LM5115
LM5115 Secondary Side Post Regulator / Synchronous Buck Controller
Literature Number: SNVS343D
LM5115
Secondary Side Post Regulator / Synchronous Buck
Controller
General Description
The LM5115 is a versatile switching regulator controller. It
has two main application configurations. The first is utilizing
the Secondary Side Post Regulation (SSPR) technique to
implement multiple output power converters. In the second
configuration, it can be used as a standalone synchronous
buck controller (Please see page 14 for more details). The
SSPR technique develops a highly efficient and well regu-
lated auxiliary output from the secondary side switching
waveform of an isolated power converter. Regulation of the
auxiliary output voltage is achieved by leading edge pulse
width modulation (PWM) of the main channel duty cycle.
Leading edge modulation is compatible with either current
mode or voltage mode control of the main output. The
LM5115 drives external high side and low side NMOS power
switches configured as a synchronous buck regulator. A
current sense amplifier provides overload protection and
operates over a wide common mode input range. Additional
features include a low dropout (LDO) bias regulator, error
amplifier, precision reference, adaptive dead time control of
the gate signals and thermal shutdown.
Features
nSelf-synchronization to main channel output
nStandalone DC/DC Synchronous buck mode
nLeading edge pulse width modulation
nVoltage-mode control with current injection and input line
feed-forward
nOperates from AC or DC input up to 75V
nWide 4.5V to 30V bias supply range
nWide 0.75V to 13.5V output range.
nTop and bottom gate drivers sink 2.5A peak
nAdaptive gate driver dead-time control
nWide bandwidth error amplifier (4MHz)
nProgrammable soft-start
nThermal shutdown protection
nTSSOP-16 or thermally enhanced LLP-16 packages
Typical Application Circuit
20134901
FIGURE 1. Simplified Multiple Output Power Converter Utilizing SSPR Technique
July 2006
LM5115 Secondary Side Post Regulator / Synchronous Buck Controller
© 2006 National Semiconductor Corporation DS201349 www.national.com
Connection Diagram
20134902
16-Lead TSSOP
See NS Package Numbers MTC16
20134921
16-Lead LLP
See NS Package Numbers SDA16A
Ordering Information
Ordering Number Package Type NSC Package Drawing Supplied As
LM5115MTC TSSOP-16 MTC16 92 Units Per Anti-Static Tube
LM5115MTCX TSSOP-16 MTC16 2500 units shipped as Tape & Reel
LM5115SD LLP-16 SDA16A 1000 units shipped as Tape & Reel
LM5115SDX LLP-16 SDA16A 4500 units shipped as Tape & Reel
Pin Descriptions
Pin Name Description Application Information
1 CS Current Sense amplifier positive input A low inductance current sense resistor is connected between
CS and VOUT. Current limiting occurs when the differential
voltage between CS and VOUT exceeds 45mV (typical).
2 VOUT Current sense amplifier negative input Connected directly to the output voltage. The current sense
amplifier operates over a voltage range from 0V to 13.5V at the
VOUT pin.
3 AGND Analog ground Connect directly to the power ground pin (PGND).
4 CO Current limit output For normal current limit operation, connect the CO pin to the
COMP pin. Leave this pin open to disable the current limit
function.
5 COMP Compensation. Error amplifier output COMP pin pull-up is provided by an internal 300uA current
source.
6 FB Feedback. Error amplifier inverting input Connected to the regulated output through the feedback resistor
divider and compensation components. The non-inverting input
of the error amplifier is internally connected to the SS pin.
7 SS Soft-start control An external capacitor and the equivalent impedance of an
internal resistor divider connected to the bandgap voltage
reference set the soft-start time. The steady state operating
voltage of the SS pin equal to 0.75V (typical).
8 RAMP PWM Ramp signal An external capacitor connected to this pin sets the ramp slope
for the voltage mode PWM. The RAMP capacitor is charged
with a current that is proportional to current into the SYNC pin.
The capacitor is discharged at the end of every cycle by an
internal MOSFET.
9 SYNC Synchronization input A low impedance current input pin. The current into this pin sets
the RAMP capacitor charge current and the frequency of an
internal oscillator that provides a clock for the free-run (DC
input) mode .
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Pin Descriptions (Continued)
Pin Name Description Application Information
10 PGND Power Ground Connect directly to the analog ground pin (AGND).
11 LO Low side gate driver output Connect to the gate of the low side synchronous MOSFET
through a short low inductance path.
12 VCC Output of bias regulator Nominal 7V output from the internal LDO bias regulator. Locally
decouple to PGND using a low ESR/ESL capacitor located as
close to controller as possible.
13 HS High side MOSFET source connection Connect to negative terminal of the bootstrap capacitor and the
source terminal of the high side MOSFET.
14 HO High side gate driver output Connect to the gate of high side MOSFET through a short low
inductance path.
15 HB High side gate driver bootstrap rail Connect to the cathode of the bootstrap diode and the positive
terminal of the bootstrap capacitor. The bootstrap capacitor
supplies current to charge the high side MOSFET gate and
should be placed as close to controller as possible.
16 VBIAS Supply Bias Input Input to the LDO bias regulator and current sense amplifier that
powers internal blocks. Input range of VBIAS is 4.5V to 30V.
- Exposed Pad
(LLP
Package
Only)
Exposed Pad, underside of LLP package Internally bonded to the die substrate. Connect to system
ground for low thermal impedance.
LM5115
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Block Diagram
20134903
LM5115
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Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required,
please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/
Distributors for availability and specifications.
VBIAS to GND 0.3V to 32V
VCC to GND 0.3V to 9V
HS to GND 1V to 76V
VOUT, CS to GND 0.3V to 15V
All other inputs to GND −0.3V to 7.0V
Storage Temperature Range 55˚C to +150˚C
Junction Temperature +150˚C
ESD Rating
HBM (Note 2) 2 kV
Operating Ratings
VBIAS supply voltage 5V to 30V
VCC supply voltage 5V to 7.5V
HS voltage 0V to 75V
HB voltage VCC + HS
Operating Junction Temperature 40˚C to +125˚C
Typical Operating Conditions
PARAMETER MIN TYP MAX UNITS
Supply Voltage, VBIAS 4.5 30 V
Supply Voltage, VCC 4.5 7 V
Supply voltage bypass, CVBIAS 0.1 1 µF
Reference bypass capacitor, CVCC 0.1 1 10 µF
HB-HS bootstrap capacitor 0.047 µF
SYNC Current Range (VCC = 4.5V) 50 150 µA
RAMP Saw Tooth Amplitude 1 1.75 V
VOUT regulation voltage (VBIAS min = 3V + VOUT) 0.75 13.5 V
Electrical Characteristics Unless otherwise specified, T
J
= 40˚C to +125˚C, VBIAS = 12V, No Load on
LO or HO.
SYMBOL PARAMETER CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
VBIAS SUPPLY
Ibias VBIAS Supply Current F
SYNC
= 200kHz 4 mA
VCC LOW DROPOUT BIAS REGULATOR
VccReg VCC Regulation VCC open circuit. Outputs not
switching
6.65 77.15 V
VCC Current Limit (Note 4) 40 mA
VCC Under-voltage Lockout Voltage Positive going VCC 4 4.5 V
VCC Under-voltage Hysteresis 0.2 0.25 0.3 V
SOFT-START
SS Source Impedance 43 60 77 k
SS Discharge Impedance 100
ERROR AMPLIFIER and FEEDBACK REFERENCE
VREF FB Reference Voltage Measured at FB pin 0.737 0.75 0.763 V
FB Input Bias Current FB = 2V 0.2 0.5 µA
COMP Source Current 300 µA
Open Loop Voltage Gain 60 dB
GBW Gain Bandwidth Product 4 MHz
Vio Input Offset Voltage -7 07mV
COMP Offset Threshold for V
HO
= high RAMP = CS
=VOUT=0V
2V
RAMP Offset Threshold for V
HO
= high COMP =
1.5V, CS = VOUT = 0V
1.1 V
CURRENT SENSE AMPLIFIER
Current Sense Amplifier Gain 16 V/V
Output DC Offset 1.27 V
Amplifier Bandwidth 500 kHz
LM5115
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Electrical Characteristics Unless otherwise specified, T
J
= 40˚C to +125˚C, VBIAS = 12V, No Load on LO
or HO. (Continued)
SYMBOL PARAMETER CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
CURRENT LIMIT
ILIMIT Amp Transconductance 16 mA / V
Overall Transconductance 237 mA / V
Positive Current Limit V
CL
=V
CS
-V
VOUT
VOUT = 6V and CO/COMP = 1.5V
37 45 53 mV
Positive Current Limit Foldback V
CL
=V
CS
-V
VOUT
VOUT = 0V and CO/COMP = 1.5V
31 38 45 mV
VCLneg Negative Current Limit VOUT = 6V
V
CL
=V
CS
-V
VOUT
to cause LO to
shutoff
-17 mV
RAMP GENERATOR
SYNC Input Impedance 2.5 k
SYNC Threshold End of cycle detection threshold 15 µA
Free Run Mode Peak Threshold RAMP peak voltage with dc current
applied to SYNC.
2.3 V
Current Mirror Gain Ratio of RAMP charge current to
SYNC input current.
2.7 3.3 A/A
Discharge Impedance 100
LOW SIDE GATE DRIVER
V
OLL
LO Low-state Output Voltage I
LO
= 100mA 0.2 0.5 V
V
OHL
LO High-state Output Voltage I
LO
= -100mA, V
OHL
=V
CC
-V
LO
0.4 0.8 V
LO Rise Time C
LOAD
= 1000pF 15 ns
LO Fall Time C
LOAD
= 1000pF 12 ns
I
OHL
Peak LO Source Current V
LO
=0V 2 A
I
OLL
Peak LO Sink Current V
LO
= 12V 2.5 A
HIGH SIDE GATE DRIVER
V
OLH
HO Low-state Output Voltage I
HO
= 100mA 0.2 0.5 V
V
OHH
HO High-state Output Voltage I
HO
= -100mA, V
OHH
=V
HB
–V
HO
0.4 0.8 V
HO Rise Time C
LOAD
= 1000pF 15 ns
HO High Side Fall Time C
LOAD
= 1000pF 12 ns
I
OHH
Peak HO Source Current V
HO
=0V 2 A
I
OLH
Peak HO Sink Current V
HO
= 12V 2.5 A
SWITCHING CHARACTERISITCS
LO Fall to HO Rise Delay C
LOAD
= 0 70 ns
HO Fall to LO Rise Delay C
LOAD
= 0 50 ns
SYNC Fall to HO Fall Delay C
LOAD
= 0 120 ns
SYNC Rise to LO Fall Delay C
LOAD
= 0 50 ns
THERMAL SHUTDOWN
T
SD
Thermal Shutdown Temp. 150 165 ˚C
Thermal Shutdown Hysteresis 25 ˚C
THERMAL RESISTANCE
θ
JA
Junction to Ambient MTC Package 125 ˚C/W
θ
JA
Junction to Ambient SDA Package 32 ˚C/W
Note 1: Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the component may occur. Operating Ratings are conditions under which operation of
the device is guaranteed. Operating Ratings do not imply guaranteed performance limits. For guaranteed performance limits and associated test conditions, see the
Electrical Characteristics tables.
Note 2: The human body model is a 100 pF capacitor discharged through a 1.5kresistor into each pin.
Note 3: Min and Max limits are 100% production tested at 25˚C. Limits over the operating temperature range are guaranteed through correlation using Statistical
Quality Control (SQC) methods. Limits are used to calculate National’s Average Outgoing Quality Level (AOQL).
Note 4: Device thermal limitations may limit usable range.
LM5115
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Typical Performance Characteristics
Efficiency vs. Load Current and Vphase V
CC
Regulator Start-up Characteristics, V
CC
vs. V
BIAS
20134922
20134904
Current Value (CV) vs. Current Limit (V
CL
) Current Sense Amplifier Gain and Phase vs. Frequency
20134906 20134907
Current Error Amplifier Transconductance Overall Current Amplifier Transconductance
20134908 20134909
LM5115
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Typical Performance Characteristics (Continued)
Common Mode Output Voltage vs. Positive Current Limit
Common Mode Output Voltage vs. Negative Current
Limit (Room Temp)
20134910 20134911
V
CC
Load Regulation to Current Limit
20134905
LM5115
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Detailed Operating Description
The LM5115 controller contains all of the features necessary
to implement multiple output power converters utilizing the
Secondary Side Post Regulation (SSPR) technique. The
SSPR technique develops a highly efficient and well regu-
lated auxiliary output from the secondary side switching
waveform of an isolated power converter. Regulation of the
auxiliary output voltage is achieved by leading edge pulse
width modulation (PWM) of the main channel duty cycle.
Leading edge modulation is compatible with either current
mode or voltage mode control of the main output. The
LM5115 drives external high side and low side NMOS power
switches configured as a synchronous buck regulator. A
current sense amplifier provides overload protection and
operates over a wide common mode input range from 0V to
13.5V. Additional features include a low dropout (LDO) bias
regulator, error amplifier, precision reference, adaptive dead
time control of the gate driver signals and thermal shutdown.
A programmable oscillator provides a PWM clock signal
when the LM5115 is powered by a dc input (free-run mode)
instead of the phase signal of the main channel converter
(SSPR mode).
Low Drop-Out Bias Regulator
(VCC)
The LM5115 contains an internal LDO regulator that oper-
ates over an input supply range from 4.5V to 30V. The output
of the regulator at the VCC pin is nominally regulated at 7V
and is internally current limited to 40mA. VCC is the main
supply to the internal logic, PWM controller, and gate driver
circuits. When power is applied to the VBIAS pin, the regu-
lator is enabled and sources current into an external capaci-
tor connected to the VCC pin. The recommended output
capacitor range for the VCC regulator is 0.1uF to 100uF.
When the voltage at the VCC pin reaches the VCC under-
voltage lockout threshold of 4.25V, the controller is enabled.
The controller is disabled if VCC falls below 4.0V (250mV
hysteresis). In applications where an appropriate regulated
dc bias supply is available, the LM5115 controller can be
powered directly through the VCC pin instead of the VBIAS
pin. In this configuration, it is recommended that the VCC
and the VBIAS pins be connected together such that the
external bias voltage is applied to both pins. The allowable
VCC range when biased from an external supply is 4.5V to
7V.
Synchronization (SYNC) and
Feed-Forward (RAMP)
The pulsing “phase signal” from the main converter synchro-
nizes the PWM ramp and gate drive outputs of the LM5115.
The phase signal is the square wave output from the trans-
former secondary winding before rectification (Figure 1). A
resistor connected from the phase signal to the low imped-
ance SYNC pin produces a square wave current (I
SYNC
)as
shown in Figure 2. A current comparator at the SYNC input
monitors I
SYNC
relative to an internal 15µA reference. When
I
SYNC
exceeds 15µA, the internal clock signal (CLK) is reset
and the capacitor connected to the RAMP begins to charge.
The current source that charges the RAMP capacitor is
equal to 3 times the I
SYNC
current. The falling edge of the
phase signal sets the CLK signal and discharges the RAMP
capacitor until the next rising edge of the phase signal. The
RAMP capacitor is discharged to ground by a low imped-
ance (100) n-channel MOSFET. The input impedance at
SYNC pin is 2.5kwhich is normally much less than the
external SYNC pin resistance.
The RAMP and SYNC functions illustrated in Figure 2 pro-
vide line voltage feed-forward to improve the regulation of
the auxiliary output when the input voltage of the main
converter changes. Varying the input voltage to the main
converter produces proportional variations in amplitude of
the phase signal. The main channel PWM controller adjusts
the pulse width of the phase signal to maintain constant
volt*seconds and a regulated main output as shown in Fig-
ure 3. The variation of the phase signal amplitude and dura-
tion are reflected in the slope and duty cycle of the RAMP
signal of the LM5115 (I
SYNC
αphase signal amplitude). As a
result, the duty cycle of the LM5115 is automatically adjusted
to regulate the auxiliary output voltage with virtually no
change in the PWM threshold voltage. Transient line regu-
20134912
FIGURE 2. Line Feed-Forward Diagram
LM5115
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Synchronization (SYNC) and
Feed-Forward (RAMP) (Continued)
lation is improved because the PWM duty cycle of the aux-
iliary converter is immediately corrected, independent of the
delays of the voltage regulation loop.
The recommended SYNC input current range is 50µA to
150µA. The SYNC pin resistor (R
SYNC
) should be selected to
set the SYNC current (I
SYNC
) to 150µA with the maximum
phase signal amplitude, V
PHASE(max)
. This will guarantee
that I
SYNC
stays within the recommended range over a 3:1
change in phase signal amplitude. The SYNC pin resistor is
therefore:
R
SYNC
=(V
PHASE(max)
/ 150µA) - 2.5k
Once I
SYNC
has been established by selecting R
SYNC
, the
RAMP signal amplitude may be programmed by selecting
the proper RAMP pin capacitor value. The recommended
peak amplitude of the RAMP waveform is 1V to 1.75V. The
C
RAMP
capacitor is chosen to provide the desired RAMP
amplitude with the nominal phase signal voltage and pulse
width.
C
RAMP
=(3xI
SYNC
xT
ON
)/V
RAMP
Where
C
RAMP
= RAMP pin capacitance
I
SYNC
= SYNC pin current current
T
ON
= corresponding phase signal pulse width
V
RAMP
= desired RAMP amplitude (1V to 1.75V)
For example,
Main channel output = 3.3V. Phase signal maximum ampli-
tude = 12V. Phase signal frequency = 250kHz
Set I
SYNC
= 150µA with phase signal at maximum ampli-
tude (12V):
I
SYNC
= 150µA = V
PHASE(max)
/(R
SYNC
+ 2.5 k) = 12V /
(R
SYNC
+ 2.5 k)
R
SYNC
= 12V/150µA - 2.5k= 77.5k
T
ON
= Main channel duty cycle / Phase frequency =
(3.3V/12V) / 250kHz = 1.1µs
Assume desired V
RAMP
= 1.5V
C
RAMP
=(3xI
SYNC
xT
ON
)/V
RAMP
= (3 x 150µA x 1.1µs)
/ 1.5V
C
RAMP
= 330pF
Error Amplifier and Soft-Start (FB,
CO, & COMP, SS)
An internal wide bandwidth error amplifier is provided within
the LM5115 for voltage feedback to the PWM controller. The
amplifiers inverting input is connected to the FB pin. The
output of the auxiliary converter is regulated by connecting a
voltage setting resistor divider between the output and the
FB pin. Loop compensation networks are connected be-
tween the FB pin and the error amplifier output (COMP). The
amplifiers non-inverting input is internally connected to the
SS pin. The SS pin is biased at 0.75V by a resistor divider
connected to the internal 1.27V bandgap reference. When
the VCC voltage is below the UVLO threshold, the SS pin is
discharged to ground. When VCC rises and exceeds the
positive going UVLO threshold (4.25V), the SS pin is re-
leased and allowed to rise. If an external capacitor is con-
nected to the SS pin, it will be charged by the internal resistor
divider to gradually increase the non-inverting input of the
error amplifier to 0.75V. The equivalent impedance of the SS
resistor divider is nominally 60kwhich determines the
charging time constant of the SS capacitor. During start-up,
the output of the LM5115 converter will follow the exponen-
tial equation:
VOUT(t) = VOUT(final) x (1 - exp(-t/R
SS
xC
SS
))
Where
Rss = internal resistance of SS pin (60k)
Css = external Soft-Start capacitor
VOUT(final) = regulator output set point
The initial v/t of the output voltage is VOUT(final) / Rss x
Css and VOUT will be within 1% of the final regulation level
after 4.6 time constants or when t = 4.6 x Rss x Css.
Pull-up current for the error amplifier output is provided by an
internal 300µA current source. The PWM threshold signal at
the COMP pin can be controlled by either the open drain
error amplifier or the open drain current amplifier connected
through the CO pin to COMP. Since the internal error ampli-
20134913
FIGURE 3. Line Feed-forward Waveforms
LM5115
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Error Amplifier and Soft-Start (FB,
CO, & COMP, SS) (Continued)
fier is configured as an open drain output it can be disabled
by connecting FB to ground. The current sense amplifier and
current limiting function will be described in a later section.
Leading Edge Pulse Width
Modulation
Unlike conventional voltage mode controllers, the LM5115
implements leading edge pulse width modulation. A current
source equal to 3 times the I
SYNC
current is used to charge
the capacitor connected to the RAMP pin as shown in Figure
4. The ramp signal and the output of the error amplifier
(COMP) are combined through a resistor network to produce
a voltage ramp with variable dc offset (CRMIX in Figure 4).
The high side MOSFET which drives the HS pin is held in the
off state at the beginning of the phase signal. When the
voltage of CRMIX exceeds the internal threshold voltage CV,
the PWM comparator turns on the high side MOSFET. The
HS pin rises and the MOSFET delivers current from the main
converter phase signal to the output of the auxiliary regula-
tor. The PWM cycle ends when the phase signal falls and
power is no longer supplied to the drain of the high side
MOSFET.
Leading edge modulation of the auxiliary PWM controller is
required if the main converter is implemented with peak
current mode control. If trailing edge modulation were used,
the additional load on the transformer secondary from the
auxiliary channel would be drawn only during the first portion
of the phase signal pulse. Referring to Figure 5, the turn off
the high side MOSFET of the auxiliary regulator would cre-
ate a non-monotonic negative step in the transformer cur-
rent. This negative current step would produce instability in a
peak current mode controller. With leading edge modulation,
the additional load presented by the auxiliary regulator on
the transformer secondary will be present during the latter
portion of the phase signal. This positive step in the phase
signal current can be accommodated by a peak current
mode controller without instability.
20134914
FIGURE 4. Synchronization and Leading Edge Modulation
20134920
FIGURE 5. Leading versus Trailing Edge Modulation
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Voltage Mode Control with Current
Injection
The LM5115 controller uniquely combines elements and
benefits of current mode control in a voltage mode PWM
controller. The current sense amplifier shown in Figure 6
monitors the inductor current as it flows through a sense
resistor connected between CS and VOUT. The voltage gain
of the sense amplifier is nominally equal to 16. The current
sense output signal is shifted by 1.27V to produce the inter-
nal CV reference signal. The CV signal is applied to the
negative input of the PWM comparator and compared to
CRMIX as illustrated in Figure 4. Thus the PWM threshold of
the voltage mode controller (CV) varies with the instanta-
neous inductor current. Insure that the Vbias voltage is at
least 3V above the regulated output voltage (VOUT).
Injecting a signal proportional to the instantaneous inductor
current into a voltage mode controller improves the control
loop stability and bandwidth. This current injection eliminates
the lead R-C lead network in the feedback path that is
normally required with voltage mode control (see Figure 7).
Eliminating the lead network not only simplifies the compen-
sation, but also reduces sensitivity to output noise that could
pass through the lead network to the error amplifier.
The design of the voltage feedback path through the error
amp begins with the selection of R1 and R2 in Figure 7 to set
the regulated output voltage. The steady state output voltage
after soft-start is determined by the following equation:
VOUT(final) = 0.75V x (1+R1/R2)
The parallel impedance of the R1, R2 resistor divider should
be approximately 2k(between 0.5kand 5k). Lower
resistance values may not be properly driven by the error
amplifier output and higher feedback resistances can intro-
duce noise sensitivity. The next step in the design process is
selection of R3, which sets the ac gain of the error amplifier.
The ac gain is given by the following equation and should be
set to a value less than 30.
GAIN(ac) = R3/(R1|| R2) <30
The capacitor C1 is connected in series with R3 to increase
the dc gain of the voltage regulation loop and improve output
voltage accuracy. The corner frequency set by R3 x C1
should be less than 1/10th of the cross-over frequency of the
overall converter such that capacitor C1 does not add phase
lag at the crossover frequency. Capacitor C2 is added to
reduce the noise in the voltage control loop. The value of C2
should be less than 500pF and C2 may not be necessary
with very careful PC board layout.
20134915
FIGURE 6. Current Sensing and Limiting
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Voltage Mode Control with Current Injection (Continued)
Current Limiting (CS, CO and
VOUT)
Current limiting is implemented through the current sense
amplifier as illustrated in Figure 6. The current sense ampli-
fier monitors the inductor current that flows through a sense
resistor connected between CS and VOUT. The voltage gain
of the current sense amplifier is nominally equal to 16. The
output of current sense signal is shifted by 1.27V to produce
the internal CV reference signal. The CV signal drives a
current limit amplifier with nominal transconductance of
16mA/V. The current limit amplifier has an open drain (sink
only) output stage and its output pin CO is typically con-
nected to the COMP pin. During normal operation, the volt-
age error amplifier controls the COMP pin voltage which
adjusts the PWM duty cycle by varying the internal CRMIX
level (Figure 4). However, when the current sense input
voltage V
CL
exceeds 45mV, the current limit amplifier pulls
down on COMP through the CO pin. Pulling COMP low
reduces the CRMIX signal below the CV signal level. When
CRMIX does not exceed the CV signal, the PWM compara-
tor inhibits output pulses until the CRMIX signal increases to
a normal operating level.
A current limit fold-back feature is provided by the LM5115 to
reduce the peak output current delivered to a shorted load.
When the common mode input voltage to the current sense
amplifier (CS and VOUT pins) falls below 2V, the current limit
threshold is reduced from the normal level. At common mode
voltages >2V, the current limit threshold is nominally 45mV.
When VOUT is reduced to 0V the current limit threshold
drops to 36mV to reduce stress on the inductor and power
MOSFETs.
Negative Current Limit
When inductor current flows from the regulator output
through the low side MOSFET, the input to the current sense
comparator becomes negative. The intent of the negative
current comparator is to protect the low side MOSFET from
excessive currents. Negative current can lead to large nega-
tive voltage spikes on the output at turn off which can dam-
age circuitry powered by the output. The negative current
comparator threshold is sufficiently negative to allow induc-
tor current to reverse at no load or light load conditions. It is
not intended to support discontinuous conduction mode with
diode emulation by the low side MOSFET. The negative
current comparator shown illustrated in Figure 6 monitors
the CV signal and compares this signal to a fixed 1V thresh-
old. This corresponds to a negative V
CL
voltage between CS
and VOUT of -17mV. The negative current limit comparator
turns off the low side MOSFET for the remainder of the cycle
when the V
CL
input falls below this threshold.
Gate Drivers Outputs (HO & LO)
The LM5115 provides two gate driver outputs, the floating
high side gate driver HO and the synchronous rectifier low
side driver LO. The low side driver is powered directly by the
VCC regulator. The high side gate driver is powered from a
bootstrap capacitor connected between HB and HS. An
external diode connected between VCC and HB charges the
bootstrap capacitor when the HS is low. When the high side
MOSFET is turned on, HB rises with HS to a peak voltage
equal to VCC + V
HS
-V
D
where V
D
is the forward drop of the
external bootstrap diode. Both output drivers have adaptive
dead-time control to avoid shoot through currents. The adap-
tive dead-time control circuit monitors the state of each
driver to ensure that the opposing MOSFET is turned off
before the other is turned on. The HB and VCC capacitors
should be placed close to the pins of the LM5115 to minimize
voltage transients due to parasitic inductances and the high
peak output currents of the drivers. The recommended range
of the HB capacitor is 0.047µF to 0.22µF.
Both drivers are controlled by the PWM logic signal from the
PWM latch. When the phase signal is low, the outputs are
held in the reset state with the low side MOSFET on and the
high side MOSFET off. When the phase signal switches to
the high state, the PWM latch reset signal is de-asserted.
The high side MOSFET remains off until the PWM latch is
set by the PWM comparator (CRMIX >CV as shown in
Figure 4). When the PWM latch is set, the LO driver turns off
the low side MOSFET and the HO driver turns on the high
20134916
FIGURE 7. Voltage Sensing and Feedback
LM5115
www.national.com13
Gate Drivers Outputs (HO & LO)
(Continued)
side MOSFET. The high side pulse is terminated when the
phase signal falls and SYNC input comparator resets the
PWM latch.
Thermal Protection
Internal thermal shutdown circuitry is provided to protect the
integrated circuit in the event the maximum junction tem-
perature limit is exceeded. When activated, typically at 165
degrees Celsius, the controller is forced into a low power
standby state with the output drivers and the bias regulator
disabled. The device will restart when the junction tempera-
ture falls below the thermal shutdown hysteresis, which is
typically 25 degrees. The thermal protection feature is pro-
vided to prevent catastrophic failures from accidental device
overheating.
Standalone DC/DC Synchronous
Buck Mode
The LM5115 can be configured as a standalone DC/DC
synchronous buck controller. In this mode the LM5115 uses
leading edge modulation in conjunction with valley current
mode control to control the synchronous buck power stage.
The internal oscillator within the LM5115 sets the clock
frequency for the high and low side drivers of the external
synchronous buck power MOSFETs . The clock frequency in
the synchronous buck mode is programmed by the SYNC
pin resistor and RAMP pin capacitor. Connecting a resistor
between a dc bias supply and the SYNC pin produces a
current, I
SYNC
, which sets the charging current of the RAMP
pin capacitor . The RAMP capacitor is charged until its
voltage reaches the peak ramp threshold of 2.25V. The
RAMP capacitor is then discharged for 300ns before begin-
ning a new PWM cycle. The 300ns reset time of the RAMP
pin sets the minimum off time of the PWM controller in this
mode. The internal clock frequency in the synchronous buck
mode is set by I
SYNC
, the ramp capacitor, the peak ramp
threshold, and the 300ns deadtime.
F
CLK
)1 / ((C
RAMP
x 2.25V) / (I
SYNC
x 3) + 300ns)
See the LM5115 dc evaluation board application note (AN-
1367) for more details on the synchronous buck mode.
20134923
FIGURE 8. Simplified Typical Application Circuit (Synchronous Buck Mode)
20134924
FIGURE 9. Efficiency vs. Load Current and V
IN
(Synchronous Buck Mode)
LM5115
www.national.com 14
Application Circuit
20134917
LM5115 Secondary Side Post Regulator
(Inputs from LM5025 Forward Active Clamp Converter, 36V to 78V)
LM5115
www.national.com15
Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted
TSSOP-16 Outline Drawing
NS Package Number MTC16
LLP-16 Outline Drawing
NS Package Number SDA16A
LM5115
www.national.com 16
Notes
National does not assume any responsibility for use of any circuitry described, no circuit patent licenses are implied and National reserves
the right at any time without notice to change said circuitry and specifications.
For the most current product information visit us at www.national.com.
LIFE SUPPORT POLICY
NATIONAL’S PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL OF NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR
CORPORATION. As used herein:
1. Life support devices or systems are devices or systems
which, (a) are intended for surgical implant into the body, or
(b) support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform when
properly used in accordance with instructions for use
provided in the labeling, can be reasonably expected to result
in a significant injury to the user.
2. A critical component is any component of a life support
device or system whose failure to perform can be reasonably
expected to cause the failure of the life support device or
system, or to affect its safety or effectiveness.
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www.national.com
LM5115 Secondary Side Post Regulator / Synchronous Buck Controller
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