LTC1174
LTC1174-3.3/LTC1174-5
U
(Refer to Functional Diagram)
OPERATIO
circuitry is shut off, reducing quiescent current from
wheretOFF =4µsandVD isthevoltagedropacrossthediode.
0.45mAto0.13mA.Whentheoutputcapacitordischarges Note that the operating frequency is a function of the input
by the amount of the hysteresis of the comparator A1, the and ouput voltage.
P-channel switch turns on again and the process repeats
itself.
Although the size of the inductor does not affect the fre-
quency, it does affect the ripple current. The peak-to-peak
ripple current is given by:
Operating Frequency and Inductor
Since the LTC1174 utilizes a constant off-time architecture,
itsoperatingfrequencyisdependentonthevalueofVIN.The
frequency of operation can be expressed as:
V
OUT + VD
I
RIPPLE = 4 ×10−6
A
P−P
(
)
L
By choosing a smaller inductor, a low ESR output filter
capacitorhastobeused(seeCIN andCOUT).Moreover,core
losswill also increase(seeInductor CoreSelection section)
due to higher ripple current.
V − VOUT
1
tOFF
IN
f =
Hz
( )
V + V
IN
D
O U
S
W
U
PPLICATI
I FOR ATIO
A
100
Inductor Core Selection
CTX100-4
90
With the value of L selected, the type of inductor must be
chosen. Basically there are two kinds of losses in an
inductor, core and copper
CTX100-4P
80
Core losses are dependent on the peak-to-peak ripple
current and the core material. However it is independent of
the physical size of the core. By increasing the inductance
the inductor’s peak-to-peak ripple current will decrease,
therefore reducing core loss. Utilizing low core loss mate-
rial, such as molypermalloy or Kool Mµwill allow users to
concentrate on reducing copper loss and preventing satu-
ration.Figure1showstheeffectofdifferentcorematerialon
the efficiency of the LTC1174. The CTX core is Kool Mµand
the CTXP core is powdered iron (material 52).
70
V
V
PGM
= 5V
60
50
IN
= 3.3V
IN
OUT
I
= V
1
10
100
500
LOAD CURRENT (mA)
100
90
80
70
60
50
CTX50-4
CTX50-4P
Although higher inductance reduces core loss, it increases
copperlossasitrequiresmorewindings.Whenspaceisnot
a premium larger gauge wire can be used to reduce the wire
resistance. This also prevents excessive heat dissipation.
V
= 5V
IN
OUT
V
= 3.3V
CIN
I
= V
PGM
IN
In continuous mode the source current of the P-channel
MOSFETisasquarewaveofdutycycleVOUT/VIN.Toprevent
large voltage transients, a low ESR input capacitor sized for
1
10
100
500
LOAD CURRENT (mA)
1174 F01
Figure 1. Efficiency Using Different Types of
Inductor Core Material
7