
LTC3526L
8
3526lf
OPERATIO
U
The LTC3526L is a 1MHz synchronous boost converter
housed in a 6-lead 2mm × 2mm DFN package. With a
guaranteed ability to start up and operate from inputs less
than 0.8V, this device features xed frequency, current
mode PWM control for exceptional line and load regula-
tion. The current mode architecture with adaptive slope
compensation provides excellent transient load response,
requiring minimal output ltering. Internal soft-start and
internal loop compensation simplies the design process
while minimizing the number of external components.
With its low RDS(ON) and low gate charge internal N-chan-
nel MOSFET switch and P-channel MOSFET synchronous
rectier, the LTC3526L achieves high efciency over a wide
range of load currents. Burst Mode operation maintains
high efciency at very light loads, reducing the quiescent
current to just 9A. Operation can be best understood by
referring to the Block Diagram.
LOW VOLTAGE START-UP
The LTC3526L includes an independent start-up oscillator
designed to start up at an input voltage of 0.68V (typical).
Soft-start and inrush current limiting are provided during
start-up, as well as normal mode.
When either VIN or VOUT exceeds 1.3V typical, the IC
enters normal operating mode. When the output voltage
exceeds the input by 0.24V, the IC powers itself from
VOUT instead of VIN. At this point the internal circuitry has
no dependency on the VIN input voltage, eliminating the
requirement for a large input capacitor. The input voltage
can drop as low as 0.5V. The limiting factor for the ap-
plication becomes the availability of the power source to
supply sufcient energy to the output at low voltages, and
maximum duty cycle, which is clamped at 90% typical.
Note that at low input voltages, small voltage drops due
to series resistance become critical, and greatly limit the
power delivery capability of the converter.
LOW NOISE FIXED FREQUENCY OPERATION
Soft-Start
The LTC3526L contains internal circuitry to provide soft-
start operation. The soft-start circuitry slowly ramps the
peak inductor current from zero to its peak value of 750mA
(typical) in approximately 0.5ms, allowing start-up into
heavy loads. The soft-start circuitry is reset in the event
of a shutdown command or a thermal shutdown.
Oscillator
An internal oscillator sets the switching frequency to
1MHz.
Shutdown
Shutdown is accomplished by pulling the SHDN pin below
0.3V and enabled by pulling the SHDN pin above 0.8V. Note
that SHDN can be driven above VIN or VOUT, as long as it
is limited to less than the absolute maximum rating.
Error Amplier
The positive input of the transconductance error amplier
is internally connected to the 1.195V reference and the
negative input is connected to FB. Clamps limit the mini-
mum and maximum error amp output voltage for improved
large-signal transient response. Power converter control
loop compensation is provided internally. An external
resistive voltage divider from VOUT to ground programs
the output voltage via FB from 1.5V to 5.25V.
VV
R
OUT =+
1 195
1
2
1
.
Current Sensing
Lossless current sensing converts the peak current signal of
the N-channel MOSFET switch into a voltage that is summed
with the internal slope compensation. The summed signal
is compared to the error amplier output to provide a peak
current control command for the PWM.
Current Limit
The current limit comparator shuts off the N-channel
MOSFET switch once its threshold is reached. The cur-
rent limit comparator delay to output is typically 60ns.
Peak switch current is limited to approximately 750mA,
independent of input or output voltage, unless VOUT falls
below 0.7V, in which case the current limit is cut in half.
(Refer to Block Diagram)