SNVSA44B August   2014  – January 2018 LM43601

PRODUCTION DATA.  

  1. Features
  2. Applications
  3. Description
    1.     Device Images
      1.      Simplified Schematic
      2.      Radiated Emission Graph VIN = 12 V, VOUT = 3.3 V, FS= 500 kHz, IOUT = 1 A
  4. Revision History
  5. Pin Configuration and Functions
    1.     Pin Functions
  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 Timing Requirements
    7. 6.7 Switching Characteristics
    8. 6.8 Typical Characteristics
  7. Detailed Description
    1. 7.1 Overview
    2. 7.2 Functional Block Diagram
    3. 7.3 Feature Description
      1. 7.3.1  Fixed-Frequency, Peak-Current-Mode Controlled, Step-Down Regulator
      2. 7.3.2  Light Load Operation
      3. 7.3.3  Adjustable Output Voltage
      4. 7.3.4  Enable (ENABLE)
      5. 7.3.5  VCC, UVLO and BIAS
      6. 7.3.6  Soft Start and Voltage Tracking (SS/TRK)
      7. 7.3.7  Switching Frequency (RT) and Synchronization (SYNC)
      8. 7.3.8  Minimum ON-Time, Minimum OFF-Time, and Frequency Foldback at Dropout Conditions
      9. 7.3.9  Internal Compensation and CFF
      10. 7.3.10 Bootstrap Voltage (BOOT)
      11. 7.3.11 Power Good (PGOOD)
      12. 7.3.12 Overcurrent and Short-Circuit Protection
      13. 7.3.13 Thermal Shutdown
    4. 7.4 Device Functional Modes
      1. 7.4.1 Shutdown Mode
      2. 7.4.2 Standby Mode
      3. 7.4.3 Active Mode
      4. 7.4.4 CCM Mode
      5. 7.4.5 Light Load Operation
      6. 7.4.6 Self-Bias Mode
  8. Applications and Implementation
    1. 8.1 Application Information
    2. 8.2 Typical Application
      1. 8.2.1 Design Requirements
      2. 8.2.2 Detailed Design Procedure
        1. 8.2.2.1  Custom Design With WEBENCH® Tools
        2. 8.2.2.2  Output Voltage Setpoint
        3. 8.2.2.3  Switching Frequency
        4. 8.2.2.4  Input Capacitors
        5. 8.2.2.5  Inductor Selection
        6. 8.2.2.6  Output Capacitor Selection
        7. 8.2.2.7  Feedforward Capacitor
        8. 8.2.2.8  Bootstrap Capacitors
        9. 8.2.2.9  VCC Capacitor
        10. 8.2.2.10 BIAS Capacitors
        11. 8.2.2.11 Soft-Start Capacitors
        12. 8.2.2.12 Undervoltage Lockout Set-Point
        13. 8.2.2.13 PGOOD
      3. 8.2.3 Application Curves
  9. Power Supply Recommendations
  10. 10Layout
    1. 10.1 Layout Guidelines
      1. 10.1.1 Compact Layout for EMI Reduction
      2. 10.1.2 Ground Plane and Thermal Considerations
      3. 10.1.3 Feedback Resistors
    2. 10.2 Layout Example
  11. 11Device and Documentation Support
    1. 11.1 Device Support
      1. 11.1.1 Development Support
        1. 11.1.1.1 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

Ground Plane and Thermal Considerations

TI recommends using one of the middle layers as a solid ground plane. Ground plane provides shielding for sensitive circuits and traces. It also provides a quiet reference potential for the control circuitry. Connect the AGND and PGND pins to the ground plane using vias right next to the bypass capacitors. PGND pins are connected to the source of the internal LS switch, and they must be connected directly to the grounds of the input and output capacitors. The PGND net contains noise at the switching frequency and may bounce due to load variations. The PGND trace, as well as PVIN and SW traces, must be constrained to one side of the ground plane. The other side of the ground plane contains much less noise; use for sensitive routes.

TI recommends using adequate device heat sinking by utilizing the PAD of the IC as the primary thermal path. Use a minimum 4 by 4 array of 10 mil thermal vias to connect the PAD to the system ground plane for heat sinking. The vias must be evenly distributed under the PAD. Use as much copper as possible for system ground plane on the top and bottom layers for the best heat dissipation. It is recommended to use a four-layer board with the copper thickness, for the four layers, starting from the top one, 2 oz / 1 oz / 1 oz / 2 oz. Four layer boards with enough copper thickness and proper layout provides low current conduction impedance, proper shielding and lower thermal resistance.

The thermal characteristics of the LM43601 are specified using the parameter RθJA, which characterize the junction temperature of the silicon to the ambient temperature in a specific system. Although the value of RθJA is dependant on many variables, it still can be used to approximate the operating junction temperature of the device. To obtain an estimate of the device junction temperature, one may use the following relationship:

Equation 27. TJ = PD× RθJA + TA

where

  • TJ = Junction temperature in °C
  • PD = VIN x IIN x (1 − Efficiency) − 1.1 x IOUT x DCR
  • DCR = Inductor DC parasitic resistance in Ω
  • RθJA = Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of the device in °C/W
  • TA = Ambient temperature in °C

The maximum operating junction temperature of the LM43601 is 125°C. RθJA is highly related to PCB size and layout, as well as environmental factors such as heat sinking and air flow. Figure 107 shows measured results of RθJA with different copper area on a 2-layer board and a 4-layer board.

LM43601 C030_TjvsBoard_1A.pngFigure 107. Measured RθJA vs PCB Copper Area on a 2-layer Board and a 4-layer Board