SNVSC40E August   2021  – September 2023 LMR38020

PRODUCTION DATA  

  1.   1
  2. 1 Features
  3. 2 Applications
  4. 3 Description
  5. 4 Revision History
  6. 5 Device Comparison Table
  7. 6 Pin Configuration and Functions
  8. 7 Specifications
    1. 7.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
    2. 7.2 ESD Ratings
    3. 7.3 Recommended Operating Conditions
    4. 7.4 Thermal Information
    5. 7.5 Electrical Characteristics
    6. 7.6 System Characteristics
    7. 7.7 Typical Characteristics
  9. 8 Detailed Description
    1. 8.1 Overview
    2. 8.2 Functional Block Diagram
    3. 8.3 Feature Description
      1. 8.3.1  Fixed Frequency Peak Current Mode Control
      2. 8.3.2  Adjustable Output Voltage
      3. 8.3.3  Enable
      4. 8.3.4  Switching Frequency and Synchronization (RT/SYNC)
      5. 8.3.5  Power-Good Flag Output
      6. 8.3.6  Minimum On Time, Minimum Off Time, and Frequency Foldback
      7. 8.3.7  Bootstrap Voltage
      8. 8.3.8  Overcurrent and Short Circuit Protection
      9. 8.3.9  Soft Start
      10. 8.3.10 Thermal Shutdown
    4. 8.4 Device Functional Modes
      1. 8.4.1 Auto Mode
      2. 8.4.2 Forced PWM Operation
      3. 8.4.3 Dropout
      4. 8.4.4 Minimum Switch On Time
  10. 9 Application and Implementation
    1. 9.1 Application Information
    2. 9.2 Typical Application
      1. 9.2.1 Design Requirements
      2. 9.2.2 Detailed Design Procedure
        1. 9.2.2.1 Custom Design With WEBENCH® Tools
        2. 9.2.2.2 Choosing the Switching Frequency
        3. 9.2.2.3 FB for Adjustable Output
        4. 9.2.2.4 Inductor Selection
        5. 9.2.2.5 Output Capacitor Selection
        6. 9.2.2.6 Input Capacitor Selection
        7. 9.2.2.7 CBOOT
        8. 9.2.2.8 External UVLO
        9. 9.2.2.9 Maximum Ambient Temperature
      3. 9.2.3 Application Curves
    3. 9.3 Best Design Practices
    4. 9.4 Power Supply Recommendations
    5. 9.5 Layout
      1. 9.5.1 Layout Guidelines
        1. 9.5.1.1 Ground and Thermal Considerations
      2. 9.5.2 Layout Example
  11. 10Device and Documentation Support
    1. 10.1 Device Support
      1. 10.1.1 Development Support
        1. 10.1.1.1 Custom Design With WEBENCH® Tools
      2. 10.1.2 Third-Party Products Disclaimer
    2. 10.2 Documentation Support
      1. 10.2.1 Related Documentation
    3. 10.3 Receiving Notification of Documentation Updates
    4. 10.4 Support Resources
    5. 10.5 Trademarks
    6. 10.6 Electrostatic Discharge Caution
    7. 10.7 Glossary
  12. 11Mechanical, Packaging, and Orderable Information

8.4.1 Auto Mode

In auto mode, the device moves between PWM and PFM as the load changes. At light loads, the regulator operates in PFM. At higher loads, the mode changes to PWM.

In PWM, the regulator operates as a constant frequency, current mode, full-synchronous converter using PWM to regulate the output voltage. While operating in this mode, the output voltage is regulated by switching at a constant frequency and modulating the duty cycle to control the power to the load. This provides excellent line and load regulation and low output voltage ripple.

In PFM, the high-side MOSFET is turned on in a burst of one or more pulses to provide energy to the load. The duration of the burst depends on how long it takes the inductor current to reach IPEAK-MIN. The frequency of these bursts is adjusted to regulate the output, while diode emulation is used to maximize efficiency (see the Glossary). This mode provides high light-load efficiency by reducing the amount of input supply current required to regulate the output voltage at small loads. This trades off very good light-load efficiency for larger output voltage ripple and variable switching frequency. Also, a small increase in output voltage occurs at light loads. The actual switching frequency and output voltage ripple depend on the input voltage, output voltage, and load.