LT1375/LT1376
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
LT1375/LT1376
TO FREQUENCY
SHIFTING
ERROR
AMPLIFIER
1.6V
Q1
V
SW
OUTPUT
5V
+
R5
5k
Q2
–
V
C
GND
Figure 2. Frequency and Current Limit Foldback
Please read the following if divider resistors are increased
above the suggested values.
R1
=
Table 1
R2 V
OUT
−
2
.
42
2
.
42
(
)
% ERROR AT OUTPUT
DUE TO DISCREET 1%
RESISTOR STEPS
+ 0.23
+ 0.08
+ 0.39
– 0.5
– 0.04
+ 0.83
– 0.62
+ 0.52
OUTPUT
VOLTAGE
(V)
3
3.3
5
6
8
10
12
15
R2
(k
Ω
)
4.99
4.99
4.99
4.99
4.99
4.99
4.99
4.99
R1
(NEAREST 1%)
(k
Ω
)
1.21
1.82
5.36
7.32
11.5
15.8
19.6
26.1
More Than Just Voltage Feedback
The feedback (FB) pin is used for more than just output
voltage sensing. It also reduces switching frequency and
current limit when output voltage is very low (see the
Frequency Foldback graph in Typical Performance Char-
acteristics). This is done to control power dissipation in
both the IC and in the external diode and inductor during
short-circuit conditions. A shorted output requires the
switching regulator to operate at very low duty cycles, and
the average current through the diode and inductor is
U
W
U
U
2.4V
R3
1k
R4
1k
FB
R1
+
R2
5k
1375/76 F02
equal to the short-circuit current limit of the switch (typi-
cally 2A for the LT1376, folding back to less than 1A).
Minimum switch on time limitations would prevent the
switcher from attaining a sufficiently low duty cycle if
switching frequency were maintained at 500kHz, so fre-
quency is reduced by about 5:1 when the feedback pin
voltage drops below 1V (see Frequency Foldback graph).
This does not affect operation with normal load condi-
tions; one simply sees a gear shift in switching frequency
during start-up as the output voltage rises.
In addition to lower switching frequency, the LT1376 also
operates at lower switch current limit when the feedback
pin voltage drops below 1.7V. Q2 in Figure 2 performs this
function by clamping the V
C
pin to a voltage less than its
normal 2.3V upper clamp level. This
foldback current limit
greatly reduces power dissipation in the IC, diode and
inductor during short-circuit conditions. Again, it is nearly
transparent to the user under normal load conditions. The
only loads which may be affected are current source loads
which maintain full load current with output voltage less
than 50% of final value. In these rare situations the
Feedback pin can be clamped above 1.5V with an external
diode to defeat foldback current limit.
Caution:
clamping
the feedback pin means that frequency shifting will also be
defeated, so a combination of high input voltage and dead
shorted output may cause the LT1376 to lose control of
current limit.
The internal circuitry which forces reduced switching
frequency also causes current to flow out of the feedback
9
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