SiC401A, SiC401BCD
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S14-2048-Rev. D, 13-Oct-14 19 Document Number: 63835
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UVLO feature, the voltage at FBL needs to be higher than
750 mV to force the LDO off.
Timing is important when driving ENL with logic and not
implementing VIN UVLO. The ENL pin must transition from
high to low within 2 switching cycles to avoid the PWM
output turning off. If ENL goes below the VIN UVLO threshold
and stays above 1 V, then the switcher will turn off but the
LDO will remain on.
LDO Start-Up
Before start-up, the LDO checks the status of the following
signals to ensure proper operation can be maintained.
1. ENL pin
2. VLDO output
When the ENL pin is high and VIN is above the UVLO point,
the LDO will begin start-up. During the initial phase, when
the VDD voltage (which is the LDO output voltage) is less
than 0.75 V, the LDO initiates a current-limited start-up
(typically 65 mA) to charge the output capacitors while
protecting from a short circuit event. When VDD is greater
than 0.75 V but still less than 90 % of its final value (as
sensed at the FBL pin), the LDO current limit is increased to
~115 mA. When VDD has reached 90 % of the final value (as
sensed at the FBL pin), the LDO current limit is increased
to ~200 mA and the LDO output is quickly driven to
the nominal value by the internal LDO regulator. It is
recommended that during LDO start-up to hold the PWM
switching off until the LDO has reached 90 % of the final
value. This prevents overloading the current-limited LDO
output during the LDO start-up.
Due to the initial current limitations on the LDO during power
up (figure 11), any external load attached to the VDD pin must
be limited to less than the start up current before the LDO
has reached 90 % of its final regulation value.
Fig. 11 - LDO Start-Up
LDO Switch-Over Operation
The SiC401A/B includes a switch-over function for the LDO.
The switch-over function is designed to increase efficiency
by using the more efficient DC/DC converter to power the
LDO output, avoiding the less efficient LDO regulator when
possible. The switch-over function connects the VDD pin
directly to the VOUT pin using an internal switch. When the
switch-over is complete the LDO is turned off, which results
in a power savings and maximizes efficiency. If the LDO
output is used to bias the SiC401A/B, then after switch-over
the device is self-powered from the switching regulator with
the LDO turned off.
The switch-over starts 32 switching cycles after PGOOD
output goes high. The voltages at the VDD and VOUT pins are
then compared; if the two voltages are within ± 300 mV of
each other, the VDD pin connects to the VOUT pin using an
internal switch, and the LDO is turned off. To avoid
unwanted switch-over, the minimum difference between the
voltages for VOUT and VDD should be ± 500 mV.
It is not recommended to use the switch-over feature for an
output voltage less than VDD UVLO threshold since the
SiC401A/B is not operational below that threshold.
Switch-Over MOSFET Parasitic Diodes
The switch-over MOSFET contains parasitic diodes that are
inherent to its construction, as shown in figure 12. If the
voltage at the VOUT pin is higher than VDD, then the
respective diode will turn on and the current will flow
through this diode. This has the potential of damaging the
device. Therefore, VOUT must be less than VDD to prevent
damaging the device.
Fig. 12 - Switch-Over MOSFET Parasitic Diodes
Design Procedure
When designing a switch mode supply the input voltage
range, load current, switching frequency, and inductor ripple
current must be specified.
The maximum input voltage (VIN max.) is the highest specified
input voltage. The minimum input voltage (VIN min.) is
determined by the lowest input voltage after evaluating the
voltage drops due to connectors, fuses, switches, and PCB
traces.
The following parameters define the design:
• Nominal output voltage (VOUT)
• Static or DC output tolerance
• Transient response
• Maximum load current (IOUT)
There are two values of load current to evaluate - continuous
load current and peak load current. Continuous load current
relates to thermal stresses which drive the selection of
the inductor and input capacitors. Peak load current
determines instantaneous component stresses and filtering
requirements such as inductor saturation, output
capacitors, and design of the current limit circuit.
The following values are used in this design:
•V
IN = 12 V ± 10 %
•V
OUT = 1.5 V ± 4 %
•f
SW = 300 kHz
• Load = 15 A max.
V
OUT
LDO
Parastic diode
Switchover
MOSFET
Switchover
control
V
DD