The device is in active mode whenever the EN pin
is above VEN, VIN is high enough to satisfy
VIN_OPERATE, and no other fault conditions are present. The simplest
way to enable the operation is to connect the EN pin to VIN, which allows
self-start–up when the applied input voltage exceeds the minimum
VIN_OPERATE.
In active mode, depending on the load current, input voltage, and output voltage, the device is in one of six modes:
- Continuous conduction mode (CCM) with fixed switching frequency when load
current is above half of the inductor current ripple
- Auto mode – light-load operation: PFM when switching frequency is decreased at
very light load
- FPWM mode – light-load operation: Discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the
load current is lower than half of the inductor current ripple
- Minimum on time: At high input voltage and low output voltages, the switching
frequency is reduced to maintain regulation.
- Dropout mode: When switching frequency is reduced to minimize voltage
dropout