A6727 Single-phase PWM controller for automotive applications Datasheet - production data complete control logic, protection and reference voltage to realize a general DC-DC converter by using a compact SO-8 package. The device flexibility allows the management of conversions with power input VIN as low as 1.5 V and device supply voltage in the range of 5 V to 12 V. The A6727 provides simple control loop with voltage mode error-amplifier. The integrated 0.8 V reference allows the regulation of output voltages with 1% accuracy over line and temperature variations. The oscillator is internally fixed to 300 kHz. SO-8 Features * AEC-Q100 compliant The A6727 provides programmable overcurrent protection as well as over and undervoltage protection. The current information is monitored across the low-side MOSFET RDS(on) saving the use of expensive and space-consuming sense resistors while output voltage is monitored through FB pin. * Flexible power supply from 5 V to 12 V * Power conversion input as low as 1.5 V * 1% output voltage accuracy * High-current integrated drivers * Adjustable output voltage * 0.8 V internal reference * Simple voltage mode control loop * Sensorless and programmable OCP across FB disconnection protection prevents excessive and dangerous output voltages from floating FB pin. * Low-side RDS(on) Table 1. Device summary * Oscillator internally fixed at 300 kHz Order code * Internal soft-start Package A6727 * LS-less to manage pre-bias startup Packaging Tube SO-8 A6727TR * Disable function Tape and reel * OV/UV protection * FB disconnection protection * SO-8 package Applications * Dedicated to automotive applications Description The A6727 is a single-phase step-down controller with integrated high-current drivers that provides July 2013 This is information on a product in full production. DocID025003 Rev 1 1/29 www.st.com 29 Contents A6727 Contents 1 2 3 Typical application circuit and block diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.1 Application circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.2 Block diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pin description and connection diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1 Pin description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.2 Thermal data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3.1 Absolute maximum ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3.2 Electrical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 Device description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 5 Driver section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 5.1 6 7 Soft-start and disable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 6.1 Low-side-less startup (LS-less) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 6.2 Enable / disable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Overcurrent protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 7.1 8 9 2/29 Power dissipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Overcurrent threshold setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Output voltage monitor and protections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8.1 Undervoltage protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8.2 Overvoltage protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8.3 Feedback disconnection protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8.4 Undervoltage lock out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Application details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 9.1 Output voltage selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 9.2 Compensation network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 Contents 9.3 10 Layout guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Application information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 10.1 Output inductor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 10.2 Output capacitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 10.3 Input capacitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 11 Package mechanical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 12 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 DocID025003 Rev 1 3/29 Typical application circuit and block diagram A6727 1 Typical application circuit and block diagram 1.1 Application circuit Figure 1. Typical application circuit VIN = 1.5 V to 19 V (**) VCC = 5 V to 12 V CDEC ROCSET D 5 (*) VCC COMP / DIS / OC CF CP RF 6 FB UGATE A6727 7 BOOT PHASE LGATE ROS RFB RD 1 CBOOT CBULK CHF 2 HS RgHS 8 L RgLS 4 LS GND RSN Vout COUT LOAD CSN 3 A6727 Reference schematic (*) ROCSET not to be connected when VCC > 5 V (**) Up to 12 V with Vcc > 5 V 1.2 AM16765v1 Block diagram VCC Figure 2. Block diagram CONTROL LOGIC & PROTECTIONS BOOT DISABLE PWM 300 kHz OSCILLATOR + - HS UGATE PHASE VCC LS LGATE GND COMP / DIS / OC FB ERROR AMPLIFIER A6727 4/29 0.8V ADAPTIVE ANTI CROSS CONDUCTION IOCSET Vout monitor CURRENT READ & OCP DocID025003 Rev 1 AM16766v1 A6727 2 Pin description and connection diagram Pin description and connection diagram Figure 3. Pin connection (top view) BOOT UGATE GND LGATE 1 8 2 7 3 A6727 4 6 5 PHASE COMP / DIS / OC FB VCC AM16767v1 2.1 Pin description Table 2. Pin description Pin # Name 1 BOOT HS driver supply. Connect through a capacitor (100 F) to the floating node (LS drain) pin and provide necessary bootstrap diode. 2 UGATE HS driver output. Connect to HS MOSFET gate. 3 GND 4 LGATE 5 VCC 6 7 8 FB Function All internal references, logic and drivers are connected to this pin. Connect to the PCB ground plane. LS driver output. Connect to LS MOSFET gate. Device and LS driver power supply. Operative range from 4.1 V to 13.2 V. Filter with at least 1 F MLCC to GND. Error amplifier inverting input. Connect to the output regulated voltage through a resistor RFB. Additional resistor ROS to GND may be used to regulate voltages higher than the reference. COMP. Error amplifier output. Connect to FB through an RF - CF // CP to compensate the control loop. DIS. The device can be disabled by forcing this pin lower than 0.5 V (typ.). To disable the device, the external pull-down overcomes 10 mA of COMP COMP / DIS output current for about 15 ms. Once disabled, COMP output current drops / OC to 20 mA. OC. Overcurrent threshold set. Connect to VCC through an ROCSET resistor (only if VCC is supplied by 5 V bus) to program OC threshold. When VCC > 5 V, ROCSET needs to be not-connected. PHASE HS driver return path, current reading and adaptive deadtime monitor. Connect to the LS drain to sense RDS(on) drop to measure the output current. This pin is also used by the adaptive deadtime control circuitry to monitor when HS MOSFET is off. DocID025003 Rev 1 5/29 Electrical specifications 2.2 A6727 Thermal data Table 3. Thermal data Symbol Parameter Value Unit Rth(JA) Thermal resistance junction-to-ambient (1) 85 C/W TMAX Maximum junction temperature 150 C TSTG Storage temperature range -40 to 150 C TJ Junction temperature range -40 to 150 C 1. The component is mounted on a 2S2P board in free air (6.7 cm x 6.7 cm, 35 mm (P) and 17.5 mm (S) copper thickness). 3 Electrical specifications 3.1 Absolute maximum ratings Table 4. Absolute maximum ratings 6/29 Symbol Parameter Value Unit VCC to GND -0.3 to 15 V VBOOT to PHASE to GND 15 45 V VUGATE to PHASE to PHASE; t < 50 ns to GND -0.3 to (VBOOT - VPHASE) + 0.3 -1 VBOOT + 0.3 V VPHASE to GND -8 to 30 V VLGATE to GND to GND; t < 50 ns -0.3 to VCC + 0.3 -1 V COMP to GND -0.3 to 7 V FB to GND -0.3 to 3.6 V DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 Electrical specifications 3.2 Electrical characteristics VCC = 12 V; TA = - 40 C to 85 C, unless otherwise specified. Table 5. Electrical characteristics Symbol Parameter Test conditions Min. Typ. Max. Unit 13.2 V 13.2 V 19.0 V Recommended operating conditions VCC Device supply voltage VIN Conversion input voltage 4.1 See Figure 1 VCC < 7.0 V Supply current and power-on ICC IBOOT VCC supply current UGATE and LGATE = open BOOT supply current UGATE = open; PHASE to GND VCC turn-on VCC rising 6 mA 0.5 mA 4.1 V UVLO Hysteresis 0.2 V Oscillator FSW Main oscillator accuracy DVOSC PWM ramp amplitude dMAX Maximum duty cycle TA = 25 C 270 300 330 kHz 250 300 350 kHz 1.5 V 80 % Reference Output voltage accuracy VOUT = 0.8 V, TA = 25 C VOUT = 0.8 V -1 - -1.5 1 % 1.5 % Error amplifier A0 DC gain(1) product(1) GBWP Gain-bandwidth SR Slew rate(1) IFB Input bias current Sourced from FB DIS Disable threshold COMP falling 0.43 120 dB 15 MHz 8 V/s 100 nA 0.5 V Gate drivers IUGATE HS source current BOOT - PHASE = 5 V to 12 V 1.5 A RUGATE HS sink resistance BOOT - PHASE = 5 V to 12 V 1.1 ILGATE LS source current VCC = 5 V to 12 V 1.5 A RLGATE LS sink resistance VCC = 5 V to 12 V 0.65 Overcurrent protection DocID025003 Rev 1 7/29 Electrical specifications A6727 Table 5. Electrical characteristics (continued) Symbol IOCSET Parameter OCSET current source TA = 25 C Test conditions Min. Typ. Max. 55 60 65 52 60 68 Sunk from COMP pin, before SS OCSET current source VCC_OC OC switch-over threshold VCC rising VOC_TH Fixed OC threshold VPHASE to GND, VCC > VCC_OC Unit A 8 V -400 mV Over and undervoltage protections OVP OVP threshold FB rising 1 V UVP UVP threshold FB falling 0.6 V 1. Guaranteed by design, not to be tested. 8/29 DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 4 Device description Device description The A6727 is a single-phase PWM controller with embedded high-current drivers that provides complete control logic and protection to realize a general DC-DC step-down converter. Designed to drive N-channel MOSFETs in a synchronous buck topology, with its high level of integration, this 8-pin device allows a reduction of cost and size of the power supply solution. The A6727 is designed to operate from a 5 V to 12 V supply bus. Thanks to the high precision 0.8 V internal reference, the output voltage can be precisely regulated as low as 0.8 V with 1% accuracy over line and temperature variations (between 0 C and +70 C).The switching frequency is internally set to 300 kHz. This device provides a simple control loop with a voltage-mode error amplifier. The error amplifier features a 15 MHz gain-bandwidth product and 8 V/s slew rate, allowing high regulator bandwidth for fast transient response. To avoid load damages, the A6727 provides overcurrent protection as well as overvoltage, undervoltage and feedback disconnection protection. When the device is supplied from 5 V, overcurrent trip threshold is programmable by a simple resistor. Output current is monitored through low-side MOSFET RDS(on), saving the use of expensive and space-consuming sense resistor. Output voltage and feedback disconnection are monitored through FB pin. The A6727 implements soft-start by increasing the internal reference from 0 V to 0.8 V in 5.1 ms (typ.) in closed loop regulation. Low-side-less feature allows the device to perform the soft-start over pre-biased output avoiding high-current return through the output inductor and dangerous negative spikes at the load side. DocID025003 Rev 1 9/29 Driver section 5 A6727 Driver section The integrated high-current drivers allow different types of power MOSFET to be used (also multiple MOSFETs to reduce the equivalent RDS(on)), maintaining fast switching transition. The driver for the high-side MOSFET uses BOOT pin as supply and PHASE pin as return. The driver for low-side MOSFET uses the VCC pin as supply and GND pin as return. The controller embodies an anti-shoot-through and adaptive deadtime control to minimize low-side body diode conduction time, maintaining good efficiency and saving the use of Schottky diode: * the device senses the PHASE pin to check that high-side MOSFET is off. When the sensed voltage drops below an internal threshold, the low-side MOSFET is suddenly turned on. * the device senses the LGATE pin to check that low-side MOSFET is off. When the sensed voltage drops below an internal threshold, the high-side MOSFET is suddenly turned on. If the current flowing in the inductor is negative, the voltage on PHASE pin never drops. To allow the low-side MOSFET to turn on even in this case, a watchdog controller is enabled: if the source of the high-side MOSFET doesn't drop, the low-side MOSFET is switched on so allowing the negative current of the inductor to recirculate. This mechanism allows the system to regulate even if the current is negative. Power conversion input is flexible: 5 V, 12 V bus or any bus that allows the conversion (see maximum duty cycle limitation and recommended operating conditions, in Table 5) to be chosen freely. 5.1 Power dissipation The A6727 embeds high-current MOSFET drivers for both high-side and low-side MOSFETs. The dissipated power by the device avoids overcoming the maximum junction operative temperature. Two main terms contribute to the device power dissipation: bias power and driver power. * Bias power (PDC) depends on the static consumption of the device through the supply pins and it is calculated as follows (assuming to supply HS and LS drivers with the same VCC of the device): Equation 1 P DC = V CC ( I CC + I BOOT ) * 10/29 Driver power is the power needed by the driver to continuously switch on and off the external MOSFETs; it is a function of the switching frequency and total gate charge of the selected MOSFETs. It can be quantified considering that the total power PSW is dissipated by three main factors: external gate resistance (when present), intrinsic MOSFET resistance and intrinsic driver resistance. This last term has to be determined to calculate the device power dissipation. The total power dissipated to switch the MOSFETs is: DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 Driver section Equation 2 P SW = F SW [ Q gHS ( V BOOT - V PHASE ) + Q gLS V CC ] where VBOOT - VPHASE is the voltage across the bootstrap capacitor. The external gate resistor helps the device to dissipate the switching power since the same power PSW is dissipated by the internal driver impedance and the external resistor. This process causes a general cooling of the device. DocID025003 Rev 1 11/29 Soft-start and disable 6 A6727 Soft-start and disable The A6727 implements a soft-start to smoothly charge the output filter avoiding the high inrush currents to the input power supply. The device progressively increases the internal reference from 0 V to 0.8 V in about 5.1 ms, in closed loop regulation, gradually charging the output capacitors to the final regulation voltage. In case of an overcurrent triggering during the soft-start, the overcurrent logic overrides the soft-start sequence and shuts down both the high-side and low-side gates for the internal soft-start residual time (up to 2048 clock cycles) plus 2048 clock cycles, then it begins a new soft-start. The device begins soft-start phase only when VCC power supply is above UVLO threshold and the overcurrent threshold setting phase has been completed. 6.1 Low-side-less startup (LS-less) In order to manage the startup over pre-biased output, the A6727 performs a special sequence enabling LS driver to switch: during the soft-start phase, LS driver is disabled (LS = OFF) until HS starts switching. In this manner, the dangerous negative spike on the output voltage is avoided. If the output voltage is pre-biased to a voltage lower than the programmed one, neither HS nor LS turn on until the soft-start ramp exceeds the output pre-bias voltage; then VOUT ramps up from there, without any drop or current return. If the output voltage is pre-biased to a voltage higher than the programmed one, HS never starts switching. In this case, at the end of soft-start time, LS is enabled and discharges the output to the final regulation value. This particular feature masks the LS turn-on only from the control loop point of view: protections by-pass LS-less, turning on the LS MOSFET if needed. Figure 4. LS-less startup 12/29 DocID025003 Rev 1 Figure 5. Non-LS-less startup A6727 6.2 Soft-start and disable Enable / disable The device can be disabled externally by pushing COMP/DIS pin under 0.5 V (typ.). In disable condition HS and LS MOSFETs are turned off, and a 20 mA current sources from COMP/DIS pin. Setting the pin, this current pulls it over the threshold and the device enables again performing a new SS. To disable the device, the external pull-down needs to overcome 10 mA of COMP output current for about 15 ms. Once disabled, COMP output current drops below 20 mA. Figure 6. Startup sequence; VCC = 5 V Figure 7. Overcurrent hiccup AM16770v1 AM16771v1 DocID025003 Rev 1 13/29 Overcurrent protection 7 A6727 Overcurrent protection The overcurrent function protects the converter from a shorted output or overload, by sensing the output current information across the low-side MOSFET drain-source onresistance, RDS(on). This method reduces costs and enhances converter efficiency by avoiding the use of expensive and space-consuming sense resistors. The low-side RDS(on) current sense is implemented by comparing the voltage at the PHASE node when LS MOSFET is turned on with the programmed OCP threshold voltage, internally held. If the monitored voltage drop (GND to PHASE) exceeds this threshold, an overcurrent event is detected. If two overcurrent events are detected in two consecutive switching cycles, the protection is triggered and the device turns off both LS and HS MOSFETs for 2048 clock cycles (plus internal SS remaining time, if triggered during an SS phase); then it begins a new soft-start. If the overcurrent condition is not removed, the continuous fault causes the A6727 to enter hiccup mode with a typical period of 13.6 ms (Figure 6), assuring safe load protection and very low power dissipation. 7.1 Overcurrent threshold setting When supplied with VCC = 5 V, the A6727 allows an overcurrent threshold ranging from 50 mV to 500 mV to be programmed, by adding a resistor (ROCSET) between COMP and VCC. During a short period of time (5.5 ms - 6.5 ms) following the first enable (given VCC over UVLO threshold), an internal 60 A current (IOCSET) is sunk, determining a voltage drop across ROCSET. This voltage drop, differently sensed between VCC and COMP, divided by a factor 3, is sampled and internally held by the device as overcurrent threshold until next VCC cycling. Different sensing versus VCC allows the OCSET procedure to be fully independent from VIN rail. The OC setting procedure overall time length ranges from 5.5 ms to 6.5 ms, proportionally to the threshold. Connecting an ROCSET resistor between COMP and VCC, the programmed threshold is: Equation 3: 1 I OCSET R OCSET I OCth = --- -------------------------------------------3 R DS ( on ) ROCSET values range from 2.5 k to 25 k. ROCSET low values make the system sensitive to start-up in-rush current and noise.This may result in a continuous OCP triggering and hiccup mode. If ROCSET is not connected (and VCC = 5 V), the device sets the maximum threshold. If the device is supplied with a VCC higher than 7 V, ROCSET cannot be connected. In this case, as soon as VCC rises over VCC_OC (8 V typ.), the A6727 switches OC threshold to 400 mV (internally fixed value). See Figure 6 for OC threshold setting and soft-start oscilloscope sample waveforms. 14/29 DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 8 Output voltage monitor and protections Output voltage monitor and protections The A6727 monitors the voltage at FB pin and compares it to internal reference voltage in order to provide undervoltage and overvoltage protections. 8.1 Undervoltage protection If the voltage at FB pin drops below UV threshold (0.6 V typ.), the device turns off both HS and LS MOSFETs, waits for 2048 clock cycles and then performs a new soft-start. If undervoltage condition is not removed, the device enters the hiccup mode with a typical period of 13.6 ms. UVP is active from the end of soft-start. 8.2 Overvoltage protection If the voltage at FB pin rises over OV threshold (1 V typ.), overvoltage protection turns off HS MOSFET and turns on LS MOSFET overriding PWM logic as long as overvoltage is detected. OVP is always active with top priority as soon as the overcurrent threshold setting phase has been completed. 8.3 Feedback disconnection protection In order to provide load protection even if FB pin is not connected, a 100 nA bias current is always sourced from this pin. If FB pin is not connected, this current permanently pulls up FB over OVP threshold: thus LS is latched on preventing output voltage from rising out of control. 8.4 Undervoltage lock out In order to avoid anomalous behaviors of the device when the supply voltage is too low to support its internal rails, UVLO is provided: the device starts up when VCC reaches UVLO upper threshold and shut downs when VCC drops below UVLO lower threshold. DocID025003 Rev 1 15/29 Application details A6727 9 Application details 9.1 Output voltage selection The A6727 is capable of precisely regulating an output voltage as low as 0.8 V. In fact, the device has a fixed 0.8 V internal reference that guarantees the output regulated voltage within 1% tolerance over line and temperature variations between 0 C and +70 C (excluding output resistor divider tolerance, when present). The output voltage higher than 0.8 V can be easily achieved by adding a resistor ROS between FB pin and ground. Referring to Figure 1, the steady-state DC output voltage is: Equation 4 R FB V OUT = V REF 1 + ----------- R OS where VREF is 0.8 V. 9.2 Compensation network The control loop showed in Figure 8 is a voltage mode control loop. The error amplifier is a voltage mode type. The output voltage is regulated to the internal reference (when present, the offset resistor, between FB node and GND, can be neglected in control loop calculation). Error amplifier output is compared with oscillator sawtooth waveform to provide the driver section with the PWM signal. The PWM signal is then transferred to the switching node with VIN amplitude. This waveform is filtered by the output filter. The converter transfer function is the small signal transfer function between the output of the EA and VOUT. This function has a double pole at frequency FLC depending on the L-COUT resonance and a zero at FESR depending on the output capacitor ESR. The DC gain of the modulator is simply the input voltage VIN divided by the peak-to-peak oscillator voltage VOSC. The compensation network closes the loop joining VOUT and EA output with transfer function ideally equal to -ZF/ZFB. 16/29 DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 Application details Figure 8. PWM control loop VIN OSC V OSC _ L + R V OUT COUT PWM COMPARATOR ESR ERROR AMPLIFIER + CF VREF _ RFB RF CS RS ZFB CP ZF AM16772v1 Compensation goal is to close the control loop assuring high DC regulation accuracy, good dynamic performances and stability. To achieve this, the overall loop needs high DC gain, high bandwidth and good phase margin. The loop bandwidth (F0dB) can be fixed choosing the right RF/RFB ratio, however, it should not exceed FSW / 2p. To achieve a good phase margin, the control loop gain has to cross 0 dB axis with -20 dB/decade slope. Figure 9 shows an asymptotic bode plot of a type III compensation. DocID025003 Rev 1 17/29 Application details A6727 Figure 9. Example of type III compensation. Gain [dB] open loop EA gain FZ1 FZ2 FP2 FP1 closed loop gain compensation gain 20 log (RF /RFB) open loop converter gain 20 log (VIN /VOSC ) 0dB F0dB F LC * FESR Open loop converter singularities: Equation 5 * a) 1 FLC = ---------------------------------2 L C OUT b) 1 FESR = -------------------------------------------2 C OUT ESR Compensation network singularity frequencies are: Equation 6 18/29 a) 1 FZ1 = -----------------------------2 R F C F b) 1 F Z2 = ----------------------------------------------------2 ( R FB + R S ) C S c) 1 F P1 = -------------------------------------------------CF CP 2 R F --------------------- C F + C P d) 1 F P2 = ------------------------------2 R S C S DocID025003 Rev 1 Log (Freq) AM16773v1 A6727 Application details To place the poles and zeroes of the compensation network, the following suggestions may be followed: a) set the gain RF/RFB in order to get the desired closed loop regulator bandwidth according to the approximated formula (suggested values for RFB range from 2 k to 5 k): Equation 7 F0dB V OSC RF ---------- = ------------ ------------------R FB F LC V IN b) place FZ1 below FLC (typically 0.5*FLC): 1 C F = ---------------------------- R F F LC c) place FP1 at FESR: CF C P = ---------------------------------------------------------2 R F CF F ESR - 1 d) place FZ2 at FLC and FP2 at half of the switching frequency: R FB R S = --------------------------FSW ------------------ - 1 2 FLC 1 C S = ------------------------------ R S F SW 9.3 e) check that compensation network gain is lower than open loop EA gain; f) estimate phase margin obtained (it should be greater than 45) and repeat, modifying parameters, if necessary. Layout guidelines The A6727 provides control functions and high-current integrated drivers to implement highcurrent step-down DC-DC converters. In this kind of application, a good layout is very important. When placing components, the power section is the first priority because the length of each connection and loop have to be reduced as minimum as possible. To minimize noise and voltage spikes (EMI and losses), power connections (highlighted in Figure 10) must be part of a power plane and realized by wide and thick copper traces: loop must be minimized. The critical components, such as the power MOSFETs, must be very close one to the other. The use of multi-layer printed circuit board is recommended. The input capacitance (CIN), or at least a portion of the total capacitance needed, has to be placed close to the power section in order to eliminate the stray inductance generated by the copper traces. Low ESR and ESL capacitors are preferred, MLCC should be connected near the HS drain. Use a proper number of vias when power traces have to move between different planes on the PCB in order to reduce both parasitic resistance and inductance. Moreover, the same DocID025003 Rev 1 19/29 Application details A6727 high-current trace on more than one PCB layer reduces the parasitic resistance associated to that connection. The output bulk capacitors (COUT) have to be connected as close as possible to the load, minimizing parasitic inductance and resistance associated to the copper trace. Figure 10. Power connections (heavy lines) VIN CIN UGATE PHASE L A6727 COUT LGATE LOAD GND AM16774v1 Gate traces and phase trace must be sized according to the driver RMS current delivered to the power MOSFET. The device robustness allows the management of applications with the power section far from the controller without losing performances. Anyway, when possible, the distance between the controller and the power section has to be minimized. See Figure 11 for driver current paths. Small signal components and connections to critical nodes of the application, as well as bypass capacitors for the device supply, are also important. Locate bypass capacitor (VCC and bootstrap capacitor) and loop compensation components close to the device. With regard to the overcurrent programmability, place ROCSET close to the device and avoid leakage current paths on COMP/OC pin, since the internal current source is only 60 mA. Systems, which do not use the Schottky diode in parallel to the low-side MOSFET, might show big negative spikes on the phase pin. This spike must be limited within the absolute maximum ratings (for example, adding a gate resistor in series to HS MOSFET gate, or a phase resistor in series to PHASE pin), as well as the positive spike.The further consequence is that the bootstrap capacitor is overcharged. This extra-charge can cause, in the worst case, a condition of maximum input voltage and during particular transients, BOOT-to-PHASE voltage overcomes the absolute maximum ratings causing device failures. This extra-charge has to be limited by adding a small resistor in series to the bootstrap diode (see RD in Figure 1). 20/29 DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 Application details Figure 11. Driver turn-on and turn-off paths LS DRIVER LS MOSFET HS DRIVER VCC HS MOSFET BOOT CGD RGATE CGD RINT RGATE LGATE RINT UGATE CGS CDS GND RPHASE CGS CDS PHASE AM16775v1 DocID025003 Rev 1 21/29 Application information A6727 10 Application information 10.1 Output inductor The inductor value is defined by a compromise among the dynamic response, ripple, efficiency, cost and size. Usually, the inductance is calculated to maintain the inductor ripple current (IL) between 20% and 30% of the maximum output current. Given the switching frequency (FSW), the input voltage (VIN), the output voltage (VOUT) and the desired ripple current (DIL), the inductance can be calculated as follows: Equation 8 VIN - V OUT V OUT L = ------------------------------ -------------F SW IL V IN Figure 12 shows the ripple current vs. the output voltage for different inductance, with VIN = 5 V and VIN = 12 V. Increasing the value of the inductance, the inductor ripple current (and output voltage ripple accordingly) reduces but, at the same time, the converter response time to load transients increases. Higher inductance means that the inductor needs more time to change its current from initial to final value. Until the inductor has finished its charging, the additional output current is supplied by the output capacitors. Minimizing the response time, the required output capacitance can be minimized. If the compensation network is designed with high bandwidth, during a load transient the device can saturate duty cycle (0% or 80%). When this condition is reached, the response time is limited only by the time required to charge the inductor. Inductor current ripple [A] Figure 12. Inductor current ripple vs. output voltage 10 Vin=12 V, L=1 uH 8 6 Vin=12 V, L=2 uH 4 Vin=5 V, L=500 nH 2 Vin=5 V, L=1.5 uH 0 0 1 2 3 Output voltage [V] 22/29 DocID025003 Rev 1 4 5 AM16776v1 A6727 10.2 Application information Output capacitors Output capacitor choice depends on the output voltage ripple and the output voltage deviation during a load transient. During steady-state conditions, the output voltage ripple is influenced by both ESR and capacitive value of the output capacitors as follows: Equation 9 V OUT_ESR = IL ESR Equation 10 1 V OUT_C = IL --------------------------------------8 C OUT F SW Where IL is the inductor current ripple. Since they are not in phase, the total ripple is lower than the sum of their modules. Both ESL and board parasitic inductance can contribute to the output ripple significantly. During a load variation, the output capacitors supply the load with the current or absorb the current in excess delivered by the inductor until converter reaction is completed. In fact, even if the controller reacts immediately to the load transient saturating the duty cycle to 80% or 0%, the current slew rate is limited by the inductance. The output voltage drop, based on ESR and capacitive charge/discharge and considering an ideal load-step, can be estimated as follows: Equation 11 V OUT_ESR = IOUT ESR Equation 12 2 V OUT_C L I OUT = -------------------------------------2 COUT V L Where VL is the voltage applied to the inductor during the transient ( D MAX V IN - VOUT for the load appliance or VOUT for the load removal). MLCC capacitors typically have low ESR to minimize the ripple but also have low capacitance which doesn't minimize the voltage deviation during the load transient. On contrary, electrolytic capacitors usually have higher capacitance to minimize capacitive voltage deviation during the load transient, but also higher ESR value resulting in higher ripple voltage and resistive voltage drop. For these reasons, a mix between the electrolytic and MLCC capacitor is suggested so to minimize the ripple and reduce the voltage deviation in dynamic mode. DocID025003 Rev 1 23/29 Application information 10.3 A6727 Input capacitors The input capacitor bank is designed mainly to stand input RMS current, which depends on the output current (IOUT) and duty cycle (D) for the regulation as follows: Equation 13 Irms = I OUT D ( 1 - D ) The equation reaches its maximum value, IOUT/2, when D = 0.5. Losses depend on the input capacitor ESR: Equation 14 P = ESR I rms 24/29 2 DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 11 Package mechanical data Package mechanical data In order to meet environmental requirements, ST offers these devices in different grades of ECOPACK(R) packages, depending on their level of environmental compliance. ECOPACK(R) specifications, grade definitions and product status are available at: www.st.com. ECOPACK(R) is an ST trademark. Table 6. SO-8 mechanical data mm Dim. Min. Typ. A Max. 1.75 A1 0.10 0.25 A2 1.25 b 0.31 0.51 b1 0.28 0.48 c 0.10 0.25 c1 0.10 0.23 D 4.80 4.90 5.00 E 5.80 6.00 6.20 E1 3.80 3.90 4.00 e 1.27 h 0.25 0.50 L 0.40 1.27 L1 1.04 L2 0.25 k 0 8 ccc 0.10 DocID025003 Rev 1 25/29 Package mechanical data A6727 Figure 13. SO-8 package dimensions 0016023_G_FU Figure 14. SO-8 footprint Footprint_0016023_G_FU 26/29 DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 Package mechanical data Table 7. SO-8 tape and reel mechanical data mm Dim. Min. Typ. A Max. 330 C 12.8 D 20.2 N 60 13.2 T 22.4 Ao 8.1 8.5 Bo 5.5 5.9 Ko 2.1 2.3 Po 3.9 4.1 P 7.9 8.1 Figure 15. SO-8 tape and reel package dimensions DocID025003 Rev 1 27/29 Revision history 12 A6727 Revision history Table 8. Document revision history 28/29 Date Revision 15-Jul-2013 1 Changes Initial release. DocID025003 Rev 1 A6727 Please Read Carefully: Information in this document is provided solely in connection with ST products. STMicroelectronics NV and its subsidiaries ("ST") reserve the right to make changes, corrections, modifications or improvements, to this document, and the products and services described herein at any time, without notice. All ST products are sold pursuant to ST's terms and conditions of sale. Purchasers are solely responsible for the choice, selection and use of the ST products and services described herein, and ST assumes no liability whatsoever relating to the choice, selection or use of the ST products and services described herein. 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