The MIC4680 SuperSwitcher™ is an easy-to-use fixed or
adjustable output voltage step-down (buck) switch-mode
voltage regulator. The 200kHz MIC4680 achieves up to 1.3A
of continuous output current over a wide input range in a
8-lead SOP (small outline package).
The MIC4680 is available in 3.3V and 5V fixed output versions or adjustable output down to 1.25V.
The MIC4680 has an input voltage range of 4V to 34V, with
excellent line, load, and transient response. The regulator
performs cycle-by-cycle current limiting and thermal shutdown for protection under fault conditions. In shutdown
mode, the regulator draws less than 2µA of standby current.
The MIC4680 SuperSwitcher™ regulator requires a minimum number of external components and can operate using
a standard series of inductors and capacitors. Frequency
compensation is provided internally for fast transient response and ease of use.
The MIC4680 is available in the 8-lead SOP with a
–40°C to +125°C junction temperature range.
Features
• SO-8 package with up to 1.3A output current
• All surface mount solution
• Only 4 external components required
• Fixed 200kHz operation
• 3.3V, 5V, and adjustable output versions
• Internally compensated with fast transient response
Frequency Fold Back3050100kHz
Oscillator Frequency180200220kHz
Saturation VoltageI
Short Circuit Current LimitVFB = 0V, see Test Circuit1.31.82.5A
Standby Quiescent CurrentV
Shutdown Input Logic Levelregulator off21.6V
Shutdown Input CurrentV
Thermal Shutdown160°C
Note 1. Exceeding the absolute maximum rating may damage the device.
Note 2. The device is not guaranteed to function outside its operating rating.
Note 3. Absolute maximum rating is intended for voltage transients only, prolonged dc operation is not recommended.
Note 4. V
Note 5. Devices are ESD sensitive. Handling precautions recommended.
Note 6. Measured on 1" square of 1 oz. copper FR4 printed circuit board connected to the device ground leads.
Note 7. Test at TA = +85°C, guaranteed by design, and characterized to TJ = +125°C.
IN(min)
= V
+ 2.5V or 4V whichever is greater.
OUT
= 1A1.41.8V
OUT
= V
SHDN
V
SHDN
IN
= 5V (regulator off)30100µA
1.5µA
regulator on1.00.8V
= 5V (regulator off)–10–0.510µA
SHDN
V
= 0V (regulator on)–10–1.510µA
SHDN
V
Test Circuit
SHUTDOWN
Shutdown Input Behavior
ENABLE
ON
+12V
Device Under Test
IN
1
SHDN
GND
SOP-85–8
Current Limit Test Circuit
GUARANTEED
ON
0.8V
TYPICAL
ON
1V0V1.6VV
Shutodwn Hysteresis
SW
FB
32
4
2V
68µH
GUARANTEED
OFF
TYPICAL
OFF
I
OFF
IN(max)
MIC46804June 2000
Page 5
MIC4680Micrel
Typical Characteristics
5.06
5.05
5.04
5.03
5.02
5.01
5.00
4.99
4.98
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
4.97
4.96
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
CURRENT (µA)
1.0
0.5
Line Regulation
I
= 1.0A
OUT
05 10 15 20 25 30 35
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Shutdown Current
vs. Temperature
VIN = 12V
V
= V
SHDN
IN
0
-50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125
TEMPERATURE (°C)
5.04
5.02
5.00
4.98
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
4.96
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Load Regulation
VIN = 12V
V
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Current Limit
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Characteristic
VIN = 12V
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.01.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
OUT
= 5V
Shutdown Current
100
CURRENT (µA)
202
201
200
199
198
FREQUENCY (kHz)
197
196
vs. Input Voltage
80
60
40
20
0
05 10 15 20 25 30 35
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Frequency vs.
Supply Voltage
05 10 15 20 25 30 35
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Frequency vs.
220
210
200
190
FREQUENCY (kHz)
180
-50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125
80
70
60
50
40
30
EFFICIENCY (%)
20
10
0
Temperature
TEMPERATURE (°C)
3.3V Output
Efficiency
6V
24V
12V
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Feedback Voltage
1.242
1.240
1.238
1.236
1.234
1.232
1.230
FEEDBACK VOLTAGE (V)
1.228
EFFICIENCY (%)
vs. Temperature
VIN = 12V
V
OUT
I
OUT
-50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125 150
TEMPERATURE (°C)
5V Output
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
Efficiency
7V
24V
12V
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
= 5V
= 1A
Saturation Voltage
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
SATURATION VOLTAGE (V)
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
EFFICIENCY (%)
20
10
vs. Temperature
VIN = 12V
= 5V
V
OUT
= 1A
I
LOAD
0
-50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125
TEMPERATURE (°C)
12V Output
Efficiency
15V24V
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
June 20005MIC4680
Page 6
MIC4680Micrel
Safe
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
05101520253035
Operating Area
V
= 5V
OUT
T
= 60°C
A
Demonstration
board layout
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Minimum
Current Limit
Note
Note. For increased output current, see “Applications Information:
Functional Characteristics
Switching Frequency Foldback
(NORMAL)
SW
V
12V IN, 5V/1A OUT
(SHORTED)
SW
12V IN, 0V OUT
V
200kHz
60kHz
TIME
Increasing the Maximum Output Current” and Figure 3.
VIN = 12V
= 5V
V
Normal
Operation
Short
Circuit
Operation
V
I
OUT
(100mV/div.)
OUT
(500mA/div.)
OUT
= 1.0A to 0.1A
I
OUT
Load Transient
5.1V
5V
1A
0A
TIME (100ms/div.)
Frequency Foldback
The MIC4680 folds the switching frequency back during a hard
short-circuit condition to reduce the energy per cycle and
protect the device.
MIC46806June 2000
Page 7
MIC4680Micrel
Bode Plots
The following bode plots show that the MIC4680 is stable over all conditions using a 68µF inductor (L) and a 220µF output
capacitor (C
). To assure stability, it is a good practice to maintain a phase margin of greater than 35°.
OUT
VIN = 7V
= 5.0V
V
OUT
= 0.0A
I
OUT
No-Load Stability
Phase Margin = 106°
TIME (100ms/div.)
No-Load Stability
Phase Margin = 117°
L = 68µF
= 220µF
C
OUT
VIN = 7V
= 5.0V
V
OUT
= 1.0A
I
OUT
Full-Load Stability
Phase Margin = 114°
TIME (100ms/div.)
Full-Load Stability
Phase Margin = 69°
L = 68µF
= 220µF
C
OUT
L = 68µF
= 220µF
C
OUT
VIN = 12V
= 5.0V
V
OUT
= 0.0A
I
OUT
VIN = 34V
= 5.0V
V
OUT
= 1.0A
I
OUT
TIME (100ms/div.)
No-Load Stability
Phase Margin = 125°
TIME (100ms/div.)
L = 68µF
= 220µF
C
OUT
L = 68µF
C
OUT
= 220µF
VIN = 12V
= 5.0V
V
OUT
= 1.0A
I
OUT
VIN = 34V
V
OUT
I
OUT
TIME (100ms/div.)
Full-Load Stability
Phase Margin = 71°
= 5.0V
= 1.0A
TIME (100ms/div.)
L = 68µF
= 220µF
C
OUT
June 20007MIC4680
Page 8
MIC4680Micrel
Block Diagrams
V
IN
IN
SHDN
200kHz
Oscillator
MIC4680-x.x
Internal
Regulator
Thermal
Shutdown
Com-
parator
Reset
Error
Amp
GND
Fixed Regulator
Current
Limit
Driver
1.23V
Bandgap
Reference
1A
Switch
V
IN
V
SW
OUT
C
OUT
FB
IN
SHDN
200kHz
Oscillator
Com-
parator
MIC4680 [adj.]
Adjustable Regulator
Internal
Regulator
Thermal
Shutdown
Reset
Error
Amp
Current
Limit
Driver
1.23V
Bandgap
Reference
1A
Switch
VV
=+
REF
OUT
V
OUT
=−
R1 R2
V
REF
=
V1.23V
REF
SW
FB
R1
1
R2
1
V
OUT
C
OUT
R1
R2
MIC46808June 2000
Page 9
MIC4680Micrel
Functional Description
The MIC4680 is a variable duty cycle switch-mode regulator
with an internal power switch. Refer to the block diagrams.
Supply Voltage
The MIC4680 operates from a +4V to +34V unregulated
input. Highest efficiency operation is from a supply voltage
around +15V. See the efficiency curves.
Enable/Shutdown
The shutdown (SHDN) input is TTL compatible. Ground the
input if unused. A logic-low enables the regulator. A logichigh shuts down the internal regulator which reduces the
current to typically 1.5µA when V
when V
= 5V. See “Shutdown Input Behavior: Shutdown
SHDN
Hysteresis.”
Feedback
Fixed-voltage versions of the regulator have an internal
resistive divider from the feedback (FB) pin. Connect FB
directly to the output voltage.
Adjustable versions require an external resistive voltage
divider from the output voltage to ground, center tapped to the
FB pin. See Figure 6b for recommended resistor values.
Duty Cycle Control
A fixed-gain error amplifier compares the feedback signal
with a 1.23V bandgap voltage reference. The resulting error
amplifier output voltage is compared to a 200kHz sawtooth
waveform to produce a voltage controlled variable duty cycle
output.
= VIN = 12V and 30µA
SHDN
A higher feedback voltage increases the error amplifier
output voltage. A higher error amplifier voltage (comparator
inverting input) causes the comparator to detect only the
peaks of the sawtooth, reducing the duty cycle of the comparator output. A lower feedback voltage increases the duty
cycle. The MIC4680 uses a voltage-mode control architecture.
Output Switching
When the internal switch is on, an increasing current flows
from the supply V
output capacitor C
through external storage inductor L1, to
IN,
and the load. Energy is stored in the
OUT
inductor as the current increases with time.
When the internal switch is turned off, the collapse of the
magnetic field in L1 forces current to flow through fast
recovery diode D1, charging C
OUT
.
Output Capacitor
External output capacitor C
provides stabilization and
OUT
reduces ripple. See “Bode Plots” for additional information.
Return Paths
During the on portion of the cycle, the output capacitor and
load currents return to the supply ground. During the off
portion of the cycle, current is being supplied to the output
capacitor and load by storage inductor L1, which means that
D1 is part of the high-current return path.
June 20009MIC4680
Page 10
MIC4680Micrel
Applications Information
Adjustable Regulators
Adjustable regulators require a 1.23V feedback signal. Recommended voltage-divider resistor values for common output voltages are included in Figure 1b.
For other voltages, the resistor values can be determined
using the following formulas:
Figure 1b. Recommended Components for Common Ouput Voltages
MIC468010June 2000
Page 11
MIC4680Micrel
a
Thermal Considerations
The MIC4680 SuperSwitcher features the power-SOP-8.
This package has a standard 8-lead small-outline package
profile but with much higher power dissipation than a standard SOP-8. The MIC4680 SuperSwitcher is the first dc-to-dc
converter to take full advantage of this package.
The reason that the power SOP-8 has higher power dissipation (lower thermal resistance) is that pins 5 though 8 and the
die-attach paddle are a single piece of metal. The die is
attached to the paddle with thermally conductive adhesive.
This provides a low thermal resistance path from the junction
of the die to the ground pins. This design significantly improves package power dissipation by allowing excellent heat
transfer through the ground leads to the printed circuit board.
One of the limitation of the maximum output current on any
MIC4680 design is the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (θJA) of the design (package and ground plane).
Examining θJA in more detail:
θJA = (θJC + θCA)
where:
θJC = junction-to-case thermal resistance
θCA = case-to-ambient thermal resistance
θJC is a relatively constant 20°C/W for a power SOP-8.
θCA is dependent on layout and is primarily governed by the
connection of pins 5 though 8 to the ground plane. The
purpose of the ground plane is to function as a heat sink.
θJA is ideally 63°C/W but will vary depending on the size of the
ground plane to which the power SOP-8 is attached.
Determining Ground-Plane Heat-Sink Area
There are two methods of determining the minimum ground
plane area required by the MIC4680.
Quick Method
Make sure that MIC4680 pins 5 though 8 are connected to a
ground plane with a minimum area of 6cm2. This ground
plane should be as close to the MIC4680 as possible. The
area maybe disributed in any shape around the package or
on any pcb layer
pins 5 though 8
as long as there is good thermal contact to
. This ground plane area is more than
sufficient for most designs.
SOP-8
θ
JA
θ
θ
JC
CA
printed circuit board
Figure 2. Power SOP-8 Cross Section
AM
BIENT
ground plane
heat sink are
Minimum Copper/Maximum Current Method
Using Figure 3, for a given input voltage range, determine the
minimum ground-plane heat-sink area required for the
application’s maximum output current. Figure 3 assumes a
constant die temperature of 75°C above ambient.
1.5
1.0
0.5
OUTPUT CURRENT (I)
0
12V
8V
24V
34V
TA = 50°C
Minimum Current Limit = 1.3A
0510152025
AREA (cm2)
Figure 3. Output Current vs. Ground Plane Area
When designing with the MIC4680, it is a good practice to
connect pins 5 through 8 to the largest ground plane that is
practical for the specific design.
Checking the Maximum Junction Temperature:
For this example, with an output power (P
) of 5W, (5V
OUT
output at 1A maximum with VIN = 12V) and 65°C maximum
ambient temperature, what is the maximum junction temperature?
Referring to the “Typical Characteristics: 5V Output Efficiency” graph, read the efficiency (η) for 1A output current at
VIN = 12V or perform you own measurement.
η = 79%
The efficiency is used to determine how much of the output
power (P
P=
P=
) is dissipated in the regulator circuit (PD).
OUT
P
OUT
P
η
5W
0.79
−
OUT
5W
−
D
D
PD = 1.33W
A worst-case rule of thumb is to assume that 80% of the total
output power dissipation is in the MIC4680 (P
D(IC)
) and 20%
is in the diode-inductor-capacitor circuit.
P
= 0.8 P
D(IC)
P
= 0.8 × 1.33W
D(IC)
P
= 1.064W
D(IC)
D
Calculate the worst-case junction temperature:
TJ = P
D(IC)θJC
+ (TC – TA) + T
A(max)
where:
TJ = MIC4680 junction temperature
P
= MIC4680 power dissipation
D(IC)
θJC = junction-to-case thermal resistance.
The θJC for the MIC4680’s power-SOP-8 is
approximately 20°C/W. (Also see Figure 1.)
TC = “pin” temperature measurement taken at the
entry point of pins 6 or 7 into the plastic package
June 200011MIC4680
Page 12
MIC4680Micrel
at the ambient temperature (TA) at which TC is
measured.
TA = ambient temperature at which TC is measured.
T
= maximum ambient operating temperature
A(max)
for the specific design.
Calculating the maximum junction temperature given a
maximum ambient temperature of 65°C:
TJ = 1.064 × 20°C/W + (45°C – 25°C) + 65°C
TJ = 106.3°C
This value is less than the allowable maximum operating
junction temperature of 125°C as listed in “Operating Ratings.” Typical thermal shutdown is 160°C and is listed in
“Electrical Characteristics.”
Increasing the Maximum Output Current
The maximum output current at high input voltages can be
increased for a given board layout. The additional three
MIC4680BM
SWIN
GND
5678
FB
SHDN
components shown in Figure 4 will reduce the overall loss in
the MIC4680 by about 20% at high VIN and high I
Even higher output current can be achieved by using the
MIC4680 to switch an external FET. See Figure 9 for a 5A
supply with current limiting.
Layout Considerations
Layout is very important when designing any switching regulator. Rapidly changing switching currents through the printed
circuit board traces and stray inductance can generate voltage transients which can cause problems.
To minimize stray inductance and ground loops, keep trace
lengths, indicated by the heavy lines in Figure 5, as short as
possible. For example, keep D1 close to pin 3 and pins 5
through 8, keep L1 away from sensitive node FB, and keep
CIN close to pin 2 and pins 5 though 8. See “Applications
Information: Thermal Considerations” for ground plane layout.
The feedback pin should be kept as far way from the switching
elements (usually L1 and D1) as possible.
A circuit with sample layouts are provided. See Figure 6a
though 6e.
3
1N4148
2.2nF
82Ω
D1
OUT
.
J1
V
IN
4V to +34V
C1
15µF
35V
J3
GND
Figure 4. Increasing Maximum Output Current at High Input Voltages
V
IN
+4V to +34V
C
Power
SOP-8
IN
MIC4680BM
IN
1
SHDN
GND
5678
SW
FB
32
4
L1
68µH
C
OUT
R1
R2D1
V
OUT
GND
Figure 5. Critical Traces for Layout
U1 MIC4680BM
C2
0.1µF
OFF
ON
* C3 can be used to provide additional stability
and improved transient response.
50V
S1
NKK G12AP
IN
1
SHDN
SOP-85–8
SW
FB
GND
32
4
D1
B260A
or
SS26
L1
68µH
R6
optional
R1
3.01k
R2
6.49k
1
JP1a
1.8V
2
C3*
optional
R3
2.94kR41.78kR5976Ω
3
5
JP1b
JP1c
2.5V
4
3.3V
6
Figure 6a. Evaluation Board Schematic Diagram
Load
7
8
JP1d
5.0V
C4
220µF
10V
J2
V
OUT
1A
C5
0.1µF
50V
J4
GND
MIC468012June 2000
Page 13
MIC4680Micrel
Printed Circuit Board Layouts
Figure 6b. Top-Side Silk Screen
Figure 6c. Top-Side Copper
Figure 6d. Bottom-Side Silk Screen
Figure 6e. Bottom-Side Copper
Abbreviated Bill of Material (Critical Components)
ReferencePart NumberManufacturerDescriptionQty
C1TPSD156M035R0300AVX
ECE-A1HFS470Panasonic
1
2
15µF 35V1
47µF 50V, 8mm × 11.5mm
C4TPSD227M010R0150AVX220µF 10V1
D1B260AVishay-Diodes, Inc.
For continuously updated circuits using the MIC4680, see
Application Hint 37
at www.micrel.com.
J1
+34V max.
22µF
35V
J3
GND
C1
OFF
ON
S1
NKK G12AP
J1
+12V
J2
GND
C5
220nFJ2
R1
0.100Ω
C4
R7
10nF
4.99k
4
5
U2
10k
R6
R4
16.2k
R5
221k
3
U3
2
MIC6211BM5
C2
100nF
MIC4680BM
IN
1
SHDN
GND
SOP-85–8
SW
FB
32
4
L1
100µH
D1
MMBR140LT3
LM4041DIM3-1.2
D3
1N4148
C3
220µF
10V
Figure 7. Constant Current and Constant Voltage Battery Charger
C4
68µF
20V
C5
33µF
35V
U1 MIC4680BM
IN
1
SHDN
GND
SOP-85–8
SW
FB
32
4
L1
33µH
D1
ES1B
1A 100V
C3
0.022µF
50V
R1
8.87k
R2
1k
C1
68µF
20V
D2
1N4148
J3
GND
C2
0.1µF
J4
–12V/150mA
R2
3.01k
R3
976Ω
5V ±2%
800mA ±5%
J4
GND
To Cellular Telephone
SHUTDOWN
ENABLE
+4.5V to +17V
C1
330µF
25V
Figure 8. +12V to –12V/150mA Buck-Boost Converter
U1 MIC4680BMU2MIC4417BM4
IN
1
SHDNC2
GND
SOP-85–8
SW
FB
32
4
R1
1k
D1
5A
Si4425DY
L1*
50µH
220µF
* I
SAT
Figure 9. 5V to 3.3V/5A Power Supply
16V
= 8A
C3
220µF
16V
R2
20mΩ
R3
1k
1%
R4
1k
1%
R5
16k
1%
C4
1000pF
R6
16k 1%
U3
MIC6211BM5
3.01k
D2
1N4148
1.78k
R7
1%
R8
1%
3.3V/5A
C5
0.1µF
GND
* See Application Hint 37 for bills of material.
MIC468014June 2000
Page 15
MIC4680Micrel
June 200015MIC4680
Page 16
MIC4680Micrel
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-Lead 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 DRIVE SAN 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.