6
Over-Current Protection
The over-current function protects the converter from a
shorted output by using the upper MOSFET’s on-resistance,
r
DS(ON)
to monitor the current. This method enhances the
converter’s efficiency and reduces cost by eliminating a
current sensing resistor.
The over-current function cycles the soft-start function in a
hiccup mode to provide fault protection. A resistor (R
OCSET
)
programs the over-current trip level. An internal 200
μ
A current
sink develops a voltage across R
OCSET
that is referenced to
V
IN
. When the voltage across the upper MOSFET (also
referenced to V
IN
) exceeds the voltage across R
OCSET
, the
over-current function initiates a soft-start sequence. The soft-
start function discharges C
SS
with a 10
μ
A current sink and
inhibits PWM operation. The soft-start function recharges
C
SS
, and PWM operation resumes with the error amplifier
clamped to the SS voltage. Should an overload occur while
recharging C
SS
, the soft start function inhibits PWM operation
while fully charging C
SS
to 4V to complete its cycle. Figure 4
shows this operation with an overload condition. Note that the
inductor current increases to over 15A during the C
SS
charging interval and causes an over-current trip. The
converter dissipates very little power with this method. The
measured input power for the conditions of Figure 4 is 2.5W.
The over-current function will trip at a peak inductor current
(I
PEAK)
determined by:
I
DS ON
)
where I
OCSET
is the internal OCSET current source (200
μ
A
typical). The OC trip point varies mainly due to the
MOSFET’s r
DS(ON)
variations. To avoid over-current tripping
in the normal operating load range, find the R
OCSET
resistor
from the equation above with:
1. Themaximumr
DS(ON)
atthehighestjunctiontemperature.
2. The minimum I
OCSET
from the specification table.
3. Determine I
PEAK
for
where
I is the output inductor ripple current.
For an equation for the ripple current see the section under
component guidelines titled “Output Inductor Selection.”
,
A small ceramic capacitor should be placed in parallel with
R
OCSET
to smooth the voltage across R
OCSET
in the
presence of switching noise on the input voltage.
O
S
0A
0V
TIME (20ms/DIV.)
5A
10A
15A
2V
4V
FIGURE 4. OVER-CURRENT OPERATION
I
PEAK
R
---------------------------------------------------
=
I
PEAK
I
OUT MAX
(
)
I
(
)
2
+
>
TABLE 1. OUTPUT VOLTAGE PROGRAM
PIN NAME
NOMINAL OUTPUT
VOLTAGE DACOUT
PIN NAME
NOMINAL OUTPUT
VOLTAGE DACOUT
VID4
VID3
VID2
VID1
VID0
VID4
VID3
VID2
VID1
VID0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
2.1
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
2.2
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
2.3
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
2.4
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
2.5
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
2.6
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
2.7
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
2.8
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
2.9
0
0
1
0
1
1.80
1
0
1
0
1
3.0
0
0
1
0
0
1.85
1
0
1
0
0
3.1
0
0
0
1
1
1.90
1
0
0
1
1
3.2
0
0
0
1
0
1.95
1
0
0
1
0
3.3
0
0
0
0
1
2.00
1
0
0
0
1
3.4
0
0
0
0
0
2.05
1
0
0
0
0
3.5
NOTE: 0 = connected to GND or V
SS
, 1 = connected to V
DD
through pull-up resistors.
HIP6015