SNOSB87D March   2011  – May 2019 LM21215A

PRODUCTION DATA.  

  1. 1 Features
  2. 2 Applications
    1.     Efficiency at 2.5 V, 500 kHz
  3. 3 Description
    1.     Typical Application Circuit
      1.      Device Images
  4. 4 Revision History
  5. 5 Pin Configuration and Functions
    1.     Pin Functions
  6. 6 Specifications
    1. 6.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
    2. 6.2 ESD Ratings
    3. 6.3 Recommended Operating Conditions
    4. 6.4 Thermal Information
    5. 6.5 Electrical Characteristics
    6. 6.6 Typical Characteristics
  7. 7 Detailed Description
    1. 7.1 Overview
    2. 7.2 Functional Block Diagram
    3. 7.3 Feature Description
      1. 7.3.1 Precision Enable
      2. 7.3.2 Input Voltage UVLO
      3. 7.3.3 Soft-Start Capability
      4. 7.3.4 PGOOD Indicator
      5. 7.3.5 Frequency Synchronization
      6. 7.3.6 Current Limit
      7. 7.3.7 Short Circuit Protection
    4. 7.4 Device Functional Modes
      1. 7.4.1 Light-Load Operation
      2. 7.4.2 Overvoltage and Undervoltage Handling
      3. 7.4.3 Thermal Shutdown
  8. 8 Application and Implementation
    1. 8.1 Application Information
    2. 8.2 Typical Applications
      1. 8.2.1 Typical Application 1
        1. 8.2.1.1 Design Requirements
        2. 8.2.1.2 Detailed Design Procedure
          1. 8.2.1.2.1 Custom Design With WEBENCH® Tools
          2. 8.2.1.2.2 Output Voltage Setpoint
          3. 8.2.1.2.3 Precision Enable
          4. 8.2.1.2.4 Filter Inductor Selection
          5. 8.2.1.2.5 Output Capacitor Selection
          6. 8.2.1.2.6 Input Capacitor Selection
          7. 8.2.1.2.7 Control Loop Compensation
        3. 8.2.1.3 Application Curves
      2. 8.2.2 Typical Application 2
        1. 8.2.2.1 Design Requirements
        2. 8.2.2.2 Detailed Design Procedure
  9. 9 Power Supply Recommendations
  10. 10Layout
    1. 10.1 Layout Guidelines
      1. 10.1.1 Compact PCB Layout for EMI Reduction
      2. 10.1.2 Thermal Design
      3. 10.1.3 Ground Plane Design
    2. 10.2 Layout Example
  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 Documentation Support
      1. 11.2.1 Related Documentation
    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

7.4.1 Light-Load Operation

The LM21215A maintains high efficiency when operating at light loads. Whenever the load current is reduced to a level less than half the peak-to-peak inductor ripple current, the device enters discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and prevents negative inductor current. The low-side MOSFET then operates in diode emulation mode (DEM), conducting only positive inductor current. Calculate the critical conduction boundary using Equation 2.

Equation 2. LM21215A q_Iboundary_nosb87.gif

Several diagrams are shown in Figure 27 illustrating continuous conduction mode (CCM), discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), and the boundary condition.

When the inductor current reaches zero, the SW node becomes high impedance. Resonant ringing occurs at SW as a result of the LC tank circuit formed by the filter inductor and the parasitic capacitance at the SW node. 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.