
Application Notes
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Using the Inhibit Control of the PT6460 & PT6470
Series of Step-Down ISRs
The PT6460 (5-V input) and the PT6470 (3.3-V input)
series of integrated switching regulators (ISRs) provide
step-down voltage conversion for output loads of up to
14 A. For applications that require the output voltage
to be held off, these ISRs incorporate an Inhibit* control
(pin 1). The Inhibit* control input can be used for power-
up sequencing or whenever there is a requirement for
the output voltage from the ISR to be turned off.
The ISR functions normally with pin 1 open circuit,
providing a regulated output whenever a valid source
voltage is applied between Vin (pins 2–3) and GND (pins
5–8). When a low-level ground signal is applied to pin 1,
the regulator output is turned off 2 and the input current
is significantly reduced 3.
Figure 4-1 shows the typical application of the Inhibit*
function. Note the discrete transistor, Q1. The Inhibit*
control has its own internal pull-up to Vin potential. An
open-collector or open-drain device is recommended to
control this input 1. The voltage thresholds are given in
Table 4-1.
Table 4-1; Inhibit Control Requirements
Parameter
Min
Typ
Max
Enable (VIH)Vin – 0.5 V
—
Open
Disable (VIL)
–0.2 V
—
+0.8 V
I IL
—
–0.2 mA
—
Notes:
1. Use an open-collector device with a breakdown voltage
of at least 10 V (preferably a discrete transistor) for the
Inhibit* control input. A pull-up resistor is not necessary.
To disable the output voltage the control pin should be
pulled low to less than +0.8 VDC.
2. When a ground signal is applied to the Inhibit* control
(pin 1) the module output is effectively turned off (tri-
state). The output voltage decays to zero as the load
impedance discharges the output capacitors.
3. When the output is disabled via the Inhibit* pin, the
input current is reduced to approximately 5 to 10 mA.
Figure 4-1
Turn-On Time:
In the circuit of Figure 4-1, turning Q1 on
applies a low-voltage to the Inhibit* control (pin 1) and
disables the output of the regulator 2. If Q1 is then turned
off, the ISR executes a soft-start power up. Power up
consists of a short delay (approx. 2 msec), followed by a
period in which the output voltage rises to the full regu-
lation voltage. The module produces a regulated output
voltage within 10 msec. Figure 4-2 shows the typical rise
in both the output voltage and input current for a PT6464
(1.8 V), following the turn-off of Q1. The turn off of Q1
corresponds to the rise in the waveform, Q1 Vds. The
waveforms were measured with a 5VDC input voltage,
and 8.5-A load.
Figure 4-2
Vo (1V/Div)
Iin (2A/Div)
Q1Vds (5V/Div)
HORIZ SCALE: 2ms/Div
PT6460 & PT6470 Series
C
IN
560 F
(Req'd)
COM
+V
IN
+
PT6464
2–4
5–812
9–10
Vin
Vout
Vo(adj)
GND
1
Inhibit*
C
OUT
330 F
(Optional)
+Vsense
+
11
1 =Inhibit
Q
1
BSS138
L
O
A
D
GND
V
OUT
+V
SENSE