Datasheet

LM20134, LM20134Q
SNVS527G –OCTOBER 2007–REVISED MARCH 2013 www.ti.com
CURRENT LIMIT
The precise current limit of the LM20134 is set at the factory to be within 10% over the entire operating
temperature range. This enables the device to operate with smaller inductors that have lower saturation currents.
When the peak inductor current reaches the current limit threshold, an over current event is triggered and the
internal high-side FET turns off and the low-side FET turns on allowing the inductor current to ramp down until
the next switching cycle. For each sequential over-current event, the reference voltage is decremented and PWM
pulses are skipped resulting in a current limit that does not aggressively fold back for brief over-current events,
while at the same time providing frequency and voltage foldback protection during hard short circuit conditions.
SOFT-START AND VOLTAGE TRACKING
The SS/TRK pin is a dual function pin that can be used to set the start up time or track an external voltage
source. The start up or Soft-Start time can be adjusted by connecting a capacitor from the SS/TRK pin to ground.
The Soft-Start feature allows the regulator output to gradually reach the steady state operating point, thus
reducing stresses on the input supply and controlling start up current. If no Soft-Start capacitor is used the device
defaults to the internal Soft-Start circuitry resulting in a start up time of approximately 1ms. For applications that
require a monotonic start up or utilize the PGOOD pin, an external Soft-Start capacitor is recommended. The
SS/TRK pin can also be set to track an external voltage source. The tracking behavior can be adjusted by two
external resistors connected to the SS/TRK pin as shown in Figure 33 in the design guide.
PRE-BIAS START UP CAPABILITY
The LM20134 is in a pre-biased state when the device starts up with an output voltage greater than zero. This
often occurs in many multi-rail applications such as when powering an FPGA, ASIC, or DSP. In these
applications the output can be pre-biased through parasitic conduction paths from one supply rail to another.
Even though the LM20134 is a synchronous converter it will not pull the output low when a pre-bias condition
exists. During start up condition the LM20134 will not sink current until the Soft-Start voltage exceeds the voltage
on the FB pin. Since the device can not sink current it protects the load from damage that might otherwise occur
if current is conducted through the parasitic paths of the load.
POWER GOOD AND OVER VOLTAGE FAULT HANDLING
The LM20134 has built in under and over voltage comparators that control the power switches. Whenever there
is an excursion in output voltage above the set OVP threshold, the part will terminate the present on-pulse, turn
on the low-side FET, and pull the PGOOD pin low. The low-side FET will remain on until either the FB voltage
falls back into regulation or the zero cross detection is triggered which in turn tri-states the FETs. If the output
reaches the UVP threshold the part will continue switching and the PGOOD pin will be asserted and go low.
Typical values for the PGOOD resistor are on the order of 100 kΩ or less. To avoid false tripping during transient
glitches the PGOOD pin has 16 µs of built in deglitch time to both rising and falling edges.
UVLO
The LM20134 has a built-in under-voltage lockout protection circuit that keeps the device from switching until the
input voltage reaches 2.7V (typical). The UVLO threshold has 45 mV of hysteresis that keeps the device from
responding to power-on glitches during start up. If desired the turn-on point of the supply can be changed by
using the precision enable pin and a resistor divider network connected to V
IN
as shown in Figure 32 in the
design guide.
THERMAL PROTECTION
Internal thermal shutdown circuitry is provided to protect the integrated circuit in the event that the maximum
junction temperature is exceeded. When activated, typically at 160°C, the LM20134 tri-states the power FETs
and resets soft start. After the junction cools to approximately 150°C, the part starts up using the normal start up
routine. This feature is provided to prevent catastrophic failures from accidental device overheating.
LIGHT LOAD OPERATION
The LM20134 offers increased efficiency when operating at light loads. Whenever the load current is reduced to
a point where the peak to peak inductor ripple current is greater than two times the load current, the part will
enter the diode emulation mode preventing significant negative inductor current. The point at which this occurs is
the critical conduction boundary and can be calculated by the following equation:
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