The AP1601 is a high efficiency step-up DC/DC
converter for applications using 1 to 4 NiMH battery
cells. Only three external components are required
to deliver a fixed output voltage of 3.3V or 5V. The
AP1601 starts up from less than 0.9V input with
1mA load. Pulse Frequency Modulation scheme
brings optimized performance for applications with
light output loading and low input voltages. The
output ripple and noise are lower compared with the
circuits operating in PSM mode.
The PFM control circuit operating in 100KHz (max.)
switching rate results in smaller passive
components. The space saving MSOP packages
make the AP1601 an ideal choice of DC/DC
converter for space conscious applications, like
pagers, electronic cameras, and wireless
microphones.
Pin Descriptions
NameDescription
Use a resistor network to set the output
voltage from +2.0V to +5.5V.
FB
If FB=Vout, Vout=3.3V fix voltage
FB=GND, Vout=5V fix voltage
Low-Battery Comparator Input. Internally set
LBI
to trip at +1.30V.
Open-Drain Low-Battery Comparator Output.
LBO
Connect
LBO
resistor. Output is low when V
LBO is high impedance during shutdown.
1.2V Reference Voltage. Bypass with a 0.1µF
REF
capacitor.
Power Output. OUT provides bootstrap power
OUT
to the IC.
N-Channel and P-Channel Power MOSFET
LX
Drain
GND Ground
Shutdown Input. Drive high (>80% of V
SHDN
operating mode. Drive low (<20% of V
shutdown mode. Connect to OUT for normal
operation.
Current-Limit Select Input. CLSEL = OUT sets
CLSEL
the current limit to 0.8A. CLSEL = GND sets
the current limit to 0.4A.
Battery Input and Damping Switch
BATT
Connection. If damping switch is unused,
leave BATT unconnected.
to OUT through a 100kΩ
is <1.2V.
LBI
) for
OUT
) for
OUT
This datasheet contains new product information. Anachip Corp. reserves the rights to modify the product specification without notice. No liability is assumed as a result of the use of
this product. No rights under any patent accompany the sale of the product.
1/9
Rev. 1.1 Apr. 14, 2005
Page 2
Step-Up DC/DC Converter
Ordering Information
AP1601
AP1601XX X
M8: MSOP-8L
M10: MSOP-10L
Block Diagram
Minimum
OUT
Off-Time
One-Shot
Maximum
On-Time
One-Shot
One-Shot
LBO
LBI
R3
R4
CLSEL
V
IN
100k
SHDN
V
R2
Package
Q
TRIG
One-Shot
F/F
S
R
QTRIG
Q
-
+
Lead Free
Blank : Normal
L : Lead Free Package
+
Current-Limit
Amplifier
-
Error
Amplifier
+
Low-Battery
Comparator
-
Packing
Blank : Tube
A : Taping
-
Zero
Crossing
EN
+
Amplifier
Reference
-
+
Damping
Switch
0.1uF
P
N
BATT
OUT
LX
GND
FB
REF
47uF
22uH
R1
200
R5
R6
0.1uF
+
V
IN
+
Ω
+
47uF
Anachip Corp.
www.anachip.com.tw
Rev. 1.1 Apr. 14, 2005
2/9
Page 3
AP1601
Step-Up DC/DC Converter
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Symbol Parameter Rating Unit
VCC Supply Voltage (OUT to GND) -0.3 to 8.0 V
V
Battery Voltage (Batt to GND) -0.3 to 6.0 V
BATT
LBI, REF, FB, CLSEL to GND -0.3 to V
VSW Switch Voltage (LX to GND) -0.3 to V
I
Output Current (OUT) -1.5 to +1.5 A
OUT
V
LBO to GND 6.0 V
LBO
+0.3 V
OUT
+0.3 V
OUT
ISW Switch Current (LX) -1.5 to +1.5 A
TST Storage Temperature Range -65 to +150
TOT Operation Temperature Range -40 to +80
o
C
o
C
Electrical Characteristics
= 2V, FB = OUT (V
(V
BATT
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min.Typ. Max. Unit
Minimum Input Voltage - 0.9 - V
VIN Operating Voltage TA = +25°C 1.1 - 5.5 V
Start-Up Voltage
Start-Up Voltage Tempco - -2 - mV/°C
Output Voltage Range 2 - 5.5 V
I
V
OUT
REF
Steady-State Output
Current (Note2)
Reference Voltage I
TEMPCO Reference Voltage Tempco - 0.024 - mV/°C
V
REF_LOAD
V
REF_LINE
Reference Voltage Load
Regulation
Reference Voltage Line
Regulation
= 2V, RL =∞, TA = 0°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at TA = +25°C .)
(V
BATT
Symb
Operating Current into OUT
Shutdown Current into OUT
Efficiency
tON
t
I
I
CLSEL
I
SHDN
I
LBO
LX Switch On-Time
LX Switch Off-Time
OFF
IFB
FB Input Current
LBI Input Current
LBI
CLSEL Input Current
SHDN
LBO Low Output Voltage
LBO Off Leakage Current
Damping Switch Resistance
VIL
VIH
VIL
VIH
Note 1: Start-up voltage operation is guaranteed with the addition of a Schottky MBR0520 external diode between the input and output.
Note 2: Steady-state output current indicates that the device maintains output voltage regulation under load.
AP1601 PFM (pulse frequency modulation)
converter IC series combine a switch mode
converter, N-channel power MOSFET, precision
voltage reference, and voltage detector in a single
monolithic device. They offer both extreme low
quiescent current, high efficiency, and very low
gate threshold voltage to ensure start-up with low
battery voltage (0.9V typ.). Designed to maximize
battery life in portable products, and minimize
switching losses by only switching as needed
service the load. PFM converters transfer a
discrete amount of energy per cycle and regulate
the output voltage by modulating switching
frequency with the constant turn-on time. Switching
frequency depends on load, input voltage, and
inductor value, and it can range up to 100KHz. The
SW on resistance is typically 1 to 1.5 W to
minimize switch losses. When the output voltage
drops, the error comparator enables 100KHz
oscillator that turns on the MOSFET around 7.5us
and 2.5ms off time. Turning on the MOSFET
allows inductor current to ramp up, storing energy
in a magnetic field and when MOSFET turns off
that force inductor current through diode to the
output capacitor and load. As the stored energy is
depleted, the current ramp down until the diode
turns off. At this point, inductor may ring due to
residual energy and stray capacitance. The output
capacitor stores charge when current flowing
through the diode is high, and release it when
current is low, thereby maintaining a steady
voltage across the load. As the load increases, the
output capacitor discharges faster and the error
comparator initiates cycles sooner, increasing the
switching frequency. The maximum duty cycle
ensure adequate time for energy transfer to output
during the second half each cycle. Depending on
circuit, PFM converter can operate in either
discontinuous mode or continuous conduction
mode. Continuous conduction mode means that
the inductor current does not ramp to zero during
each cycle.
AP1601
Diode Selection
Speed, forward drop, and leakage current are the
three main considerations in selecting a rectifier diode.
Best performance is obtained with Schottky rectifier
diode, such as 1N5819. Motorola makes MBR0530 in
surface mount. For lower output power a 1N4148 can
be used although efficiency and start up voltage will
suffer substantially.
Inductor Selection
To operate as an efficient energy transfer element,
the inductor must fulfill three requirements. First, the
inductance must be low enough for the inductor to
store adequate energy under the worst case condition
of minimum input voltage and switch ON time. Second,
the inductance must also be high enough so
maximum current rating of AP1601 and inductor are
not exceed at the other worst case condition of
maximum input voltage and ON time. Lastly, the
inductor must have sufficiently low DC resistance so
excessive power is not lost as heat in the windings.
But unfortunately this is inversely related to physical
size. Minimum and Maximum input voltage, output
voltage and output current must be established before
and inductor can be selected.
Capacitor Selection
A poor choice for a output capacitor can result in poor
efficiency and high output ripple. Ordinary aluminum
electrolyzers, while inexpensive may have
unacceptably poor ESR and ESL. There are low ESR
aluminum capacitors for switch mode DC-DC
converters which work much better than general
propose unit. Tantalum capacitors provide still better
performance at more expensive. OS-CON capacitors
have extremely low ESR in a small size. If
capacitance is reduced, output ripple will increase.
Most of the input supply is supplied by the input
bypass capacitor. The capacitor voltage rating should
be at least 1.25 times greater than a maximum input
voltage.