Data Sheet ADP5080
Rev. A | Page 25 of 64
Current-Limit Protection, Channel 4 and Channel 5
Channel 4 and Channel 5 have integrated cycle-by-cycle current-
limit protection. In this type of current-limit protection, inductor
current is sensed throughout the high-side on cycle. If the
inductor current rises above the current-limit threshold during
this time, the switching pulse is immediately terminated until
the next cycle. This behavior causes the duty cycle to decrease,
which in turn causes the output voltage to fall. The falling output
voltage then toggles the PWRGx, UVx, and FAULT error flags.
Because there is substantial parasitic noise at the rising edge of
the high-side switch, some blanking time is required to prevent
false current-limit triggering. This required blanking time
determines the minimum on time of the channel.
Unlike valley mode current-limit protection, peak mode current-
limit protection has no inherent frequency foldback. In extreme
conditions such as a short circuit or inductor saturation, peak
mode current limit is susceptible to runaway inductor current.
To prevent this, the ADP5080 provides frequency foldback on
Channel 4, Channel 5, and Channel 6. When the output voltage
falls below approximately 80% of its nominal value, the switch-
ing frequency is halved. The frequency is halved again if the output
voltage falls below approximately 40% of its nominal value. The
frequency foldback feature allows more time for inductor current
to decay, eliminating the possibility of current runaway.
Table 3 provides the peak current-limit threshold specifications.
The actual load current-limit threshold varies with inductor
value, frequency, and input and output voltage.
Discharge Switch, Channel 4 and Channel 5
Each channel incorporates a discharge switch. For Channel 4, the
discharge switch is located at the SW4 pin; for Channel 5, the
discharge switch is located at the FB5 pin. The discharge switch
can be turned on when the corresponding channel output is turned
off, removing the residual charge of the external capacitor via a
125 Ω resistor. The discharge switch can be enabled by setting the
appropriate DSCGx_ON bit in Register 1.
Channel 6: Buck or Buck Boost Regulator
Channel 6 is a current mode control, four-switch buck boost
regulator that can be configured as a buck only regulator. In a
system in which the input voltage never falls below the Channel 6
output, using the buck only configuration reduces the losses
caused by the switching FETs of the boost side. The buck only
configuration yields better power efficiency, as well as lower
output ripple and noise.
Buck Only Configuration
For the buck only configuration, set the BUCK6_ONLY bit (Bit 4
in Register 30) to 1. The default value of this bit is factory fuse
programmed. When Channel 6 is configured for buck only mode,
connect the inductor between the SW6A and VOUT6 pins, leaving
the SW6B pin open (see Figure 42). This configuration bypasses
the boost side switching FET.
Buck Boost Configuration
For the buck boost configuration, set the BUCK6_ONLY bit
(Bit 4 in Register 30) to 0. The default value of this bit is factory
fuse programmed. For the buck boost configuration, connect
the inductor between the SW6A and SW6B pins (see Figure 42).
Make sure that no capacitor is connected to the SW6B pin.
In buck boost operation, Channel 6 automatically switches
between the buck and boost modes as the input voltage varies.
In buck mode, the primary FETs (SW6A) switch with the
SW6B high-side FET operating at 100% duty cycle.
In boost mode, all four FETs are typically switching, although
the primary high-side FET is capable of a 100% duty cycle.
When the input voltage is close to the output voltage, Channel 6
operates in buck boost mode with all four power FETs switching.
This four-switch mode of operation ensures a smooth transition
and excellent regulation, regardless of input voltage conditions.
The BOOST6_VTH bits (Bits[1:0] in Register 30) set the input
voltage threshold for the boost FETs to start switching. A lower
threshold provides higher efficiency because the region where
all four switches are in operation is smaller. The lowest setting
for these bits (11) sets an input voltage threshold that is still high
enough to prevent dropout in most cases. However, under heavy
load current at the lowest threshold setting, the buck side may
reach a 100% duty cycle and some output droop may occur. The
second lowest setting for these bits (00) is recommended for heavy
load applications. The default value of these bits is factory fuse
programmed.
Selecting the Output Voltage, Channel 6
The output voltage of Channel 6 is selected from one of the
preset values available in the VID6 bits (see Table 45). The
default output voltage value is factory fuse programmed.
Channel 6 has an adjustable mode option that can be selected
using the VID6 bits. When the adjustable output voltage mode
is selected, the output voltage is set by an external feedback
resistor divider. Select resistor values such that the desired output
voltage is divided down to 0.8 V while the paralleled resistance seen
from the dividing node does not exceed 25 kΩ (see the Setting
the Output Voltage (Adjustable Mode Channels) section).
Because Channel 6 can operate in boost mode, there is no practical
output voltage limitation other than the maximum rating. When
using the adjustable output voltage in buck only mode, be aware
of the minimum on time restriction, which may limit the range
of available output voltages. The minimum on time limitation is
essentially the same as for Channel 4 and Channel 5 (see the
Selecting the Output Voltage, Channel 4 and Channel 5 section).