
14
FN6389.0
January 17, 2007
Functional Description
Initialization
The ISL8502 automatically initializes upon receipt of input
power. The Power-On Reset (POR) function continually
monitors the voltage on the VCC pin. If the voltage on the
EN pin exceeds its rising threshold, then the POR function
initiates soft-start operation after the bias voltage has
exceeded the POR threshold.
Stand Alone Operation
The ISL8502 can be configured to function as a stand alone
single channel voltage mode synchronous buck PWM
voltage regulator. The Typical Power Diagrams on Page 3
show the two configurations for stand alone operation.
The internal series linear regulator requires at least 5.5V to
create the proper bias for the IC. If the input voltage is
between 5.5V and 15V, simply connect the VIN pins to the
input rail and the series linear regulator will create the bias
for the IC. The VCC pin should be tied to a capacitor for
decoupling.
If the input voltage is 5V
±
10%, then tie the VIN pins and the
VCC pin to the input rail. The ISL8502 will use the 5V rail as
the bias. A decoupling capacitor should be placed as close
as possible to the VCC pin.
Multi-Channel (Master/Slave) Operation
The ISL8502 can be configured to function in a multi-
channel system. The Typical Power Diagram on Page 4
shows a typical configuration for the multi-channel system.
In the multi-channel system, each ISL8502 IC regulates a
separate rail while sharing the same input rail. By configuring
the devices in a master/slave configuration, the clocks of
each IC can be synchronized.
There can only be one master IC in a multi-channel system.
To configure an IC as the master, the M/S pin must be
shorted to the VCC pin. The SYNCH pins of all the ISL8502
controller ICs in the multi-channel system must be tied
together. The frequency set resistor value (R
T
) used on the
master device must be used on every slave device.
Each slave device must have a 5k
Ω
resistor connecting it
from M/S pin to ground.
The master device and all the slave devices can have their
EN pins tied to an enable ‘bus’. Since the EN pin is bi-
directional, this allows for options on how each IC is tied to
the enable ‘bus’. If the EN pin of any ISL8502 is tied directly
to the enable bus, then that device will be capable of
disabling all the other devices that have their EN pins tied
directly to the enable bus. If the EN pin of an ISL8502 is tied
to the enable bus through a diode (anode tied to ISL8502 EN
pin, cathode tied to enable bus) then this part will not disable
other devices on the enable bus if it disables itself for any
reason.
If the Master device is disabled via the EN pin, it will continue
to send the clock signal from the SYNCH pin. This allows
slave devices to continue operation.
Fault Protection
The ISL8502 monitors the output of the regulator for
overcurrent and undervoltage events. The ISL8502 also
provides protection from excessive junction temperatures.
Overcurrent Protection
The overcurrent function protects the switching converter from
a shorted output by monitoring the current flowing through
both the upper and lower MOSFETs.
Upon detection of any overcurrent condition, the upper
MOSFET will be immediately turned off and will not be
turned on again until the next switching cycle. Upon
detection of the initial overcurrent condition, the Overcurrent
Fault Counter is set to 1 and the Overcurrent Condition Flag
is set from LOW to HIGH. If, on the subsequent cycle,
another overcurrent condition is detected, the OC Fault
Counter will be incremented. If there are eight sequential OC
fault detections, the regulator will be shut down under an
Overcurrent Fault Condition and the EN pin will be pulled
LOW. An Overcurrent Fault Condition will result with the
regulator attempting to restart in a hiccup mode with the
delay between restarts being 4 soft-start periods. At the end
of the fourth soft-start wait period, the fault counters are
reset, the EN pin is released, and soft-start is attempted
again. If the overcurrent condition goes away prior to the OC
Fault Counter reaching a count of four, the Overcurrent
Condition Flag will set back to LOW.
If the Overcurrent Condition Flag is HIGH and the
Overcurrent Fault Counter is less than four and an
undervoltage event is detected, the regulator will be shut
down immediately.
Undervoltage Protection
If the voltage detected on the FB pin falls 18% below the
internal reference voltage and the overcurrent condition flag
is LOW, then the regulator will be shutdown immediately
under an Undervoltage Fault Condition and the EN pin will
be pulled LOW. An Undervoltage Fault Condition will result
with the regulator attempting to restart in a hiccup mode with
the delay between restarts being 4 soft-start periods. At the
end of the fourth soft-start wait period, the fault counters are
reset, the EN pin is released, and soft-start is attempted
again.
Thermal Protection
If the ISL8502 IC junction temperature reaches a nominal
temperature of +140°C, the regulator will be disabled. The
ISL8502 will not re-enable the regulator until the junction
temperature drops below +110°C.
ISL8502