IR3506
Page 13 of 21 V3.02
PWM Ramp
Every time the phase IC is powered up, PWM ramp magnitude is calibrated to generate a 53 mV/%DC. For
example, for a 15 % duty ratio the ramp amplitude is 795mV.
In response to a load step-up, the error amplifier can demand 100 % duty cycle. In order to avoid pulse
skipping under this scenario and allow the BOOST cap to replenish, a minimum off-time is allowed in this
mode of operation. As shown in Figure 6, 100 % duty is detected by comparing the PWM latch output
(PWMQ) and its input clock (PWM_CLK). If the PWMQ is high when the PWM_CLK is asserted, the TopFET
turnoff is initiated. The TopFET is again turned on once the RMPOUT drops within 200 mV of the VDAC.
PHOUT
CLKIN
EAIN
(2 Phase Design)
RMPOUT
PWMQ
100 % DUTY OPERATIONNORMAL OPERATION
Figure 1: PWM Operation during normal and 100 % duty mode.
Power State Indicator (PSI) function
From a system perspective, the PSI input is controlled by the system and is forced low when the load current
is lower than a preset limit and forced high when load current is higher than the preset limit. IR3506 can
accept an active low signal on its PSI input and force the drivers into tri-state, effectively forcing the phase IC
into off state. A PSI-assert signal activates three features in the Phase IC.
1) It disconnects the IOUT pin from the IOUT bus: From a system perspective, IOUT is used to report current
and is used for over-current protection. By disconnecting the disabled phase from the IOUT bus, proper
current reporting and over-current protection level is ensured.
2) The DFF is disabled and it appears as a pass-through to the daisy chain loop: By removing the DFF from
the daisy chain, the system ensures that proper phase delay is activated among the active phases.
3) The gate drivers are forced to tri-state, effectively, disabling the phase IC: Figure 7 shows the impact of
PSI-assert on the gate drivers. After 8 cycle PHSIN delay, at the next CLK falling edge, the PSI_SYNC goes
from 0 to 1. This disables the gate drives and shorts the DFF.