AAT3174
DATA SHEET
High Current, High Efficiency Charge Pump
11
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. • Phone [781] 376-3000 • Fax [781] 376-3100 • sales@skyworksinc.com • www.skyworksinc.com
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Device Power Efficiency
The AAT3174 power conversion efficiency depends on
the charge pump mode. By definition, device efficiency
is expressed as the output power delivered to the LED
divided by the total input power consumed.
η = POU
PIN
When the input voltage is sufficiently greater than the
LED forward voltage, the device optimizes efficiency by
operating in 1X mode. In 1X mode, the device is working
as a bypass switch and passing the input supply directly
to the output. The power conversion efficiency can be
approximated by,
= ≈
VF · ILED
VIN · IIN
VF
VIN
Due to the very low 1X mode quiescent current, the
input current nearly equals the current delivered to the
LED. Further, the low-impedance bypass switch intro-
duces negligible voltage drop from input to output.
The AAT3174 further maintains optimized performance
and efficiency by detecting when the input voltage is not
sufficient to sustain LED current. The device automati-
cally switches to 1.5X mode when the input voltage
drops too low in relation to the LED forward voltage.
In 1.5X mode, the output voltage can be boosted to 3/2
the input voltage. The 3/2 conversion ratio introduces a
corresponding 1/2 increase in input current. For ideal
conversion, the 1.5X mode efficiency is given by:
= =
VF · ILED
VIN · 1.5IIN
VF
1.5 · VIN
Similarly, when the input falls further, such that 1.5X
mode can no longer sustain LED current, the device will
automatically switch to 2X mode. In 2X mode, the out-
put voltage can be boosted to twice the input voltage.
The doubling conversion ratio introduces a correspond-
ing doubling of the input current. For ideal conversion,
the 2X mode efficiency is given by:
= =
VF · ILED
VIN · 2IIN
VF
2 · VIN
LED Selection
The AAT3174 is designed to drive high-intensity white
LEDs. It is particularly suitable for LEDs with an operat-
ing forward voltage in the range of 4.2V to 1.5V.
The charge pump device can also drive other loads that
have similar characteristics to white LEDs. For various
load types, the AAT3174 provides a high-current, pro-
grammable ideal constant current source.
Capacitor Selection
Careful selection of the four external capacitors CIN, C1,
C2, and COUT is important because they will affect turn-on
time, output ripple, and transient performance. Optimum
performance will be obtained when low equivalent series
resistance (ESR) ceramic capacitors are used. In gen-
eral, low ESR may be defined as less than 100m. A
value of 1μF for the flying capacitors is a good starting
point when choosing capacitors. If the LED current sinks
are only programmed for light current levels, then the
capacitor size may be decreased.
Ceramic composition capacitors are highly recommended
over all other types of capacitors for use with the
AAT3174. Ceramic capacitors offer many advantages
over their tantalum and aluminum electrolytic counter-
parts. A ceramic capacitor typically has very low ESR, is
lowest cost, has a smaller PCB footprint, and is non-
polarized. Low ESR ceramic capacitors help maximize
charge pump transient response. Since ceramic capaci-
tors are non-polarized, they are not prone to incorrect
connection damage.
Equivalent Series Resistance
ESR is an important characteristic to consider when
selecting a capacitor. ESR is a resistance internal to a
capacitor that is caused by the leads, internal connec-
tions, size or area, material composition, and ambient
temperature. Capacitor ESR is typically measured in
milliohms for ceramic capacitors and can range to more
than several ohms for tantalum or aluminum electrolytic
capacitors.
Ceramic Capacitor Materials
Ceramic capacitors less than 0.1μF are typically made
from NPO or C0G materials. NPO and C0G materials
generally have tight tolerance and are very stable over
temperature. Larger capacitor values are usually com-
posed of X7R, X5R, Z5U, or Y5V dielectric materials.