Datasheet
LT3689/LT3689-5
21
3689fe
For more information www.linear.com/LT3689
Another way to lower the start-up voltage is by using a
resistor divider on the EN/UVLO pin (see the Shutdown
and Undervoltage Lockout section). A resistor divider on
EN/UVLO pin programs the turn-on threshold to slightly
higher than the minimum V
IN
voltage required to run at full
load. Below the EN/UVLO high voltage, the part will stay
shut off and the output cap will remain discharged during
the worse case slow V
IN
ramp. When the EN/UVLO pin
crosses the EN/UVLO high threshold, the part will turn on
and the empty output capacitor will provide enough load
to bring the output voltage in regulation. This technique
significantly lowers the start-up voltage of the circuit. The
plot in Figure 7 depicts the minimum load required to start
and run (as a function of input voltage). It also depicts the
benefit of programming the EN/UVLO threshold to lower
the start-up voltage at low load currents. At light loads, the
inductor current becomes discontinuous and the effective
duty cycle can be very high. This reduces the minimum input
voltage to approximately 300mV above V
OUT
. At higher load
currents, the inductor current is continuous and the duty
cycle is limited by the maximum duty cycle of the LT3689,
requiring a higher input voltage to maintain regulation.
Soft-Start
The LT3689 has an internal soft-start that gradually ramps
up the switch current limit from about 100mA to the switch’s
maximum current limit in typical value of 150µs, as shown
in Figure 8. This feature limits the inrush current during
start-up and prevents the switch current from spiking when
the EN/UVLO pin crosses the UVLO threshold. A soft-start
sequence is also initiated right after a V
IN
overvoltage/
undervoltage lockout, or thermal shutdown fault in order
to prevent the switch current from suddenly jumping to
its maximum current limit.
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Figure 7. LT3689 Minimum V
IN
to Start and Run vs Load
Figure 8. Internal Soft-Start
20µs/DIV
V
OUT
2V/DIV
V
IN
= 12V
V
OUT
= 5V
f = 2MHz
C
IN
= 1µF CERAMIC + 100µF ELECTROLYTIC
I
VIN
0.2A/DIV
I
L
0.5A/DIV
3689 F08
LOAD (mA)
1
7.0
V
IN
(V)
7.5
10 100 1000
6.5
6.0
5.5
5.0
8.0
3589 F07a
TO START:
EN/UVLO TIED TO V
IN
TO RUN
V
OUT
= 5V
L = 8.2µH
f
SW
= 800KHz
T
A
= 25°C
TO START: EN/UVLO HIGH
THRESHOLD = 6.15V
LOAD (mA)
1
5.0
V
IN
(V)
5.5
10 100 1000
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
6.0
3589 F07b
TO START:
EN/UVLO TIED TO V
IN
TO RUN
V
OUT
= 3.3V
L = 8.2µH
f
SW
= 800KHz
T
A
= 25°C
TO START: EN/UVLO HIGH
THRESHOLD = 4.85V