Single LNB Supply and Control Voltage Regulator
A8291
7
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff, Box 15036
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 (508) 853-5000
www.allegromicro.com
Functional Description
Protection
The A8291 has a wide range of protection features and fault diag-
nostics which are detailed in the Status Register section.
Boost Converter/Linear Regulator
The A8291 solution contains a tracking current-mode boost
converter and linear regulator. The boost converter tracks the
requested LNB voltage to within 750 mV, to minimize power
dissipation. Under conditions where the input voltage, VBOOST
,
is greater than the output voltage, VLNB, the linear regulator must
drop the differential voltage. When operating in these conditions,
care must be taken to ensure that the safe operating temperature
range of the A8291 is not exceeded.
The boost converter operates at 352 kHz typical: 16 times
the internal 22 kHz tone frequency. All the loop compensation,
current sensing, and slope compensation functions are provided
internally.
The A8291 has internal pulse-by-pulse current limiting on the
boost converter and dc current limiting on the LNB output to pro-
tect the IC against short circuits. When the LNB output is short-
ed, the LNB output current is limited to 600 mA, typical. If the
ODT timer is enabled, the IC will be shut down if the overcurrent
condition lasts for more than 48 ms. If this occurs, the A8291
must be reenabled for normal operation. It is strongly recom-
mended that the ODT timer be enabled at all times. The system
should provide sufficient time between successive restarts to limit
internal power dissipation; a minimum of 2 s is recommended.
At extremely light loads, the boost converter operates in a
pulse-skipping mode. Pulse skipping occurs when the BOOST
voltage rises to approximately 450 mV above the BOOST target
output voltage. Pulse skipping stops when the BOOST voltage
drops 200 mV below the pulse skipping level.
In the case that two or more set top box LNB outputs are con-
nected together by the customer (e.g., with a splitter), it is pos-
sible that one output could be programmed at a higher voltage
than the other. This would cause a voltage on one output that is
higher than its programmed voltage (e.g., 19 V on the output of a
13 V programmed voltage). The output with the highest voltage
will effectively turn off the other outputs. As soon as this voltage
is reduced below the value of the other outputs, the A8291 output
will auto-recover to their programmed levels.
Charge Pump. Generates a supply voltage above the internal
tracking regulator output to drive the linear regulator control.
Slew Rate Control. During either start-up, or when the output
voltage on the BOOST or the LNB pins is changing, the output
voltage rise and fall times can be set by the value selected for
the external capacitor (C7) connected to the TCAP pin. Note that
during start-up, the BOOST pin is precharged to the input voltage
minus a diode drop. As a result, the slew rate control occurs from
this point.
The rating for C7, CTCAP , can be calculated using the follow-
ing formula:
CTCAP = (ITCAP × 6) / SR
where SR (V/s) is the required slew rate. The minimum value for
CTCAP is 2.2 nF. Using the recommended value of CTCAP , 5.6 nF,
this calculates to a slew rate of 10.7 V/ms.
Modulation is unaffected by the choice of C7. If it is not re-
quired to limit the LNB output voltage rise and fall times, then
C7 must have a value of at least 2.2 nF to minimize output noise.
Pull-Down Rate Control. In applications that have to operate at
very light loads and that require large load capacitances (in the
order of tens to hundreds of microfarads), the output linear stage
provides approximately 40 mA of pull-down capability. This
ensures that the output volts are ramped from 18 V to 13 V in a
reasonable amount of time.
ODT (Overcurrent Disable Time)
This function should be enabled at all times. If the ODT function
is enabled and the LNB output current exceeds 600 mA, typical,
for more than 48 ms, then the LNB output will be disabled and
the ODT bit will be set.
Short Circuit Handling
If the LNB output is shorted to ground, the LNB output current
will be clamped to 600 mA, typical. If the short circuit condition
lasts for more than 48 ms, the A8291 will be disabled and the
ODT bit will be set.
Auto-Restart
After a short circuit condition occurs, the host controller should
periodically reenable the A8291 to check if the short circuit has