SLVSHR7 August 2024 TPSM8287A12M , TPSM8287A15M
PRODUCTION DATA
The user can connect multiple devices in parallel in what is known as a "stack" to increase output current capability, to reduce device junction temperature or the output voltage ripple. For example, paralleling four 15A devices can provide up to 60A of current. More devices can be stacked, as long as the PCB layout maintains the integrity of the shared signals between the modules.
A stack comprises one primary device and one or more secondary devices. During initialization, each device monitors the SYNC_OUT pin to determine if the SYNC_OUT pin must operate as a primary device or a secondary device:
Figure 7-21 shows the recommended interconnections in a stack of two TPSM8287A1xM devices.
The key points to note are:
In a stacked configuration, the common enable signal also acts as a SYSTEM_READY signal (see Section 7.3.3). Each device in the stack can pull the EN pin low during device start-up or when a fault occurs. Thus, the stack is only enabled when all devices have completed the start-up sequence and are fault-free. A fault in any one device disables the whole stack for as long as the fault condition exists.
During start-up, the primary converter pulls the COMP pin low for as long as the enable signal (SYSTEM_READY) is low. When the enable signal goes high, the primary device actively controls the COMP pin and all converters in the stack follow the COMP voltage. During start-up, each device in the stack pulls the PG pin low while he device initializes. When initialization is complete, each secondary device in the stack sets the PG pin to high impedance and the primary device alone controls the state of the PG signal. The PG pin goes high when the stack has completed the start-up ramp and the output voltage is within the power good window. The secondary converters in the stack detect the rising edge of the power-good signal and switch to FPWM operation. After the stack has successfully started up, the primary device controls the power-good signal in the normal way. In a stacked configuration, there are some faults that only affect individual devices, and other faults that affect all devices. For example, if one device enters current limit, only that device is affected. But a thermal shutdown or undervoltage lockout event in one device disables all devices through the shared enable (SYSTEM_READY) signal. For details refer to Table 7-7.
Some device features are not available during stacked operation, or are only available in the primary converter. Table 7-6 summarizes the available functionality during stacked operation.
Function | Primary Device | Secondary Device | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
UVLO | Yes | Yes | Common enable signal |
OVLO | Yes | Yes | Common enable signal |
OCP – current limit | Yes | Yes | Individual device |
OCP – hiccup OCP | No | No | Do not use during stacked operation |
Thermal shutdown | Yes | Yes | Common enable signal |
Power Good (Window Comparator) | Yes | No | Primary device only |
I2C interface | Yes | No | Primary device only |
DVS | Through I2C | No | Voltage loop controlled by primary device only |
SSC | Through I2C | Yes, through primary device | Daisy-chained from primary device to secondary devices |
SYNC | Yes | Yes, through primary device | Synchronization clock applied to primary device and daisy-chained from primary device to secondary devices |
Precise enable | No | No | Only binary enable |
Output discharge | Through I2C | Yes | Always enabled in secondary devices |
In a stacked configuration, there are some faults that only affect individual devices, and other faults that affect all devices. For example, if one device enters current limit, only that device is affected. But a thermal shutdown or undervoltage lockout event in one device disables all devices through the shared enable (SYSTEM_READY) signal. Table 7-7 summarizes the fault handling during stacked operation.
Fault Condition | Device Response | System Response |
---|---|---|
UVLO | Enable signal pulled low | New soft start |
OVLO | ||
Thermal shutdown | ||
Current limit | Enable signal remains high | Error amplifier clamped |