LTC3851 LINER [Linear Technology], LTC3851 Datasheet - Page 13

• Manufacturer Part Number: LTC3851
• Description: Synchronous Step-Down Switching Regulator Controller
• Manufacturer: LINER [Linear Technology]

APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The DCR of the inductor can also be measured using a
good RLC meter.
Slope Compensation and Inductor Peak Current
Slope compensation provides stability in constant fre-
quency architectures by preventing sub-harmonic oscil-
lations at high duty cycles. It is accomplished inter nally
by adding a compensating ramp to the inductor current
signal. Normally, this results in a reduction of maximum
inductor peak cur rent for duty cycles >40%. However, the
LTC3851 uses a novel scheme that allows the maximum
inductor peak current to remain unaffected throughout
all duty cycles.
Inductor Value Calculation
The operating frequency and inductor selection are inter-
related in that higher operating frequencies allow the use of
smaller inductor and capacitor values. A higher frequency
generally results in lower effi ciency because of MOSFET
gate charge losses. In addition to this basic trade-off, the
effect of inductor value on ripple current and low current
operation must also be considered.
The inductor value has a direct effect on ripple current.
The inductor ripple current ΔI
inductance or frequency and increases with higher V
*PLACE C1 NEAR SENSE
ΔI
LTC3851
Figure 2. Current Mode Control Using the Inductor DCR
L
=
SENSE
SENSE
INTV
BOOST
f L
GND
SW
V
BG
•
TG
1
CC
IN
+
–
V
OUT
+
, SENSE
C1*
⎛
⎝ ⎜
1
–
–
PINS
V
R2
V
OUT
R1
IN
⎞
⎠ ⎟
R1||R2 • C1 =
R
SENSE(EQ)
L
decreases with higher
INDUCTOR
= DCR
L
DCR
V
IN
L
DCR
R1 + R2
R2
3851 F02
IN
V
:
OUT
Accepting larger values of ΔI
inductances, but results in higher output voltage ripple
and greater core losses. A reasonable starting point for
setting ripple current is ΔI
ΔI
The inductor value also has secondary effects. The tran-
sition to Burst Mode operation begins when the average
inductor current required results in a peak current below
≈10% of the current limit determined by R
inductor values (higher ΔI
lower load currents, which can cause a dip in effi ciency in
the upper range of low current operation. In Burst Mode
operation, lower inductance values will cause the burst
frequency to increase.
Inductor Core Selection
Once the value for L is known, the type of inductor must
be selected. High effi ciency converters generally cannot
afford the core loss found in low cost powdered iron cores,
forcing the use of more expensive ferrite or molypermalloy
cores. Actual core loss is independent of core size for a
fi xed inductor value, but it is very dependent on inductance
selected. As inductance increases, core losses go down.
Unfortunately, increased inductance requires more turns
of wire and therefore copper losses will increase.
Ferrite designs have very low core loss and are preferred
at high switching frequencies, so design goals can con-
centrate on copper loss and preventing saturation. Ferrite
core material saturates “hard,” which means that induc-
tance collapses abruptly when the peak design current is
exceeded. This results in an abrupt increase in inductor
ripple current and consequent output voltage ripple. Do
not allow the core to saturate!
Power MOSFET and Schottky Diode (Optional)
Selection
Two external power MOSFETs must be selected for the
LTC3851 controller: one N-channel MOSFET for the top
(main) switch, and one N-channel MOSFET for the bottom
(synchronous) switch.
L
occurs at the maximum input voltage.
L
L
) will cause this to occur at
= 0.3(I
L
allows the use of low
MAX
LTC3851
). The maximum
SENSE
. Lower
13
3851f