT
■ PACKAGES: SO-16 & HTSSOP16
APPLICATIONS
■ SUPPLY FOR MEMORIES AND TERMINATIONS
■ COMPUTER ADD-ON CARDS
■ LOW VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTED DC-DC
■ MAG-AMP REPLACEMENT
SO-16 (Narrow)
HTSSOP16 (Exposed Pad)
ORDERING NUMBERS:
L6910
(SO-16)
L6910A
(HTSSOP16)
L6910TR (Tape & Reel) L6910ATR (Tape & Reel)
DESCRIPTION
The device is a pwm controller for high performance
dc-dc conversion from 3.3V, 5V and 12V buses.
The output voltage is adjustable down to 0.9V; higher
voltages can be obtained with an external voltage divider.
High peak current gate drivers provide for fast switching to the external power section, and the output
current can be in excess of 20A.
The device assures protections against load overcurrent and overvoltage. An internal crowbar is also provided turning on the low side mosfet as long as the
over-voltage is detected. In case of over-current detection, the soft start capacitor is discharged and the
system works in HICCUP mode.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
Vin 5V to12V
PGOOD
VCC
OCSET
BOOT
VREF
SS
Monitor
Protection and Ref
UGATE
OSC
PHASE
OSC
Vo
RT
L6910
LGATE
PGND
-
E/A
EAREF
+
PWM
+
-
GND
300k
VFB
COMP
July 2003
1/21
L6910A L6910
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Symbol
Value
Unit
Vcc to GND, PGND
15
V
Boot Voltage
15
V
15
V
-0.3 to Vcc+0.3
V
7
V
6.5
V
Junction Temperature Range
-40 to 150
°C
Tstg
Storage temperature range
-40 to 150
°C
Ptot
Maximum power dissipation at Tamb = 25°C
1
W
Vcc
VBOOTVPHASE
Parameter
VHGATEVPHASE
OCSET, LGATE, PHASE
SS, FB, PGOOD, VREF, EAREF, RT
COMP
Tj
THERMAL DATA
Symbol
Rth j-amb
Parameter
Thermal Resistance Junction to Ambient
SO-16
HTSSOP16
HTSSOP16 (*)
Unit
120
110
50
°C/W
(*) Device soldered on 1 S2P PC board
PINS CONNECTION (Top view)
VREF
1
16
N.C.
VREF
1
16
VCC
OSC
2
15
VCC
OSC
2
15
LGATE
OCSET
3
14
LGATE
OCSET
3
14
PGND
SS/INH
4
13
PGND
SS/INH
4
13
BOOT
COMP
5
12
BOOT
N.C.
5
12
HGATE
FB
6
11
HGATE
COMP
6
11
PHASE
GND
7
10
PHASE
FB
7
10
PGOOD
EAREF
8
9
PGOOD
GND
8
9
EAREF
SO16
2/21
HTSSOP-16
L6910A L6910
PINS FUNCTION
SO
HTSSOP
Name
Description
1
1
VREF
Internal 0.9V ±1.5% reference is available for external regulators or for the internal error
amplifier (connecting this pin to EAREF) if external reference is not available.
A minimum 1nF capacitor is required.
If the pin is forced to a voltage lower than 70%, the device enters the hiccup mode.
2
2
OSC
Oscillator switching frequency pin. Connecting an external resistor (RT) from this pin to
GND, the external frequency is increased according to the equation:
6
4.94 ⋅ 10
f O SC,RT = 200KHz + ------------------------RT ( KΩ )
Connecting a resistor (RT) from this pin to Vcc (12V), the switching frequency is reduced
according to the equation:
7
4.306 ⋅ 10
f O SC,RT = 200KHz – ----------------------------RT ( KΩ )
If the pin is not connected, the switching frequency is 200KHz.
The voltage at this pin is fixed at 1.23V. Forcing a 50µA current into this pin, the built in
oscillator stops to switch.
In Over Voltage condition this pin goes over 3V until that conditon is removed.
3
3
OCSET
A resistor connected from this pin and the upper Mos Drain sets the current limit
protection.
The internal 200µA current generator sinks a constant current through the external
resistor. The Over-Current threshold is due to the following equation:
I OCSE T ⋅ R O CS ET
IP = ---------------------------------------------R DS on
4
4
SS/INH
The soft start time is programmed connecting an external capacitor from this pin and
GND. The internal current generator forces through the capacitor 10µA.
This pin can be used to disable the device forcing a voltage lower than 0.4V
5
6
COMP
This pin is connected to the error amplifier output and is used to compensate the voltage
control feedback loop.
6
7
FB
This pin is connected to the error amplifier inverting input and is used to compensate the
voltage control feedback loop.
Connected to the output resistor divider, if used, or directly to Vout, it manages also overvoltage conditions and the PGOOD signal
7
8
GND
8
9
EAREF
9
10
PGOOD This pin is an open collector output and it is pulled low if the output voltage is not within the
above specified thresholds. If not used it may be left floating.
10
11
PHASE
This pin is connected to the source of the upper mosfet and provides the return path for the
high side driver. This pin monitors the drop across the upper mosfet for the current limit
together with OCSET.
11
12
HGATE
High side gate driver output.
12
13
BOOT
Bootstrap capacitor pin. Through this pin is supplied the high side driver and the upper
mosfet. Connect through a capacitor to the PHASE pin and through a diode to Vcc
(cathode vs. boot).
13
14
PGND
Power ground pin. This pin has to be connected closely to the low side mosfet source in
order to reduce the noise injection into the device
14
‘5
LGATE
This pin is the lower mosfet gate driver output
15
16
VCC
Device supply voltage. The operative supply voltage ranges is from 5V to 12V.
DO NOT CONNECT VIN TO A VOLTAGE GREATER THAN VCC.
16
5
N.C.
This pin is not internally bonded. It may be left floating or connected to GND.
All the internal references are referred to this pin. Connect it to the PCB signal ground.
Error amplifier non-inverting input. Connect to this pin an external reference (from 0.9V to
3V) for the PWM regulation or short it to VREF pin to use the internal reference.
If this pin goes under 650mV (typ), the device shuts down.
3/21
L6910A L6910
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (Vcc = 12V, TJ =25°C unless otherwise specified)
Symbol
Parameter
Vcc SUPPLY CURRENT
Icc
Vcc Supply current
Test Condition
OSC = open; SS to GND
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
4
7
9
mA
4.3
4.6
V
POWER-ON
Turn-On Vcc threshold
VOCSET = 4V
4.0
Turn-Off Vcc threshold
VOCSET = 4V
3.8
4.1
4.4
V
1.24
1.4
V
650
750
mV
6
10
35
14
60
µA
µA
OSC = OPEN
OSC = OPEN; Tj = 0° to 125°
180
170
200
220
230
KHz
kHz
16 KΩ < RT to GND < 200 KΩ
-15
15
%
Rising VOCSET threshold
Turn On EAREF threshold
SOFT START AND INHIBIT
Iss
Soft start Current
S.S. current in INH condition
OSCILLATOR
Initial Accuracy
fOSC
fOSC,RT
Total Accuracy
∆Vosc Ramp amplitude
REFERENCE
VOUT
Output Voltage Accuracy
VOCSET = 4V
SS = 2V
SS = 0 to 0.4V
1.9
VOUT = VFB; VEAREF = VREF
0.886
0.900
0.913
0.886
0.900
0.913
V
+2
%
10
µA
300
0.01
0.5
kΩ
µA
VREF
Reference Voltage
CREF = 1nF; IREF = 0 to 100µA
VREF
Reference Voltage
CREF = 1nF; TJ = 0 to 125°C
ERROR AMPLIFIER
IEAREF N.I. bias current
IFB
VCM
VCOMP
GV
EAREF Input Resistance
I.I. bias current
-2
VEAREF = 3V
Vs. GND
VFB = 0V to 3V
V
Common Mode Voltage
0.8
3
V
Output Voltage
0.5
4
V
Open Loop Voltage Gain
70
GBWP Gain-Bandwidth Product
SR
Slew-Rate
GATE DRIVERS
IHGATE High Side
Source Current
COMP = 10pF
VBOOT - VPHASE = 12V
VHGATE - VPHASE = 6V
VBOOT - VPHASE = 12V
ILGATE
High Side
Sink Resistance
Low Side Source Current
RLGATE
Low Side Sink Resistance
Vcc = 12V
RHGATE
V
Output Driver Dead Time
PROTECTIONS
IOCSET OCSET Current Source
Vcc = 12V; VLGATE = 6V
1
0.9
VOCSET = 4V
170
OSC Sourcing Current
1.3
A
4
1.1
Ω
A
3
Ω
210
ns
200
230
µA
117
120
%
1.5
90
VFB Rising
dB
MHz
V/µs
2
PHASE connected to GND
Over Voltage Trip (VFB / VEAREF)
85
10
10
VFB > OVP Trip
15
30
POWER GOOD
Upper Threshold (VFB / VEAREF)
VFB Rising
108
110
112
%
Lower Threshold (VFB / VEAREF)
VFB Falling
88
90
92
%
Hysteresis (VFB / VEAREF)
Upper and Lower threshold
VPGOOD
PGOOD Voltage Low
IPGOOD
Output Leakage Current
IOSC
4/21
mA
2
%
IPGOOD = -4mA
0.4
V
VPGOOD = 6V
0.2
1
µA
L6910A L6910
Device Description
The device is an integrated circuit realized in BCD technology. The controller provides complete control logic and
protection for a high performance step-down DC-DC converter. It is designed to drive N Channel Mosfets in a
synchronous-rectified buck topology. The output voltage of the converter can be precisely regulated down to
900mV with a maximum tolerance of ±1.5% when the internal reference is used (simply connecting together
EAREF and VREF pins). The device allows also using an external reference (0.9V to 3V) for the regulation. The
device provides voltage-mode control with fast transient response. It includes a 200kHz free-running oscillator that
is adjustable from 50kHz to 1MHz. The error amplifier features a 10MHz gain-bandwidth product and 10V/µs slew
rate that permits to realize high converter bandwidth for fast transient performance. The PWM duty cycle can
range from 0% to 100%. The device protects against over-current conditions entering in HICCUP mode. The device monitors the current by using the rDS(ON) of the upper MOSFET(s) that eliminates the need for a current
sensing resistor. The device is available in SO16 narrow package.
Oscillator
The switching frequency is internally fixed to 200kHz. The internal oscillator generates the triangular waveform
for the PWM charging and discharging with a constant current an internal capacitor. The current delivered to the
oscillator is typically 50µA (Fsw = 200KHz) and may be varied using an external resistor (RT) connected between
OSC pin and GND or VCC. Since the OSC pin is maintained at fixed voltage (typ. 1.235V), the frequency is varied proportionally to the current sunk (forced) from (into) the pin.
In particular connecting RT vs. GND the frequency is increased (current is sunk from the pin), according to the
following relationship:
6
4.94 ⋅ 10
f OSC,RT = 200KH z + ------------------------R T ( KΩ )
Connecting RT to VCC = 12V or to VCC = 5V the frequency is reduced (current is forced into the pin), according
to the following relationships:
7
4.306 ⋅ 10
f OSC,RT = 200KH z – ----------------------------R T ( KΩ )
VCC = 12V
6
15 ⋅ 10
f OSC,RT = 200KH z – --------------------R T ( KΩ )
VCC = 5V
Switching frequency variation vs. RT are repeated in Fig. 1.
Note that forcing a 50µA current into this pin, the device stops switching because no current is delivered to the
oscillator.
Figure 1.
Reference
A precise ±1.5% 0.9V reference is available. This reference must be filtered with 1nF ceramic capacitor to
avoid instability in the internal linear regulator. It is
able to deliver up to 100µA and may be used as reference for the device regulation and also for other devices. If forced under 70% of its nominal value, the
device enters in Hiccup mode until this condition is
removed.
10000
Resistance [kOhm]
1000
100
10
RT to GND
RT to VCC=12V
RT to VCC=5V
10
100
Frequency [kHz]
1000
Through the EAREF pin the reference for the regulation is taken. This pin directly connects the non-inverting input of the error amplifier. An external
reference (or the internal 0.9V ±1.5%) may be used.
The input for this pin can range from 0.9V to 3V. It
has an internal pull-down (300kΩ resistor) that forces
the device shutdown if no reference is connected (pin
floating). However the device is shut down if the voltage on the EAREF pin is lower than 650mV (typ).
5/21
L6910A L6910
Soft Start
At start-up a ramp is generated charging the external capacitor CSS with an internal current generator. The initial
value for this current is of 35µA and speeds-up the charge of the capacitor up to 0.5V. After that it becames
10µA until the final charge value of approximatively 4V.
When the voltage across the soft start capacitor (VSS) reaches 0.5V the lower power MOS is turned on to discharge the output capacitor. As VSS reaches 1.1V (i.e. the oscillator triangular wave inferior limit) also the upper
MOS begins to switch and the output voltage starts to increase.
No switching activity is observable if SS is kept lower than 0.5V and both mosfets are off.
If VCC and OCSET pins are not above their own turn-on thresholds and VEAREF is not above 650mV, the SoftStart will not take place, and the relative pin is internally shorted to GND. During normal operation, if any undervoltage is detected on one of the two supplies, the SS pin is internally shorted to GND and so the SS capacitor
is rapidly discharged.
Figure 2. Soft Start (with Reference Present)
Vcc Turn-on threshold
Vcc
Vin
Vin Turn-on threshold
1V
Vss
to GND
0.5V
LGATE
Vout
Timing Diagram
Acquisition: CH1 = PHASE; CH2 = Vout;
CH3 = PGOOD; CH4 = Vss
Driver Section
The driver capability on the high and low side drivers allows using different types of power MOS (also multiple
MOS to reduce the RDSON), maintaining fast switching transition.
The low-side mos driver is supplied directly by Vcc while the high-side driver is supplied by the BOOT pin.
Adaptative dead time control is implemented to prevent cross-conduction and allow to use several kinds of mosfets. The upper mos turn-on is avoided if the lower gate is over about 200mV while the lower mos turn-on is
avoided if the PHASE pin is over about 500mV. The lower mos is in any case turned-on after 200ns from the
high side turn-off.
The peak current is shown for both the upper (fig. 3) and the lower (fig. 4) driver at 5V and 12V. A 3.3nF capacitive load has been used in these measurements.
For the lower driver, the source peak current is 1.1A @ VCC = 12V and 500mA @ VCC = 5V, and the sink peak
current is 1.3A @ VCC = 12V and 500mA @ VCC = 5V.
Similarly, for the upper driver, the source peak current is 1.3A @ Vboot-Vphase = 12V and 600mA @ VbootVphase = 5V, and the sink peak current is 1.3A @ Vboot-Vphase =12V and 550mA @ Vboot-Vphase = 5V.
6/21
L6910A L6910
Figure 3. High Side driver peak current. Vboot-Vphase = 12V (right) Vboot-Vphase = 5V (left)
CH1 = High Side Gate CH4 = Gate Current
Figure 4. Low Side driver peak current. VCC = 12V (right) VCC = 5V (left)
CH1 = Low Side Gate CH4 = Gate Current
Monitoring and Protections
The output voltage is monitored by means of pin FB. If it is not within ±10% (typ.) of the programmed value, the
powergood output is forced low.
The device provides overvoltage protection, when the voltage sensed on pin FB reaches a value 17% (typ.)
greater than the reference the OSC pin is forced high (3V typ.) and the lower driver is turned on as long as the
over-voltage is detected.
Overcurrent protection is performed by the device comparing the drop across the high side MOS, due to the
RDSON, with the voltage across the external resistor (ROCS) connected between the OCSET pin and drain of the
upper MOS. Thus the overcurrent threshold (IP) can be calculated with the following relationship:
R OCS ⋅ I OCS
I P = --------------------------------R ds O N
Where the typical value of IOCS is 200µA. To calculate the ROCS value it must be considered the maximum
RdsON (also the variation with temperature) and the minimum value of IOCS. To avoid undesirable trigger of
overcurrent protection this relationship must be satisfied:
7/21
L6910A L6910
∆I
I P ≥ I OUT MAX + ----- = I PE AK
2
Where ∆I is the inductance ripple current and IOUTMAX is the maximum output current.
In case of over current detectionthe soft start capacitor is discharged with constant current (10µA typ.) and when
the SS pin reaches 0.5V the soft start phase is restarted. During the soft start the over-current protection is always active and if such kind of event occurs, the device turns off both mosfets, and the SS capacitor is discharged again (after reaching the upper threshold of about 4V). The system is now working in HICCUP mode,
as shown in figure 5. After removing the cause of the over-current, the device restart working normally without
power supplies turn off and on.
Figure 5. Hiccup Mode
Figure 6. Inductor ripple current vs. Vout
9
L=1.5µH, Vin=12V
Inductor Ripple [A]
8
7
L=2µH,
Vin=12V
6
L=3µH,
Vin=12V
5
4
L=1.5µH,
Vin=5V
3
L=2µH,
Vin=5V
2
L=3µH, Vin=5V
1
0
0 .5
CH1 = SS; CH4 = Inductor current
1.5
2.5
3 .5
Output V oltage [V]
Inductor design
The inductance value is defined by a compromise between the transient response time, the efficiency, the cost
and the size. The inductor has to be calculated to sustain the output and the input voltage variation to maintain
the ripple current ∆IL between 20% and 30% of the maximum output current. The inductance value can be calculated with this relationship:
V IN – V OUT V OUT
L = ------------------------------ ⋅ --------------V IN
f s w ⋅ ∆I L
Where fSW is the switching frequency, VIN is the input voltage and VOUT is the output voltage. Figure 6 shows
the ripple current vs. the output voltage for different values of the inductor, with VIN = 5V and VIN = 12V.
Increasing the value of the inductance reduces the ripple current but, at the same time, reduces the converter
response time to a load transient. If the compensation network is well designed, the device is able to open or
close the duty cycle up to 100% or down to 0%. The response time is now the time required by the inductor to
change its current from initial to final value. Since the inductor has not finished its charging time, the output current is supplied by the output capacitors. Minimizing the response time can minimize the output capacitance
required.
The response time to a load transient is different for the application or the removal of the load: if during the application of the load the inductor is charged by a voltage equal to the difference between the input and the output
voltage, during the removal it is discharged only by the output voltage. The following expressions give approximate response time for ∆I load transient in case of enough fast compensation network response:
L ⋅ ∆I
t a pplic atio n = -----------------------------V IN – V OUT
L ⋅ ∆I
t rem ov al = --------------V OUT
The worst condition depends on the input voltage available and the output voltage selected. Anyway the worst
case is the response time after removal of the load with the minimum output voltage programmed and the maximum input voltage available.
8/21
L6910A L6910
Output Capacitor
The output capacitor is a basic component for the fast response of the power supply. In fact, during load transient, for first few microseconds they supply the current to the load. The controller recognizes immediately the
load transient and sets the duty cycle at 100%, but the current slope is limited by the inductor value. The output
voltage has a first drop due to the current variation inside the capacitor (neglecting the effect of the ESL):
∆V OUT = ∆I OUT ⋅ ESR
A minimum capacitor value is required to sustain the current during the load transient without discharge it. The
voltage drop due to the output capacitor discharge is given by the following equation:
2
∆I OUT ⋅ L
∆V OUT = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 ⋅ C OUT ⋅ ( V INM IN ⋅ D M AX – V OUT )
Where DMAX is the maximum duty cycle value that is 100%. The lower is the ESR, the lower is the output drop
during load transient and the lower is the output voltage static ripple.
Input Capacitor
The input capacitor has to sustain the ripple current produced during the on time of the upper MOS, so it must
have a low ESR to minimize the losses. The rms value of this ripple is:
I rm s = I OUT D ⋅ ( 1 – D )
Where D is the duty cycle. The equation reaches its maximum value with D = 0.5. The losses in worst case are:
2
P = ESR ⋅ I rm s
Compensation network design
The control loop is a voltage mode (figure 7). The output voltage is regulated to the input Reference voltage
level (EAREF). The error amplifier output VCOMP is then compared with the oscillator triangular wave to provide
a pulse-width modulated (PWM) wave with an amplitude of VIN at the PHASE node. This wave is filtered by the
output filter. The modulator transfer function is the small-signal transfer function of VOUT/VCOMP. This function
has a double pole at frequency FLC depending on the L-Cout resonance and a zero at FESR depending on the
output capacitor ESR. The DC Gain of the modulator is simply the input voltage VIN divided by the peak-to-peak
oscillator voltage ∆VOSC.
9/21
L6910A L6910
Figure 7. Compensation Network
Vin
∆Vosc
L
Vout
ESR
PWM
Comparator
Cout
C18
R5
C19
R3
C20
Vcomp
-
R4
EAREF
+
The compensation network consists in the internal error amplifier and the impedance networks ZIN (R3, R4 and
C20) and ZFB (R5, C18 and C19). The compensation network has to provide a closed loop transfer function with
the highest 0dB crossing frequency to have fast response (but always lower than fsw/10) and the highest gain
in DC conditions to minimize the load regulation.
A stable control loop has a gain crossing with -20dB/decade slope and a phase margin greater than 45°. Include
worst-case component variations when determining phase margin.
To locate poles and zeroes of the compensation networks, the following suggestions may be used:
Modulator singularity frequencies:
1
ω LC = --------------------------L ⋅ C OUT
1
ω ESR = --------------------------------ESR ⋅ C OUT
Compensation network singularity frequency:
1
ω P1 = ----------------------------------------------C18
⋅ C19
R5 ⋅  -----------------------------
 C 18 + C 19
1
ω Z1 = -----------------------R5 ⋅ C19
1
ω P2 = -----------------------R4 ⋅ C 20
1
ω Z2 = ------------------------------------------( R3 + R 4 ) ⋅ C20
– Put the gain R5/R3 in order to obtain the desired converter bandwidth;
– Place ωZ1 before the output filter resonance ωLC;
– Place ωZ2 at the output filter resonance ωLC;
– Place ωP1 at the output capacitor ESR zero ωESR;
– Place ωP2 at one half of the switching frequency;
– Check the loop gain considering the error amplifier open loop gain.
10/21
L6910A L6910
Figure 8. Asymptotic Bode plot of Converter's gain
dB
Error Amplifier
R5/R3
ωΖ1
ωLC
ωΖ2
Modulator Gain
ωP1
ωP2
ω
ωESR
Compensation Network Gain
Error Amplifier
Closed Loop Gain
20A Demo Board Description
The demo board shows the operation of the device in a general purpose application. This evaluation board allows voltage adjustability from 0.9V to 5V through the switches S2-S5 according to the reported table when the
internal 0.9V reference is used (G1 closed). Output current in excess of 20A can be reached dependently on
the kind of mosfet used: up to three SO8 mosfet may be used for both High side and Low side switches. External
reference may be used for the regulation simply leaving open G1 and the switches S2-S5. The device may also
be disabled with the switch S1. The 12V input rail supplies the device while the power conversion starts from
the 5V input rail. The device is also able to operate with a single supply voltage; in this case the jumper G2 has
to be closed and a 5V to 12V input can be directly connected to the VIN input. The four layers demo board's
copper thickness is of 70µm in order to minimize conduction losses considering the high current that the circuit
is able to deliver. Figure 9 shows the demo board's schematic circuit
Figure 9. 20A Demo Board Schematic
L1
F1
VIN
R7
G2
GNDIN
D1
R6
VCC
C17
C14
BOOT
VCC
3
15
C1 -C3
UGATE
11
C15
GNDCC
C13
OCSET
12
PHASE
Q1 -3
L2
VOUT
10
GND
7
LGATE
14
U1
L6910
SS
4
PGND
Q4 -6
D2
C4 -11
13
R2
GNDOU T
OSC
2
PGOOD
PWRGD
9
EAREF
8
VREF
VFB
C16
5
GNDRef
IN
C21
6
C12
R1
GNDref
R3
C19
R5
C20
R4
C18
S1
S2
+Vref
1
COMP
Ref
IN
R10
S3
R11
S4
R12
S5
R13
G1
Vout
S2 S3 S4 S5
0.9
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.5
3.3
5.0
Open Open Ope n Open
ON Open Open Open
Open ON Open Open
ON
ON Open Open
Open Open ON Open
Open Open Open ON
Open Open ON
ON
11/21
L6910A L6910
Figure 10. PCB and Components Layouts
Component Side
Internal Signal GND Layer
Figure 11. PCB and Components Layouts
Internal Power GND Layer
Solder Side
Figures 10 and 11 show the demo board layout.
Considering the flexibility in the power mosfet configuration (up to three mosfet for both high side and low side),
it is possible to obtain different application idea with the same board.
In the following paragraphs, it will be described the standard demo-board configuration (8A) and the high current
configuration.
APPLICATION IDEA: 5V TO 12V INPUT; 0.9V TO 5V / 8A OUTPUT
This is a typical bus termination application in which the output voltage is programmed by the switch to 1.2V typ
(it can range from 0.9V to 5V) and the maximum output current is of 8A DC. The power mosfet are configured
with one STS12NF30L (30V, 10mΩ typ @ Vgs=4.5V ) for both hgih side and low side.
Inductor selection
Since the maximum output current is 8A, to have a 15% ripple (1A) in worst case the inductor chosen is 4.1µH.
SUMIDA CEE125 series inductor has been chosen with a 4.2µA typical value.
12/21
L6910A L6910
Output Capacitor
In the demo 5 POSCAP capacitors, model 6TPB330M, are used, with a maximum ESR equal to 40mΩ each.
Therefore the resultant ESR is of 8mΩ. For load transient of 8A in the worst case the voltage drop is of:
∆Vout = 8 · 0.008 = 64mV
The voltage drop due to the capacitor discharge during load transient, considering that the maximum duty cycle
is equal to 100% results in 16.4mV with 1.2V of programmed output.
Input Capacitor
For IOUT = 8A and D=0.5 (worst case for input ripple current), Irms is equal to 4A. Three OSCON electrolytic
capacitors 20SA100M, with a maximum ESR equal to 30mΩ, are chosen to sustain the ripple. Therefore, the
resultant ESR is equal to 30mΩ/3 = 10mΩ. So the losses in worst case are:
2
P = ESR · I rm s = 160mW
Over-Current Protection
The peak current is in this case equal to 12A, substituting the demo board parameters in the relationship reported in the relative section, (IOCSMIN = 170µA; IP = 12A; RDSONMAX = 9mΩ) it results that ROCS = 620Ω.
Table 1. Part List
R2
R3
10k
4.7k
R5
R6
R7
47k
10
620
R10
R11
14k
6.98k
E96 1%
E96 1% (optional)
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
R12
R13
C1
C4…C11
2.61k
1.74k
100µ
330µ
E96 1% (optional)
E96 1% (optional)
OSCON - 20SA100M
POSCAP - 6TPB330M
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
Radial 10x10.5mm
SMD 7343
C12, C13, C15, C21
100n
Ceramic
SMD 0805
C14
C19
L1
L2
U1
1n
56n
1.5µ
4.2µ
L6910
Ceramic
Ceramic
T44-52 Core, 7T-18AWG
SUMIDA CEE125 series
STMicroelectronics
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
SO16 NARROW
Q1, Q4
D1
D2
F1
STS12NF30L
1N4148
STPS3340U
251015A-15°
STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics
Littlefuse
SO8
SOT23
SMB
AXIAL
1%
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
Efficiency
Figure 12 shows the measured efficiency versus load current for different values of output voltage. The measure
was done at Vin = 5V for different values of the output voltage (0.9V, 1.2V, 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V and 3.3V). IC supply
voltage is of 12V.
In the application one mosfets STS12NF30L (30V, 10mΩ typ @ Vgs = 4.5V) is used for both the low and the
high side.
Since the board has been layed out with the possibility to use up to three SO8 mosfets for both high and low
side switch, to increase efficiency at low output voltages, an additional mosfet on the low side can be considered
because of the duty cycle.
13/21
L6910A L6910
Figure 12. Demo Board Efficiency @ Vin = 5V
95
Efficiency [%]
90
85
80
75
70
65
Vout = 0.9V
Vout = 1.2V
Vout = 1.5V
Vout = 1.8V
Vout = 2.5V
Vout = 3.3V
60
0
2
4
6
8
10
Output Current [A]
APPLICATION IDEA: 5V TO 12V INPUT; 3.3V / 25A OUTPUT
This is a typical application to replace the mag-amp in the silver box. The output voltage is programmed by the
switch to 3.3V and the maximum output current is of 25A DC. The power mosfet are configured with three
STS11NF30L (30V, 9mΩ typ @ Vgs = 10V ) for high side and two of them for the low side.
Inductor selection
Since the maximum output current is 25A, to have a 20% ripple (5A) in worst case the inductor chosen is 1.1µH.
An iron powder core (TO50-52B) with 6 windings has been chosen.
Output Capacitor
4 POSCAP capacitors, model 6TPB330M, are used, with a maximum ESR equal to 40mΩ each. Therefore the
resultant ESR is of 10mΩ. For load transient of 20A in the worst case the voltage drop is lower than 5%:
∆Vout = 20 · 0.01 = 200mV
Input Capacitor
For IOUT = 25A and D = 0.5 (worst case for input ripple current), Irms is equal to 12.5A. Three OSCON electrolytic capacitors 6SP680M, with a maximum ESR equal to 13mΩ, are chosen to sustain the ripple. Therefore,
the resultant ESR is equal to 13mΩ/3 = 4.3mΩ. So the losses in worst case are:
2
P = ESR · I rm s = 670mW
Over-Current Protection
The peak current is in this case equal to 30A, substituting the demo board parameters in the relationship reported in the relative section, (IOCSMIN = 170µA; IP = 30A; RDSONMAX = 3mΩ) it results that ROCS = 530Ω.
14/21
L6910A L6910
Table 2. Part List
R2
10k
SMD 0805
R3
4.7k
R4
220
SMD 0805
R5
10k
SMD 0805
R6
10
SMD 0805
R7
620
SMD 0805
R9
0
R10
1.74k
1%
SMD 0805
Radial 10x10.5mm
1%
SMD 0805
SMD 0805
C1,C2, C3
680µ
OSCON - 6SP680M
C4 to C8
330µ
POSCAP - 6TPB330M
SMD 7343
C13, C15
100n
Ceramic
SMD 0805
C14, C16
1n
Ceramic
SMD 0805
C18
2.2n
Ceramic
SMD 0805
C19
3.3n
Ceramic
SMD 0805
C20
6.8n
Ceramic
SMD 0805
L1
1.5µ
T44-52 Core, 7T-18AWG
L2
U1
1.1µ
L6910
T50-52B Core, 6T
STMicroelectronics
SO16 NARROW
Q1 to Q5
STS11NF30L
STMicroelectronics
SO8
D1
D2
1N4148
STPS340U
STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics
SOT23
SMB
F1
251015A-15°
Littlefuse
AXIAL
Efficiency
Figure 13 shows the measured efficiency versus load current at Vin=5V.
In the application three mosfets STS11NF30L (30V, 9mΩ typ @ Vgs = 10V) are used for high side swith while
two of them are used for the low side..
Figure 13. Demo Board Efficiency @ Vin = 5V & Vout = 3.3V
97
Efficiency
95
93
91
89
87
85
0
5
10
15
Output current
20
25
15/21
L6910A L6910
5A Demo Board Description
The demo board shows the operation of the device in a general purpose application. The interanl reference is
used for the regulation. The external power mosfets are included in one SO8 package to save space and increase power density.The 12V input rail supplies the device while the power conversion starts from the 5V input
rail. The device is also able to operate with a single supply voltage; in this case the jumper J1on the board bottom has to be closed and a 5V to 12V input can be directly connected to the VIN input.
Figure 14. 5A Demo Board Schematic
VIN (+5V)
R7
J1
GNDIN
D1
R6
VCC (+12V)
C7
BOOT
12
VCC
3
15
UGATE
11
C5
GNDCC
R8
Q1/1
PHASE
L1
10
GND
7
4
VOUT
LGATE
U1
L6910
SS
C9
C1,C2
C6
OCSET
14
PGND
R9
D2
Q1/2
R11
C10
C3, C4
R2
GNDOUT
13
OSC
2
PGOOD
PWRGD
9
EAREF
8
C8
VREF
1
5
R10
6
COMP
VFB
R3
C19
R5
R4
C20
C18
R1
Figure 15. PCB and Components Layouts
Component Side
Solder Side
Efficiency
Figure 16 shows the measured efficiency versus load current for different values of output voltage. The measure
was done at 5V and 12V input for different values of the output voltage (2.5V, 3.3V and 5V only when Vin=12V).
Output voltage has been changed modifying the value of R1 in the demo board as reported in the part list.
16/21
L6910A L6910
95
95
94
93
92
91
90
89
88
87
86
85
90
Efficiency [%]
Efficiency [%]
Figure 16. Demoboard efficiency with VCC = VIN = 5V (left), and with VCC = VIN = 12V (right).
Vout=3.3V
Vout=2.5V
85
80
75
Vout=2.5V
Vout=3.3V
Vout=5V
70
65
60
0
1
2
3
4
5
Output Current [A]
0
1
2
3
4
5
Output Current [A]
Part List
Resistors
R1
560
375
220
R2
10K
SMD 0805
R3
1K
SMD 0805
R4
33
SMD 0805
R5
2.7K
SMD 0805
R6
10
SMD 0805
R7
680
SMD 0805
R8, R9
2.2
SMD 0805
1%; (Vout = 2.5V)
1%; (Vout = 3.3V)
1%; (Vout = 5V)
SMD 0805
Capacitors
C1,C2
10µF
TOKIN C34Y5U1E106ZTE12
SMD 7343
C3, C4
100 µF – 6.3V
POSCAP 6TPB100M
SMD 7343
C5,C6,C9
100nF
SMD 0805
C7, C8
1nF
SMD 0805
C18
1.5n
SMD 0805
C19
15n
SMD 0805
C20
47n
SMD 0805
Magnetics
L1
10µH
T50-52B Core, 12T
STS7DNF30L
STMicroelectronics
SO8
Transistors
Q1
Diodes
D1
1N4148
D2
STPS125A
STMicroelectronics
SMA
SOT23
L6910
STMicroelectronics
SO16Narrow
Ics
U1
17/21
L6910A L6910
APPLICATION IDEA: BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER 3V TO 10V INPUT / 5V 2A OUTPUT
Figure 17. buck-boost converter 3V to 10V input / 5V 2A Output Circuit
VIN (+2.5V to +12V)
R7
GNDIN
D1
R6
VCC (+12V)
C7
BOOT
UGATE
3
15
11
R8
Q1/1
VOUT
10
GND
7
LGATE
U1
L6910
SS
4
14
R9 Q1/2
D2
Q2/1
Q2/2
PGND
C3, C4
R2
GNDOUT
13
OSC
C9
PGOOD
2
PWRGD
9
EAREF
VREF
8
C8
1
5
R10
6
VFB
COMP
R3
C19
R5
C18
R1
18/21
D3
L1
PHASE
C5
GNDCC
C1,C2
C6
OCSET
12
VCC
R4
C20
L6910A L6910
mm
DIM.
MIN.
TYP.
A
a1
inch
MAX.
MIN.
TYP.
1.75
0.1
0.25
a2
MAX.
0.069
0.004
0.009
1.6
0.063
b
0.35
0.46
0.014
0.018
b1
0.19
0.25
0.007
0.010
C
0.5
c1
45˚ (typ.)
9.8
10
0.386
0.394
E
5.8
6.2
0.228
0.244
e
1.27
0.050
e3
8.89
0.350
F (1)
3.8
4
0.150
0.157
G
4.6
5.3
0.181
0.209
L
0.4
1.27
0.016
0.050
S
Weight: 0.20gr
0.020
D (1)
M
OUTLINE AND
MECHANICAL DATA
0.62
0.024
SO16 Narrow
8˚(max.)
(1) D and F do not include mold flash or protrusions. Mold flash or potrusions shall not exceed 0.15mm (.006inch).
0016020
19/21
L6910A L6910
mm
inch
DIM.
MIN.
TYP.
MAX.
MIN.
TYP.
MAX.
A
1.2
0.047
A1
0.15
0.006
A2
0.8
b
1.05
0.031
0.19
0.3
0.007
0.012
c
0.09
0.2
0.003
0.008
D (*)
4.9
5.1
0.192
D1
1.7
3.0
0.067
E
6.2
6.4
6.6
E1 (*)
4.3
4.4
E2
1.5
e
L
L1
k
aaa
1.0
5.0
0.6
0.041
0.197
0.200
0.244
0.252
0.260
4.5
0.169
0.173
0.177
3.0
0.059
0.65
0.45
0.039
OUTLINE AND
MECHANICAL DATA
0.118
0.118
0.026
0.75
0.018
1.0
0.024
0.029
0.039
0˚ (min), 8˚ (max)
0.10
0.004
(*) Dimensions D and E1 does not include mold flash or
protusions. Mold flash or protusions shall not exeed
0.15mm per side.
HTSSOP16
(Exposed Pad)
7419276
20/21
L6910A L6910
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of use of such information nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted
by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of STMicroelectronics. Specifications mentioned in this publication are subject
to change without notice. This publication supersedes and replaces all information previously supplied. STMicroelectronics products are not
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