Data Sheet
Rev 0, 5/2006
ACT6906
1.6MHz, 600mA Synchronous
Step Down Converter in SOT23-5
FEATURES
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The ACT6906 is a fixed-frequency currentmode synchronous PWM step down converter
that is capable of delivering 600mA of output
current while achieving peak efficiency of 95%.
Under light load conditions, the ACT6906
operates in a proprietary pulse skipping mode
that consumes just 24µA of supply current,
maximizing battery life in portable applications.
The ACT6906 operates with a fixed frequency of
1.6MHz, minimizing noise in noise-sensitive
applications and allowing the use of small
external components. The ACT6906 is an ideal
solution for applications powered by Li-Ion
batteries or other portable applications that
require small board space.
High Efficiency - Up to 95%
Very Low 24µA Quiescent Current
Guaranteed 600mA Output Current
1.6MHz Constant Frequency Operation
Internal Synchronous Rectifier Eliminates
Schottky Diode
Adjustable Output Voltages From 0.6V to VIN
Fixed Output Voltage Options Available
100% Duty Cycle Low-Dropout Operation
0.1µA Shutdown Current
Tiny SOT23-5 Package
APPLICATIONS
The ACT6906 is available in a variety of fixed
output voltage options, 1.5V, 1.8V, and 2.5V, and
is also available in an adjustable output voltage
version capable of generating output voltages
from 0.6V to VIN .The ACT6906 is available in a
tiny 5-pin SOT23-5 package.
Blue Tooth Headsets
Portable Audio Players
Mobile Phones
Wireless and DSL Modems
Digital Still Cameras
Portable Instruments
Figure 1. Typical Application Circuit and Efficiency
Active-Semi, Inc.
-1-
www.active-semi.com
ACT6906
ORDERING INFORMATION
(1)
(2)
PART NUMBER (1)(2)
TEMPERATURE
RANGE
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
PACKAGE
TOP MARK
ACT6906UC150-T
-40° C to 85°C
1.5
SOT23-5
IAFX
ACT6906UC180-T
-40° C to 85°C
1.8
SOT23-5
IAFA
ACT6906UC250-T
-40° C to 85°C
2.5
SOT23-5
IAFB
ACT6906UCADJ-T
-40° C to 85°C
Adjustable
SOT23-5
IAFM
Contact factory for other output voltage options
-T denotes Tape & Reel packing
PIN CONFIGURATION
EN
1
G
2
SW
3
5
FB
4
IN
ACT6906
UC
SOT23-5
PIN DESCRIPTION
PIN NUMBER
PIN NAME
1
EN
2
3
G
SW
4
IN
5
FB
Active-Semi, Inc.
PIN DESCRIPTION
Enable Control Input. Drive EN to IN or to a logic high for normal operation,
drive to G or a logic low to disable the regulator.
Ground.
Switching Node Output. Connect this pin to the switching end of the inductor.
Power Input. Bypass to G as close as possible to the IC with a high quality
ceramic capacitor.
Feedback Node. For fixed output voltage options, connect this pin directly to
the output. For the adjustable output version the voltage at this pin is regulated
to 0.6V; connect to this pin to the center of the output voltage feedback
network.
-2-
www.active-semi.com
ACT6906
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
(Note: Exceeding these limits may damage the device. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for long periods may affect device
reliability.)
PARAMETER
IN, FB, EN to G
SW to G
Continuous SW Current
Junction to Ambient Thermal Resistance (θ JA)
Maximum Power Dissipation (derate 5.3mW/°C above TA = 50°C)
Operating Junction Temperature
Storage Temperature
Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 sec)
VALUE
UNIT
-0.3 to 6
-0.3 to VIN + 0.3
Internally limited
190
0.53
-40 to 150
-55 to 150
300
V
V
A
°C/W
W
°C
°C
°C
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VIN = VEN = 3.6V, TA = 25˚C unless otherwise specified.)
PARAMETER
Input Voltage Range
Under Voltage Lockout Threshold
Operating Supply Current
Standby Supply Current
Shutdown Supply Current
SYMBOL
VIN
VUVLO
Adjustable Version Regulation
Voltage (ACT6906UCADJ)
VFB
Fixed Output Regulation Voltage
VOUT
Output Voltage Line Regulation
Output Voltage Load Regulation
Inductor Current Limit
ILIM
Oscillator Frequency
fSW
PMOS On Resistance
NMOS On Resistance
SW Leakage Current
EN Logic High Threshold
EN Logic Low Threshold
EN Input Bias Current
Active-Semi, Inc.
RONP
RONN
VIH
VIL
IEN
TEST CONDITIONS
VIN rising, hysteresis = 0.1V
VFB = 60%, IOUT = 0
VFB = 105%, IOUT = 0
VEN = 0V, VIN = 4.2V
TA = 25°C
0 < TA < 85°C
-40°C < TA < 85°C
ACT6906UC150
ACT6906UC180
ACT6906UC250
VIN = 3V to 5V
IOUT = 10mA to 500mA
VIN = 3.6V, VFB = 90% of VOUT(NOM)
VFB or VOUT in regulation
VFB or VOUT = 80% of VOUT(NOM)
ISW = -100mA
ISW = 100mA
EN = G, VIN = 5.5V, VSW = 5.5V or 0V
VIN = 2.7V to 5.5V
VIN = 2.7V to 5.5V
VIN = 5.5V, EN = G or IN
-3-
MIN
2.7
2.25
0.591
0.588
0.582
1.473
1.768
2.455
1.3
TYP
2.4
586
22
0.1
0.6
0.6
0.6
1.5
1.8
2.5
0.016
0.5
0.9
1.6
360
0.37
0.36
MAX
UNIT
5.5
2.5
V
V
µA
µA
µA
33
5
0.609
0.612
0.618
1.527
1.832
2.545
0.4
1.9
0.6
0.6
1
1.4
0.01
0.4
0.1
V
V
%/V
%
A
MHz
kHz
Ω
Ω
µA
V
V
µA
www.active-semi.com
ACT6906
IN
CURRENT
SENSE
OSC &
RAMP
GENERATOR
LOGIC
AND
CONTROL
CIRCUITRY
EN
SW
ZERO CROSS
DETECT
VREF
INTERNAL
COMPENSATION
gm
FB
G
Figure 2. Functional Block Diagram
switching frequency in order to achieve high
efficiency. Whenever the feedback voltage falls
below the regulation voltage the high-side
MOSFET turns on and remains on for a period of
time that is controlled by the ACT6906 control
circuitry. The duration of the on cycle is
dynamically adjusted to maximize efficiency
under all load current conditions.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
CONTROL SCHEME
The ACT6906 utilizes a fixed-frequency,
current-mode PWM control scheme combined
with fully-integrated power MOSFETs to produce
a compact and efficient step-down DC-DC
solution. During normal operation the high-side
MOSFET turns on each cycle and remains on
until the current comparator turns it off. At this
point the low-side MOSFET turns on and
remains on until either the end of the switching
cycle or until the inductor current approaches
zero. The error amplifier adjusts the current
comparator's threshold as necessary in order to
ensure that the output voltage remains in
regulation.
SOFT START
The ACT6906 integrates a 50µs soft start
function that prevents input inrush current and
output overshoot during start up.
OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION
The ACT6906 has an internal current limit of
900mA, which is detected on a cycle by cycle
basis. When this maximum inductor current limit
is reached the charging cycle is terminated, and
the low-side MOSFET is turned on to allow the
inductor current to decrease. Under extreme
overloads, such as short-circuit conditions, the
ACT6906 reduces it's oscillator frequency to
360kHz to allow further inductor current
reduction and to minimize power dissipation.
LIGHT LOAD POWER SAVING OPERATION
When operating under light-load conditions,
the ACT6906 uses a proprietary and patentpending control scheme that reduces quiescent
supply current to maximize efficiency while
maintaining output voltage regulation. Under light
load conditions the ACT6906 reduces it's
Active-Semi, Inc.
-4-
www.active-semi.com
ACT6906
APPLICATION INFORMATION
OUTPUT CAPACITOR SELECTION
INDUCTOR SELECTION
A low ESR output capacitor is required in
order to maintain low output voltage ripple.
Output ripple voltage is given by:
Under normal operation, the inductor
maintains continuous current to the output. This
inductor current has a ripple that is dependent
on the inductance value: higher inductance
reduces the peak-to-peak ripple current. In
general, select an inductance value L based on
ripple current requirement:
V
• (VIN − VOUT )
L = OUT
VIN fSW IOUTMAX K RIPPLE
VRIPPLE = I OUTMAX K RIPPLE R ESR
+
VIN
(2)
28 • f SW 2 LCOUT
where IOUTMAX is the maximum output current,
KRIPPLE is the ripple factor, RESR is the ESR of the
output capacitor, fSW is the switching frequency, L
is the inductor value, and COUT is the output
capacitance. In the case of ceramic output
capacitors, RESR is very small and does not
contribute to the ripple. Therefore, a lower
capacitance value is acceptable when ceramic
capacitors are used. A 10µF ceramic output
capacitor is suitable for most applications.
(1)
where VIN is the input voltage, VOUT is the output
voltage, fSW is the switching frequency, IOUTMAX is
the maximum output current, and KRIPPLE is the
ripple factor. Typically, choose KRIPPLE = 30% to
correspond to the peak-to-peak ripple current
being 30% of the maximum output current.
With this inductor value (Table 1), the peak
inductor current is IOUT • (1 + KRIPPLE / 2). Make
sure that this peak inductor current is less than
the 0.9A current limit. Finally, select the inductor
core size so that it does not saturate at the
current limit value.
OUTPUT VOLTAGE PROGRAMMING
VOUT
RFB1
ACT6906
FB
Table 1. Typical Inductor Values
VOUT
L
0.6V to 0.9V
1.5μH
0.9V to 1.8V
2.2μH
RFB2
>1.8V
2.7μH
Figure 3. Output Voltage Programming
Figure 3 shows the feedback network
necessary to set the output voltage when the
adjustable version is used. Select the proper
ratio of the two feedback resistors RFB1 and RFB2
based on the desired output voltage. Typically
choose RFB2 ≈ 100kΩ and determine RFB1 from
the output voltage:
INPUT CAPACITOR SELECTION
The input capacitor reduces input voltage
ripple to the converter; a 4.7μF ceramic
capacitor is recommended for most applications.
The input capacitor should be placed as close as
possible to IN and G, with short, wide traces.
V
RFB1 = RFB2 OUT − 1
0.6V
(3)
Connect a small capacitor across RFB1 for Feed
forward capacitance at the FB pin:
Cff = 2E − 5/RFB1
(4)
where RFB1 = 900KΩ, use 22pF. When using very
low ESR output capacitors, such as ceramic,
check for stability while examining load-transient
response, and increase the compensation
capacitor C1 if needed.
Active-Semi, Inc.
-5-
www.active-semi.com
ACT6906
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
(VIN = VEN = 3.6V, L = 2.2µH, CIN = 4.7μF, COUT = 10μF, unless otherwise specified.)
Active-Semi, Inc.
-6-
www.active-semi.com
ACT6906
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS CONT'D
(VIN = VEN = 3.6V, L = 2.2µH, CIN = 4.7μF, COUT = 10μF, unless otherwise specified.)
Active-Semi, Inc.
-7-
www.active-semi.com
ACT6906
PACKAGE OUTLINE
SOT23-5 PACKAGE OUTLINE AND DIMENSIONS
SYMBOL
A
A1
A2
b
c
D
E
E1
e
e1
L
L1
θ
DIMENSION IN
MILLIMETERS
MIN
MAX
1.050 1.250
0.000 0.100
1.050 1.150
0.300 0.400
0.100 0.200
2.820 3.020
1.500 1.700
2.650 2.950
0.950 TYP
1.800 2.000
0.700 REF
0.300 0.600
0°
8°
DIMENSION IN
INCHES
MIN
MAX
0.041 0.049
0.000 0.004
0.041 0.045
0.012 0.016
0.004 0.008
0.111
0.119
0.059 0.067
0.104 0.116
0.037 TYP
0.071 0.079
0.028 REF
0.012 0.024
0°
8°
Active-Semi, Inc. reserves the right to modify the circuitry or specifications without notice. Users should evaluate each product
to make sure that it is suitable for their applications. Active-Semi products are not intended or authorized for use as critical
components in life-support devices or systems. Active-Semi, Inc. does not assume any liability arising out of the use of any
product or circuit described in this data sheet, nor does it convey any patent license.
Active-Semi and its logo are trademarks of Active-Semi, Inc. For more information on this and other products, contact
sales@active-semi.com or visit www.active-semi.com. For other inquiries, please send to:
1270 Oakmead Parkway, Suite 310, Sunnyvale, California 94085-4044, USA
Active-Semi, Inc.
-8-
www.active-semi.com