Micrel’s MIC2194 is a high efficiency PWM buck control IC
housed in the SO-8 package. Its 2.9V to 14V input voltage
range allows it to efficiently step down voltages in 3.3V, 5V,
and 12V systems as well as 1- or 2-cell Li Ion battery powered
applications. The flexible architecture of the MIC2194 allows
for it to be configured as a buck or a buck-boost converter.
The MIC2194 solution saves valuable board space. The
device is housed in the space-saving SO-8 package, whose
low pin-count minimizes external components. Its 400kHz
PWM operation allows a small inductor and small output
capacitors to be used. The MIC2194 can implement allceramic capacitor solutions.
The MIC2194 drives a high-side P-channel MOSFET. A low
output driver impedance of 2Ω allows the MIC2194 to drive
large external MOSFETs to generate a wide range of output
currents. The MIC2194 can achieve maximum duty cycles of
100%, which can be useful in low headroom applications.
The MIC2194 is available in an 8 pin SOIC package with a
junction temperature range of –40°C to +125°C.
Features
• 2.9V to 14V input voltage range
• 400kHz oscillator frequency
• PWM current mode control
• 2Ω output drivers
• 100% maximum duty cycle
• 0.5µA micro-power shutdown
• Programmable UVLO
• Front edge blanking
• Cycle-by-cycle current limiting
• Frequency foldback short circuit protection
• 8-lead SOIC package
Applications
• Point of load power supplies
• Negative voltage buck-boost power supplies
• Distributed power systems
• Base stations
• Wireless modems
• ADSL line cards
• Servers
• Step down conversion in 3.3V, 5V, 12V systems
• 1-and 2-cell Li Ion battery operated equipment
T ypical Application
+3.3V
10µF
16V
V
IN
1µF
12V
47µF
20V
(×2)
2.2nF
VIN
EN/
UVLO
VDDFB
2k
COMP
0.012Ω
MIC2194BM
CS
OUTP
GND
Si4431A
(×2)
5.2µH
B530
10k
3.32k
V
OUT
5V, 5A
220µF
10V
(×2)
Adjustable Output Buck Converter
V
IN
10µF
16V
1µF
4.99k
10nF
0.040Ω
MIC2194BM
VIN
EN/
UVLO
VDDFB
COMP
CS
OUTP
GND
Si9803
22µH
B530
3.01k
22nF
220µF
10V
(×2)
1k
V
OUT
–5V, 0.6A
Positive-to-Negative Buck-Boost Converter
Micrel, Inc. • 1849 Fortune Drive • San Jose, CA 95131 • USA • tel + 1 (408) 944-0800 • fax + 1 (408) 944-0970 • http://www.micrel.com
October 20021MIC2194
Page 2
MIC2194Micrel
Ordering Information
Part NumberOutput VoltageFrequencyJunction Temp. RangePackage
MIC2194BMAdjustable400KHz–40°C to +125°C8-lead SOP
Pin Configuration
FB
EN/UVLO
CS
Pin Description
Pin NumberPin NamePin Function
1COMPCompensation (Output): Internal error amplifier output. Connect to a
2FBFeedback (Input): The circuit regulates this pin to 1.245V.
3EN/UVLOEnable/Undervoltage Lockout (Input): A low level on this pin will power down
4CSThe (–) input to the current limit comparator. A built-in offset of 110mV
5VDD3V internal linear-regulator output. VDD is also the supply voltage bus for the
6GNDGround.
7OUTPHigh current drive for the synchronous N-channel MOSFET. Voltage swing
8VINInput voltage to the circuit. Also the high side input to the current sense
1COMP
2
3
4
8 VIN
OUTP
7
GND
6
VDD
5
8 Lead SOIC (M)
capacitor or series RC network to compensate the regulator’s control loop.
the device, reducing the quiescent current to under 0.5µA. This pin has two
separate thresholds, below 1.5V the output switching is disabled, and below
0.9V the device is forced into a complete micropower shutdown. The 1.5V
threshold functions as an accurate undervoltage lockout (UVLO) with
hysteresis.
between VIN and CSL in conjunction with the current sense resistor sets the
current limit threshold level. This is also the (–) input to the current amplifier.
chip. Bypass to GND with 1µF.
is from ground to VIN. On-resistance is typically 3Ω @ 5VIN.
amplifier supplies power to the gate drive circuit.
MIC21942October 2002
Page 3
MIC2194Micrel
Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
Supply Voltage (V
Digital Supply Voltage (VDD) ...........................................7V
Enable Pin Voltage (VEN)............................. –0.3V to +15V
Feedback Bias Current50nA
Output Voltage Line Regulation5V ≤ VIN ≤ 9V0.15% / V
Output Voltage Load Regulation0mV < (VIN – VCS) < 75mV0.9%
Output Voltage Total Regulation5V ≤VIN ≤ 9V, 0mV < (VIN – VCS) < 75mV (±3%)1.2081.282V
Input & VDD Supply
VIN Input Current (IQ)(excluding external MOSFET gate current)12mA
Shutdown Current (ISD)V
Digital Supply Voltage (VDD)I
Digital Supply Load RegulationIL = 0 to 1mA0.1V
Undervoltage LockoutVDD upper threshold (turn on threshold)2.65V
UVLO Hysteresis100mV
Current Limit Threshold VoltageVIN – VCS voltage to trip current limit90110130mV
Error Amplifier
Error Amplifier Gain20V/V
Current Amplifier
Current Amplifier Gain3.0V/V
Oscillator Section
Oscillator Frequency (fO)360400440kHz
Maximum Duty CycleVFB = 1.0V100%
Minimum On TimeVFB = 1.5V165ns
Frequency Foldback ThresholdMeasured on FB0.3V
Frequency Foldback Frequency90kHz
Note 1. Absolute maximum ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the component may occur. Electrical specifications do not apply when
Note 2. The device is not guaranteed to function outside its operating rating.
Note 3. Devices are ESD sensitive, handling precautions required. Human body model, 1.5kΩ in series with 100pF.
operating the device outside of its operating ratings. The maximum allowable power dissipation is a function of the maximum junction
temperature, T
, the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance, θJA, and the ambient temperature, TA.
J(Max)
MIC21944October 2002
Page 5
MIC2194Micrel
2.80
2.85
2.90
2.95
3.00
3.05
051015
V
DD
(V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
VDDvs. Input Voltage
1.2430
1.2435
1.2440
1.2445
1.2450
1.2455
02468101214
REFERENCE VOLTAGE (V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Error Amp Reference Voltage
vs. Input Voltage
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
-50 -30 -10 10 30 50 70 90 110
SOFT START CURRENT (µA)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Frequency Variation vs.
Temperature
VIN = 5V
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
02468101214
IMPEDANCE (Ω)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
OUTP Drive Impedance
vs. Input Voltage
Sink (Ω)
Source(Ω)
T ypical Characteristics
Quiescent Current
vs. Input Voltage
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
QUIESCENT CURRENT (mA)
0
051015
3.05
VIN = 3.3V
3.03
3.01
2.99
2.97
VIN =5V
(V)
2.95
DD
V
2.93
VIN = 12V
2.91
2.89
2.87
2.85
00.2 0.4 0.6 0.811.2
VDD LOAD CURRENT (mA)
Switching
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
VDDvs. Load
Standby
Quiescent Current
vs. Temperature
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
QUIESCENT CURRENT (mA)
0
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100120
TEMPERATURE (°C)
VDDvs. Temperature
3.50
3.40
3.30
3.20
3.10
3.00
2.90
VDD (V)
2.80
2.70
2.60
2.50
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100120
TEMPERATURE (°C)
VIN = 5V
VIN = 5V
Error Amp Reference Voltage
1.3
1.29
1.28
1.27
1.26
1.25
1.24
1.23
1.22
1.21
REFERENCE VOLTAGE (V)
VIN = 5V
1.2
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Overcurrent Threshold vs.
130
125
120
115
110
October 20025MIC2194
105
100
THRESHOLD (mV)
95
90
02468101214
vs. Temperature
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Input Voltage
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Frequency Variation
vs. Input Voltage
0.5
0
-0.5
-1
-1.5
FREQUENCY VARIATION (%)
-2
02468101214
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Current Limit Threshold
120
115
110
105
100
CURRENT LIMIT (mV)
vs. Temperature
VIN = 5V
95
90
85
80
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100120
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Page 6
MIC2194Micrel
Functional Diagram
V
IN
C
DECOUP
VIN
C
IN
8
OVERCURRENT
VREF
1.245V
COMPARATOR
EN/UVLO 3
VDD 5
COMP
0.1V
Threshold
BIAS
VDD
CURRENT
∑
100k
SENSE
AMP
gm = 0.0002
gain = 20
ON
fs/4
OSC
COMPARATOR
1
CONTROL
RESET
SLOPE
COMPENSATION
PWM
GAIN
3
VIN
ERROR
AMP
CSH9
R
SENSE
CSL4
OUTP7
V
REF
FB
2
Q1
D1
L1
V
OUT
C
OUT
fs/4
FREQUENCY
FOLDBACK
Figure 1. MIC2194 Block Diagram
Functional Characteristics
Controller Overview and Functional Description
The MIC2194 is a BiCMOS, switched-mode, step down
(buck) converter controller. It uses a P-channel MOSFET,
which allows the controller to operate at 100% duty cycle and
eliminates the need for a high side drive bootstrap circuit.
Current mode control is used to achieve superior transient
line and load regulation. An internal corrective ramp provides
slope compensation for stable operation above a 50% duty
cycle. The controller is optimized for high efficiency, high
performance DC-DC converter applications.
Figure 1 is a block diagram of the MIC2194 configured as a
buck converter. At the beginning of the switching cycle, the
0.3V
GND6
OUTP pin pulls low and turns on the high-side P-channel
MOSFET, Q1. Current flows from the input to the output
through the current sense resistor, MOSFET and inductor.
The current amplitude increases, controlled by the inductor.
The voltage developed across the current sense resistor,
R
, is amplified inside the MIC2194 and combined with
SENSE
an internal ramp for stability. This signal is compared to the
output of the error amplifier. When the current signal equals
the error voltage signal, the P-channel MOSFET is turned off.
The inductor current flows through the diode, D1. At the
beginning of the next switching cycle, the P-channel MOSFET
is turned on which turns off the diode, D1.
MIC21946October 2002
Page 7
MIC2194Micrel
The MIC2194 controller is broken down into several functions.
• Control loop
• PWM operation
• Current mode control
• Current limit
• Reference, enable and UVLO
• MOSFET gate drive
• Oscillator
Control Loop
PWM Control Loop
The MIC2194 uses current mode control to regulate the
output voltage. This dual control loop method (illustrated in
Figure 2) senses the output voltage (outer loop) and the
inductor current (inner loop). It uses inductor current and
output voltage to determine the duty cycle of the buck
converter. Sampling the inductor current effectively removes
the inductor from the control loop, which simplifies compensation.
V
IN
Switching
Converter
Switch
Driver
I
INDUCTOR
V
ERROR
t
ON
t
PER
V
ERROR
D = tON/t
PER
I
INDUCTOR
V
REF
V
OUT
Voltage
Divider
Figure 2. Current Mode Control Example
As shown in Figure 1, the inductor current is sensed by
measuring the voltage across the resistor, R
SENSE
. A ramp is
added to the amplified current sense signal to provide slope
compensation, which is required to prevent unstable operation at duty cycles greater than 50%.
A transconductance amplifier is used for the error amplifier,
which compares an attenuated sample of the output voltage
with a reference voltage. The output of the error amplifier is
the compensation pin (COMP), which is compared to the
current sense waveform in the PWM block. When the current
signal becomes greater than the error signal, the comparator
turns off the high side drive. The COMP pin provides access
to the output of the error amplifier and allows the use of
external components to stabilize the voltage loop.
Current Limit
The output current is detected by the voltage drop across the
external current sense resistor (R
in Figure 1.). The
SENSE
current sense resistor must be sized using the minimum
current limit threshold. The external components must be
designed to withstand the maximum current limit. The current
sense resistor value is calculated by the equation below:
MIN CURRENT SENSE THRESHOLD
R
SENSE
___
=
I
_
OUT MAX
The maximum output current is:
MAX CURRENT SENSE THRESHOLD
I
OUT MAX
_
___
=
R
SENSE
The current sense pins VIN (pin 8) and CSL (pin 4) are noise
sensitive due to the low signal level, high input impedance
and input ripple voltage. The PCB traces should be short and
routed close to each other. A 0.1µF capacitor across the pins
will attenuate high frequency switching noise.
When the peak inductor current exceeds the current limit
threshold, the overcurrent comparator turns off the high-side
MOSFET for the remainder of the switching cycle, effectively
decreasing the duty cycle. The output voltage drops as
additional load current is pulled from the converter. When the
voltage at the feedback pin (FB) reaches approximately 0.3V,
the circuit enters frequency foldback mode and the oscillator
frequency will drop to 1/4 of the switching frequency. This
limits the maximum output power delivered to the load under
a short circuit condition.
Reference, Enable and UVLO Circuits
The output drivers are enabled when the following conditions
are satisfied:
• The VDD voltage (pin 5) is greater than its
undervoltage threshold.
• The voltage on the enable pin (pin 3) is greater
than the enable UVLO threshold.
The enable pin (pin 3) has two threshold levels, allowing the
MIC2194 to shut down in a low current mode, or turn off output
switching in standby mode. An enable pin voltage lower than
the shutdown threshold turns off all the internal circuitry and
places the MIC2194 in a micropower shutdown mode.
If the enable pin voltage is between the shutdown and
standby thresholds, the internal bias, VDD and reference
voltages are turned on. The output drivers are inhibited from
switching. The OUTP pin is in a high state. Raising the enable
voltage above the standby threshold enables the output
driver. The standby threshold is specified in the electrical
characteristics. A resistor divider can be used with the enable
pin to prevent the power supply from turning on until a
specified input voltage is reached. The circuit in Figure 3
shows how to connect the resistors.
October 20027MIC2194
Page 8
MIC2194Micrel
MIC2194
1.5V
Typical
V
IN
R1
R2
EN/UVLO
(3)
140mV
Hysteresis
(typical)
Bias
Circuitry
Figure 3. UVLO Circuitry
The line voltage turn on trip point is:
VV
INPUT ENABLE
_
=×
THRESHOLD
R
RR
+212
where:
V
THRESHOLD
is the voltage level of the internal
comparator reference, typically 1.5V.
The input voltage hysteresis is equal to:
RR
VV
INPUT HYSTHYST_
=×
+12
R
2
where:
V
is the internal comparator hysteresis level,
HYST
typically 140mV.
V
INPUT_HYST
is the hysteresis at the input voltage
The MIC2194 will be disabled when the input voltage drops
back down to:
V
INPUT_OFF
V
INPUT_ENABLE
(V
THRESHOLD
=
– V
– V
INPUT_HYST
×
)
HYST
=
2
+RRR
12
Either of 2 UVLO conditions will pull the soft start capacitor
low:
• When the VDD voltage drops below its
undervoltage lockout level.
• When the enable pin drops below the its enable
threshold
The internal bias circuit generates an internal 1.245V bandgap reference voltage for the voltage error amplifier and a 3V
VDD voltage for the internal control circuitry. The VDD pin
must be decoupled with a 1µF ceramic capacitor. The capacitor must be placed close to the VDD pin. The other end of the
capacitor must be connected directly to the ground plane.
MOSFET Gate Drive
The MIC2194 is designed to drive a high-side P-channel
MOSFET. The source pin of the P-channel MOSFET is
connected to the input of the power supply. It is turned on
when OUTP pulls the gate of the MOSFET low. The advantage of using a P-channel MOSFET is that it does not require
a bootstrap circuit to boost the gate voltage higher than the
input, as would be required for an N-channel MOSFET. The
VIN pin (pin 8) supplies the drive voltage to the gate drive pin,
OUTP.
MOSFET Selection
The P-channel MOSFET must have a VGS threshold voltage
equal to or lower than the input voltage when used in a buck
converter topology. There is a limit to the maximum gate
charge the MIC2194 will drive. MOSFETs with high gate
charge will have slower turn-on and turn-off times. Slower
transition times will cause higher power dissipation in the
MOSFET due to higher switching transition losses.
The MOSFET gate charge is also limited by power dissipation
in the MIC2194. The power dissipated by the gate drive
circuitry is calculated below:
P
GATE_DRIVE
where: Q
GATE
= Q
GATE
× VIN × f
S
is the total gate charge of both the N- and P-
channel MOSFETs.
fS is the switching frequency
VIN is the gate drive voltage
The graph in Figure 4 shows the total gate charge that can be
driven by the MIC2194 over the input voltage range, for
different values of switching frequency.
Max Gate Charge
250
200
150
100
50
MAMIMUM GATE CHARGE (nC)
0
051015
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Figure 4. MIC2194 VIN vs Max. Gate Charge
Oscillator
The internal oscillator is free running and requires no external
components. The maximum duty cycle for both frequencies
is 100%. This is another advantage of using a P-channel
MOSFET for the high-side drive; it can be continuously turned
on.
A frequency foldback mode is enabled if the voltage on the
feedback pin (pin 2) is less than 0.3V. In frequency foldback,
the oscillator frequency is reduced by approximately a factor
of 4. Frequency foldback is used to limit the energy delivered
to the output during a short circuit fault condition.
Voltage Setting Components
The MIC2194 requires two resistors to set the output voltage
as shown in Figure 5.
MIC21948October 2002
Page 9
MIC2194Micrel
V
MIC2194
Voltage
Amplifier
V
1.245V
Pin 2
REF
OUT
R1
R2
Figure 5
The output voltage is determined by:
R
VV
OUT
Where: V
=×+1
REF
for the MIC2194 is typically 1.245V.
REF
1
R
2
Lower values of R1 are preferred to prevent noise from
appearing on the FB pin. A typically recommended value is
10kΩ. If R1 is too small in value it will decrease the efficiency
of the power supply, especially at low output loads.
Once R1 is selected, R2 can be calculated with the following
formula:
VR
×
R
REF
21=
VV
–
OUT
REF
Efficiency Considerations
Efficiency is the ratio of output power to input power. The
difference is dissipated as heat in the buck converter. Under
light output load, the significant contributors are:
• The VIN supply current, which includes the current
required to switch the external MOSFET.
• Core losses in the output inductor.
To maximize efficiency at light loads:
• Use a low gate charge MOSFET or use the smallest
MOSFET, which is still adequate for maximum output
current.
• Use a ferrite material for the inductor core, which has
less core loss than an MPP or iron power core.
Under heavy output loads the significant contributors to
power loss are (in approximate order of magnitude):
• Resistive on time losses in the MOSFET
• Switching transition losses in the MOSFET
• Inductor resistive losses
• Current sense resistor losses
• Input capacitor resistive losses (due to the capacitors
ESR)
To minimize power loss under heavy loads:
• Use low on-resistance MOSFETs. Use low threshold
logic level MOSFETs when the input voltage is below
5V. Multiplying the gate charge by the on-resistance
gives a figure of merit, providing a good balance
between low load and high load efficiency.
• Slow transition times and oscillations on the voltage
and current waveforms dissipate more power during
the turn on and turn off of the MOSFET. A clean
layout will minimize parasitic inductance and capacitance in the gate drive and high current paths. This
will allow the fastest transition times and waveforms
without oscillations. Low gate charge MOSFETs will
transition faster than those with higher gate charge
requirements.
• For the same size inductor, a lower value will have
fewer turns and therefore, lower winding resistance.
However, using too small of a value will require more
output capacitors to filter the output ripple, which will
force a smaller bandwidth, slower transient response
and possible instability under certain conditions.
• Lowering the current sense resistor value will decrease the power dissipated in the resistor. However,
it will also increase the overcurrent limit and will
require larger MOSFETs and inductor components.
• Use low ESR input capacitors to minimize the power
dissipated in the capacitors ESR.
October 20029MIC2194
Page 10
MIC2194Micrel
Package Information
0.026 (0.65)
MAX)
PIN 1
0.157 (3.99)
0.150 (3.81)
0.050 (1.27)
0.064 (1.63)
0.045 (1.14)
TYP
0.197 (5.0)
0.189 (4.8)
DIMENSIONS:
INCHES (MM)
0.020 (0.51)
0.013 (0.33)
0.0098 (0.249)
0.0040 (0.102)
0°–8°
SEATING
PLANE
8-Pin SOP (M)
45°
0.050 (1.27)
0.016 (0.40)
0.244 (6.20)
0.228 (5.79)
0.010 (0.25)
0.007 (0.18)
MICREL, INC.1849 FORTUNE DRIVESAN JOSE, CA 95131USA
TEL + 1 (408) 944-0800 FAX + 1 (408) 944-0970 WEB http://www.micrel.com
This information is believed to be accurate and reliable, however no responsibility is assumed by Micrel for its use nor for any infringement of patents or
other rights of third parties resulting from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent right of Micrel, Inc.