
6
FN9030.7
March 4, 2005
Overcurrent Protection
The overcurrent function protects the converter from a 
shorted output by using the upper MOSFETs on-resistance, 
r
DS(ON)
 to monitor the current. This method enhances the 
converter’s efficiency and reduces cost by eliminating a 
current sensing resistor.
The overcurrent function cycles the soft-start function in a 
hiccup mode to provide fault protection. A resistor (R
OCSET
) 
programs the overcurrent trip level. An internal 200
μ
A 
(typical) current sink develops a voltage across R
OCSET
 that 
is reference to V
IN
. When the voltage across the upper 
MOSFET (also referenced to V
IN
) exceeds the voltage 
across R
OCSET
, the overcurrent function initiates a soft-start 
sequence. The soft-start function discharges C
SS
 with a 
10
μ
A current sink and inhibits PWM operation. The soft-start 
function recharges C
SS
, and PWM operation resumes with 
the error amplifier clamped to the SS voltage. Should an 
overload occur while recharging C
SS
, the soft-start function 
inhibits PWM operation while fully charging C
SS
 to 4V to 
complete its cycle. Figure 4 shows this operation with an 
overload condition. Note that the inductor current increases 
to over 15A during the C
SS
 charging interval and causes an 
overcurrent trip. The converter dissipates very little power 
with this method. The measured input power for the 
conditions of Figure 4 is 2.5W.
The overcurrent function will trip at a peak inductor current 
(I
PEAK)
 determined by:
where I
OCSET
 is the internal OCSET current source (200
μ
A 
is typical). The OC trip point varies mainly due to the 
MOSFETs r
DS(ON)
 variations. To avoid overcurrent tripping 
in the normal operating load range, find the R
OCSET
 resistor 
from the equation above with:
The maximum r
DS(ON)
 at the highest junction temperature.
1. The minimum I
OCSET
 from the specification table.
2. Determine 
where 
I is the output inductor ripple current.
For an equation for the ripple current see the section under 
component guidelines titled 
Output Inductor Selection
.
,
A small ceramic capacitor should be placed in parallel with 
R
OCSET
 to smooth the voltage across R
OCSET
 in the 
presence of switching noise on the input voltage.
Current Sinking
The ISL6522 incorporates a MOSFET shoot-through 
protection method which allows a converter to sink current 
as well as source current. Care should be exercised when 
designing a converter with the ISL6522 when it is known that 
the converter may sink current.
When the converter is sinking current, it is behaving as a boost 
converter that is regulating its input voltage. This means that 
the converter is boosting current into the V
IN
 rail, the voltage 
that is being down-converted. If there is nowhere for this current 
to go, such as to other distributed loads on the V
IN
 rail, through 
a voltage limiting protection device, or other methods, the 
capacitance on the V
IN
 bus will absorb the current. This 
situation will cause the voltage level of the V
IN
 rail to increase. If 
the voltage level of the rail is boosted to a level that exceeds the 
maximum voltage rating of the MOSFETs or the input 
capacitors, damage may occur to these parts. If the bias 
voltage for the ISL6522 comes from the V
IN
 rail, then the 
FIGURE 3. SOFT-START INTERVAL
VOLTAGE
TIME
V
OSC(MIN)
t
0
t
1
t
2
CLAMP ON V
COMP
 RELEASED AT
STEADY STATE
V
COMP
V
SOFT START
V
OUT
t
1
C
SS
-----------
 V
OSC MIN
)
=
t
SoftStart
t
2
t
1
–
C
SS
-----------
V
IN
------------------------------------------------
 
V
OSC
=
=
Where:
C
SS
 = Soft Start Capacitor
I
SS
 = Soft Start Current = 10
μ
A
V
OSC(MIN)
 = Bottom of Oscillator = 1.35V
V
IN
 = Input Voltage
V
OSC
 = Peak to Peak Oscillator Voltage = 1.9V
V
OUTSteadyState
 = Steady State Output Voltage
O
S
0A
0V
TIME (20ms/DIV)
5A
10A
15A
2V
4V
FIGURE 4. OVERCURRENT OPERATION
I
PEAK
I
---------------------------------------------------
R
r
DS ON
)
=
I
PEAK
 for I
PEAK
I
OUT MAX
)
I
(
)
 2
+
>
ISL6522