SLVA478C October   2013  – November 2022 TPS62120 , TPS62122

 

  1.   Using the TPS62120 in an Inverting Buck-Boost Topology
  2.   Trademarks
  3. 1Inverting Buck-Boost Topology
    1. 1.1 Design Considerations
    2. 1.2 Concept
    3. 1.3 Output Current Calculations
    4. 1.4 VIN and VOUT Range
  4. 2Digital Pin Configurations
    1. 2.1 Enable Pin
    2. 2.2 SGND Pin
    3. 2.3 Power Good Pin
  5. 3Startup Behavior and Switching Node Consideration
  6. 4External Component Selection
    1. 4.1 Inductor Selection
    2. 4.2 Input Capacitor Selection
    3. 4.3 Selecting L and COUT for Stability
  7. 5Typical Performance and Waveforms
  8. 6Conclusion
  9. 7References
  10. 8Revision History

1.1 Design Considerations

The TPS62120 for inverting buck-boost application is very risky. We strongly recommend using our new generation buck converter TPS629203 or -Q1 family (including TPS629206 or -Q1 and TPS629210 or -Q1) instead of the TPS62120 for inverting buck-boost applications. The TPS629203 family not only has a higher current limit threshold, but most importantly, it does not require the inductor current to fall to zero before starting a new switching cycle. For example TPS629203 family has 0.9A typ low-side current limit threshold, thus, the device will continue to switch as long as the DC bias current of downstream circuitry is below this 0.9A typ threshold. More detailed information for TPS629203 inverting buck-boost application can be found in Using the TPS629210-Q1 in an Inverting Buck-Boost Topology

The TPS62120 integrates a high-side MOSFET current limit ILIMF to protect the device against over current or short circuit fault. The current in high-side MOSFET is monitored by current limit comparator and once the current reaches the limit of ILIMF, the high-side MOSFET is turned off and low-side MOSFET is turned on to ramp down the inductor current. The high-side MOSFET is turned on again once zero current comparator trips and the inductor current has become zero.

The inverting buck-boost application is most commonly used to drive differential (+V/-V) rails. At some scenarios, the downstream devices become active as soon as the input voltage is present, their Iq current feeds into the negative (-V) rail even if the negative (-V) rail is not being enabled. There is a positive DC bias voltage is likely existed on the negative (-V) rail, then TPS62120 is more prone to get stuck as it may never see a zero-crossing current while getting into an over current fault due to this positive DC bias voltage.

A possible workaround solution for TPS62120 in inverting buck-boost application: Adjust the system power up sequence to prevent the downstream devices from loading the negative (-V) rail prior to the negative rail being enabled. That means to enable the negative rail (-V) first and then enable other downstream devices. Otherwise TPS62120 likely gets stuck during power up.