The TC170 offers maximum supply current of 3.8mA.
Bipolar current-mode control integrated circuits require
five times more operating current.
The dual t otem-pole CMOS outputs drive power
MOSFETs or bipolar transistors. The 50nsec typical
output rise and fall times (1000pF capacitive loads)
minimize MOSFET power dissipation. Output peak
current is 300mA.
The TC170 contains a full array of system-protection
circuits (see Features Section).
Current-mode control lets users parallel power supply
modules.Two or more TC170 controllers can be slaved
together for parallel operation. Ci rcuits can operate
from a master TC170 internal oscillator or an external
system oscillator.
The TC170 operates from an 8V to 16V power supply.
An internal 2%, 5.1V r eference minimizes external
component count. The TC170 is pin compatible with
theUnitrodeUC1846/UC2846/UC3846bipolar
controller.
Other advantages inherent in current-mode control
includesuperior line and load regulation and automatic
symmetry correction in push-pull converters.
Device Selection Table
Part NumberPackageTemp. Range
TC170COE16-Pin SOIC (Wide)0°C to +70°C
TC170CPE16-Pin PDIP (Narrow)0°C to +70°C
Package Type
16-Pin PDIP (Narrow
FT START
V
REF
– I
EN
+ I
EN
+ ERROR AMP I
– ERROR AMP I
MPT
NOTE: Outputs LOW in "OFF" state
TC170CP
1
1
FT START
V
REF
– I
EN
+ I
EN
+ ERROR AMP I
– ERROR AMP I
MPT
16-Pin SOIC (Wide
16
15
14
TC17
13
12
10
11
9
SHDN
V
IN
OUTPUT B
V
DD
GND
OUTPUT A
SYNC
R
O
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.DS21395B-page 1
TC170
Functional Block Diagram
15
V
IN
9
R
Sync
(–) Current
Sense Input
(+) Current
Sense Input
Comp
(+) Error
Amp Input
(–) Error
Amp Input
O
C
O
10
8
3
4
7
5
6
Oscillator
–
+
100µA
+
–
Error
Amplifier
x 3.15 Current
Amplifier
–
0.75V
V
DD
Q3
Lock-up
Amplifier
+
+
–
Limit Buffer
Amplifier
350mV
PWM
Comparator
+
–
Q4
–
+
Positive
Feedback
5.1-Volt
Reference
Undervoltage
Lockout
S
S
R
Q
PWM Latch
Q1
V
REF
Q2
3.5kΩ
2
13
11
14
12
V
DD
Output
A ( )
Output
B ( )
Ground
DQ
C
Q
Shutdown
Comparator
+
–
6kΩ
TC170
350
mV
1
Current Limit/
Soft-Start Adjust
16
Shutdown
NOTE: Outputs low in OFF state.
DS21395B-page 2
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.
TC170
1.0ELECTRICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
*Stresses above those listed under "Absolute Maximum
Ratings" may cause permanent damage to the device. These
are stress ratings only and functional operation of the device
at these or any other conditions above those indicated in the
Output Voltage ........................................... V
Analog Inputs ..................................-0.3V to V
DD
S
or 18V
+0.3V
operation sections of the specifications is not implied.
Exposure to Absolute Maximum Rating conditions for
extended periods may affectdevice reliability.
5+ERROR AMP IN +Error Amp In. Non-inverting input for output voltage regulation.
6-ERROR AMP IN -Error Amp In. Inverting input of the amplifier for the reference voltage.
7CMPTRFor compensation of the feedback loop response.
8C
9R
10SYNCForPWM controlleroscillator synchronizationof two or morecontrollers.Or as a clockinput to
11OUTPUT AA output drive of phase A from push pulltransistors.
12GNDGround return for all input and output pins.
13V
14OUTPUT BOutput of phase B from push pull transistors.
15V
16SHDNInput pin to disable both output drivesto 0V OFF.
SymbolDescription
Soft Start Adjust/Current Limit. For setting the peak current threshold of sense inputs (pins 3
LIM
and 4). Second function of this pin is Soft-Start Adjust.
OUTReference supply outputof 5.1 volts.It can supply a minimum of 10mA.
REF
IN-CurrentSenseInput. Invertinginputforsensing peak current of the pass transistor through
SENSE
SENSE
O
O
DD
IN
seriessensecurrent monitor resistor.
IN+Current Sense Input. Non-inverting input used in conjunction with pin 3. This senses the
positive end of current monitor resistor.
Timing capacitor (CO) input to set oscillator frequency in conjunction with pin 9, RO,resistor
input. Second function is for setting crossover dead time of pin 11and 14 outputs.
Timing resistor (RO) input to set oscillator frequency by setting constant current charge rate to
charge capacitor C
sync oscillator from externalsignal.
Supplies power to operate the output drivers only.
Voltage bias supply for all TC170 circuits except the output transistors.
.
O
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.DS21395B-page 5
TC170
3.0DETAILED DESCRIPTION
3.1Peak Current Limit Setup
ResistorsR1and R2 at the c urrent limit input (pin 1) set
the TC170 peak current limit (Figure 3-1). Thepotential
at pin 1 is easily c alculated:
V1 = V
REF
R1 should be selected first. The shutdown circuit
feature is not latched for (V
is latched for currents greater t han 125µA.
The error amplifier output voltage is clamped from
going above V1 through the limit buffer amplifier. Peak
current is sensed by RS and amplified by the current
amplifier which has a fixed gain of 3.15.
I
, the peak current limit, is t he current that causes
PCL
the PWM comparator noninverting input to exceed V1,
the potential at the inverting input. Once t he
comparator trip point is exceeded, both outputs are
disabled.
I
is easily calculated:
PCL
I
=
PCL
where:
V1 = V
REF
V
= Internal voltage reference = 5.1V
REF
3.15 = Gain of current-sense amplifier
0.75V = Current limit offset
Both driver outputs (pins 11 and 14) are OFF (LOW)
when the peak current limit is exceeded. W hen t he
sensed current goes below I
normally.
3.2Output Shutdown
The TC170 outputscan be turned OFFquickly through
the shutdown input (pin 16). A signal greater than
350mV at pin 16 forces the shutdown comparator
output HIGH. The PWM l atch is held set, disabling the
outputs.
Q2is also turned ON. If V
positive feedback through the lockup amplifier and Q1
keeps the inverting PWM comparator inverting input
below 0.75V. Q3 remains ON even after t he shutdown
input signal is r emoved, because of the positive
feedback. The state can be cleared only through a
power-up cycle. Outputs will be disabled whenever the
potential at pin 1 is below 0.75V.
The shutdown t erminal gives a fast, di rect way to
disable the TC170 output t ransistors. System protection and remote shutdown applications are possible.
R2
R1 + R2
V1–0.75V
3.15 (RS)
R2
R1 + R2
– 0.35)/R1 < 50µAand
REF
, the circuit operates
PCL
/R1isgreaterthan125µA,
REF
The input pulse to pin 16 should be at least 500nsec
wide and have an amplitude of at least 1V in order to
get the minimum propagation delay from input to
output. If these parameters are met, the delay should
be less than 600nsec at 25°C; however, the delay time
will increase as the device temperature rises.
3.3Soft Restart From S hutdown
A soft restart can be programmed if nonlatched
shutdown operation is used.
A capacitor at pin 1 will cause a gradual increase in
potentialtoward V1. When the voltage at pin 1 reaches
0.75V, the PWM latch set input is removed and the
circuit establishesa regulated output voltage.The softstartoperationf orces the PWM outputdriverstoinitially
operate with minimum duty cycle and low peak
currents.
Even if a soft start is not required, it is necessary to
insert a capacitor between pin 1 and ground if the
current I
prevent "noise triggering" of the latch, yet minimize the
soft-start effect.
is greater than 125µA. This capacitor will
L
3.4Soft-Start Power-Up
During power-up, a capacitor at R1, R2 initiates a softstart cycle. As the input voltage (pin 15) exceeds the
undervoltage lockout potential (7.7V), Q4 is turned
OFF, ending undervoltage lockout. Whenever t he
PWM comparator inverting input is below 0.5V, both
outputs are disabled.
When the undervoltage l ockout level is passed, the
capacitor begins to charge. The PWM duty cycle
increasesuntil the operatingoutput voltageis reached.
Soft-start operation forces the PWM output drivers to
initially operate with minimum duty cycle and low peak
current.
3.5Current-Sense Amplifier
The current-sense amplifier operates at a fixed gain
of 3.15. M aximum differential input voltage (V
V
) is 1.1V. Common-mode input voltage range is
PIN3
0V to V
Resistive-sensing methods are shown in Figure3-2
and Figure 3-3. I n Figure 3-2, a simple RC filter limits
transient voltage spikes at pin 4, caused by external
output transistor-collector capacitance. Transformer
coupling (Figure 3-4) o ffers isolation and better power
efficiency, but cost and complexity increase.
In order to minimize the propagation delay from the
inputto the current amplifierto the output terminals,the
current ramp s hould be in the order of 1µsec in width
(min). Typical time delay values are in the 300 to
400nsec region at 25°C. The delay t ime increases with
device temperature so that at 50°C, the delay times
may be increased by as much as 100nsec.
IN
–3V.
PIN4
–
DS21395B-page 6
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.
FIGURE 3-1:R1 AND R2 SET MAXIMUM PEAK OUTPUT CURRENT
TC170
Switch
Current
RS
x 3.15 Current Sense
Amplifier
4
+
3
–
7
Error
Amplifier
5
+
6
–
–
0.75V
V
DD
Q3
TC170
+
100µA
350mV
PWM Comparator
V1
Limit
Buffer
Amplifier
+
–
Lock-Up
Amplifier
–
+
Q4
+
–
Positive
Feedback
From
Undervoltage
Lockout
Q1
I
3.5kΩ
L
Q2
10
R
Q
S
S
PWM Latch
Shutdown
Comparator
+
–
350mV
"A" = 1
Output
Off (Low)
V
REF
6kΩ
5.1V
2
R1
1
R2
16
V1
FIGURE 3-2:GROUND REFERENCE
RESISTIVE SENSING
x 3.15 Current Sense
Amplifier
TC170
4
+
–
3
*Optional RC Filter
R*
C
RS
FIGURE 3-3:ABOVE GROUND
RESISTIVE SENSING
I
x 3.15 Current Sense
Amplifier
I
TC170
RS
4
+
–
3
V
OUT
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.DS21395B-page 7
TC170
FIGURE 3-4:TRANSFORMER
ISOLAT E D CURRENT
SENSE
x 3.15 Current Sense
Amplifier
TC170
4
+
–
+
V
S
–
3
I
• RS
S
=
V
S
N
N1
I
S
3.6Undervoltage Lockout
The undervoltage lockout circuit forces the TC170
outputs OFF (low) i f the supply voltage is below 7.7V.
Threshold hysteresis is 0.75V and guarantees clean,
jitter-free turn-on and turnoff points. The hysteresis
also reduces capacitive filtering requirements at the
PWM controller supply i nput (pin 15).
3.7Circuit Synchronization
Current-mode-controlled power supplies can be
operated in parallel with a common load. Paralleled
converters will equally share the load current. Voltagemode controllers unequally share the load current,
decreasing system reliability.
Twoor more TC170 controllers can be slaved together
for parallel operation. Circuits can operate from a
master TC170 i nternal oscillatorwith an external driver
(Figure 3-5). Devicescan also be slaved t o an external
oscillator (Figure 3-6). Disable internal slave device
oscillators by grounding pin 8. Slave controllers derive
an oscillator from the bidirectional synchronization
output signal at pin 10.
Pin 10 is bidirectional in that it is intended to be both a
sync output and input. This is accomplished by making
the output driver "weak." This is advantageous in that it
eliminates an additional pin from the package but does
not enable the device to directly drive another device.
In order to make it an effective driver, a buffer is
required (Figure3-5). In order to use pin 10 as a sync
input, it is necessary to overcome the internal driver.
This requires a pulse with an amplitude equal to V
Since V
must be above 8.25V for the undervoltage
IN
lockout to be disabled, a CMOS or open-collector TTL
driver should be used.
IN
FIGURE 3-5:MASTER/SLAVE
PARALLEL OPERATION
9
R
O
TC170
8
9
8
C
O
Master
2107
V
REF
R
O
C
O
Slave
SYNCCMPTR
10
1/2 TC4427
V
DD
CMPTRSYNC
TC170
7
FIGURE 3-6:EX TERNAL CLOCK
SYNCHRONIZATION
V
DD
1/2
External*
Oscillator
*Pulse Width of
Oscillator is = T
TC4427
D
.
15
V
IN
10
SYNC
V
REF
29
+
V
S
15
V
IN
10
SYNC
V
REF
29
TC170
TC170
8
C
O
R
O
C
O
R
O
DS21395B-page 8
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.
FIGURE 3-7:OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT
TC170
V
DD
Pin 8
1
F
O
Sync
10
Discharge
Current
2.3V 4.3V
1mA
I
CHARGE ≈
8
C
2.3V
R
O
9
R
O
O
3.8Oscillator Frequency and Output
Dead Time
The oscillator frequency for RO= 24kΩ and CO=
1000pF is:
F
where: R
1.272800C
O=–
[
ROCOR
= Oscillator Resistor (Ω)
O
C
= Oscillator Capacitor (F)
O
F
= Oscillator Frequency (Hz)
O
2
O
]
COCO+150x10
The oscillator resistor can rangefrom 5kΩ to 50kΩ.
Oscillator capacitor can range from 250pF to 1000pF.
Figure 3-8shows typical operation for various
resistanceand capacitance values.
Duringtransitionsbetweenthetwooutputs,
simultaneous conduction is prevented. Oscillator fall
time controls the output off, or dead time (Figure 3-7).
Dead t ime is approximately:
D=
2000 [CO]
2.3
1–
(
R
)
O
T
O
–12
+
2.3V
–
On-Time
Pin 10
Output Dead Time (TD)
FIGURE 3-8:OSCILLAT OR
FREQUENCY VS.
OSCILLATOR
RESISTANCE
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
OSCILLATOR RESISTANCE (kΩ)
5
020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY (kHz)
TA = +25°C
250pF
500pF
750pF1000pF
where: R
= Oscillator Resistor (kΩ)
O
C
= Oscillator Capacitor (pF)
O
T
= Output Dead Time (sec)
D
Maximum possible duty cycle is set by the dead time.
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.DS21395B-page 9
TC170
4.0TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Note:The graphs and tables provided following this note are a statistical summary based on a limited number of
samplesandareprovidedforinformational purposesonly. The performance characteristics listed hereinare
not tested or guaranteed. In some graphs or tables, the data presented may be outside the specified
operating range ( e.g., outside specified power supply range) and therefore outsidethe warranted range.
Output Rise and Fall Times
T
= +25°C
A
C
= 500pF
LOAD
V
= 16V
S
5V
DIV
50 nsec
DIV
Output Rise and Fall Times
= +25°C
T
A
C
= 1800pF
LOAD
V
= 16V
S
5V
DIV
5 nsec
DIV
Output Rise and Fall Times
= +25°C
T
A
C
= 1000pF
LOAD
V
= 16V
S
DIV
5V
50 nsec
DIV
DS21395B-page 10
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.
5.0PACKAGING INFORMATION
5.1Package Marking Information
Package marking data not available at this time.
5.2Taping Form
Component Taping Orientation for 16-Pin SOIC (Wide) Devices
PIN 1
TC170
User Direction of Feed
W
P
Standard Reel Component Orientation
for TR Suffix Device
Carrier Tape, Number of Components Per Reel and Reel Size
Package Carrier Width (W) Pitch (P) Part Per Full Reel Reel Size
16-Pin SOIC (W) 16 mm 12 mm 1000 13 in
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.DS21395B-page 11
TC170
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
0
)
)
)
)
5.3Package Dimensions
16-Pin PDIP (Narrow)
.045 (1.14
.030 (0.76
.200 (5.08
.140 (3.56
.150 (3.81
.115 (2.92
.110 (2.79
.090 (2.29
.770 (19.56
.740 (18.80
.070 (1.78
.045 (1.14
.022 (0.56
.015 (0.38
PIN 1
.270 (6.86
.240 (6.10
.040 (1.02
.020 (0.51
.014 (0.36
.008 (0.20
.310 (7.87
.290 (7.37
1
.400 (10.16
.310 (7.87
16-Pin SOIC (Wide)
.413 (10.49)
.398 (10.10)
.050 (1.27) TYP.
.019 (0.48)
.014 (0.36)
PIN 1
.299 (7.59)
.291 (7.40)
.012 (0.30)
.004 (0.10)
.419 (10.65)
.398 (10.10)
.104 (2.64)
.097 (2.46)
8°
Dimensions: inches (mm)
.013 (0.33
.009 (0.23
.050 (1.27
.016 (0.40
Dimensions: inches (mm)
DS21395B-page 12
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.
TC170
Sales and Support
Data Sheets
Products supportedby a preliminaryData Sheet may have an errata sheet describingminor operationaldifferences and recommendedworkarounds.To determine if an errata sheet exists for a particulardevice, please contactone of the following:
1.Your local Microchip sales office
2.TheMicrochip CorporateLiterature Center U.S. FAX:(480)792-7277
3.The Microchip Worldwide Site (www.microchip.com)
Pleasespecify which device, revision of silicon and Data Sheet (includeLiterature #) you are using.
New Customer Notification System
Register on our web site (www.microchip.com/cn) to receive the most currentinformationon our products.
2002 Microchip Technology Inc.DS21395B-page13
TC170
NOTES:
DS21395B-page14 2002 Microchip Technology Inc.
TC170
Information contained in this publication regarding device
applications and the like is intended through suggestion only
and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to
ensure that your application meets with your specifications.
No representation or warranty is given and no liability is
assumed by Microchip Technology Incorporated with respect
to the accuracy or use of such information, or infringement of
patents or other intellectual property rights arising from such
use or otherwise. Use of Microchip’s products as critical components in life support systems is not authorized except with
express written approval by Microchip. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any intellectual property
rights.
Trademarks
The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, FilterLab,
K
EELOQ,microID,MPLAB,PIC,PICmicro,PICMASTER,
PICSTART, PRO MATE, SEEVAL and The Embedded Control
SolutionsCompany areregiste red trademarksof MicrochipTechnologyIncorp or ated in the U.S.A. and other countries.
dsPIC, ECONOMONITOR, FanSense, FlexROM, fuzzyLA B,
In-Circuit Serial Programming, ICSP, ICEPIC, microPort,
Migratable Memory, MPASM, MPLIB, MPLINK, MPSIM,
MXDEV,MXLAB, PICC, PICDEM, PICDEM.net, rfPIC, Select
Mode and Total Endurance are trademarks of Microchip
Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A.
Serialized Quick Turn Programming (SQTP) is a service mark
of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A.
All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their
respective companies.
Microchip received QS-9000 quality system
certification for its worldwide headquarters,
design and wafer fabrication facilities in
Chandler and Tempe, Arizona in July 1999
and Mountain View, California in March 2002.
The Company’s quality system processes and
procedures are QS-9000 compliant for its
®
PICmicro
devices, Serial EEPROMs, microperipherals,
non-volatile memory and analog products. In
addition, Microchip’s quality system for the
design and manufacture of development
systemsisISO 9001certified.
2002 Microchip TechnologyInc.DS21395B-page 15
8-bit MCUs, KEELOQ®code hopping
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