SC2443MLTRT(2007) View Datasheet(PDF) - Semtech Corporation

Part Name

Description

MFG CO.

SC2443MLTRT
(Rev.:2007)

Dual-Phase Single or Two Output Synchronous Step-Down Controller

Semtech Corporation 

SC2443

Applications Information (continued)

very high switching frequency and very short duty cycle

is not practical. If the voltage conversion ratio VO /VIN

and hence the required duty cycle is higher, the switching

frequency can be increased to reduce the sizes of passive

components.

There will not be enough modulation headroom if the

on time is simply made equal to the minimum on time

of the SC2443. For ease of control, we recommend the

required pulse width to be at least 1.5 times the minimum

on time.

Setting the Switching Frequency

The switching frequency is set with an external resistor

connected from Pin 24 to ground. The set frequency is

inversely proportional to the resistor value (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Free running frequency vs. ROSC.

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

0

50

100 150 200 250

Rosc (k Ohm)

Setting the Output Voltage

The non-inverting input of the channel-one error amplifier

is internally tied the 0.5V voltage reference output (Pin 5).

The non-inverting input of the channel-two error amplifier

is brought out as a device pin (Pin 6) to which the user can

connect Pin 5 or an external voltage reference. A simple

voltage divider (Ro1 at top and Ro2 at bottom) sets the

converter output voltage. The voltage feedback gain

h=0.5/Vo is related to the divider resistors value as

Ro2

=

1

h

-

h

Ro1.

PC Board Layout Issues

Circuit board layout is very important for the proper

operation of high frequency switching power converters.

A power ground plane is required to reduce ground

bounces. The following are suggested for proper layout:

Power Stage

1) Separate the power ground from the signal ground. In

the SC2443, the power ground PGND should be tied to

the source terminal of lower MOSFETs. The signal ground

AGND should be tied to the negative terminal of the

output capacitor.

2) Minimize the size of high pulse current loop. Keep the

top MOSFET, bottom MOSFET and the input capacitors

within a small area with short and wide traces. In addition

to the aluminum energy storage capacitors, add multi-

layer ceramic (MLC) capacitors from the input to the

power ground to improve high frequency bypass.

3) Reduce high frequency voltage ringing. Widen and

shorten the drain and source traces of the MOSFET to

reduce stray inductances. Add a small RC snubber if

necessary to reduce the high frequency ringing at the

phase node. Sometimes slowing down the gate drive

signal also helps in reducing the high frequency ringing

at the phase node.

4) Shorten the gate driver path. Integrity of the gate drive

(voltage level, leading and falling edges) is important for

circuit operation and efficiency. Short and wide gate drive

traces reduce trace inductances. Bond wire inductance is

about 2~3nH. If the length of the PCB trace from the gate

driver to the MOSFET gate is 1 inch, the trace inductance

will be about 25nH. If the gate drive current is 2A with

10ns rise and falling times, the voltage drops across

the bond wire and the PCB trace will be 0.6V and 5V

respectively. This may slow down the switching transient

of the MOSFET. These inductances may also ring with the

gate capacitance.

5) Put the decoupling capacitor for the gate drive power

supplies (BST and PVCC) close to the IC and power

ground.

Control Section

6) The frequency-setting resistor Rosc should be placed

close to Pin 3. Trace length from this resistor to the analog

13

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