DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Operation
Power-Save Mode : Fast PFM
PFMModeatLightLoad
PFMRipple
PWMModeatHeavyLoad
CompLowThreshold=V NOM
O
SLVS540E – MAY 2006 – REVISED APRIL 2008 .............................................................................................................................................................. www.ti.com
The TPS6235x is a synchronous step-down converter typically operating with a 3-MHz fixed frequency pulse
width modulation (PWM) at moderate to heavy load currents. At light load currents, the converter operates in
power-save mode with pulse frequency modulation (PFM). The device integrates two power-save modes
optimized either for ultra-high efficiency at light load (light PFM) or for transient response when turning in PWM
operation (fast PFM). Both power-save modes automatically transition to PWM operation when the load current
increases.
The TPS6235x integrates an I2C compatible interface allowing transfers up to 3.4 Mbps. This communication
interface can be used for dynamic voltage scaling with voltage steps down to 12.5 mV (or to 25 mV steps for
TPS62356), for reprogramming the mode of operation (light PFM, fast PFM or forced PWM) or disable/enabling
the output voltage for instance. For more details, see the I2C interface and register description section.
During PWM operation, the converter uses a unique fast response, voltage mode, control scheme with input
voltage feed-forward. This achieves best-in-class load and line response and allows the use of tiny inductors and
small ceramic input and output capacitors. At the beginning of each switching cycle, the P-channel MOSFET
switch is turned on and the inductor current ramps up until the comparator trips and the control logic turns off the
switch. The operating frequency is set to 3 MHz and can be synchronized on-the-fly to an external oscillator or to
a master dc/dc converter (refer to application examples).
The device integrates two current limits, one in the P-channel MOSFET and another one in the N-channel
MOSFET. When the current in the P-channel MOSFET reaches its current limit, the P-channel MOSFET is
turned off and the N-channel MOSFET is turned on. When the current in the N-channel MOSFET is above the
N-MOS current limit threshold, the N-channel MOSFET remains on until the current drops below its current limit.
The current limit in the N-channel MOSFET is important for small duty-cycle operation when the current in the
inductor does not decrease because of the P-channel MOSFET current limit delay, or because of start-up
conditions where the output voltage is low.
With decreasing load current, the device automatically switches into pulse skipping operation in which the power
stage operates intermittently based on load demand. By running cycles periodically, the switching losses are
minimized, and the device runs with a minimum quiescent current and maintains high efficiency.
In fast PFM mode, the converter only operates when the output voltage trips below a set threshold voltage (VO
nominal). It ramps up the output voltage with several pulses and goes into power-save mode when the inductor
current reaches zero. As a consequence in power-save mode the average output voltage is slightly higher than
its nominal value in PWM mode. The fast PFM mode is optimized for fast response when transitioning between
pulse skipping and PWM operation.
Figure 44. Operation in PFM Mode and Transfer to PWM Mode
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