SNVSAU0 March 2017 LM5141
PRODUCTION DATA.
For high-power applications which do not require high accuracy current-limit protection, DCR sensing may be preferable. This technique provides lossless and continuous monitoring of the output current using an RC sense network in parallel with the inductor. Using an inductor with a low DCR tolerance, the user can achieve a typical current limit accuracy within the range of ±10% to ±15% at room temperature.
Components RCS and CCS in Figure 25 create a low-pass filter across the inductor to enable differential sensing of the voltage drop across inductor DCR. When RCS × CCS is equal to LOUT/RDCR, the voltage developed across the sense capacitor, CCS, is a replica of the inductor DCR voltage waveform. Choose the capacitance of CCS to be greater than 0.1 μF to maintain a low impedance sensing network, thus reducing the susceptibility of noise pickup from the switch node. Carefully observe the PCB layout guidelines to ensure the noise and DC errors do not corrupt the differential current-sense signals applied across the CS and VOUT pins.
The voltage drop across CCS:
RCSCCS = LOUT/RDCR → accurate DC and AC current sensing
If the RC time constant is not equal to the LOUT/LDRC time constant there will be an error
RCSCCS > LOUT/RDCR → DC level still correct, the AC amplitude will be attenuated
RCSCCS < LOUT/RDCR→ DC level still correct, the AC amplitude will be amplified