
17
TC2576
TC2576-2 12/04/00
3.0A Step-Down Switching Regulator
2001 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS21399A
voltage is applied and the time when the output voltage
comes up, the circuit in Figure 13 can be used. As the input
voltage is applied, the capacitor C1 charges up, and the
voltage across the resistor R2 falls down. When the voltage
on the ON/OFF pin falls below the threshold value 1.3 V, the
regulator starts up. Resistor R1 is included to limit the
maximum voltage applied to the ON/OFF pin. It reduces the
power supply noise sensitivity, and also limits the capacitor
C1 discharge current, but its use is not mandatory.
When a high 50Hz or 60Hz (100Hz or 120Hz respec-
tively) ripple voltage exists, a long delay time can cause
some problems by coupling the ripple into the ON/OFF pin,
the regulator could be switched periodically on and off with
the line (or double) frequency.
Undervoltage Lockout
Some applications require the regulator to remain off
until the input voltage reaches a certain threshold level.
Figure 14 shows an undervoltage lockout circuit applied to
a buck regulator. A version of this circuit for buck–boost
converter is shown in Figure 15. Resistor R3 pulls the
ON/OFF pin high and keeps the regulator off until the input
voltage reaches a predetermined threshold level, with
respect to the ground Pin 3, which is determined by the
following expression:
VTH ≈ VZ1 +
(1.0 + R2 ) VBE (Q1)
R1
The following formula is used to obtain the peak
inductor current:
IPEAK ≈
ILOAD (VIN + IVOUTI)
+
VIN x tON
VIN
2L1
where tON ≈
IVOUTI
1.0
, and fOSC = 52kHz.
VIN + IVOUTI
x
fOSC
Negative Boost Regulator
This example is a variation of the buck–boost topology
and it is called negative boost regulator. This regulator
experiences relatively high switch current, especially at low
input voltages. The internal switch current limiting results in
lower output load current capability.
The circuit in Figure 12 shows the negative boost
configuration. The input voltage in this application ranges
from –5.0 to –12V and provides a regulated –12V output. If
the input voltage is greater than –12V, the output will rise
above –12 V accordingly, but will not damage the regulator.
Design Recommendations
The same design rules as for the previous inverting
buck–boost converter can be applied. The output capacitor
COUT must be chosen larger than what would be required for
a standard buck converter. Low input voltages or high output
currents require a large value output capacitor (in the range
of thousands of
F). The recommended range of inductor
values for the negative boost regulator is the same as for
inverting converter design.
Another important point is that these negative boost
converters cannot provide any current limiting load protec-
tion in the event of a short in the output so some other
means, such as a fuse, may be necessary to provide the
load protection.
Delayed Startup
There are some applications, like the inverting regulator
already mentioned above, which require a higher amount of
start-up current. In such cases, if the input power source is
limited, this delayed start-up feature becomes very useful.
To provide a time delay between the time when the input
Figure 12. Negative Boost Regulator
1N5819
Output
2
4
Feedback
VOUT = –12V
Load Current from
200mA for VIN = –5.2V
to 500mA for VIN –7.0V
VIN
D1
COUT
1000
F/16V
CIN
100
F/
50V
TC2576
(12V)
1
5
3
GND
+VIN
Unregulated
DC Input
–VIN = –5.0V to –12V
ON/OFF
L1
150
H
Regulated
Output
Figure 13. Delayed Startup Circuitry
R1
47k
TC2576
1
3
5
GND
ON/OFF
R2
47k
+VIN
C1
0.1
F
CIN
100
F
NOTE
: : This picture does not show the complete circuit.