SLUSCZ1 May 2017 TPS92518-Q1
PRODUCTION DATA.
Another impact on linearity can occur when analog dimming (LEDx_PKTH_DAC threshold adjustment) and the inductor current becomes discontinuous. Discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) occurs when the inductor current reaches 0 A each off-time. When the device enters DCM, the output current is no longer the peak current minus half the ripple current (as shown in Figure 16) and is no longer a linear relationship between the LEDx_PKTH_DAC value and the average output current. The linear range can be extended by lowering the ripple, ΔIL-PP to extend the natural linear region of operation.
Another approach can be used by first analyzing the system operation. The point at which DCM is entered can be calculated as well as the average current value when in DCM. The micro-controller writing the LEDx_PKTH_DAC values can simply write alternate values in the DCM area to ensure net linear response to the LED average current. See DCM Current Calculationfor information on calculating the average current when in DCM.