
The circuit depicted in Figure 5 lets the microprocessor
control its power source, the CS8121 regulator. An I/O
port on the μP and the SWITCH port are used to drive the
base of Q1. When Q1 is driven into saturation, the voltage
on the
lead falls below its lower threshold and
the regulators output is switched on. When the drive cur-
rent is removed, the voltage on the
the output is switched off and the IC moves into Sleep
mode where it typically draws 250μA.
By coupling these two controls with
has added flexibility. Once the system is running, the
state of the SWITCH is irrelevant as long as the I/O port
continues to drive Q1. The μP can turn off its own power
by withdrawing drive current, once the SWITCH is open.
This software control at the I/O port allows the μP to fin-
ish key housekeeping functions before power is removed.
The logic options are summarized in Table 1 below
lead rises,
, the system
The I/O port of the μP typically provides 50 μA to Q1. In
automotive applications the SWITCH is connected to the
ignition switch.
The output or compensation capacitor C
2
helps determine
three main characteristics of a linear regulator: start-up
delay, load transient response and loop stability.
The capacitor value and type should be based on cost,
availability, size and temperature constraints. A tantalum
or aluminum electrolytic capacitor is best, since a film or
ceramic capacitor with almost zero ESR can cause insta-
bility. The aluminum electrolytic capacitor is the least
expensive solution, but, if the circuit operates at low
temperatures (-25C to -40C), both the value and ESR of
the capacitor will vary considerably. The capacitor manu-
facturers data sheet usually provides this information.
The value for the output capacitor C
2
shown in the test
and applications circuit should work for most applica-
tions, however it is not necessarily the optimized solu-
tion.
To determine an acceptable value for C
2
for a particular
application, start with a tantalum capacitor of the recom-
mended value and work towards a less expensive alterna-
tive part.
Step 1:
Place the completed circuit with a tantalum
capacitor of the recommended value in an environmental
chamber at the lowest specified operating temperature
and monitor the outputs with an oscilloscope. A decade
box connected in series with the capacitor will simulate
the higher ESR of an aluminum capacitor. Leave the
decade box outside the chamber, the small resistance
added by the longer leads is negligible.
Step 2:
With the input voltage at its maximum value,
increase the load current slowly from zero to full load
while observing the output for any oscillations. If no
oscillations are observed, the capacitor is large enough to
ensure a stable design under steady state conditions.
Step 3:
Increase the ESR of the capacitor from zero using
the decade box and vary the load current until oscillations
appear. Record the values of load current and ESR that
cause the greatest oscillation. This represents the worst
case load conditions for the regulator at low temperature.
Step 4
: Maintain the worst case load conditions set in
step 3 and vary the input voltage until the oscillations
increase. This point represents the worst case input volt-
age conditions.
Step 5:
If the capacitor is adequate, repeat steps 3 and 4
with the next smaller valued capacitor. A smaller capaci-
tor will usually cost less and occupy less board space. If
the output oscillates within the range of expected operat-
ing conditions, repeat steps 3 and 4 with the next larger
standard capacitor value.
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
6
Stability Considerations
C
C
1
0.1
m
F
V
IN
Gnd
RESET
CS–8121
V
OUT
ENABLE
500k
W
Q
1
500k
W
100k
W
100k
W
C
RST
R
RST
C
2
10
m
F
V
CC
I/O Port
m
P
V
BAT
RESET
SWITCH
Applications Notes
Figure 5. Microprocessor control of CS8121 using external switching transistor Q
1
.
Table 1: Logic Control of CS8121 Output
μP I/O drive
SWITCH
ON
Closed
Open
OFF
Closed
Open
Output
ON
ON
ON
OFF
LOW
LOW
LOW
HIGH
ENABLE