Document Number: 63808
S12-1132-Rev. B, 21-May-12
www.vishay.com
5
Vishay Siliconix
SiC778A
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THE PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND THIS DOCUMENT ARE SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC DISCLAIMERS, SET FORTH AT www.vishay.com/doc?91000
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DETAILED OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
PWM Input with Tri-state Function
The PWM input receives the PWM control signal from the
VR controller IC. The PWM input is designed to be
compatible with standard controllers using two state logic
(H and L) and advanced controllers that incorporate tri-state
logic (H, L, and tri-state) on the PWM output. For two state
logic, the PWM input operates as follows. When PWM is
driven above Vth_pwm_r the low side is turned OFF and the
high side is turned ON. When PWM input is driven below
Vth_pwm_f the high side turns off and the low side turns on.
For tri-state logic, the PWM input operates as above for
driving the MOSFETs. However, there is an third state
that is entered into as the PWM output of tri-state
compatible controller enters its high impedance state during
shut-down. The high impedance state of the controller's
PWM output allows the SiC778A to pull the PWM input
into the tri-state region (see the tri-state Voltage
Threshold diagram below). If the PWM input stays in this
region for the tri-state hold-off period, tTSHO, both high side
and low side MOSFETs are turned off. This function allows
the VR phase to be disabled without negative output voltage
swing caused by inductor ringing and saves a schottky diode
clamp. The PWM and tri-state regions are separated
by hysteresis to prevent false triggering. The SiC778ACD
incorporates PWM voltage thresholds that are compatible
with 3.3 V logic.
Disable (DSBL#)
In the low state, the DSBL# pin shuts down the driver IC
and disables both high-side and low-side MOSFET. In this
state, the standby current is minimized. If DSBL# is
left unconnected an internal pull-down resistor will pull the
pin down to CGND and shut down the IC.
Diode Emulation Mode (SMOD) Skip
When SMOD pin is low the diode emulation mode is enabled
and GL is turned off. This is a non-synchronous conversion
mode that improves light load efficiency by
reducing switching losses. Conducted losses that occur in
synchronous buck regulators when inductor current
is negative can also be reduced. Circuitry in the external
controller IC detects when inductor current crosses zero and
drive SMOD Lo turning the low side MOSFET off. See SMOD
operation diagram for additional details. This function can be
also be used for a pre-biased output voltage. If SMOD is left
unconnected, an internal pull up resistor will pull the pin up to
VCIN (logic high) to disable the SMOD function.
Thermal Shutdown Warning (THDN)
The THDN pin is an open drain signal that flags the
presence of excessive junction temperature. Connect a
maximum of 20 k to pull this pin up to VCIN. An internal
temperature sensor detects the junction temperature.
The temperature threshold is 160 °C. When this
junction temperature is exceeded the THDN flag is set.
When the junction temperature drops below 135 °C the
device will clear the THDN signal. The SiC778 does not stop
operation when the flag is set. The decision to shutdown
must be made by an external thermal control function.
Voltage Input (VIN)
This is the power input to the drain of the high-side
power MOSFET. This pin is connected to the high
power intermediate BUS rail.
Switch Node (VSWH and PHASE)
The Switch node VSWH is the circuit PWM regulated output.
This is the output applied to the filter circuit to deliver
the regulated high output for the buck converter. The PHASE
pin is internally connected to the switch node VSWH. This pin
is to be used exclusively as the return pin for the BOOT
capacitor. A 20.2 k resistor is connected between GH and
PHASE to provide a discharge path for the HS MOSFET in
the event that VCIN goes to zero while VIN is still applied.
Ground Connections (CGND and PGND)
PGND (power ground) should be externally connected
to CGND (control signal ground). The layout of the
printed circuit board should be such that the inductance
separating the CGND and PGND should be a minimum.
Transient differences due to inductance effects between
these two pins should not exceed 0.5 V.
Control and Drive Supply Voltage Input (VDRV, VCIN)
VCIN is the bias supply for the gate drive control IC. VDRV is
the bias supply for the gate drivers. It is recommended to
separate these pins through a resistor. This creates a low
pass filtering effect to avoid coupling of high frequency gate
drive noise into the IC.
Bootstrap Circuit (BOOT)
The internal bootstrap switch and an external bootstrap
capacitor form a charge pump that supplies voltage to the
BOOT pin. An integrated bootstrap diode is incorporated so
that only an external capacitor is necessary to complete the
bootstrap circuit. Connect a boot strap capacitor with one leg
tied to BOOT pin and the other tied to PHASE pin.
shoot-through protection and adaptive dead time
Shoot-Through Protection and Adaptive Dead Time
(AST)
The SiC778A has an internal adaptive logic to avoid shoot
through and optimize dead time. The shoot
through protection ensures that both high-side and low-side
MOSFET are not turned on the same time. The adaptive
dead time control operates as follows. The HS and LS gate
voltages are monitored to prevent the one turning on until the
other’s gate voltage is sufficiently low (1 V), that and built in
delays ensure the one power MOS is completely off, before
the other can be turned on. This feature helps to adjust dead
time as gate transitions change with respect to output current
and temperature.