LT3972
16
3972fa
Synchronization
To select low ripple Burst Mode operation, tie the SYNC
pin below 0.5V (this can be ground or a logic output).
Synchronizing the LT3972 oscillator to an external fre-
quency can be done by connecting a square wave (with
20% to 80% duty cycle) to the SYNC pin. The square
wave amplitude should have valleys that are below 0.3V
and peaks that are above 0.8V (up to 6V).
The LT3972 will not enter Burst Mode operation at low
output loads while synchronized to an external clock, but
instead will skip pulses to maintain regulation.
The LT3972 may be synchronized over a 250kHz to 2MHz
range. The R
T
resistor should be chosen to set the LT3972
switching frequency 20% below the lowest synchronization
input. For example, if the synchronization signal will be
250kHz and higher, the R
T
should be chosen for 200kHz.
To assure reliable and safe operation, the LT3972 will only
synchronize when the output voltage is near regulation
as indicated by the PG fl ag. It is therefore necessary to
choose a large enough inductor value to supply the required
output current at the frequency set by the R
T
resistor. See
the Inductor Selection section. It is also important to note
that slope compensation is set by the R
T
value: When the
sync frequency is much higher than the one set by R
T
, the
slope compensation will be signifi cantly reduced which
may require a larger inductor value to prevent subharmonic
oscillation.
Shorted and Reversed-Input Protection
If the inductor is chosen so that it won’t saturate exces-
sively, an LT3972 buck regulator will tolerate a shorted
output. There is another situation to consider in systems
where the output will be held high when the input to the
LT3972 is absent. This may occur in battery charging ap-
plications or in battery backup systems where a battery
or some other supply is diode ORed with the LT3972’s
output. If the V
IN
pin is allowed to fl oat and the RUN/SS
pin is held high (either by a logic signal or because it is
tied to V
IN
), then the LT3972’s internal circuitry will pull
its quiescent current through its SW pin. This is fi ne if
your system can tolerate a few mA in this state. If you
ground the RUN/SS pin, the SW pin current will drop to
essentially zero. However, if the V
IN
pin is grounded while
the output is held high, then parasitic diodes inside the
LT3972 can pull large currents from the output through
the SW pin and the V
IN
pin. Figure 8 shows a circuit that
will run only when the input voltage is present and that
protects against a shorted or reversed input.
Figure 8. Diode D4 Prevents a Shorted Input from
Discharging a Backup Battery Tied to the Output. It Also
Protects the Circuit from a Reversed Input. The LT3972
Runs Only When the Input is Present
V
IN
BOOST
GND FB
RUN/SS
V
C
SW
D4
MBRS340
V
IN
LT3972
3972 F08
V
OUT
BACKUP
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Figure 7. To Soft-Start the LT3972, add a Resisitor
and Capacitor to the RUN/SS Pin
3972 F07
I
L
1A/DIV
V
RUN/SS
2V/DIV
V
OUT
2V/DIV
RUN/SS
GND
RUN
15k
2ms/DIV
0.22μF
PCB Layout
For proper operation and minimum EMI, care must be
taken during printed circuit board layout. Figure 9 shows
the recommended component placement with trace,
ground plane and via locations. Note that large, switched
currents fl ow in the LT3972’s V
IN
and SW pins, the catch
