
RC5050
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
10
Upgrade Present
Intel specifications state that the DC-DC converter should
accept an open collector signal (UP#), used to indicate the
presence of an upgrade processor. The typical state is high
(standard processor). When in the low or ground state
(OverDrive processor present), the output voltage must be
disabled unless the converter can supply the OverDrive pro-
cessor's power requirements. Because the RC5050 can sup-
ply the OverDrive processor requirements, the UP# signal is
not required.
Over-Voltage Protection
The RC5050 provides a constant monitor of the output volt-
age for protection against over voltage conditions. If the
voltage at the VFB pin exceeds 20% of the selected program
voltage, an over-voltage condition will be assumed and the
RC5050 will disable the output drive signal to the external
MOSFET(s).
Short Circuit Protection
A current sense methodology is implemented to disable the
output drive signal to the MOSFET(s) when an over-current
condition is detected. The voltage drop created by the output
current flowing across a sense resistor is presented to an
internal comparator. When the voltage developed across
the sense resistor exceeds the 120 mV comparator threshold
voltage, the RC5050 will reduce the output duty cycle to pro-
tect the power devices.
The DC-DC converter will return to normal operation after
the fault has been removed, for either an over voltage or a
short circuit condition.
Oscillator
The RC5050 oscillator section is implemented using a fixed
current capacitor charging configuration. An external capaci-
tor (C
EXT
) is used to preset the oscillator frequency between
80KHz and 1MHz. This scheme allows maximum flexibility
in setting the switching frequency as well as in choosing
external components.
In general, a lower operating frequency will increase the
peak ripple current flowing in the output inductor and thus
require the use of a larger inductor value. Operation at lower
frequencies also increases the amount of energy storage that
must be provided by the bulk output capacitors during load
transients due to the slower loop response of the controller.
Additionally, the efficiency losses due to switching of the
MOSFETs will increase as the operating frequency is
increased. Therefore, efficiency will be optimized at lower
operating frequencies.
Due to the trend of increasing load current at lower supply
voltages, an operating frequency of 300 KHz has been cho-
sen to optimize efficiency while maintaining excellent output
regulation and transient performance.
Design Considerations and
Component Selection
MOSFET Selection
This application requires the use of N-channel, Logic Level
Enhancement Mode Field Effect Transistors. Desired
characteristics are as follows:
Low Static Drain-Source On-Resistance,
R
DS,ON
< 37 m
W
(lower is better).
Low gate drive voltage, V
GS
£
4.5V.
Power package with low Thermal Resistance.
Drain current rating of 20A minimum.
Drain-Source voltage > 15V
The on-resistance (R
DS,ON
) is the primary parameter for
MOSFET selection. The on-resistance determines the power
dissipation of the MOSFET and therefore significantly
affects the efficiency of the DC-DC Converter. Table 4
presents a list of suitable MOSFETs for this application.
Two MOSFETs in Parallel
At higher load currents, it is recommend that two MOSFETs
be used in parallel instead of a single MOSFET. Significant
advantages are realized using two MOSFETs in parallel:
Significant reduction of power dissipation
.
Maximum current of 15A with one MOSFET:
P
MOSFET
= (I
2
R
DS,ON
)(Duty Cycle)
= (15)
2
(0.050
*
)(2.8+0.4)/(5+0.4-0.35)
= 7.1 W
With two MOSFETs in parallel:
P
MOSFET
= (I
2
R
DS,ON
)(Duty Cycle)
= (15/2)
2
(0.037*)(2.8+0.4)/(5+0.4-0.35)
= 1.3W/FET
*
Note:
R
DS,ON
increases with temperature. Assume R
DS,ON
= 25m
W
at 25
°
C. R
DS,ON
can easily increase to 50m
W
at high temperature
when using a single MOSFET. When using two MOSFETs in
parallel, the temperature effects should not cause the R
DS,ON
to rise
above the listed maximum value of 37m
W
.
No added heat sink required.
With power dissipation
down to around one watt and with MOSFETs mounted
flat on the motherboard, no external heat sink is required.
The junction-to-case thermal resistance for the MOSFET
package (TO-220) is typically at 2
°
C/W and the
motherboard serves as an excellent heat sink.
Higher current capability.
With thermal management
under control, this on-board DC-DC circuit is able to
deliver load currents up to 15A with no performance or
reliability concerns.