8
FN9003.3
February 11, 2005
Applications and Converter Start-Up
Each PWM power channel’s current is regulated. This
enables the PWM channels to accurately share the load
current for enhanced reliability. The HIP6601, HIP6602 or
HIP6603 MOSFET driver interfaces with the ISL6554. For
more information, see the HIP6601, HIP6602 or HIP6603
data sheets [1], [2].
The ISL6554 is capable of controlling up to 4 PWM power
channels. Connecting unused PWM outputs to VCC
automatically sets the number of channels. The phase
relationship between the channels is 360 degrees/number of
active PWM channels. For example, for three channel
operation, the PWM outputs are separated by 120 degrees.
Figure 2 shows the PWM output signals for a four channel
system.
Power supply ripple frequency is determined by the channel
frequency, F
SW
, multiplied by the number of active
channels. For example, if the channel frequency is set to
250kHz and there are three phases, the ripple frequency is
750kHz.
The IC monitors and precisely regulates the CORE voltage
of a microprocessor. After initial start-up, the controller also
provides protection for the load and the power supply. The
following section discusses these features.
Initialization
The ISL6554 usually operates from an ATX power supply.
Many functions are initiated by the rising supply voltage to
the VCC pin of the ISL6554. Oscillator, sawtooth generator,
soft-start and other functions are initialized during this
interval. These circuits are controlled by POR, Power-On
Reset. During this interval, the PWM outputs are driven to a
three state condition that makes these outputs essentially
open. This state results in no gate drive to the output
MOSFETs.
Once the VCC
voltage reaches 4.375V (125mV), a voltage
level to insure proper internal function, the PWM outputs are
enabled and the soft-start sequence is initiated. If for any
reason, the VCC
voltage drops below 3.875V (125mV). The
POR circuit shuts the converter down and again three states
the PWM outputs.
Soft-Start
After the POR function is completed with VCC reaching
4.375V, the soft-start sequence is initiated. soft-start, by its
slow rise in CORE voltage from zero, avoids an overcurrent
condition by slowly charging the discharged output
capacitors. This voltage rise is initiated by an internal DAC
that slowly raises the reference voltage to the error amplifier
input. The voltage rise is controlled by the oscillator
frequency and the DAC within the ISL6554, therefore; the
output voltage is effectively regulated as it rises to the final
programmed CORE voltage value.
For the first 32 PWM switching cycles, the DAC output
remains inhibited and the PWM outputs remain three stated.
From the 33rd cycle and for another, approximately 150
cycles, the PWM output remains low, clamping the lower
output MOSFETs to ground (see Figure 3). The time
variability is due to the error amplifier, sawtooth generator
and comparators moving into their active regions. After this
short interval, the PWM outputs are enabled and increment
the PWM pulse width from zero duty cycle to operational
pulse width, thus allowing the output voltage to slowly reach
the CORE voltage. The CORE voltage will reach its
programmed value before the 2048 cycles, but the PGOOD
output will not be initiated until the 2048th PWM switching
cycle.
The soft-start time or delay time, DT = 2048/F
SW
. For an
oscillator frequency, F
SW
, of 200kHz, the first 32 cycles or
160s, the PWM outputs are held in a three state level as
explained above. After this period and a short interval
described above, the PWM outputs are initiated and the
voltage rises in 10.08ms, for a total delay time DT of 10.24ms.
Figure 3 shows the start-up sequence as initiated by a fast
rising 5V supply, VCC
,
applied to the ISL6554. Note the
short rise to the three state level in PWM 1 output during first
32 PWM cycles.
Figure 4 shows the waveforms when the regulator is
operating at 200kHz. Note that the soft-start duration is a
function of the channel frequency as explained previously.
Also note the pulses on the COMP terminal. These pulses
are the current correction signal feeding into the comparator
input (see the Block Diagram).
Figure 5 shows the regulator operating from an ATX supply.
In this figure, note the slight rise in PGOOD as the 5V supply
rises. The PGOOD output stage is made up of NMOS and
PMOS transistors. On the rising VCC, the PMOS device
becomes active slightly before the NMOS transistor pulls
“down”, generating the slight rise in the PGOOD voltage.
PWM 1
PWM 2
PWM 3
PWM 4
FIGURE 2. FOUR PHASE PWM OUTPUT AT 500kHz
ISL6554
