LM20123

SNVS524E – OCTOBER 2007 – REVISED MARCH 2013

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OPERATION DESCRIPTION

GENERAL

The LM20123 switching regulator features all of the functions necessary to implement an efficient low voltage

buck regulator using a minimum number of external components. This easy to use regulator features two

integrated switches and is capable of supplying up to 3A of continuous output current. The regulator utilizes peak

current mode control with nonlinear slope compensation to optimize stability and transient response over the

entire output voltage range. Peak current mode control also provides inherent line feed-forward, cycle-by-cycle

current limiting and easy loop compensation. The fixed 1.5 MHz operating frequency minimizes the inductor size

while still achieving efficiencies up to 96%. The precision internal voltage reference allows the output to be set as

low as 0.8V. Fault protection features include: current limiting, thermal shutdown, over voltage protection, and

shutdown capability. The device is available in the HTSSOP 16-Pin package featuring an exposed pad to aid

thermal dissipation. The LM20123 can be used in numerous applications to efficiently step-down from a 5V or

3.3V bus. The typical application circuit for the LM20123 is shown in Figure 25 in the design guide.

PRECISION ENABLE

The enable (EN) pin allows the output of the device to be enabled or disabled with an external control signal.

This pin is a precision analog input that enables the device when the voltage exceeds 1.18V (typical). The EN pin

has 66 mV of hysteresis and will disable the output when the enable voltage falls below 1.11V (typical). If the EN

pin is not used, it should be connected to VIN. Since the enable pin has a precise turn on threshold it can be

voltage. The precision enable circuitry will remain active even when the device is disabled.

PEAK CURRENT MODE CONTROL

In most cases, the peak current mode control architecture used in the LM20123 only requires two external

components to achieve a stable design. The compensation can be selected to accommodate any capacitor type

or value. The external compensation also allows the user to set the crossover frequency and optimize the

transient performance of the device.

For duty cycles above 50% all current mode control buck converters require the addition of an artificial ramp to

avoid sub-harmonic oscillation. This artificial linear ramp is commonly referred to as slope compensation. What

makes the LM20123 unique is the amount of slope compensation will change depending on the output voltage.

When operating at high output voltages the device will have more slope compensation than when operating at

lower output voltages. This is accomplished in the LM20123 by using a non-linear parabolic ramp for the slope

compensation. The parabolic slope compensation of the LM20123 is much better than the traditional linear slope

compensation because it optimizes the stability of the device over the entire output voltage range.

CURRENT LIMIT

The precise current limit of the LM20123 is set at the factory to be within 10% over the entire operating

temperature range. This enables the device to operate with smaller inductors that have lower saturation currents.

When the peak inductor current reaches the current limit threshold, an over current event is triggered and the

internal high-side FET turns off and the low-side FET turns on allowing inductor current to ramp down until the

next switching cycle. For each sequential over-current event, the reference voltage is decremented and PWM

pulses are skipped resulting in a current limit that does not aggressively fold back for brief over-current events,

while at the same time providing frequency and voltage foldback protection during hard short circuit conditions.

SOFT-START AND VOLTAGE TRACKING

The SS/TRK pin is a dual function pin that can be used to set the start up time or track an external voltage

source. The start up or Soft-Start time can be adjusted by connecting a capacitor from the SS/TRK pin to ground.

The Soft-Start feature allows the regulator output to gradually reach the steady state operating point, thus

reducing stresses on the input supply and controlling start up current. If no Soft-Start capacitor is used the device

defaults to the internal Soft-Start circuitry resulting in a start up time of approximately 1 ms. For applications that

require a monotonic start up or utilize the PGOOD pin, an external Soft-Start capacitor is recommended. The

SS/TRK pin can also be set to track an external voltage source. The tracking behavior can be adjusted by two

external resistors connected to the SS/TRK pin as shown in Figure 30 in the design guide.

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