19-1175; Rev 0; 12/96
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
MAX798 †
The
high-performance, step-down DC-DC
converter provides main CPU power in battery-powered
systems. This buck controller achieves 96% efficiency
by using synchronous rectification and Maxim’s proprietary Idle Mode™ control scheme to extend battery life
at full-load (up to 10A) and no-load outputs. The
MAX798’s high accuracy meets the demanding requirements of the latest-generation CPUs. Excellent dynamic
response corrects output transients caused by the latest
dynamic-clock CPUs within five 300kHz clock cycles.
Unique bootstrap circuitry drives inexpensive N -channel
MOSFETs, reducing system cost and eliminating the crow bar switching currents found in some PMOS/NMOS switch
designs.
The MAX798 has a logic-controlled and synchronizable
fixed-frequency pulse-width-modulating (PWM) operating
mode, which reduces noise and RF interference in sensi tive mobile-communications and pen-entry applications.
The SKIP override input allows automatic switchover to
idle-mode operation (for high-efficiency pulse skipping) at
light loads, or forces fixed-frequency mode for lowest noise
at all loads.
____________________________Features
♦ 96% Efficiency
♦ 4.5V to 30V Input Range
♦ 1.6V to 6V Adjustable Precision Output
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
±0.4% Max Total Load-Regulation Error
0.06%/V Max Line-Regulation Error
5V Linear-Regulator Output
Precision 2.505V Reference Output
Automatic Bootstrap Circuit
♦ 150kHz/300kHz Fixed-Frequency PWM Operation
♦ Programmable Soft-Start
♦ 1.2mA Typical Quiescent Current
(VIN = 12V, VOUT = 2.5V)
♦ 1µA Typical Shutdown Current
______________Ordering Information
PART
MAX798ESE
TEMP. RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
-40°C to +85°C
16 Narrow SO
________________________Applications
Notebook and Subnotebook Computers
PDAs and Mobile Communicators
__________Typical Operating Circuit
INPUT
4.5V TO 30V
__________________Pin Configuration
5V, 25mA
4.7µF
TOP VIEW
V+
VL
BST
SS 1
16 DH
SKIP 2
15 LX
REF 3
14 BST
GND 4
MAX798
RSENSE
VOUT
0.1µF
MAX798
LX
13 DL
ON
DL
SHDN
SYNC 5
12 PGND
SHDN 6
11 VL
PGND
FB 7
10 V+
CSH
9
CSL
CSH 8
N
DH
OFF
CSL
SO
GND
N
FB
Idle Mode is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.
†U
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
For free samples & the latest literature: http://www.maxim-ic.com, or phone 1-800-998-8800
MAX798
_______________General Description
MAX798
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
V+ to GND .................................................................-0.3V, +36V
GND to PGND........................................................................±2V
VL to GND ...................................................................-0.3V, +7V
BST to GND ...............................................................-0.3V, +36V
DH to LX ........................................................-0.3V, (BST + 0.3V)
LX to BST.....................................................................-7V, +0.3V
SHDN to GND............................................................-0.3V, +36V
SYNC, SS, REF, SKIP, DL to GND ...................-0.3V, (VL + 0.3V)
CSH, CSL to GND .......................................................-0.3V, +7V
VL Short Circuit to GND..............................................Momentary
REF Short Circuit to GND ...........................................Continuous
VL Output Current ...............................................................50mA
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C)
SO (derate 8.70mW/°C above +70°C) ........................696mW
Operating Temperature Range
MAX798ESE....................................................-40°C to +85°C
Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +160°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10sec) .............................+300°C
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(V+ = +15V, GND = PGND = 0V, IVL = IREF = 0A, TA = 0°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
4.5
30
V
1.6
6
V
STEP-DOWN CONTROLLER
Input Supply Range
Nominal Adjustable Output
Voltage Range
External resistor divider
Feedback Voltage
CSH - CSL = 40mV, SKIP = VL
Load Regulation
0mV < (CSH - CSL) < 80mV, SKIP = VL
Line Regulation
6V < V+ < 30V
1.576
1.6
0.04
1.624
V
±0.4
%
0.05
%/V
CSH - CSL, positive
80
100
120
CSH - CSL, negative
-40
-100
-160
SS Source Current
2.0
4.0
6.5
SS Fault Sink Current
2.0
Current-Limit Voltage
mV
µA
mA
INTERNAL REGULATOR AND REFERENCE
VL Output Voltage
SHDN = 2V, 0mA 4.5V) for automatic bootstrapping. Bypass to GND with 4.7µF. VL can supply
up to 5mA for external loads.
12
PGND
13
DL
Low-Side Gate-Drive Output. Normally drives the synchronous-rectifier MOSFET. Swings 0V to VL.
14
BST
Boost Capacitor Connection for high-side gate drive (0.1µF)
15
LX
Switching Node (inductor) Connection. Can swing 2V below ground without hazard.
16
DH
High-Side Gate-Drive Output. Normally drives the main buck switch. DH is a floating driver output that swings
from LX to BST, riding on the LX switching-node voltage.
Soft-Start Timing Capacitor Connection. Ramp time to full current limit is approximately 1ms/nF.
Feedback Input. Regulates at FB = 1.6V. Connect FB to a resistor divider to set the output voltage.
Power Ground
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5
MAX798
______________________________________________________________Pin Description
MAX798
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
VIN, 4.5V TO 30V
R3
10Ω
2.2µF
0.33µF
4.7µF
SKIP
V+
C1
VL
BST
REF
DH
ON
Q1
L1
12µH
0.1µF
OFF
C2
SHDN
LX
15mΩ
VOUT, +2.5V @ 4.2A
C3
47pF
MAX798
C4
Q2
DL
PGND
R4
1M
C5
470pF
R1
CSH
0.01µF
SS
CSL
R2
FB
SYNC
Q1, Q2 =
C1, C2 =
C4 =
L1 =
R1 =
R2 =
f=
GND
SILICONIX Si4410DY or IRF7413
10µF/30V SANYO OS-CON (30SA10)
470µF/4V SPRAGUE 594D SERIES (594D477X0004R2T)
SUMIDA CDRH127 120
6.49kΩ, 1%
11.5kΩ, 1%
150kHz
Figure 1. Standard Application Circuit
_______________Detailed Description
The MAX798 is a BiCMOS, switch-mode power-supply
controller designed primarily for buck-topology regulators in battery-powered applications where high accuracy, high efficiency, and low quiescent supply current
are critical. The MAX798 also works well in other
topologies such as boost, inverting, and CUK due to
the flexibility of its floating high-speed gate driver.
Light-load efficiency is enhanced by automatic idlemode operation—a variable-frequency pulse-skipping
6
mode that reduces losses due to MOSFET gate charge.
The step-down power-switching circuit consists of two
N-channel MOSFETs, a rectifier, and an LC output filter.
The output voltage is the average of the AC voltage at
the switching node, which is adjusted and regulated by
changing the duty cycle of the MOSFET switches. The
gate-drive signal to the N -channel high-side MOSFET
must exceed the battery voltage and is provided by a
flying capacitor boost circuit that uses a 100nF capacitor connected between BST and LX.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
Bias Generator Blocks:
• +5V Linear Regulator
• Automatic Bootstrap Switchover Circuit
• +2.505V Reference
PWM Controller Blocks:
• Multi-Input PWM Comparator
• Current-Sense Circuit
• PWM Logic Block
• Gate-Driver Outputs
MAX798
The MAX798 contains the following seven major circuit
blocks, which are shown in Figure 2.
BATTERY VOLTAGE
V+
TO
CSL
+5V LINEAR
REGULATOR
4.5V
OUT
VL
+5V AT 5mA
SHDN
BST
DH
PWM
LOGIC
SKIP
LX
MAIN
OUTPUT
DL
+2.505V
REF
+2.505V
AT 100µA
PGND
PWM
COMPARATOR
REF
CSH
1X
1.6V
CSL
GND
ON/OFF
FB
SHDN
SYNC
SS
MAX798
Figure 2. Functional Diagram
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7
MAX798
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
These internal IC blocks aren’t powered directly from
the battery. Instead, a +5V linear regulator steps down
the battery voltage to supply both the IC internal rail (VL
pin) as well as the gate drivers. The synchronousswitch gate driver is directly powered from +5V VL,
while the high-side-switch gate driver is indirectly powered from VL via an external diode-capacitor boost circuit. An automatic bootstrap circuit turns off the +5V
linear regulator and powers the IC from its output voltage if the output is above 4.5V.
PWM Controller Block
The heart of the current-mode PWM controller is a multiinput open-loop comparator that sums three
signals: output voltage error signal with respect to the
reference voltage, current-sense signal, and slope
compensation ramp (Figure 3). The PWM controller is
a direct summing type, lacking a traditional error
amplifier and the phase shift associated with it. This
direct-summing configuration approaches the ideal of
cycle-by-cycle control over the output voltage.
For more comprehensive information on the MAX798
internal blocks, please refer to the MAX796/MAX797/
MAX799 data sheet.
__________Applications Information
Powering VL from a +5V Supply
If the circuit’s output voltage is greater than the VL/CSL
switchover voltage, the IC automatically bootstraps and
runs off its output. Running from the high-efficiency output rather than the VL linear regulator is particularly
desirable if the input voltage is high. If the output is
not greater than the VL/CSL switchover threshold,
efficiency can be improved by powering VL from
another efficient system supply (Figure 4).
VL can be connected directly to a +5V supply, provided its maximum excursions are within a 4.5V to 6V
range and the main output voltage’s maximum is less
than 4.2V. If the circuit’s output voltage is greater than
4.2V, the IC can activate its internal bootstrap switch
and connect the circuit output to VL.
8
Adjusting the Output Voltage
The output voltage is set by an external resistor divider
between the output voltage and GND, with the midpoint
connected to FB (Figure 5). The output voltage can be
adjusted from 1.6V to 6V, according to the formula in
Figure 5. Recommended R2 values range from 5k Ω to
100kΩ. For best noise immunity, place R1 and R2 close
to FB. For a 1.6V output, connect the output voltage
directly to FB.
Remote sensing of the output voltage is easily achieved
by connecting the top of R1 and, if desired, the bottom
of R2, to the remote sense point.
Bypassing and
Compensation Components
The MAX798 is designed to deliver a more accurate
output voltage than the MAX797. A major source of the
MAX797’s output error is the decrease in output voltage
with increasing load. This error is greatly reduced in the
MAX798 by increasing the gain of the voltage-sense
signal relative to the current-sense signal. As a result of
this increased gain, the MAX798 is slightly more noise
sensitive than the MAX797, and requires some small
compensation components as well. On the other hand,
output capacitor ESR requirements can be greatly
relaxed compared to the MAX797, with the limiting factor being the maximum total output voltage ripple that
the application can tolerate.
To control noise problems, place the bypass capacitors
on REF, VL, and V+ as close as possible to the IC, and
use a 10Ω series resistor (R3, Figure 1) on V+ to form a
small lowpass filter. Feed-forward components (R4, C3,
and C5) are chosen for stable switching at 150kHz with
the components shown. For 300kHz switching and a
4.7µH inductor, use R4 = 470k Ω and C5 = 220pF.
Keep the components that connect to FB (R4, C5, R1,
R2) close to the IC’s FB pin.
Design Procedure
With the exception of the items previously mentioned,
follow the design procedure for the MAX797. The
MAX796/MAX797/MAX799 data sheet contains all necessary information on component values, component
selection, layout, and additional applications.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
MAX798
CSH
1X
CSL
1.6V
FROM
FEEDBACK
DIVIDER
MAIN PWM
COMPARATOR
BST
R
LEVEL
SHIFT
Q
S
DH
LX
SLOPE COMP
OSC
30mV
SKIP
VL
4µA
CURRENT
LIMIT
24R
SS
2.5V
SHDN
SHOOTTHROUGH
CONTROL
N
MAX798
1R
SYNCHRONOUS
RECTIFIER CONTROL
R
–100mV
S
VL
Q
LEVEL
SHIFT
DL
PGND
Figure 3. PWM Controller Detailed Block Diagram
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9
MAX798
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
5V ±10%
V+
VBATT
DH
REMOTE
SENSE
LINES
MAIN
OUTPUT
0.1µF
V+
MAX798
VL
DL
CSH
MAX798
R1
CSL
DH
FB
VOUT
DL
GND
R2
(VOUT (MAX) < 4.2V)
R1
VOUT = 1.6V 1 + –––
R2
(
Figure 4. Powering VL from a Separate +5V Supply
10
)
Figure 5. Adjusting the Output Voltage
______________________________________________________________________________________
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
MAX798
___________________Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 1008
________________________________________________________Package Information
DIM
D
0°-8°
A
0.101mm
0.004in.
e
B
A1
E
C
H
L
Narrow SO
SMALL-OUTLINE
PACKAGE
(0.150 in.)
A
A1
B
C
E
e
H
L
INCHES
MAX
MIN
0.069
0.053
0.010
0.004
0.019
0.014
0.010
0.007
0.157
0.150
0.050
0.244
0.228
0.050
0.016
DIM PINS
D
D
D
8
14
16
MILLIMETERS
MIN
MAX
1.35
1.75
0.10
0.25
0.35
0.49
0.19
0.25
3.80
4.00
1.27
5.80
6.20
0.40
1.27
INCHES
MILLIMETERS
MIN MAX
MIN
MAX
0.189 0.197 4.80
5.00
0.337 0.344 8.55
8.75
0.386 0.394 9.80 10.00
21-0041A
______________________________________________________________________________________
11
High-Accuracy Step-Down Controller
with Synchronous Rectifier for CPU Power
MAX798
NOTES
Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. N o circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.
12 __________________Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 737-7600
© 1996 Maxim Integrated Products
Printed USA
is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.