CS8311
http://onsemi.com
5
APPLICATION NOTES
V
BAT
SWITCH
Q1
500 k
0.1
μ
F
500 k
100 k
100 k
C
RST
C
OUT
R
RST
V
OUT
RESET
ENABLE
V
IN
Figure 5. Microprocessor Control of CS8311 Using External Switching Transistor Q1
CS8311
GND
To
μ
P
I/O
To
μ
P
To Load
10 V, 100 mA
The circuit depicted in Figure 5 lets the system control its
power source, the CS8311 regulator. A SWITCH
(potentially an I/O port on microprocessor) is used to drive
the base of Q1. When Q1 is driven into saturation, the
voltage on the ENABLE lead falls below its lower
threshold. The regulator’s output is enabled. When the drive
current is removed, the voltage on the ENABLE lead rises,
the output is switched off and the IC moves into Sleep mode
where it draws 50
μ
A (max).
By coupling these two controls with the ENABLE lead,
the system 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 microprocessor 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 microprocessor to finish key housekeeping
functions before power is removed.
The logic options are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. Logic Control of CS8311 Output
Microprocessor
I/O Drive
Switch
ENABLE
Output
ON
Closed
LOW
ON
Open
LOW
ON
OFF
Closed
LOW
ON
Open
HIGH
OFF
The I/O port of the microprocessor typically provides
50
μ
A to Q1. In automotive applications the SWITCH is
connected to the ignition switch.
STABILITY CONSIDERATIONS
The output or compensation capacitor helps determine
three main characteristics of a linear regulator: start–up
delay, load transient response and loop stability.
V
IN
Figure 6. Test and Application Circuit Showing
Output Compensation
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
instability. The aluminum electrolytic capacitor is the least
expensive solution, but, if the circuit operates at low
temperatures (–25
°
C to –40
°
C), both the value and ESR of
the capacitor will vary considerably. The capacitor
manufacturers data sheet usually provides this information.
The value for the output capacitor C
OUT
shown in Figure
6 should work for most applications, however it is not
necessarily the optimized solution.
C
IN
*
0.1
μ
F
ENABLE
V
OUT
R
RST
C
OUT
**
10
μ
F
RESET
CS8311
*C
IN
required if regulator is located far from the power supply filter
.
*C
OUT
required for stability. Capacitor must operate at
minimum temperature expected.