A8450
Automotive Multioutput Voltage Regulator
Functional Description
Buck Converter with Switching Regulator. A cur-
tOFF by VBB
rent-mode, variable frequency buck dc-to-dc converter and
switching regulator are integrated in the A8450, as shown in
figure 2. This feature allows the device to efficiently handle
power over a wide range of input supply levels. The dc-to-dc
converter outputs 5.7 V typical, and has an overcurrent limit
of 1.2 A typical.
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
4.75 µs
12 V
The converter employs a soft-start feature. This ramps the
converter output voltage and limits the maximum demand on
VREG by controlling the inrush current required at power-on
to charge the external capacitor, COUT, and any dc load.
2.05 µs
11 V
0.58 µs
6.02 V
An internal charge pump provides gate drive for the
N-channel MOSFET buck switch. A 100% duty cycle is
implemented when using low VBB input voltages.
5
7
9
11
13
15
VBB (V)
At VBB lower than 12 V, off-time, tOFF, is reduced, as shown
in figure 3. This reduction keeps the switching frequency,
fPWM, within a reasonable range and lowers the ripple cur-
rent. Lowering the ripple current at low VBB levels prevents
degradation of linear regulator headroom due to VREG ripple
voltage.
Figure 3. When VBB falls below 12 V, tOFF decreases
L1
100 µH
5VLinear Regulators. Two 5 V medium-power linear regula-
torsareprovided.Theselow-dropoutregulatorsfeaturefoldback
current limiting for short-to-supply protection. When a direct
VBB
COUT
100 µF
D1
LX
Buck Converter
Buck Switch
tOFF
VCP
Switching
Regulator
Control
IDEMAND
ENB
Clock
Counter
IPEAK
1.2 A Limit
Soft Start
Ramp
Generation
Compensation
Error
Bandgap
1.22 V
Clamp
VREG
Figure 2. Buck converter with switching regulator
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
7
115 Northeast Cutoff, Box 15036
A8450KLB-DS, Rev. 1
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 (508) 853-5000
www.allegromicro.com