8.3.1 Converter 1

In the adjustable output voltage version TPS62400, the converter 1 default output voltage can be set via an external resistor network on PIN DEF_1, which operates as an analog input. In this case, the output voltage can be set in the range of 0.6V to VIN V. The FB1 Pin must be directly connected to the converter 1 output voltage V_OUT1. It feeds back the output voltage directly to the regulation loop.

The output voltage of converter 1 can also be changed by the EasyScale™ serial Interface. This makes the device very flexible for output voltage adjustment. In this case, the device uses an internal resistor network.

In the fixed default output voltage version TPS62401, the DEF_1 Pin is configured as a digital input. The converter 1 defaults to 1.1V or 1.575V depending on the level of DEF_1 pin. If DEF_1 is low the default is 1.575V; if high, the default is 1.1V. With the EasyScale™ interface, the output voltage for each DEF_1 Pin condition (high or low) can be changed.

8.3.2 Converter 2

In the adjustable output voltage version TPS62400, the converter 2 output voltage is set by an external resistor divider connected to ADJ2 Pin and uses an external feed forward capacitor of 33pF.

In fixed output voltage version TPS62401, the default output voltage is fixed to 1.8V. In this case, the ADJ2 pin must be connected directly to the converter 2 output voltage V_OUT2.

It is also possible to change the output voltage of converter 2 via the EasyScale™ Interface. In this case, the ADJ2 Pin must be directly connected to converter 2 output voltage V_OUT2 and no external resistors may be connected.

8.3.3 DEF_1 Pin Function

The DEF_1 pin is dedicated to converter 1 and makes the output voltage selection very flexible to support dynamic voltage management.

Depending on the device version, this pin works either as:

1. Analog input for adjustable output voltage setting (TPS62400):
   • Connecting an external resistor network to this pin adjusts the default output voltage to any value starting from 0.6V to V_IN
2. Digital input for fixed default output voltage selection (TPS62401):
   • In case this pin is tied to low level, the output voltage is set according to the value in register REG_DEF_1_Low. The default voltage will be 1.575V. If tied to high level, the output voltage is set according to the value in register REG_DEF_1_High. The default value in this case is 1.1V. Depending on the level of Pin DEF_1, it selects between the two registers REG_DEF_1_Low and REG_DEF_1_High for output voltage setting. Each register content (and therefore output voltage) can be changed individually via the EasyScale™ interface. This makes the device very flexible in terms of output voltage setting; see Table 4.

8.3.4 Mode Selection

The MODE/DATA pin allows mode selection between forced PWM Mode and Power Save Mode for both converters. Furthermore, this pin is a multipurpose pin and provides (besides Mode selection) a one-pin interface to receive serial data from a host to set the output voltage. This is described in the EasyScale™ Interface section.

Connecting this pin to GND enables the automatic PWM and power save mode operation. The converters operates in fixed-frequency PWM mode at moderate-to-heavy loads, and in the PFM mode during light loads, maintaining high efficiency over a wide load current range.

Pulling the MODE/DATA pin high forces both converters to operate constantly in the PWM mode, even at light load currents. The advantage is that the converters operate with a fixed frequency, allowing simple filtering of the switching frequency for noise-sensitive applications. In this mode, the efficiency is lower compared to the power save mode during light loads. For additional flexibility, it is possible to switch from power save mode to forced PWM mode during operation. This allows efficient power management by adjusting the operation of the converter to the specific system requirements.

In case the operation mode is changed from forced PWM mode (MODE/DATA = high) to Power Save Mode Enable (MODE/DATA = 0), the Power Save Mode is enabled after a delay time of t_timeout , which is max. 520μs.

The forced PWM Mode operation is enabled immediately with Pin MODE/DATA set to 1.

8.3.5 Enable

The device has a separate EN pin for each converter to start up each converter independently. If EN1 and EN2 are set to high, the corresponding converter starts up with soft start as previously described.

Pulling EN1 and EN2 pin low forces the device into shutdown, with a shutdown quiescent current of typically 1.2μA. In this mode, the P and N-Channel MOSFETs are turned-off and the entire internal control circuitry is switched-off. For proper operation the EN1 and EN2 pins must be terminated and must not be left floating.

8.3.6 Soft Start

The two converters have an internal soft start circuit that limits the inrush current during start-up. During soft start, the output voltage ramp up is controlled as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Soft Start

8.3.7 Short-Circuit Protection

Both outputs are short-circuit protected with maximum output current = I_LIMF(P-MOS and N-MOS). Once the PMOS switch reaches its current limit, it is turned off and the NMOS switch is turned on. The PMOS only turns on again, once the current in the NMOS decreases below the NMOS current limit.

8.3.8 Under-Voltage Lockout

The under-voltage lockout circuit prevents the device from malfunctioning at low input voltages, and from excessive discharge of the battery, and disables the converters. The under-voltage lockout threshold is typically 1.5V; maximum of 2.35V. In case the default register values are overwritten by the Interface, the new values in the registers REG_DEF_1_High, REG_DEF_1_Low and REG_DEF_2 remain valid as long the supply voltage does not fall below the under-voltage lockout threshold, independent of whether the converters are disabled.

8.3.9 Thermal Shutdown

As soon as the junction temperature, T_J, exceeds 150°C (typical) the device goes into thermal shutdown. In this mode, the P and N-Channel MOSFETs are turned-off. The device continues its operation when the junction temperature falls below the thermal shutdown hysteresis.

8.4.1 Power Save Mode

The Power Save Mode is enabled with MODE/DATA Pin set to low for both converters. If the load current of a converter decreases, this converter will enter Power Save Mode operation automatically. The transition to Power Save Mode of a converter is independent from the operating condition of the other converter. During Power Save Mode the converter operates with reduced switching frequency in PFM mode and with a minimum quiescent current to maintain high efficiency. The converter will position the output voltage in PFM mode to typically 1.01×V_OUT. This voltage positioning feature minimizes voltage drops caused by a sudden load step.

In order to optimize the converter efficiency at light load the average inductor current is monitored. The device changes from PWM Mode to Power Save Mode, if in PWM mode the inductor current falls below a certain threshold. The typical output current threshold depends on VIN and can be calculated according to Equation 1 for each converter.

Equation 1: Average output current threshold to enter PFM Mode

Equation 1.

Equation 2: Average output current threshold to leave PFM Mode

Equation 2.

In order to keep the output voltage ripple in Power Save Mode low, the output voltage is monitored with a single threshold comparator (skip comparator). As the output voltage falls below the skip comparator threshold (skip comp) of 1.01 x VOUTnominal, the corresponding converter starts switching for a minimum time period of typ. 1μs and provides current to the load and the output capacitor. Therefore the output voltage will increase and the device maintains switching until the output voltage trips the skip comparator threshold (skip comp) again. At this moment all switching activity is stopped and the quiescent current is reduced to minimum. The load is supplied by the output capacitor until the output voltage has dropped below the threshold again. Hereupon the device starts switching again.

The Power Save Mode is left and PWM Mode entered in case the output current exceeds the current IOUT_PFM_leave or if the output voltage falls below a second comparator threshold, called skip comparator low (Skip Comp Low) threshold. This skip comparator low threshold is set to -2% below nominal Vout, and enables a fast transition from Power Save Mode to PWM Mode during a load step.

In Power Save Mode the quiescent current is reduced typically to 19μA for one converter and 32μA for both converters active. This single skip comparator threshold method in Power Save Mode results in a very low output voltage ripple. The ripple depends on the comparator delay and the size of the output capacitor. Increasing output capacitor values will minimize the output ripple. The Power Save Mode can be disabled through the MODE/DATA pin set to high. Both converters will then operate in fixed PWM mode. Power Save Mode Enable/Disable applies to both converters.

8.4.2 Dynamic Voltage Positioning

This feature reduces the voltage under/overshoots at load steps from light to heavy load and vice versa. It is activated in Power Save Mode operation. It provides more headroom for both the voltage drop at a load step, and the voltage increase at a load throw-off. This improves load transient behavior.

At light loads, in which the converter operates in PFM Mode, the output voltage is regulated typically 1% higher than the nominal value. In case of a load transient from light load to heavy load, the output voltage drops until it reaches the skip comparator low threshold set to –2% below the nominal value and enters PWM mode. During a load throw off from heavy load to light load, the voltage overshoot is also minimized due to active regulation turning on the N-channel switch.

Figure 7. Dynamic Voltage Positioning

8.4.3 100% Duty Cycle Low Dropout Operation

The converters offer a low input-to-output voltage difference while still maintaining operation with the use of the 100% duty cycle mode. In this mode the P-channel switch is constantly turned on. This is particularly useful in battery-powered applications to achieve longest operation time by taking full advantage of the whole battery voltage range. The minimum input voltage to maintain regulation depends on the load current and output voltage, and can be calculated as:

Equation 3.

with:

Iout_max = maximum output current plus inductor ripple current

RDSon_max = maximum P-channel switch RDSon.

R_L = DC resistance of the inductor

Vout_max = nominal output voltage plus maximum output voltage tolerance

With decreasing load current, the device automatically switches into pulse skipping operation in which the power stage operates intermittently based on load demand. By running cycles periodically the switching losses are minimized and the device runs with a minimum quiescent current, maintaining high efficiency.

8.4.4 180° Out-Of-Phase Operation

In PWM Mode the converters operate with a 180° turn-on phase shift of the PMOS (high side) transistors. This prevents the high-side switches of both converters from being turned on simultaneously, and therefore smooths the input current. This feature reduces the surge current drawn from the supply.

8.5.1 EasyScale™: One-Pin Serial Interface for Dynamic Output Voltage Adjustment

8.5.1.3 Addressable Registers

Three registers with a data content of 5 bits can be addressed. With 5 bit data content, 32 different values for each register are available. Table 1 shows the addressable registers to set the output voltage when DEF_1 pin works as digital input. In this case, converter 1 has a related register for each DEF_1 Pin condition, and one register for converter 2. With a high/low condition on pin DEF_1 (TPS62401) either the content of register REG_DEF_1_high/REG_DEF1_low is selected. The output voltage of converter 1 is set according to the values in Table 4.

Table 2 shows the addressable registers if DEF_1 pin acts as analog input with external resistors connected. In this case one register is available for each converter. The output voltage of converter 1 is set according to the values in Table 5. For converter 2, the available voltages are shown in Table 6. To generate these output voltages a precise internal resistor divider network is used, making external resistors unnecessary (less board space), and provides higher output voltage accuracy. The Interface is activated if at least one of the converters is enabled (EN1 or EN2 is high). After the startup-time t_Start (170μs) the interface is ready for data reception.

Table 1. Addressable Registers for default Fixed Output Voltage Options (PIN DEF_1 = digital input)

DEVICE	REGISTER	DESCRIPTION	DEF_1 PIN	A1	A0	D4	D3	D2	D1	D0
TPS62401, TPS62402, TPS62403, TPS62404	REG_DEF_1_High	Converter 1 output voltage setting for DEF_1 = High condition. The content of the register is active with DEF1_ Pin high.	High	0	1	Output voltage setting, see Table 4
	REG_DEF_1_Low	Converter 1 output voltage setting for DEF_1 = Low condition.	Low	0	0	Output voltage setting, see Table 4
	REG_DEF_2	Converter 2 output voltage	Not applicable	1	0	Output voltage setting, see Table 6
		Don’t use		1	1

Table 2. Addressable Registers for Adjustable Output Voltage Options (PIN DEF_1 = analog input)

DEVICE	REGISTER	DESCRIPTION	A1	A0	D4	D3	D2	D1	D0
TPS62400	REG_DEF_1_High	not available
	REG_DEF_1_Low	Converter 1 output voltage setting	0	0	see Table 5
	REG_DEF_2	Converter 2 output voltage	1	0	see Table 6
		Don’t’ use	1	1

8.5.1.3.1 Bit Decoding

The bit detection is based on a PWM scheme, where the criterion is the relation between t_LOW and t_HIGH. It can be simplified to:

High Bit: t_High > t_Low, but with t_High at least 2x t_Low, see Figure 34

Low Bit: t_Low> t_High, but with t_Low at least 2x t_High, see Figure 34

The bit detection starts with a falling edge on the MODE/DATA pin and ends with the next falling edge. Depending on the relation between t_Low and t_High a 0 or 1 is detected.

8.5.1.3.2 Acknowledge

The Acknowledge condition is only applied if:

• Acknowledge is requested by a set RFA bit
• The transmitted device address matches with the device address of the device
• 16 bits were received correctly

In this case, the device turns on the internal ACKN-MOSFET and pulls the MODE/DATA pin low for the time t_ACKN, which is 520μs maximum . The Acknowledge condition is valid after an internal delay time t_valACK. This means the internal ACKN-MOSFET is turned on after t_valACK, when the last falling edge of the protocol was detected. The master controller keeps the line low during this time.

The master device can detect the acknowledge condition with its input by releasing the MODE/DATA pin after t_valACK and read back a 0.

In case of an invalid device address, or not-correctly-received protocol, no-acknowledge condition is applied; thus, the internal MOSFET is not turned on and the external pullup resistor pulls MODE/DATA pin high after t_valACK. The MODE/DATA pin can be used again after the acknowledge condition ends.

NOTE

The acknowledge condition may only be requested in case the master device has an open drain output.

In case of a push-pull output stage it is recommended to use a series resistor in the MODE/DATA line to limit the current to 500 μA in case of an accidentally requested acknowledge, to protect the internal ACKN-MOSFET.

8.5.1.3.3 MODE Selection

Because the MODE/DATA pin is used for two functions, interface and a MODE selection, the device needs to determine when it has to decode the bit stream or to change the operation mode.

The device enters forced PWM mode operation immediately whenever the MODE/DATA pin turns to high level. The device also stays in forced PWM mode during the entire protocol reception time.

With a falling edge on the MODE/DATA pin the device starts bit decoding. If the MODE/DATA pin stays low for at least t_timeout, the device gets an internal timeout and Power Save Mode operation is enabled.

A protocol sent within this time is ignored because the falling edge for the Mode change is first interpreted as start of the first bit. In this case it is recommended to send the protocol first, and then change at the end of the protocol to Power Save Mode.

Figure 8. EasyScale™ Protocol Overview

Table 3. EasyScale™ Bit Description

BYTE	BIT NUMBER	NAME	TRANSMISSION DIRECTION	DESCRIPTION
Device Address Byte	7	DA7	IN	0 MSB device address
	6	DA6	IN	1
	5	DA5	IN	0
	4	DA4	IN	0
4Ehex	3	DA3	IN	1
	2	DA2	IN	1
	1	DA1	IN	1
	0	DA0	IN	0 LSB device address
Databyte	7(MSB)	RFA	IN	Request For Acknowledge, if high, Acknowledge condition will applied by the device
	6	A1		Address Bit 1
	5	A0		Address Bit 0
	4	D4		Data Bit 4
	3	D3		Data Bit 3
	2	D2		Data Bit 2
	1	D1		Data Bit 1
	0(LSB)	D0		Data Bit 0
		ACK	OUT	Acknowledge condition active 0, this condition will only be applied in case RFA bit is set. Open drain output, Line needs to be pulled high by the host with a pullup resistor.
				This feature can only be used if the master has an open drain output stage. In case of a push pull output stage Acknowledge condition may not be requested!

Figure 9. EasyScale™ Protocol Without Acknowledge

Figure 10. EasyScale™ Protocol Including Acknowledge

Figure 11. EasyScale™ – Bit Coding

Figure 12. MODE/DATA PIN: Mode Selection

Figure 13. MODE/DATA Pin: Power Save Mode/Interface Communication

Table 4. Selectable Output Voltages for Converter 1,
With Pin DEF_1 as Digital Input (TPS62401)

	TPS62401 OUTPUT VOLTAGE [V] REGISTER REG_DEF_1_LOW	TPS62401 OUTPUT VOLTAGE [V] REGISTER REG_DEF_1_HIGH	D4	D3	D2	D1	D0
0	0.8	0.9	0	0	0	0	0
1	0.825	0.925	0	0	0	0	1
2	0.85	0.95	0	0	0	1	0
3	0.875	0.975	0	0	0	1	1
4	0.9	1.0	0	0	1	0	0
5	0.925	1.025	0	0	1	0	1
6	0.95	1.050	0	0	1	1	0
7	0.975	1.075	0	0	1	1	1
8	1.0	1.1(default TPS62401, TPS62403)	0	1	0	0	0
9	1.025	1.125	0	1	0	0	1
10	1.050	1.150	0	1	0	1	0
11	1.075	1.175	0	1	0	1	1
12	1.1	1.2	0	1	1	0	0
13	1.125	1.225	0	1	1	0	1
14	1.150	1.25	0	1	1	1	0
15	1.175	1.275	0	1	1	1	1
16	1.2 (default TPS62402, TPS62404)	1.3	1	0	0	0	0
17	1.225	1.325	1	0	0	0	1
18	1.25	1.350	1	0	0	1	0
19	1.275	1.375	1	0	0	1	1
20	1.3	1.4	1	0	1	0	0
21	1.325	1.425	1	0	1	0	1
22	1.350	1.450	1	0	1	1	0
23	1.375	1.475	1	0	1	1	1
24	1.4	1.5	1	1	0	0	0
25	1.425	1.525	1	1	0	0	1
26	1.450	1.55	1	1	0	1	0
27	1.475	1.575	1	1	0	1	1
28	1.5	1.6	1	1	1	0	0
29	1.525	1.7	1	1	1	0	1
30	1.55	1.8 (default TPS62402)	1	1	1	1	0
31	1.575 (default TPS62401, TPS62403)	1.9 (default TPS62404)	1	1	1	1	1

Table 5. Selectable Output Voltages for Converter 1,
With DEF1 Pin as Analog Input (Adjustable, TPS62400)

	TPS62400 OUTPUT VOLTAGE [V] REGISTER REG_DEF_1_LOW	D4	D3	D2	D1	D0
0	VOUT1 Adjustable with Resistor Network on DEF_1 Pin (default TPS62400)	0	0	0	0	0
	0.6V with DEF_1 connected to VOUT1 (default TPS62400)
1	0.825	0	0	0	0	1
2	0.85	0	0	0	1	0
3	0.875	0	0	0	1	1
4	0.9	0	0	1	0	0
5	0.925	0	0	1	0	1
6	0.95	0	0	1	1	0
7	0.975	0	0	1	1	1
8	1.0	0	1	0	0	0
9	1.025	0	1	0	0	1
10	1.050	0	1	0	1	0
11	1.075	0	1	0	1	1
12	1.1	0	1	1	0	0
13	1.125	0	1	1	0	1
14	1.150	0	1	1	1	0
15	1.175	0	1	1	1	1
16	1.2	1	0	0	0	0
17	1.225	1	0	0	0	1
18	1.25	1	0	0	1	0
19	1.275	1	0	0	1	1
20	1.3	1	0	1	0	0
21	1.325	1	0	1	0	1
22	1.350	1	0	1	1	0
23	1.375	1	0	1	1	1
24	1.4	1	1	0	0	0
25	1.425	1	1	0	0	1
26	1.450	1	1	0	1	0
27	1.475	1	1	0	1	1
28	1.5	1	1	1	0	0
29	1.525	1	1	1	0	1
30	1.55	1	1	1	1	0
31	1.575	1	1	1	1	1

Table 6. Selectable Output Voltages for Converter 2,
(ADJ2 Connected to V_OUT)

	OUTPUT VOLTAGE [V] FOR REGISTER REG_DEF_2	D4	D3	D2	D1	D0
0	VOUT2 Adjustable with resistor network and Cff on ADJ2 pin (default TPS62400)	0	0	0	0	0
	0.6V with ADJ2 pin directly connected to VOUT2 (default TPS62400)
1	0.85	0	0	0	0	1
2	0.9	0	0	0	1	0
3	0.95	0	0	0	1	1
4	1.0	0	0	1	0	0
5	1.05	0	0	1	0	1
6	1.1	0	0	1	1	0
7	1.15	0	0	1	1	1
8	1.2	0	1	0	0	0
9	1.25	0	1	0	0	1
10	1.3	0	1	0	1	0
11	1.35	0	1	0	1	1
12	1.4	0	1	1	0	0
13	1.45	0	1	1	0	1
14	1.5	0	1	1	1	0
15	1.55	0	1	1	1	1
16	1.6	1	0	0	0	0
17	1.7	1	0	0	0	1
18	1.8 (default TPS62401)	1	0	0	1	0
19	1.85	1	0	0	1	1
20	2.0	1	0	1	0	0
21	2.1	1	0	1	0	1
22	2.2	1	0	1	1	0
23	2.3	1	0	1	1	1
24	2.4	1	1	0	0	0
25	2.5	1	1	0	0	1
26	2.6	1	1	0	1	0
27	2.7	1	1	0	1	1
28	2.8 (default TPS62403)	1	1	1	0	0
29	2.85	1	1	1	0	1
30	3.0	1	1	1	1	0
31	3.3 (default TPS62402, TPS62404)	1	1	1	1	1