RT8241 High Efficiency Single Synchronous Buck PWM Controller General Description Features The RT8241 PWM controller provides high efficiency, excellent transient response, and high DC output accuracy needed for stepping down high voltage batteries to generate low voltage CPU core, I/O, and chipset RAM supplies in notebook computers. z Meet Intel VCCSA Voltage Slew Rate z Built-in 1% Reference Voltage 2-Bit Programmable Output Voltage with Integrated Transition Support Quick Load-Step Response within 100ns 4700ppm/C Programmable Current Limit by Low Side RDS(ON) Sensing 4.5V to 26V Battery Input Range Internal Ramp Current Limit Soft-Start Control Drives Large Synchronous Rectifier FETs Integrated Boost Switch Over/Under Voltage Protection Thermal Shutdown Power Good Indicator RoHS Compliant and Halogen Free The RT8241 supports on chip voltage programming function between 0.675V and 0.9V by controlling GX digital inputs. z z z z The constant-on-time PWM control scheme handles wide input/output voltage ratios with ease and provides 100ns "instant-on" response to load transients while maintaining a relatively constant switching frequency. The RT8241 achieves high efficiency at a reduced cost by eliminating the current-sense resistor found in traditional current-mode PWMs. Efficiency is further enhanced by its ability to drive very large synchronous rectifier MOSFETs and enter diode emulation mode at light load condition. The buck conversion allows this device to directly step down high voltage batteries at the highest possible efficiency. The RT8241 is intended for CPU core, chipset, DRAM, or other low voltage supplies as low as 0.675V. The RT8241 is available in a WQFN-12L 2x2 package. z z z z z z z Applications z z z z Notebook Computers CPU/GPU Core Supply Chipset/RAM Supply Generic DC/DC Power Regulator Pin Configurations 2 10 GND 13 3 4 5 6 EN Switching Frequency Operation A : 300kHz B : 400kHz C : 500kHz 1 11 VCC Lead Plating System G : Green (Halogen Free and Pb Free) Z : ECO (Ecological Element with Halogen Free and Pb free) LGATE PHASE UGATE 12 BOOT Package Type QW : WQFN-12L 2x2 (W-Type) FB RT8241 CS Ordering Information GND (TOP VIEW) 9 PGOOD 8 G1 G0 7 WQFN-12L 2x2 Note : Richtek products are : RoHS compliant and compatible with the current requirements of IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020. Suitable for use in SnPb or Pb-free soldering processes. DS8241-02 April 2011 www.richtek.com 1 RT8241 Marking Information RT8241BGQW RT8241AGQW 30 : Product Code 30W W : Date Code 41W RT8241AZQW 30 : Product Code 30W RT8241CGQW 41 : Product Code 40 : Product Code W : Date Code RT8241BZQW 41 : Product Code W : Date Code 41W W : Date Code 40W RT8241CZQW 40 : Product Code W : Date Code W : Date Code 40W Typical Application Circuit For Fixed Voltage Regulator : VCC RT8241 5 VCC BOOT 4 R1 CBYPASS UGATE 3 R2 R3 C1 CIN R4 Q1 9 PGOOD Chip Enable VOUT COUT R5* LGATE 1 11 CS 12, 13 (Exposed Pad) LOUT PHASE 2 6 EN RCS VIN Q2 G0 7 G1 8 GND C2* FB 10 * : Optional For Adjustable Voltage Regulator : VCC RT8241 5 VCC BOOT 4 R1 CBYPASS UGATE 3 R2 R3 C1 R4 CIN Q1 9 PGOOD Chip Enable 6 EN RCS 11 CS 12, 13 (Exposed Pad) GND VIN LOUT PHASE 2 R5* LGATE 1 G0 7 G1 8 Q2 RFB1 C3* VOUT COUT C2* RFB2 FB 10 * : Optional Table 1. VID Table G0 0 0 1 1 www.richtek.com 2 G1 0 1 0 1 VFB 0.9V 0.8V 0.725V 0.675V DS8241-02 April 2011 RT8241 Functional Pin Description Pin No. Pin Name Pin Function 1 LGATE Gate Drive Output for Low Side External MOSFET. 2 PHASE External Inductor Connection Pin for PWM Converter. It behaves as the current sense comparator input for low side MOSFET RDS(ON) sensing and reference voltage for on time generation. 3 UGATE 4 BOOT 5 VCC 6 EN Chip Enable (Active High). 7 G0 2-Bit Input Pin. 8 G1 2- Bit Input Pin. 9 PGOOD Open Drain Power Good Indicator. High impedance indicates power is good. 10 FB Output Voltage Feedback Input. 11 CS Gate Drive Output for the High Side External MOSFET. Supply Input for High Side Driver. Connect a capacitor to the floating node (PHASE) pin. Control Voltage Input. Provides the power for the buck controller, the low side driver and the bootstrap circuit for high side driver. Bypass to GND with a 4.7F ceramic capacitor. Current Limit Threshold Setting Input. Connect a setting resistor to GND and the current limit threshold is equal to 1/8 of the voltage seen at this pin. Ground. The exposed pad must be soldered to a large PCB and connected to GND for maximum power dissipation. 12, 13 (Exposed Pad) GND Function Block Diagram PHASE FB SS (Internal) TRIG On-time compute One shot TON R - COMP GM + S Q + VREF - 1.1V - 0.45V DRV VCC Voltage Programmer ZCD + - G1 EN DS8241-02 April 2011 + 85% VREF Thermal Shutdown SS LGATE LG RDS(ON) Diode Emuation GND PGOOD leakage - G0 UGATE PHASE DRV UV Latch S1 Q + BST switch resistance Min toff Q TRIG One shot OV Latch S1 Q + BOOT UG RDS(ON) 10A + - 1/8 CS OC threshold www.richtek.com 3 RT8241 Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1) VCC, FB, PGOOD, EN, CS, G0, G1 to GND ----------------------------------------------------------------------PHASE to GND DC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<20ns -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z BOOT to PHASE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z UGATE to PHASE DC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<20ns -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z LGATE to GND DC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<20ns -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z Power Dissipation, PD @ TA = 25C WQFN-12L 2x2 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z Package Thermal Resistance (Note 2) WQFN-12L 2x2, JA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z Junction Temperature ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 sec.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------z Storage Temperature Range -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z ESD Susceptibility (Note 3) HBM (Human Body Mode) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MM (Machine Mode) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------z -0.3V to 6V z Recommended Operating Conditions z z z z -0.3V to 32V -8V to 38V -0.3V to 6V -0.3V to 6V -5V to 7.5V -0.3V to 6V -2.5V to 7.5V 0.606W 165C/W 150C 260C -65C to 150C 2kV 200V (Note 4) Supply Input Voltage, VIN -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Control Voltage, VCC -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Junction Temperature Range -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ambient Temperature Range -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.5V to 26V 4.5V to 5.5V -40C to 125C -40C to 85C Electrical Characteristics (VCC = 5V, VIN = 8V, VEN = 5V, TA = 25C, unless otherwise specified) Parameter Symbol Test Conditions Min Typ Max Unit -- 500 1250 A PWM Controller VCC Quiescent Supply Current IQ VCC Shutdown Current ISHDN CS Shutdown Current FB Error Comparator Threshold VFB VOUT Voltage Range VOUT On-Time, Pulse Width RT8241A RT8241B RT8241C Minimum Off-Time t OFF tON FB forced above the regulation point, VEN = 5V VCC current, VEN = 0V -- -- 1 A CS pull to GND -- -- 1 A TA = 25C -1 0 1 -1.5 0 1.5 0.675 ---- -400 300 240 3.3 ---- 250 400 550 TA = -40C to 85C (Note 5) VFB = 0.9V (fSW = 300kHz) VFB = 0.9V (fSW = 400kHz) VFB = 0.9V (fSW = 500kHz) % V ns ns To be continued www.richtek.com 4 DS8241-02 April 2011 RT8241 Parameter Symbol Test Conditions Min Typ Max Unit 9 10 11 A -- 4700 -- ppm/C PHASE - GND -10 -- 5 mV GND - PHASE = VCS/8 -20 0 20 mV Current Sensing CS Source Current CS Source Current Temperature Coefficient Zero Crossing Threshold Protection Function Current Limit Threshold Offset Negative Current Limit Threshold Offset Under Voltage Protection PHASE - GND = VCS/8 -- 3 -- mV UVP Detect, Falling Edge 0.41 0.45 0.49 V UVP Fault Delay VFB = 0.375V -- 3.5 -- s Over Voltage Protection OVP Detect, Rising Edge 1.065 1.1 1.133 V OVP Fault Delay VCC Under Voltage Lockout VUVLO (UVLO) Threshold VCC UVLO Hysteresis VUVLO VFB = 1.183V Falling edge, PWM disabled below this level -- 5 -- s 3.5 3.7 3.9 V -- 100 -- mV VOUT Soft-Start From EN = High to VOUT = 95% -- 0.8 -- ms 1.75 -- 10 mV/s -- 3 - ms Dynamic VID Slew Rate SGX UVP Blank Time G0/G1 Transition From EN signal going high Thermal Shutdown Thermal Shutdown Hysteresis Driver On-Resistance TSD -- 150 -- TSD -- 10 -- UGATE Driver Source RUGATEsr -- 1.8 3.6 UGATE Driver Sink RUGATEsk BOOT-PHASE forced to 5V, UGATE High State BOOT-PHASE forced to 5V, UGATE Low State -- 1.2 2.4 LGATE Driver Source RLGATEsr LGATE, High State -- 1.8 3.6 LGATE Driver Sink RLGATEsk LGATE, Low State -- 0.8 1.34 LGATE Rising (VPHASE = 1.5V) -- 30 -- UGATE Rising -- 30 -- VCC to BOOT, 10mA -- -- 80 1.8 -- -- -- -- 0.5 750 -- -- -- -- 300 Dead Time Internal Boost Charging Switch On-Resistance C ns EN Threshold EN Threshold Voltage Logic-High VIH Logic-Low VIL Voltage Programming (G0, G1) G0, G1 Input Logic-High Threshold Logic-Low Voltage V mV To be continued DS8241-02 April 2011 www.richtek.com 5 RT8241 Parameter Symbol Test Conditions PGOOD (upper side threshold determined by OVP threshold) Falling edge, measured at FB, Trip Threshold with respect to reference, no load. Trip Hysteresis Falling edge, FB forced below Fault Propagation Delay PGOOD trip threshold Output Low Voltage ISINK = 1mA Leakage Current High State, forced to 5V Min Typ Max Unit -19 -15 -11 % -- 3 -- % -- 2.5 -- s -- -- 0.4 V -- -- 1 A Note 1. Stresses listed as the above "Absolute Maximum Ratings" may cause permanent damage to the device. These are for stress ratings. Functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may remain possibility to affect device reliability. Note 2. JA is measured in natural convection at TA = 25C on a low effective thermal conductivity test board of JEDEC 51-3 thermal measurement standard. Note 3. Devices are ESD sensitive. Handling precaution is recommended. Note 4. The device is not guaranteed to function outside its operating conditions. Note 5. Guaranteed by Design. www.richtek.com 6 DS8241-02 April 2011 RT8241 Typical Operating Characteristics Switching Frequency vs. Output Current Efficiency vs. Output Current 100 Switching Frequency (kHz)1 VIN = 8V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V 95 Efficiency (%) 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 Switching Frequency (kHz)1 VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V 95 Efficiency (%) 90 85 80 75 70 65 0.1 1 10 Efficiency vs. Output Current VIN = 20V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V Switching Frequency (kHz)1 95 Efficiency (%) 90 85 80 75 70 65 0.1 Output Current (A) DS8241-02 April 2011 10 Switching Frequency vs. Output Current 100 0.01 350 325 VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 25 0 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 Output Current (A) Output Current (A) 60 0.001 10 Switching Frequency vs. Output Current Efficiency vs. Output Current 100 0.01 1 Output Current (A) Output Current (A) 60 0.001 350 325 VIN = 8V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 25 0 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 350 325 VIN = 20V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 25 0 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 Output Current (A) www.richtek.com 7 RT8241 Quiescent Current vs. Input Voltage Shutdown Current vs. Input Voltage 1.0 0.9 Shutdown Current (A)1 Quiescent Current (A) 1 730 720 710 700 690 680 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 No Load, VEN = 5V 670 No Load, EN = GND 0.0 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V) Power On from EN Power Off from VIN 23 25 VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V, ILOAD = 0.1A VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V, ILOAD = 0.1A VOUT (1V/Div) VOUT (1V/Div) PGOOD (10V/Div) PGOOD (10V/Div) EN (5V/Div) EN (5V/Div) PHASE (10V/Div) PHASE (10V/Div) Time (400s/Div) Time (1ms/Div) Dynamic VID Up Dynamic VID Down 0.9V 0.9V VOUT (50mV/Div) 21 No Load, VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V to 0.8V VOUT (50mV/Div) 0.8V G1 (5V/Div) UGATE (20V/Div) LGATE (10V/Div) 0.8V No Load, VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.8V to 0.9V Time (20s/Div) www.richtek.com 8 G1 (5V/Div) UGATE (20V/Div) LGATE (10V/Div) Time (20s/Div) DS8241-02 April 2011 RT8241 Over Voltage Protection Under Voltage Protection VOUT (1V/Div) VOUT (500mV/Div) PGOOD (5V/Div) PGOOD (5V/Div) UGATE (20V/Div) LGATE (5V/Div) LGATE (5V/Div) No Load, VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V Time (100s/Div) No Load, VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V Time (100s/Div) Load Transient Response VIN = 12V, VCC = VEN = 5V, VOUT = 0.9V, ILOAD = 0A to 6A VOUT_ac (20mV/Div) I LOAD (5A/Div) UGATE (20V/Div) LGATE (10V/Div) Time (100s/Div) DS8241-02 April 2011 www.richtek.com 9 RT8241 Application Information The RT8241 is of a constant on-time PWM controller which provides four DC feedback voltages by controlling the G0 and G1 digital input. The constant on-time PWM control scheme handles wide input/output ratios with ease and provides 100ns "instant-on" response to load steps while maintaining a relatively constant operating frequency and inductor operating point over a wide range of input voltages. The topology circumvents the poor load transient timing problems of fixed-frequency current mode PWMs, while avoiding the problems caused by widely varying switching frequencies in conventional constant on-time and constant off-time PWM schemes. The DRV TM mode PWM modulator is specifically designed to have better noise immunity for such a single output application. PWM Operation The Mach ResponseTM, DRVTM mode controller relies on the output filter capacitor's Effective Series Resistance (ESR) to act as a current sense resistor, so the output ripple voltage provides the PWM ramp signal. Referring to the function diagrams of the RT8241, the synchronous high side MOSFET is turned on at the beginning of each cycle. After the internal one-shot timer expires, the high side MOSFET is turned off. The pulse width of this one shot is determined by the converter's input and output voltages to keep the frequency fairly constant over the input voltage range. Another one-shot sets a minimum off-time (400ns typ.). Diode-Emulation Mode RT8241 automatically reduces switching frequency at lightload conditions to maintain high efficiency. This reduction of frequency is achieved smoothly and without increasing VOUT ripple or load regulation. As the output current decreases from heavy load condition, the inductor current is also reduced, and eventually comes to the point that its valley touches zero current, which is the boundary between continuous conduction and discontinuous conduction modes. By emulating the behavior of diodes, the low side MOSFET allows only partial negative current when the inductor freewheeling current becomes negative. As the load current is further decreased, it takes longer and longer to discharge the output capacitor to the level that is required for the next "ON" cycle. The on-time is kept the same as that in the heavy-load condition. In reverse, when the output current increases from light load to heavy load, the switching frequency increases to the preset value as the inductor current reaches the continuous condition. The transition load point to the light-load operation can be calculated as follows (Figure 1) : (V - VOUT ) ILOAD IN x tON 2L where tON is the on-time. IL Slope = (VIN-VOUT) / L IL_Peak ILOAD = IL_Peak/2 On-Time Control (TON) The on-time one-shot comparator has two inputs. One input monitors the output voltage, while the other input samples the input voltage and converts it to a current. This input voltage proportional current is used to charge an internal on-time capacitor. The on-time is the time required for the voltage on this capacitor to charge from zero volts to VOUT, thereby making the on-time of the high side switch directly proportional to the output voltage and inversely proportional to the input voltage. The implementation results in a nearly constant switching frequency without the need of a clock generator. www.richtek.com 10 0 t tON Figure 1. Boundary Condition of CCM/DCM The switching waveforms may appear noisy and asynchronous when light loading causes diode-emulation operation, but this is a normal operating condition that results in high light-load efficiency. Trade-offs in DEM noise vs. light-load efficiency is made by varying the inductor value. Generally, low inductor values produce a broader efficiency vs. load curve, while higher values result in higher full-load efficiency (assuming that the coil resistance remains fixed) and less output voltage ripple. The disadvantages for using higher inductor values include DS8241-02 April 2011 RT8241 larger physical size and degraded load-transient response (especially at low input voltage levels). large negative current from damaging the component. Refer to the Negative Over Current Limit section for a full description. Output Voltage Setting (FB) As Figure 2 shows, the output voltage can be adjusted from 0.675V to 3.3V by setting the feedback resistors RFB1 and RFB2. Choose RFB2 to be approximately 20k, Gx GND Initial VREF VREF Final VREF and solve for RFB1 using the equation : VOUT = VFB x (1+ VFB RFB1 ) R FB2 UGATE where VFB is as shown in Table 2. Table 2. Feedback Voltage Selection G0 State G1 State Feedback Voltage 0 0 VFB = 0.9V 0 1 VFB = 0.8V 1 0 VFB = 0.725V 1 1 VFB = 0.675V VIN CIN Q1 UGATE BOOT VOUT PHASE Q2 LGATE G0 G0 G1 G1 RFB1 COUT RFB2 FB Figure 2. Setting VOUT with a Resistor-Divider LGATE Initial VOUT VOUT Final VOUT Figure 3. Output Voltage Down Transition For an upward transition (from lower to higher VOUT) as shown in Figure 4, Gx changes from low to high and causes VFB to rise to a new internal VREF. This quickly trips the VFB comparator regardless of whether DEM is active or not, generating an UGATE on-time and causing a subsequent LGATE to be turned on. At the end of the minimum off-time (400ns), if VFB is still below the new internal VREF, another UGATE on-time will be started. This sequence continues until the FB pin exceeds the new internal VREF. Gx GND Final VREF Output Voltage Transition Operation The digital input control pin Gx allows VOUT to transition to both higher and lower values. For a downward transition, the rapid change of Gx from high to low will suddenly cause VFB to drop to a new internal VREF. At this time the LGATE will drive high to turn on the low side MOSFET and draw current from the output capacitor via the inductor. LGATE will remain on until VFB falls to the new internal VREF, at which point a normal UGATE switching cycle begins, as shown in Figure 3. For a down transition, the low side MOSFET remains on until VFB reaches the new internal VREF. Thus, the negative inductor current will be increased. If the negative current become large enough to trigger NOCP, the low side MOSFET will be turned off to prevent DS8241-02 April 2011 VREF Initial VREF VFB UGATE LGATE Final VOUT VOUT Initial VOUT Figure 4. Output Voltage Up Transition www.richtek.com 11 RT8241 If the VOUT change is significant, there can be several consecutive cycle of UGATE on-time followed by minimum LGATE time. This can cause a rapid increase in inductor current: typically it only takes a few switching cycles for inductor current to rise up to the current limit. At some point the VFB will rise up to the new internal VREF and the UGATE pulses will cease, but the inductor's LI2 energy must then flow into the output capacitor. This can create a significant overshoot, as shown in Figure 5. Gx GND Final VREF VREF Initial VREF VFB UGATE voltage, VCS, as in the following equation. VCS (mV) = RCS (k ) x 10( A) The Inductor current can be monitored by the voltage between GND and the PHASE pin. Hence, the PHASE pin should be connected to the drain terminal of the low side MOSFET. I CS has temperature coefficient to compensate the temperature dependency of the RDS(ON). GND is used as the positive current sensing node, so GND should be connected to the source terminal of the bottom MOSFET. While the comparison is being done during the OFF state, VCS sets the valley level of the inductor current. Thus, the load current at over-current threshold, ILOAD_OC, can be calculated as follows : Iripple VCS ILOAD_OC = + 8 x RDS(ON) 2 = LGATE Final VOUT VOUT Initial VOUT Figure 5. Output Voltage Up Transition with Overshooting VCS (V - VOUT ) x VOUT 1 + x IN 8 x RDS(ON) 2 x L x fSW VIN In an over-current condition, the current to the load exceeds the current to the output capacitor, thus causing the output voltage to fall. Eventually the voltage crosses the under voltage protection threshold and the device shuts down. IL IL_Peak This overshoot can be approximated by the following equation, where ICL is the current limit, VFINAL is the desired set point for the final voltage, L is in H and COUT is in F. VMAX I 2 xL = ( CL ) + VFINAL 2 COUT ILOAD ILIM 0 t Figure 6. " Vally" Current Limit Current Limit Setting (OCP) Negative Over Current Limit (PWM Only Mode) The RT8241 has a cycle-by-cycle current limiting control. The current limit circuit employs a unique "valley" current sensing algorithm. If the magnitude of the current sense signal at the CS pin is above the current limit threshold, the PWM is not allowed to initiate a new cycle (Figure. 6). In order to provide both good accuracy and a cost effective solution, the RT8241 supports temperature compensated MOSFET RDS(ON) sensing. The CS pin The RT8241 supports cycle-by-cycle negative over current limiting in CCM Mode only. The over current limit is set to be negative but is the same absolute value as the positive over current limit. If output voltage continues to rise, the low side MOSEFT remains on. Thus, the inductor current is reduced and reverses direction after it reaches zero. When there is too much negative current in the inductor, the low side MOSFET is turned off and the current flows towards VIN through the body diode of the high side MOSFET. Because this protection limits the discharge current of the output capacitor, the output voltage tends should be connected to GND through the trip voltage setting resistor, RCS. The 10A CS terminal source current , ICS, and the trip voltage setting resistor, RCS, set the CS trip www.richtek.com 12 DS8241-02 April 2011 RT8241 to rise, eventually hitting the over voltage protection threshold and shutting down the device. If the device hits the negative over current threshold again before output voltage is discharged to the target level, the low side MOSFET is turned off and the process repeats. It ensures maximum allowable discharge capability when output voltage continues to rise. On the other hand, if the output is discharged to the target level before negative current threshold is reached, the low side MOSFET is turned off, the high side MOSFET is then turned on, and the device resumes normal operation. The high side driver is designed to drive high current, low RDS(ON) N-MOSFET(s). When configured as a floating driver, 5V bias voltage is delivered from the VCC supply. The average drive current is proportional to the gate charge at VGS = 5V times switching frequency. The instantaneous drive current is supplied by the flying capacitor between the BOOT and PHASE pins. A dead time to prevent shoot through is internally generated between high side MOSFET off to low side MOSFET on, and low side MOSFET off to high side MOSFET on. The low side driver is designed to drive high current, low R DS(ON) NMOSFET(s). The internal pull-down transistor that drives LGATE low is robust, with a 0.8 typical on resistance. A 5V bias voltage is delivered from the VCC supply. The instantaneous drive current is supplied by the flying capacitor between VCC and GND. For high current applications, some combinations of high and low side MOSFETs might be encountered that will cause excessive gate drain coupling, which can lead to efficiency killing, EMI-producing shoot through currents. This is often remedied by adding a resistor in series with BOOT, which increases the turn-on time of the high side MOSFET without degrading the turn-off time, as shown in Figure 7. VIN CIN BOOT Q1 R PHASE Figure 7. Reducing the UGATE Rise Time DS8241-02 April 2011 The power good output is an open-drain output and requires a pull-up resistor. When the feedback voltage is above 1.1V or below 0.45V, PGOOD will be pulled low. PGOOD is allowed to be high until soft-start ends and the output reaches 89% of its set voltage. There is a 2.5s delay built into PGOOD circuitry to prevent false transition. When Gx changes, PGOOD remains in its present state for 32 clock cycles. Meanwhile, VOUT or VFB regulates to the new level. POR, UVLO and Soft-Start MOSFET Gate Driver (UGATE, LGATE) UGATE Power Good Output (PGOOD) Power On Reset (POR) occurs when VCC rises above 3.7V (typ.). After POR is triggered, the RT8241 will reset the fault latch and prepare the PWM for operation. Below 3.6V (typ.), the VCC Under Voltage Lockout (UVLO) circuitry inhibits switching by keeping UGATE and LGATE low. A built-in soft-start is used to prevent surge current from the power supply input after EN is enabled. It clamps the ramping of the internal reference voltage which is compared with the FB signal. The typical soft-start duration is 0.8ms. Over Voltage Protection (OVP) The output voltage can be continuously monitored for over voltage protection. When VFB exceeds 1.1V, over voltage protection is triggered and the low side MOSFET is latched on. This activates the low side MOSFET to discharge the output capacitor. The RT8241 is latched once OVP is triggered and can only be released by VCC or EN power on reset. There is a 5s delay built into the over voltage protection circuit to prevent false transitions. Under Voltage Protection (UVP) The output voltage can be continuously monitored for under voltage protection. When VFB is less than 0.45V, under voltage protection is triggered and then both UGATE and LGATE gate drivers are forced low. In order to remove the residual charge on the output capacitor during the under voltage period, if PHASE is greater than 1V, the LGATE is forced high until PHASE is lower than 1V. There is a 3.5s delay built into the under voltage protection circuit to prevent false transitions. During soft-start, the UVP blanking time is 3ms. www.richtek.com 13 RT8241 Output Inductor Selection The switching frequency (on-time) and operating point (% ripple or LIR) determine the inductor value as follows : T x (VIN - VOUT ) L = ON LIR x ILOAD(MAX) where LIR is the ratio of peak-to-peak ripple current to the maximum average inductor current. Select a low pass inductor having the lowest possible DC resistance that fits in the allowed dimensions. Ferrite cores are often the best choice, although powdered iron is inexpensive and can work well at 200kHz. The core must be large enough not to saturate at the peak inductor current (IPEAK) : IPEAK = ILOAD(MAX) + LIR x ILOAD(MAX) 2 Output Capacitor Selection The output filter capacitor must have ESR low enough to meet output ripple and load transient requirement, yet have high enough ESR to satisfy stability requirements. Also, the capacitance must be high enough to absorb the inductor energy going from a full load to no load condition without tripping the OVP circuit. For CPU core voltage converters and other applications where the output is subject to violent load transient, the output capacitor's size depends on how much ESR is needed to prevent the output from dipping too low under a load transient. Ignoring the sag due to finite capacitance : VP-P ESR ILOAD(MAX) In non-CPU applications, the output capacitor's size depends on how much ESR is needed to maintain at an acceptable level of output voltage ripple : Do not put high value ceramic capacitors directly across the outputs without taking precautions to ensure stability. Large ceramic capacitors can have a high ESR zero frequency and cause erratic and unstable operation. However, it is easy to add sufficient series resistance by placing the capacitors a couple of inches downstream from the inductor and connecting FB divider close to the inductor. There are two related but distinct ways including double pulsing and feedback loop instability to identify the unstable operation. Double pulsing occurs due to noise on the output or because the ESR is too low such that there is not enough voltage ramp in the output voltage signal. This "fools" the error comparator into triggering a new cycle immediately after the 400ns minimum off-time period has expired. Double-pulsing is more annoying than harmful, resulting in nothing worse than increased output ripple. However, it may indicate the possible presence of loop instability, which is caused by insufficient ESR. Loop instability can result in oscillation at the output after line or load perturbations that can trip the over voltage protection latch or cause the output voltage to fall below the tolerance limit. The easiest method for stability checking is to apply a very zero-to-max load transient and carefully observe the output voltage ripple envelope for overshoot and ringing. It helps to simultaneously monitor the inductor current with an AC probe. Do not allow more than one ringing cycle after the initial step-response underor overshoot. Thermal Considerations Organic semiconductor capacitor(s) or special polymer capacitor(s) are recommended. For continuous operation, do not exceed absolute maximum junction temperature. The maximum power dissipation depends on the thermal resistance of the IC package, PCB layout, rate of surrounding airflow, and difference between junction and ambient temperature. The maximum power dissipation can be calculated by the following formula : Output Capacitor Stability PD(MAX) = (TJ(MAX) - TA) / JA ESR VP-P LIR x ILOAD(MAX) Stability is determined by the value of the ESR zero relative to the switching frequency. The point of instability is given by the following equation : fESR = f 1 SW 2 x ESR x COUT 4 www.richtek.com 14 where TJ(MAX) is the maximum junction temperature, TA is the ambient temperature, and JA is the junction to ambient thermal resistance. For recommended operating condition specifications of the RT8241, the maximum junction temperature is 125C DS8241-02 April 2011 RT8241 and TA is the ambient temperature. The junction to ambient thermal resistance, JA, is layout dependent. For WQFN12L 2x2 packages, the thermal resistance, JA, is 165C/ W on a standard JEDEC 51-3 single-layer thermal test board. The maximum power dissipation at TA = 25C can be calculated by the following formula : PD(MAX) = (125C - 25C) / (165C/W) = 0.606W for WQFN-12L 2x2 package Maximum Power Dissipation (W)1 The maximum power dissipation depends on the operating ambient temperature for fixed T J(MAX) and thermal resistance, JA. For the RT8241 package, the derating curve in Figure 8 allows the designer to see the effect of rising ambient temperature on the maximum power dissipation. 0.65 0.60 0.55 0.50 0.45 0.40 0.35 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00 Layout Considerations Layout is very important in high frequency switching converter design. If designed improperly, the PCB could radiate excessive noise and contribute to converter instability. For best performance of the RT8241, the following guidelines should be strictly followed. Connect an RC low-pass filter from VCC, (1F and 10 are recommended). Place the filter capacitor close to the IC. Keep current limit setting network as close as possible to the IC. Routing of the network should be kept away from high voltage switching nodes to prevent it from coupling. Connections from the drivers to the respective gate of the high side or the low side MOSFET should be as short as possible to reduce stray inductance. All sensitive analog traces and components pertaining to FB, GND, EN, PGOOD, CS and VCC should be placed away from high voltage switching nodes such as PHASE, LGATE, UGATE, or BOOT nodes to prevent it from coupling. Use internal layer(s) as ground plane(s) and shield the feedback trace from power traces and components. Four-Layer PCB Current sense connections must always be made using 0 25 50 75 100 Kelvin connections to ensure an accurate signal, with the current limit resistor located at the device. 125 Ambient Temperature (C) Figure 8. Derating Curves for the RT8241 Package DS8241-02 April 2011 Power sections should connect directly to ground plane(s) using multiple vias as required for current handling (including the chip power ground connections). Power components should be placed to minimize loops and reduce losses. www.richtek.com 15 RT8241 Outline Dimension 2 1 2 1 DETAIL A Pin #1 ID and Tie Bar Mark Options Note : The configuration of the Pin #1 identifier is optional, but must be located within the zone indicated. Dimensions In Millimeters Dimensions In Inches Symbol Min Max Min Max A 0.700 0.800 0.028 0.031 A1 0.000 0.050 0.000 0.002 A3 0.175 0.250 0.007 0.010 b 0.150 0.250 0.006 0.010 D 1.900 2.100 0.075 0.083 E 1.900 2.100 0.075 0.083 e 0.400 0.016 D2 0.850 0.950 0.033 0.037 E2 0.850 0.950 0.033 0.037 L 0.250 0.350 0.010 0.014 W-Type 12L QFN 2x2 Package Richtek Technology Corporation Richtek Technology Corporation Headquarter Taipei Office (Marketing) 5F, No. 20, Taiyuen Street, Chupei City 5F, No. 95, Minchiuan Road, Hsintien City Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. Taipei County, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel: (8863)5526789 Fax: (8863)5526611 Tel: (8862)86672399 Fax: (8862)86672377 Email: marketing@richtek.com Information that is provided by Richtek Technology Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable. Richtek reserves the right to make any change in circuit design, specification or other related things if necessary without notice at any time. No third party intellectual property infringement of the applications should be guaranteed by users when integrating Richtek products into any application. No legal responsibility for any said applications is assumed by Richtek. www.richtek.com 16 DS8241-02 April 2011