LTC3403
1.5MHz, 600mA
Synchronous Step-Down
Regulator with Bypass Transistor
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FEATURES
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DESCRIPTIO
The LTC ®3403 is a high efficiency monolithic synchronous buck regulator optimized for WCDMA power amplifier applications. The output voltage can be dynamically
programmed from 0.3V to 3.5V. At VOUT > 3.6V an internal
bypass P-channel MOSFET connects VOUT directly to VIN,
eliminating power loss through the inductor. Selectable
forced continuous mode enables fast VOUT response to the
controlling input.
Dynamically Adjustable Output from 0.3V to 3.5V
Very Low Quiescent Current: Only 20µA
During Operation
600mA Output Current
Internal P-Channel MOSFET Bypass Transistor
High Efficiency: Up to 96%
1.5MHz Constant Frequency Operation
No Schottky Diode Required
Low Dropout Operation: 100% Duty Cycle
2.5V to 5V Input Voltage Range
Drives Optional External P-Channel MOSFET
Shutdown Mode Draws < 1µA Supply Current
Current Mode Operation for Excellent Line and
Load Transient Response
Overtemperature Protected
Available in 8-Lead 3mm × 3mm DFN Package
Supply current is only 20µA in Burst Mode® operation and
drops to 1.2V and VREF x3 > VIN, the P-channel FET will be on
in parallel with the bypass PFET reducing the overall RDS(ON).
Note 5: This IC includes overtemperature protection that is intended to
protect the device during momentary overload conditions. Junction
temperature will exceed 125°C when overtemperature protection is active.
Continuous operation above the specified maximum operating junction
temperature may impair device reliability.
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TYPICAL PERFOR A CE CHARACTERISTICS
Efficiency vs VOUT
Efficiency vs VIN
100
100
95
90
90
75
70
65
70
600mA FORCED
CONTINUOUS MODE
60
TA = 25°C
VIN = 3.6V
55
3.5
VIN (V)
3.0
4.0
4.5
0
1
2
3
90
80
30
20
10
0
0.1
VIN = 3.6V
1.65
VIN = 4.2V
1.60
70
VIN = 4.2V
50
40
1.70
VIN = 3.6V
80
VIN = 4.2V
TA = 25°C
FORCED
CONTINUOUS
MODE
Burst Mode
OPERATION
VOUT = 1.5V
1
10
100
OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)
1000
3403 G03
EFFICIENCY (%)
EFFICIENCY (%)
60
Oscillator Frequency
vs Temperature
100
VIN = 3.6V
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.1
1000
3403 G02
Efficiency vs Output Current
100
VIN = 3.6V
1
10
100
OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)
3403 GO1a
Efficiency vs Output Current
70
0
0.1
4
VOUT (V)
3403 G01
90
TA = 25°C
FORCED
CONTINUOUS
MODE
Burst Mode
OPERATION
VOUT = 1.2V
40
10
VIN = 3.6V
VIN = 4.2V
TA = 25°C
FORCED
CONTINUOUS
MODE
Burst Mode
OPERATION
VOUT = 2.5V
1
10
100
OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)
1000
3403 G04
FREQUENCY (MHz)
2.5
VIN = 4.2V
50
20
50
40
VIN = 3.6V
60
30
IL = 10mA
60
VIN = 4.2V
70
100mA FORCED
CONTINUOUS MODE
80
EFFICIENCY (%)
EFFICIENCY (%)
IL = 600mA
80
VIN = 3.6V
80
IL = 300mA
85
EFFICIENCY (%)
Efficiency vs Output Current
100
100mA BURST
MODE 0PERATION
IL = 100mA
90
50
(From Figure 1a)
1.55
1.50
1.45
1.40
1.35
1.30
–50 –25
50
25
75
0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
100
125
3403 G05
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LTC3403
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TYPICAL PERFOR A CE CHARACTERISTICS
(From Figure 1a)
Oscillator Frequency
vs Supply Voltage
Frequency vs VOUT
1600
TA = 25°C
1.7
1.6
1200
1.5
1000
1.4
1.3
1.2
TA = 25°C
VIN = 3.6V
1400
FREQUENCY (kHz)
OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY (MHz)
1.8
800
600
2
3
4
5
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
400
6
0
0.4
0.2
1.0
0.6
0.8
VOUT (V)
1.2
3403 G06
3403 F06a
RDS(ON) vs Input Voltage
1.844 T = 25°C
A
VIN = 3.6V
1.834
0.7
1.824
0.5
TA = 25°C
0.6
RDS(ON) (Ω)
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Output Voltage vs Load Current
1.814
1.804
MAIN
SWITCH
0.4
SYNCHRONOUS
SWITCH
0.3
1.794
0.2
1.784
0.1
BYPASS SWITCH
0
1.774
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
LOAD CURRENT (mA)
5
4
2
3
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
1
6
3403 G08
3403 G07
Dynamic Supply Current
vs Supply Voltage
RDS(ON) vs Temperature
0.7
VIN = 4.2V
VIN = 3.6V
RDS(ON) (Ω)
0.5
0.4
VIN = 3.6V
0.3
VIN = 3V
0.2
0.1
0
–50 –25
VIN = 4.2V
MAIN SWITCH
SYNCHRONOUS SWITCH
BYPASS SWITCH
DYNAMIC SUPPLY CURRENT (µA)
VIN = 2.7V
0.6
4500
TA = 25°C
4000 VOUT = 1.8V
ILOAD = 0A
3500
100
125
FORCED CONTINUOUS
MODE
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
Burst Mode
OPERATION
500
0
50
25
75
0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
7
2
3
4
5
6
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
3403 G09
3403 G10
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LTC3403
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TYPICAL PERFOR A CE CHARACTERISTICS (From Figure 1a)
Switch Leakage vs Input Voltage
Switch Leakage vs Temperature
300
120
TA = 25°C
RUN = 0V
VIN = 5.5V
RUN = 0V
100
SWITCH LEAKAGE (pA)
SWITCH LEAKAGE (nA)
250
200
150
100
MAIN SWITCH
50
SYNCHRONOUS
SWITCH
80
60
MAIN
SWITCH
40
20
SYNCHRONOUS SWITCH
0
–50 –25
50
25
75
0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
100
125
0
0
1
2
3
4
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
5
6
3403 G12
3403 G11
Start-Up from Shutdown
Burst Mode Operation
RUN
2V/DIV
VOUT
0.1V/DIV
VOUT
1V/DIV
IL
200mA/DIV
IL
500mA/DIV
3403 G13
VIN = 3.6V
40µs/DIV
VREF = 0.6V
RLOAD = 3Ω
MODE = 3.6V, FORCED CONTINUOUS MODE
VIN = 3.6V
VREF = 0.6V
ILOAD = 60mA
MODE = 0V
2µs/DIV
3403 G14
Load Step Response
Forced Continuous Mode
VOUT
200mV/DIV
VOUT
10mV/DIV
IL
500mA/DIV
IL
200mA/DIV
ILOAD
500mA/DIV
VIN = 3.6V
VREF = 0.6V
ILOAD = 0A
MODE = 3.6V
200ns/DIV
3403 G15
VIN = 3.6V
20µs/DIV
VREF = 0.6V
ILOAD = 50mA TO 600mA
MODE = 0V, Burst Mode OPERATION
3403 G16
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LTC3403
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TYPICAL PERFOR A CE CHARACTERISTICS (From Figure 1a)
Load Step Response
REF Transient
VREF
0.5V/DIV
VOUT
100mV/DIV
IL
500mA/DIV
VOUT
1V/DIV
ILOAD
500mA/DIV
3403 G17
VIN = 3.6V
20µs/DIV
VREF = 0.6V
ILOAD = 0mA TO 600mA
MODE = 0V, FORCED CONTINUOUS MODE
3403 G18
VIN = 4.2V
40µs/DIV
VREF = 0V TO 1.4V
RLOAD = 5Ω
MODE = 4.2V, FORCED CONTINUOUS MODE
VOUT vs VREF
Reference vs GDR
4.5
IL = 100mA
VIN = 4.2V
4.0
IL = 600mA
REF
1V/DIV
3.5
VOUT (V)
3.0
2.5
2.0
GDR
2V/DIV
1.5
1.0
VIN = 3.6V
CGDR = 1000pF
0.5
5µs/DIV
3403 F20
0
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
VREF (V)
3403 G19
3403f
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LTC3403
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PI FU CTIO S
GDR (Pin 1): MOSFET Gate Driver. Drives a small external
P-channel MOSFET.
VIN (Pin 2): Main Supply Pin. Must be closely decoupled
to GND, Pin 3, with a 10µF or greater ceramic capacitor.
GND (Pin 3): Ground Pin.
SW (Pin 4): Switch Node Connection to Inductor. This pin
connects to the drains of the internal main and synchronous power MOSFET switches.
RUN (Pin 5): Run Control Input. Forcing this pin above
1.5V enables the part. Forcing this pin below 0.3V shuts
down the device. In shutdown, all functions are disabled
drawing 1.2V.
VOUT (Pin 8): Output Voltage Feedback Pin. An internal
resistive divider divides the output voltage down by 3 for
comparison to the external reference voltage. The drain of
the P-channel bypass MOSFET is connected to this pin.
Exposed Pad (Pin 9): Connect to GND, Pin 3.
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FU CTIO AL DIAGRA
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MODE
6
SLOPE
COMP
0.65V
OSC
OSC
2 VIN
FREQ
÷2
REF
–
+
7
–
+
VOUT
– EA
FB
8
0.85V
EN
SLEEP
–
+
BURST
360k
180k
S
Q
R
Q
RS LATCH
P-CHANNEL
VIN
5Ω
+
ICOMP
SWITCHING
LOGIC
AND
BLANKING
CIRCUIT
ANTISHOOTTHRU
4 SW
–
BCMP
5
IRCMP
–
RUN
+
+
1.2V
9
3 GND
1 GDR
3403 BD
3403f
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LTC3403
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OPERATIO (Refer to Functional Diagram)
Main Control Loop
The LTC3403 uses a constant frequency, current mode
step-down architecture. The main (P-channel MOSFET),
synchronous (N-channel MOSFET) and bypass (P-channel MOSFET) switches are internal. During normal operation, the internal main switch is turned on each cycle when
the oscillator sets the RS latch, and turned off when the
current comparator, ICOMP, resets the RS latch. The peak
inductor current at which ICOMP resets the RS latch, is
controlled by the output of error amplifier EA. When the
load current increases, it causes a slight decrease in the
feedback voltage, FB, relative to the external reference,
which in turn, causes the EA amplifier’s output voltage to
increase until the average inductor current matches the
new load current. While the main switch is off, the synchronous switch is turned on until the beginning of the
next clock cycle.
In forced continuous mode the inductor current is constantly cycled. In this mode, the output voltage can respond quickly to the external reference voltage by sourcing or sinking current as needed.
Burst Mode Operation
The LTC3403 is capable of Burst Mode operation in which
the internal power switches operate intermittently based
on load demand.
In Burst Mode operation, the peak current of the inductor
is set to approximately 200mA regardless of the output
load. Each burst event can last from a few cycles at light
loads to almost continuously cycling with short sleep
intervals at moderate loads. In between these burst events,
the power switches and any unneeded circuitry are turned
off, reducing the quiescent current to 20µA. In this sleep
state, the load current is being supplied solely from the
output capacitor. As the output voltage droops, the EA
amplifier’s output rises above the sleep threshold signal-
ing the BURST comparator to trip and turn the top switch
on. This process repeats at a rate that is dependent on the
load demand.
Controlling the Output Voltage
The output voltage can be dynamically programmed from
0.3V to 3.5V using the REF input. Because the gain to VOUT
from REF is internally set to 3, the corresponding input
range at REF is 0.1V to 1.167V. VOUT can be modulated
during operation by driving REF with an external DAC.
When REF exceeds 1.2V, an internal bypass P-channel
MOSFET connects VIN to VOUT, dramatically reducing the
drop across the inductor and the main switch.
Dropout Operation
If the reference voltage would cause VOUT to exceed VIN,
the LTC3403 enters dropout operation. During dropout,
the main switch remains on continuously and operates at
100% duty cycle. If the voltage at REF is less than 1.2V, the
bypass P-channel MOSFET will stay off even in dropout
operation. The output voltage is then determined by the
input voltage minus the voltage drop across the main switch
and the inductor.
An important detail to remember is that at low input
supply voltages, the RDS(ON) of the P-channel switch
increases (see Typical Performance Characteristics).
Therefore, the user should calculate the power dissipation when the LTC3403 is used at 100% duty cycle with
low input voltage (See Thermal Considerations in the
Applications Information section).
Low Supply Operation
The LTC3403 will operate with input supply voltages as
low as 2.5V, but the maximum allowable output current is
reduced at this low voltage. Figure 2 shows the reduction
in the maximum output current as a function of input
voltage for various output voltages.
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LTC3403
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OPERATIO (Refer to Functional Diagram)
MAXIMUM OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)
1200
Slope Compensation and Inductor Peak Current
Slope compensation provides stability in constant frequency architectures by preventing subharmonic oscillations at high duty cycles. It is accomplished internally by
adding a compensating ramp to the inductor current
signal at duty cycles in excess of 40%. Normally, this
results in a reduction of maximum inductor peak current
for duty cycles > 40%. However, the LTC3403 uses a
patent-pending scheme that counteracts this compensating ramp, which allows the maximum inductor peak
current to remain unaffected throughout all duty cycles.
1000
800
600
VOUT = 1.8V
VOUT = 2.5V
VOUT = 1.5V
400
200
0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
5.0
5.5
3403 F02
Figure 2. Maximum Output Current vs Input Voltage
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APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
The basic LTC3403 application circuit is shown in Figure␣ 1. External component selection is driven by the load
requirement and begins with the selection of L followed by
CIN and COUT.
Inductor Selection
For most applications, the value of the inductor will fall in
the range of 1µH to 4.7µH. Its value is chosen based on the
desired ripple current. Large value inductors lower ripple
current and small value inductors result in higher ripple
currents. As Equation 1 shows, a greater difference between VIN and VOUT produces a larger ripple current.
Where these voltages are subject to change, the highest
VIN and lowest VOUT will determine the maximum ripple
current. A reasonable starting point for setting ripple
current is IL = 240mA (40% of the maximum load, 600mA).
V
1
∆IL =
VOUT 1 – OUT
VIN
(f)(L)
(1)
At output voltages below 0.6V, the switching frequency
decreases linearly to a minimum of approximately 700kHz.
This places the maximum ripple current (in forced continuous mode) at the highest input voltage and the lowest
output voltage. In practice, the resulting ouput ripple
voltage is 10mV to 15mV using the components specified
in Figure 1.
The DC current rating of the inductor should be at least
equal to the maximum load current plus half the ripple
current to prevent core saturation. Thus, a 720mA rated
inductor should be enough for most applications (600mA
+ 120mA). For better efficiency, choose a low DC-resistance inductor.
The inductor value also has an effect on Burst Mode
operation. The transition to low current operation begins
when the inductor current peaks fall to approximately
200mA. Lower inductor values (higher IL) will cause this
to occur at lower load currents, which can cause a dip in
efficiency in the upper range of low current operation. In
Burst Mode operation, lower inductance values will cause
the burst frequency to increase.
Inductor Core Selection
Different core materials and shapes will change the size/
current and price/current relationship of an inductor.
Toroid or shielded pot cores in ferrite or permalloy materials are small and don’t radiate much energy but generally
cost more than powdered iron core inductors with similar
electrical characteristics. The choice of which style inductor to use often depends more on the price versus size
requirements and any radiated field/EMI requirements
than on what the LTC3403 requires to operate. Table 1
shows some typical surface mount inductors that work
well in LTC3403 applications.
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LTC3403
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APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
Table 1. Representative Surface Mount Inductors
Part
Number
Value
(µH)
DCR
(ΩMAX)
MAX DC
Current (A)
Size
WxLxH (mm3)
Sumida
CDRH2D11
1.5
2.2
3.3
0.068
0.098
0.123
0.90
0.78
0.60
3.2 x 3.2 x 1.2
Sumida
CDRH2D18/LD
2.2
3.3
4.7
0.041
0.054
0.078
0.85
0.75
0.63
3.2 x 3.2 x 2.0
Sumida
CMD4D06
2.2
3.3
4.7
0.116
0.174
0.216
0.95
0.77
0.75
3.5 x 4.1 x 0.8
Murata
LQH32C
1.0
2.2
4.7
0.060
0.097
0.150
1.00
0.79
0.65
2.5 x 3.2 x 2.0
Taiyo Yuden
LQLBC2518
1.0
1.5
2.2
0.080
0.110
0.130
0.78
0.66
0.60
1.8 x 2.5 x 1.8
Toko
D412F
2.2
3.3
4.7
0.14
0.20
0.22
1.14
0.90
0.80
4.6 x 4.6 x 1.2
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 input capacitor sized for the
maximum RMS current must be used. The maximum
RMS capacitor current is given by:
CIN required IRMS ≅ IOMAX
[VOUT (VIN – VOUT )]1/ 2
VIN
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 the capacitor manufacturer’s
ripple current ratings are often based on 2000 hours of life.
This makes it advisable to further derate the capacitor, or
choose a capacitor rated at a higher temperature than
required. Always consult the manufacturer if there is any
question.
The selection of COUT is driven by the required effective
series resistance (ESR). Typically, once the ESR requirement for COUT has been met, the RMS current rating
generally far exceeds the IRIPPLE(P-P) requirement. The
output ripple VOUT is determined by:
1
∆VOUT ≅ ∆IL ESR +
8f C OUT
where f = operating frequency, COUT = output capacitance
and IL = ripple current in the inductor. For a fixed output
voltage, the output ripple is highest at maximum input
voltage since IL increases with input voltage.
Aluminum electrolytic and dry tantalum capacitors are
both available in surface mount configurations. In the case
of tantalum, it is critical that the capacitors are surge tested
for use in switching power supplies. An excellent choice is
the AVX TPS series of surface mount tantalum. These are
specially constructed and tested for low ESR so they give
the lowest ESR for a given volume. Other capacitor types
include Sanyo POSCAP, Kemet T510 and T495 series, and
Sprague 593D and 595D series. Consult the manufacturer
for other specific recommendations.
The bulk capacitance values in Figure 1(a) (CIN = 10µF,
COUT = 4.7µF) are tailored to mobile phone applications, in
which the output voltage is expected to slew quickly
according to the needs of the power amplifier. Holding the
output capacitor to 4.7µF facilitates rapid charging and
discharging. When the output voltage descends quickly in
forced continuous mode, the LTC3403 will actually pull
current from the output until the command from VREF is
satisfied. On alternate half cyles, this current actually exits
the VIN terminal, potentially causing a rise in VIN and
forcing current into the battery. To prevent deterioration
of the battery, use sufficient bulk capacitance with low
ESR; at least 10µF is recommended.
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LTC3403
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APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
Using Ceramic Input and Output Capacitors
However, care must be taken when ceramic capacitors are
used at the input and the output. When a ceramic capacitor
is used at the input and the power is supplied by a wall
adapter through long wires, a load step at the output can
induce ringing at the input, VIN. At best, this ringing can
couple to the output and be mistaken as loop instability. At
worst, a sudden inrush of current through the long wires
can potentially cause a voltage spike at VIN large enough
to damage the part.
When choosing the input and output ceramic capacitors,
choose the X5R or X7R dielectric formulations. These
dielectrics have the best temperature and voltage characteristics of all the ceramics for a given value and size.
Ceramic capacitors of Y5V material are not recommended
because normal operating voltages cause their bulk capacitance to become much less than the nominal value.
Programming the Output Voltage With a DAC
The output voltage can be dynamically programmed to any
voltage from 0.3V to 3.5V with an external DAC driving the
REF pin. When the output is commanded low, the output
voltage descends quickly in forced continuous mode
pulling current from the output and transferring it to the
input. If the input is not connected to a low impedance
source capable of absorbing the energy, the input voltage
could rise above the absolute maximum voltage of the part
and get damaged. The faster VOUT is commanded low, the
higher is the voltage spike at the input. For best results,
ramp the REF pin from high to low as slow as the
application will allow. Avoid abrupt changes in voltage of
>0.2V/µs. If ramp control is unavailable, an RC filter with
a time constant of 10µs can be inserted between the REF
pin and the DAC as shown in Figure 3.
REF
DAC
1000pF
GND
Figure 3. Filtering the REF Pin
Efficiency Considerations
The 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. 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, two main sources usually account for most of the
losses in LTC3403 circuits: VIN quiescent current and I2R
losses. The VIN quiescent current loss dominates the
efficiency loss at very low load currents whereas the I2R
loss dominates the efficiency loss at medium to high load
currents. In a typical efficiency plot, the efficiency curve at
very low load currents can be misleading since the actual
power lost is of little consequence as illustrated in
Figure␣ 4.
1
0.1
POWER LOSS (W)
Higher values, lower cost ceramic capacitors are now
becoming available in smaller case sizes. Their high ripple
current, high voltage rating and low ESR make them ideal
for switching regulator applications. Because the
LTC3403’s control loop does not depend on the output
capacitor’s ESR for stable operation, ceramic capacitors
can be used freely to achieve very low output ripple and
small circuit size.
LTC3403
10k
VOUT = 1.2V
VOUT = 1.5V
VOUT = 1.8V
VOUT = 2.5V
0.01
0.001
0.0001
0.00001
0.1
1
10
100
LOAD CURRENT (mA)
1000
3406 F04
Figure 4. Power Lost vs Load Current
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LTC3403
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APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
1. The VIN quiescent current consists of two components:
the DC bias current as given in the electrical characteristics
and the internal main switch and synchronous switch gate
charge currents. The gate charge current results from
switching the gate capacitance of the internal power
MOSFET switches. Each time the gate is switched from
high to low to high again, a packet of charge, dQ, moves
from VIN to ground. The resulting dQ/dt is typically larger
than the DC bias current. In continuous mode, IGATECHG =
f(QT + QB), where QT and QB are the gate charges of the
internal top and bottom switches. Both the DC bias and
gate charge losses are proportional to VIN, thus, their
effects will be more pronounced at higher supply voltages.
(The gate charge of the bypass FET is, of course, negligible
because it is infrequently cycled.)
To prevent the LTC3403 from exceeding the maximum
junction temperature, the user will need to do some
thermal analysis. The goal of the thermal analysis is to
determine whether the power dissipated exceeds the
maximum junction temperature of the part. The temperature rise is given by:
2. I2R losses are calculated from the resistances of the
internal switches, RSW, and external inductor RL. In continuous mode, the average output current flowing through
inductor L is “chopped” between the main switch and the
synchronous switch. Thus, the series resistance looking
into the SW pin is a function of both top and bottom
MOSFET RDS(ON) and the duty cycle (DC) as follows:
As an example, consider the LTC3403 in dropout at an
input voltage of 2.7V, a load current of 600mA (0.9V ≤ VREF
< 1.2V) and an ambient temperature of 70°C. With VREF <
1.2V, the entire 600mA flows through the main P-channel
FET. From the typical performance graph of switch resistance, the RDS(ON) of the P-channel switch at 70°C is
approximately 0.52Ω. Therefore, power dissipated by the
part is:
RSW = (RDS(ON)TOP)(DC) + (RDS(ON)BOT)(1 – DC)
The RDS(ON) for both the top and bottom MOSFETs can be
obtained from the Typical Performance Charateristics
curves. Hence, to obtain I2R losses, simply add RSW to RL
and multiply the result by the square of the average output
current.
Other losses including CIN and COUT ESR dissipative
losses and inductor core losses generally account for less
than 2% total additional loss.
Thermal Considerations
In most applications the LTC3403 does not dissipate
much heat due to its high efficiency. But, in applications
where the LTC3403 is running at high ambient temperature with low supply voltage and high duty cycles, such as
in dropout, the heat dissipated may exceed the maximum
junction temperature of the part. If the junction temperature reaches approximately 150°C, both power switches
will be turned off and the SW node will become high
impedance.
TR = (PD)(θJA)
where PD is the power dissipated by the regulator and θJA
is the thermal resistance from the junction of the die to the
ambient temperature.
The junction temperature, TJ, is given by:
TJ = TA + TR
where TA is the ambient temperature.
PD = (ILOAD2) • RDS(ON) = 187.2mW
For the 8L DFN package, the θJA is 43°C/W. Thus, the
junction temperature of the regulator is:
TJ = 70°C + (0.1872)(43) = 78°C
which is below the maximum junction temperature of
125°C.
Modifying this example, suppose that VREF is raised to
1.2V or higher. This turns on the bypass P-channel FET as
well as the main P-channel FET. Assume that the inductor’s
DC resistance is 0.1Ω, the RDS(ON) of the main P-channel
switch is 0.52Ω, and the RDS(ON) of the bypass P-channel
switch is 0.21Ω. The current through the P-channel switch
and the inductor will be 152mA, causing power dissipation
of (0.152A)2 • 0.62Ω = 14.3mW. The bypass FET will
dissipate (0.448A)2 • 0.21Ω = 42.5mW. Thus, TJ = 70°C +
(0.0143 + 0.0425)(43) = 72.4°C.
3403f
12
LTC3403
U
W
U U
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
Reductions in power dissipation occur at higher supply
voltages, where the junction temperature is lower due to
reduced switch resistance (RDS(ON)). Further reductions
may be achieved using an external bypass FET (Figure 5),
which operates in parallel with the network described
above.
M1
LTC3403
VIN
VIN
VOUT
SW
GDR
VOUT
Checking Transient Response
The regulator loop response can be checked by looking at
the load transient response. Switching regulators take
several cycles to respond to a step in load current. When
a load step occurs, VOUT immediately 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, which generates a feedback error signal. The
regulator loop then acts to return VOUT to its steady state
value. During this recovery time VOUT can be monitored for
overshoot or ringing that would indicate a stability problem. For a detailed explanation of switching control loop
theory, see Application Note 76.
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
deliver enough current to prevent this problem if the load
switch resistance is low and it is driven quickly. The only
solution is to limit the rise time of the switch drive so that
the load rise time is limited to approximately (25 • CLOAD).
Thus, a 10µF capacitor charging to 3.3V would require a
250µs rise time, limiting the charging current to about
130mA.
LTC3403 F05
Figure 5. Driving an External Bypass FET
VOUT
COUT
1
2
VIN
CIN
GDR
VOUT
VIN
REF
3 GND
4
SW
MODE
RUN
8
7
6
RREF
DAC
CREF
5
LTC3403
BOLD LINES INDICATE HIGH CURRENT PATHS
LTC3403 F06
Figure 6.Layout Diagram
3403f
13
LTC3403
U
W
U U
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
PC Board Layout Checklist
When laying out the printed circuit board, the following
checklist should be used to ensure proper operation of the
LTC3403. These items are also illustrated graphically in
Figures 6 and 7. Check the following in your layout:
1. The power traces, consisting of the GND trace, the SW
trace and the VIN trace should be kept short, direct and
wide.
2. Does the (+) plate of CIN connect to VIN as closely as
possible? This capacitor provides the AC drive to the
internal power MOSFETs.
3. Keep the (–) plates of CIN and COUT as close as possible.
Design Example
As a design example, assume the LTC3403 is used in a
single lithium-ion battery-powered cellular phone application. The VIN will be operating from a maximum of 4.2V
down to about 2.7V. The load current requirement is a
VIA TO REF
RREF
TO DAC
maximum of 0.6A but most of the time it will be in standby
mode, requiring only 2mA. Efficiency at both low and high
load currents is important. Output voltage is 2.5V. With
this information we can calculate L using Equation (1),
L=
V
1
VOUT 1 – OUT
VIN
(f)(∆IL )
(2)
Substituting VOUT = 2.5V, VIN = 4.2V, IL = 240mA and
f = 1.5MHz in Equation (2) gives:
L=
2.5V
2.5V
1–
= 2.81µH
1.5MHz (240mA) 4.2V
A 2.2µH inductor works well for this application. For best
efficiency choose a 720mA or greater inductor with less
than 0.2Ω series resistance.
CIN will require an RMS current rating of at least 0.3A ≅
LOAD(MAX)/2 at temperature and COUT will require an
ESR of less than 0.25Ω. In most cases, a ceramic capacitor will satisfy this requirement.
COUT
CIN
GDR
1
VIN
2
GND
SW
8
VOUT
7
REF
3
6
MODE
4
5
RUN
VIN
2.7V
TO 5V
LTC3403
L1
CREF
CIN†
10µF
CER
DAC
1000pF
3403 F07
VIA TO VIN
LTC3403
4
VIN
SW
6
1
5
10k
VIA TO GND
2
7
MODE
GDR
RUN
VOUT
8
2.2µH*
VOUT
COUT**
4.7µF
CER
REF
GND
3
* MURATA LQH32CN2R2M11
** TAIYO YUDEN JMK212BJ475MG
†
TAIYO YUDEN JMK212BJ106MN
LTC3403 F08
Figure 7. Suggested Layout
Figure 8
3403f
14
LTC3403
U
PACKAGE DESCRIPTIO
DD Package
8-Lead Plastic DFN (3mm × 3mm)
(Reference LTC DWG # 05-08-1698)
R = 0.115
TYP
5
0.38 ± 0.10
8
0.58 ±0.05
3.35 ±0.05
1.65 ±0.05
2.25 ±0.05 (2 SIDES)
3.00 ±0.10
(4 SIDES)
PACKAGE
OUTLINE
1.65 ± 0.10
(2 SIDES)
PIN 1
TOP MARK
(DD8) DFN 0902
0.28 ± 0.05
0.200 REF
0.50
BSC
2.38 ±0.05
(2 SIDES)
RECOMMENDED SOLDER PAD PITCH AND DIMENSIONS
0.75 ±0.05
0.00 – 0.05
4
0.28 ± 0.05
1
0.50 BSC
2.38 ±0.10
(2 SIDES)
BOTTOM VIEW—EXPOSED PAD
NOTE:
1. DRAWING TO BE MADE A JEDEC PACKAGE OUTLINE M0-229 VARIATION OF (WEED-1)
2. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
3. DIMENSIONS OF EXPOSED PAD ON BOTTOM OF PACKAGE DO NOT INCLUDE
MOLD FLASH. MOLD FLASH, IF PRESENT, SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.15mm ON ANY SIDE
4. EXPOSED PAD SHALL BE SOLDER PLATED
3403f
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.
15
LTC3403
U
TYPICAL APPLICATIO
High Efficiency Step-Down Converter with External Bypass MOSFET
M1
VIN
2.7V
TO 5V
2
CIN†
10µF
CER
CONTROL DAC
6
5
7
VIN
SW
4
4.7µH*
LTC3403
MODE
RUN
1
GDR
8
VOUT
VOUT
3× REF
COUT** 600mA
4.7µF
CER
REF
GND
3403 TA01
3
* MURATA LQH3C2R4M74
** TAIYO YUDEN JMK212BJ475MG
†
TAIYO YUDEN JMK212BJ106MN
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DESCRIPTION
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