
Pin 5.
VFB (Error Amplifier Inverting Input). The
feedback signal is applied to this pin and is com-
pared to the E/A internal reference (2.5V). The
E/A output generates the control voltage which
fixesthe duty cycle.
The E/A features high gain-bandwidth product,
which allows to broaden the bandwidth of the
overall controlloop, high slew-rate and current ca-
pability, which improves its large signal behavior.
Usually the compensation network, which stabi-
lizes the overall control loop, is connected be-
tweenthis pin and COMP (pin 6).
Pin 6.
COMP (Error Amplifier Output). Usually,
this pin is used for frequency compensation and
the relevant network is connected between this
pin and VFB (pin 5). Compensation networks to-
wards ground are not possible since the L5993
E/A is a voltage mode amplifier (low output im-
pedance). See application ideas for some exam-
ple ofcompensationtechniques.
Pin 7.
SS (Soft-Start). At device start-up, a ca-
pacitor (Css) connected between this pin and
SGND (pin 12) is charged by an internal current
generator, ISSC, up to about 7V. During this
ramp, the E/A output is clamped by the voltage
across Css itself and allowed to rise linearly, start-
ing from zero, up to the steady-state value im-
posed by the control loop. The maximum time in-
terval during which the E/A is clamped, referredto
as soft-starttime, is approximately:
T
ss
3
R
sense
I
Qpk
I
SSC
C
ss
(6)
where R
sense
is the currentsense resistor (see pin
13) and I
Qpk
is the switch peak current (flowing
through R
sense
), which depends on the output
Figure 24. Hiccup modeoperation.
load. Usually, C
SS
is selected for a T
SS
in the or-
der of milliseconds.
As mentioned before, the soft-start intervenes
also in case of severe overload or short circuit on
the output. Referring to fig. 23, pulse-by-pulse
current limitation is somehow effective as long as
the ON-time of the power switch can be reduced
(from A to B). After the minimum ON-time is
reached (from B onwards) the current is out of
control.
To prevent this risk, a comparator trips an over-
current handling procedure, named ’hiccup’ mode
operation,when a voltage above 1.2V (point C) is
detected on current sense input (ISEN, pin 13).
Basically, the IC is turned off and then soft-started
as long as the fault condition is detected.As a re-
sult, the operating point is moved abruptly to D,
creating a foldback effect. Fig. 24 illustrates the
operation.
The oscillation frequency appearing on the soft-
V
OUT
T
ON
D.C.M.
C.C.M.
D
A
B
C
I
Qpk
T
ON(min)
1-2 ·I
Qpk
I
Qpk(max)
I
OUT
I
SHORT
I
OUT(max)
D97IN495
Figure23. Regulation characteristicand re-
latedquantities
7V
T
hic
time
SHORT
I
I
SEN
FAULT
SS
5V
0.5V
D98IN986
L5993
10/22