LTC3100
14
3100fa
buck converters. In this case, both converters will remain in
fi xed frequency operation, even at light load currents. If the
load is very light, they will exhibit pulse-skip operation.
If MODE is raised above 0.9V, or left open, Burst Mode
operation will be enabled for both converters. In this case,
either converter may enter Burst Mode operation at light
load, and return to fi xed frequency operation when the
load current increases. Refer to the Typical Performance
Characteristics section to see the output load Burst Mode
threshold vs VIN and VOUT. The two converters can enter or
leave Burst Mode operation independent of each other.
In Burst Mode operation, each converter still switches at
a frequency of 1.5MHz, using the same error amplifi er
and loop compensation for peak current mode control.
This control method eliminates any output transient
when switching between modes. In Burst Mode opera-
tion, energy is delivered to the output until it reaches the
nominal regulation value, then the LTC3100 transitions to
sleep mode where the outputs are off and the LTC3100
consumes only 15μA of quiescent current from VBST
. Once
the output voltage has drooped slightly, switching resumes
again. This maximizes effi ciency at very light loads by
minimizing switching and quiescent losses. Burst Mode
operation output ripple is typically 1% peak-to-peak.
Burst Mode operation for the boost converter is inhibited
during start-up, and until soft-start is complete and VBST
is at least 0.24V greater than VINBST.
Short-Circuit Protection
The LTC3100 output disconnect feature allows output
short-circuit while maintaining a maximum internally set
current limit. To reduce power dissipation under short-
circuit conditions, the boost peak switch current limit is
reduced to 400mA (typical).
Schottky Diode
Although it is not required, adding a Schottky diode from
SWBST to VBST will improve effi ciency by about 2%. Note
that this defeats the boost output disconnect and short-
circuit protection features.
BUCK CONVERTER OPERATION
The buck converter provides a high effi ciency, lower voltage
output and supports 100% duty cycle operation to extend
battery life. The buck converter uses the same 1.5MHz
oscillator used by the boost converter.
PWM Mode Operation
When the MODE pin is held low, the LTC3100 buck converter
uses a constant-frequency, current mode control architec-
ture. Both the main (P-channel MOSFET) and synchronous
rectifi er (N-channel MOSFET) switches are internal. At
the start of each oscillator cycle, the P-channel switch
is turned on and remains on until the current waveform
with superimposed slope compensation ramp exceeds the
error amplifi er output. At this point, the synchronous
rectifi er is turned on and remains on until the inductor
current falls to zero or a new switching cycle is initiated.
As a result, the buck converter operates with discontinuous
inductor current at light loads which improves effi ciency.
At extremely light loads, the minimum on-time of the main
switch will be reached and the buck converter will begin
turning off for multiple cycles (pulse-skipping) in order
to maintain regulation.
Burst Mode Operation
When the MODE pin is forced high, or left open, the buck
converter will automatically transition between Burst Mode
operation at suffi ciently light loads (below approximately
10mA) and PWM mode at heavier loads. Burst Mode opera-
tion entry is determined by the peak inductor current and
therefore the load current at which Burst Mode operation
will be entered depends on the input voltage, the output
voltage and the inductor value. Typical curves for Burst
Mode operation entry threshold are provided in the Typical
Performance Characteristics section of this data sheet. The
quiescent current on VINBK in Burst Mode operation is only
15μA. If the boost converter is enabled and VINBST or VBST
are at a higher potential than VINBK, some of the quiescent
current will be supplied by the boost converter, reducing
the burst quiescent current on VINBK to just 9μA.
OPERATION