JAJSM31 May 2022 TPS7A74
ADVANCE INFORMATION
The TPS7A74 features a programmable, monotonic, voltage-controlled soft-start that is set with an external capacitor (CSS). This feature is important for many applications because the soft-start eliminates power-up initialization problems when powering FPGAs, DSPs, or other processors. The controlled voltage ramp of the output also reduces peak inrush current during start-up, minimizing start-up transient events to the input power bus.
To achieve a linear and monotonic soft-start, the error amplifier tracks the voltage ramp of the external soft-start capacitor until the voltage exceeds the internal reference. The soft-start ramp time depends on the soft-start charging current (ISS), soft-start capacitance (CSS), and the internal reference voltage (VREF). Equation 4 calculates the soft-start ramp time.
If large output capacitors are used, the device current limit (ICL) and the output capacitor may set the start-up time. The start-up time is given by Equation 5 in this case.
where:
In applications where monotonic start up is required, the soft-start time given by Equation 4 must be set greater than Equation 5.
The maximum recommended soft-start capacitor is 15 nF. Larger soft-start capacitors can be used and do not damage the device; however, the soft-start capacitor discharge circuit may not be able to fully discharge the soft-start capacitor when enabled. Soft-start capacitors larger than 15 nF can be a problem in applications where the enable pin must be rapidly pulsed and the device must soft-start from ground. CSS must be low-leakage; X7R, X5R, or C0G dielectric materials are preferred. Table 7-2 lists suggested soft-start capacitor values.
CSS | SOFT-START TIME |
---|---|
Open | 0.1 ms |
1 nF | 0.032 ms |
5.6 nF | 0.182 ms |
10 nF | 0.325 ms |
Another option to set the start-up rate is to use a feedforward capacitor; see the Pros and Cons of Using a Feedforward Capacitor with a Low-Dropout Regulator application report for more information.