LT8494
14
8494fa
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APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
regulator tries to charge the output capacitor as quickly as
possible, which results in large peak currents. The start-up
current can be limited by connecting an external capacitor
(typically 100nF to 1µF) to the SS pin. This capacitor is
slowly charged to ~2.1V by an internal 256k resistor once
the part is activated. SS pin voltages below ~0.8V reduce
the internal current limit. Thus, the gradual ramping of
the SS voltage also gradually increases the current limit
as the capacitor charges. This, in turn, allows the output
capacitor to charge gradually toward its final value while
limiting the start-up current. When the switching regula-
tor shuts down, the soft-start capacitor is automatically
discharged to ~100mV or less before charging resumes,
thus assuring that the soft-start occurs after every reac-
tivation of the switching regulation.
Power Supplies and Operating Limits
The LT8494 draws supply current from the VIN and BIAS
pins. The largest supply current draw occurs when the
switching regulator is enabled (SWEN is high) and the
power switch is toggling on and off. Under light load con-
ditions the switching regulator enters Burst Mode opera-
tion where the power switch toggles infrequently and the
input current is significantly reduced (see the Low Ripple
Burst Mode Operation section).
Power Switch Driver (PSD) Operating Range: The NPN
power switch is driven by a power switch driver (PSD) as
shown in the Block Diagram. The driver must be powered
by a supply (VIN or BIAS) that is above the minimum oper-
ating voltage and below the PSD overvoltage threshold.
These voltages are typically 2.4V and 34V respectively
(see Electrical Characteristics).
If neither VIN nor BIAS is within this operating range, the
PSD and the switching regulator are automatically dis-
abled. Voltages up to 60V are not harmful to the PSD,
however, as discussed, switching regulation is automati-
cally disabled when neither VIN nor BIAS is in the valid
operating range.
When both VIN and BIAS are too low for proper LT8494
operation (typically < 2.4V), the chip will enter shutdown
and draw minimal current from both supplies.
Automatic Power Supply Selection: In order to minimize
power loss, the LT8494 draws as much of its required
current as possible from the lowest suitable voltage sup-
ply (V
IN
or BIAS) in accordance with the requirements
described in the previous two sections. This selection is
automatic and can change as VIN and/or BIAS voltages
change.
The LT8494 compares the VIN and BIAS voltages to
determine which is lower. The comparator has an offset
and hysteresis as shown in the Electrical Characteristics
section. The voltage comparison happens continuously
when the power switch is toggling. The result of the latest
comparison is latched inside the LT8494 when switching
stops. If the power switch is not toggling, the LT8494
uses the last VIN vs BIAS comparison to determine which
supply is lower. After initial power up or any thermal lock-
out the LT8494 always concludes that V
IN
is the lower
supply voltage until subsequent voltage comparisons can
be made while the power switch is toggling.
BIAS Connection for SEPIC Converters: For SEPIC con-
verters, where VIN can be above or below VOUT, BIAS is
typically connected to V
OUT
which improves efficiency
when VIN voltage is higher than VOUT. Connecting BIAS to
VOUT in a SEPIC topology also allows the switching regu-
lator to operate with VIN above 34V (typical switch driver
overvoltage threshold) in cases where VOUT is regulated
below the PSD overvoltage threshold. Finally, connecting
BIAS to VOUT also allows the converter to operate from
VIN voltages less than 2.4V after VOUT rises within the
PSD operating range. This can be very useful in battery
powered applications since the battery voltage drops as
it discharges.
BIAS Connection for Boost Converters: For boost con-
verters, BIAS is typically connected to VOUT or to ground.
Connecting BIAS to VOUT allows the converter to operate
with VIN < 2.5V after VOUT has risen within the PSD oper-
ating range. However, during no load conditions on VOUT,
despite VIN being selected as the primary input supply,
the overall power loss will be slightly elevated due to the
small amount of current still being drawn from the higher
voltage BIAS pin. To minimize boost converter power
loss during no load conditions, connect BIAS instead to
ground.