SC603
POWER MANAGEMENT
Applications Information
Frequency Selection
The FSEL input is for frequency selection. A logic High
level at this input will set the clock frequency to 650kHz,
while a logic Low sets the clock to 262kHz. Input from a
µP or other device may be used to change the charge
pump frequency at any time. The optimal frequency will
depend upon the capacitor values, the load current, and
the exceptable amount of output ripple.
Charge Pump Function for Low Ripple
The SC603 uses a voltage doubler circuit which is imple-
mented with two switched or ‘bucket’ capactors. Most
charge pump doublers use only one bucket capacitor.
Two bucket capacitors switching on alternate phases
greatly reduce the output ripple voltage.
Over-Voltage Protection for Low Voltage Capacitors
The output is prevented from exceeding 6.0V. This fea-
ture allows the use of 6.3V ceramic capacitors.
Ripple Performance
Examples of the output ripple, charge pump frequency
and capacitor size are listed in Table 2 Ripple Perfor-
mance.
Comparison with Other Regulation Methods
In many instances, a charge pump regulator is the best
choice for portable power applications. These regula-
tors offer many advantages over switch mode regula-
tors. A smaller bill of materials, less layout area, lower
component height, less noise, no EMF, and less overall
circuit cost are typical reasons to use this type of regula-
tion. The efficiency of a charge pump regulator often
approaches and in some cases exceeds the efficiency
of a switch mode regulator.
Efficiency
Efficiency for the SC603 is defined as,
V ⋅I
O
O
η
=
V
⋅ 2⋅I + I
( )
O Q
IN
where VO = output voltage
IO = output current
VIN = input voltage
IQ = quiescent current [from Electrical Charac-
teristics on page 2]
Inductors are often the largest and most expensive dis-
crete component in a design. There are no inductors
used in the SC603, so the inductor’s cost and layout
area are eliminated. The noise and EMF associated with
the inductor are also eliminated.
The SC603’s fixed frequency harmonics are an advan-
tage in portable communications equipment, such as
cellular telephones. The SC603 has distinct frequen-
cies of operation, so the harmonics are predictable. The
harmonics are not fixed in a switch mode regulator.
Switch mode regulators have harmonics which vary due
to the pulse width modulation used to regulate the out-
put. Varying harmonics can be a problem because it may
be more difficult to ensure acceptable noise perfor-
mance over the entire operating range.
Many switch mode regulators have increased voltage
ripple on the output during pulse skipping mode due to
the fact that there are large periods of time when no
current is supplied to the output. The SC603 supplies
current to the output continuously, so the voltage ripple
is less than a switch mode regulator, even with greatly
reduced output capacitance.
2004 Semtech Corp.
5
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