![](http://datasheet.mmic.net.cn/70000/LTC4267CGN-1-TR_datasheet_2357971/LTC4267CGN-1-TR_23.png)
LTC4267-1
23
42671f
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
WU
UU
to the LTC4267-1 switching regulator via its PVCC pin
(Figure 11). However, this arrangement is not inherently
self-starting. Start-up is usually implemented by the use of
an external “trickle-charge” resistor (RSTART) in conjunc-
tion with the internal wide hysteresis undervoltage lockout
circuit that monitors the PVCC pin voltage.
RSTART is connected to VPORTP and supplies a current,
typically 100μA, to charge CPVCC. After some time, the
voltage on CPVCC reaches the PVCC turn-on threshold. The
LTC4267-1 switching regulator then turns on abruptly and
draws its normal supply current. The NGATE pin begins
switching and the external MOSFET (Q1) begins to deliver
power. The voltage on CPVCC begins to decline as the
switching regulator draws its normal supply current, which
exceeds the delivery from RSTART.Aftersometime,typically
tens of milliseconds, the output voltage approaches the
desired value. By this time, the third transformer winding
is providing virtually all the supply current required by the
LTC4267-1 switching regulator.
One potential design pitfall is under-sizing the value of
capacitor CPVCC. In this case, the normal supply current
drawn through PVCC will discharge CPVCC rapidly before the
third winding drive becomes effective. Depending on the
particular situation, this may result in either several off-on
cycles before proper operation is reached or permanent
relaxation oscillation at the PVCC node.
Resistor RSTART should be selected to yield a worst-case
minimum charging current greater that the maximum rated
LTC4267-1 start-up current to ensure there is enough cur-
rent to charge CPVCC to the PVCC turn-on threshold. RSTART
should also be selected large enough to yield a worst-case
maximum charging current less than the minimum-rated
PVCC supply current, so that in operation, most of the
PVCC current is delivered through the third winding. This
results in the highest possible efciency.
Capacitor CPVCCshouldthenbemadelargeenoughtoavoid
the relaxation oscillation behavior described previously.
This is difcult to determine theoretically as it depends on
the particulars of the secondary circuit and load behavior.
Empirical testing is recommended.
The third transformer winding should be designed so
that its output voltage, after accounting for the forward
diode voltage drop, exceeds the maximum PVCC turn-off
threshold. Also, the third winding’s nominal output voltage
should be at least 0.5V below the minimum rated PVCC
clamp voltage to avoid running up against the LTC4267-1
shunt regulator, needlessly wasting power.
PVCC Shunt Regulator
In applications including a third transformer winding,
the internal PVCC shunt regulator serves to protect the
LTC4267-1 switching regulator from overvoltage transients
as the third winding is powering up.
If a third transformer winding is undesirable or unavail-
able, the shunt regulator allows the LTC4267-1 switching
regulator to be powered through a single dropping resistor
from VPORTP as shown in Figure 12. This simplicity comes
at the expense of reduced efciency due to static power
dissipation in the RSTART dropping resistor.
The shunt regulator can sink up to 5mA through the PVCC
pin to PGND. The values of RSTART and CPVCC must be
selected for the application to withstand the worst-case
load conditions and drop on PVCC, ensuring that the PVCC
turn-off threshold is not reached. CPVCC should be sized
sufciently to handle the switching current needed to drive
NGATE while maintaining minimum switching voltage.
External Preregulator
The circuit in Figure 13 shows a third way to power the
LTC4267-1 switching regulator circuit. An external series