When in AUTO mode and at light loads, the device enters PFM. The regulator estimates the load current by measuring both the high-side and low-side switch currents. This estimate is only approximate, and the exact load current threshold, to trigger PFM, can vary greatly with input and output voltage. Section 8.2.2 shows mode change thresholds for several typical operating points. When the regulator detects this threshold, the reference voltage is increased by approximately 10 mV. This causes the output voltage to rise to meet the new regulation point. When this point is reached, the converter stops switching and much of the internal circuitry is shut off, while the reference is returned to the PWM value. This saves supply current while the output voltage naturally starts to fall under the influence of the load current. When the output voltage reaches the PWM regulation point, switching is again started and the reference voltage is again increased by approximately 10 mV, starting the next cycle. Typical waveforms are shown in Figure 7-8.

Figure 7-8 Typical PFM Mode Waveforms: V_IN = 3.6 V, V_OUT = 1.8 V, I_OUT = 10 mA

Figure 7-9 Typical No Load Input Supply Current

The actual output voltage ripple will depend on the feedback divider ratio and on the delay in the PFM comparator. The frequency of the PFM "bursts" will depend on the input voltage, output voltage, load, and output capacitor. Within each "burst", the device switches at 3 MHz (typical). If the load current increases above the threshold, normal PWM operation is resumed. This mode provides high light load efficiency by reducing the amount of supply current required to regulate the output at small load currents. This mode trades off very good light load efficiency for larger output voltage ripple and variable switching frequency. An example of the typical input supply current while regulating with no load is shown in Figure 7-9.

Because of normal part-to-part variation, the LMZ20501 may not switch into PFM mode at high input voltages. This can be seen with output voltages of approximately 1.2 V and below, and at input voltages of approximately 4.2 V and above.