SNVS715B March   2011  – June 2019 LM21212-2

PRODUCTION DATA.  

  1. 1 Features
  2. 2 Applications
  3. 3 Description
    1.     Device Images
      1.      Simplified Application Circuit
  4. 4 Revision History
  5. 5 Description, continued
  6. 6 Pin Configuration and Functions
    1.     Pin Descriptions
  7. 7 Specifications
    1. 7.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
    2. 7.2 ESD Ratings
    3. 7.3 Recommended Operating Ratings
    4. 7.4 Electrical Characteristics
    5. 7.5 Typical Characteristics
  8. 8 Detailed Description
    1. 8.1 Overview
    2. 8.2 Functional Block Diagram
    3. 8.3 Feature Description
      1. 8.3.1 Precision Enable
      2. 8.3.2 UVLO
      3. 8.3.3 Current Limit
      4. 8.3.4 Short-Circuit Protection
      5. 8.3.5 Thermal Protection
      6. 8.3.6 Power-Good Flag
      7. 8.3.7 Light Load Operation
    4. 8.4 Device Functional Modes
  9. 9 Application and Implementation
    1. 9.1 Application Information
    2. 9.2 Typical Application
      1. 9.2.1 Typical Application 1
        1. 9.2.1.1 Design Requirements
        2. 9.2.1.2 Detailed Design Procedure
          1. 9.2.1.2.1 Custom Design With WEBENCH® Tools
          2. 9.2.1.2.2 Output Voltage
          3. 9.2.1.2.3 Precision Enable
          4. 9.2.1.2.4 Soft Start
          5. 9.2.1.2.5 Resistor-Adjustable Frequency
          6. 9.2.1.2.6 Inductor Selection
          7. 9.2.1.2.7 Output Capacitor Selection
          8. 9.2.1.2.8 Input Capacitor Selection
          9. 9.2.1.2.9 Control Loop Compensation
        3. 9.2.1.3 Application Curves
      2. 9.2.2 Typical Application Schematic 2
        1. 9.2.2.1 Design Requirements
        2. 9.2.2.2 Detailed Design Procedure
  10. 10Layout
    1. 10.1 Layout Considerations
    2. 10.2 Layout Example
    3. 10.3 Thermal Considerations
  11. 11Device and Documentation Support
    1. 11.1 Device Support
      1. 11.1.1 Third-Party Products Disclaimer
      2. 11.1.2 Development Support
        1. 11.1.2.1 Custom Design With WEBENCH® Tools
    2. 11.2 Receiving Notification of Documentation Updates
    3. 11.3 Community Resources
    4. 11.4 Trademarks
    5. 11.5 Electrostatic Discharge Caution
    6. 11.6 Glossary
  12. 12Mechanical, Packaging, and Orderable Information

Package Options

Mechanical Data (Package|Pins)
Thermal pad, mechanical data (Package|Pins)
Orderable Information

8.3.7 Light Load Operation

The LM21212-2 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 device will enter the diode emulation mode preventing significant negative inductor current. The output current at which this occurs is the critical conduction boundary and can be calculated by Equation 1:

Equation 1. LM21212-2 30155178.gif

It can be seen that in diode emulation mode, whenever the inductor current reaches zero the SW node becomes high impedance. Ringing will occur on this pin as a result of the LC tank circuit formed by the inductor and the parasitic capacitance at the node. If this ringing is of concern an additional RC snubber circuit can be added from the switch node to ground.

At very light loads, usually below 500 mA, several pulses may be skipped in between switching cycles, effectively reducing the switching frequency and further improving light-load efficiency.