Introduction and Application of Constant On-Time (COT) Buck Regulators

This course is an introduction to a family of DC-DC power converters often referred to as "Constant On-Time" Buck regulators. We will explore some of the advantages as compared to conventional "Hysteretic" Buck regulators. You will see how a conventional Buck regulator is implemented using Hysteretic and Constant On-Time methods, then get an introduction to the parts that National offers for these applications. Constant On-Time regulators get their name from the fact that a one-shot is used to set the on-time, which is inversely proportional to the input voltage. For continuous conduction mode operation the switching frequency is fairly constant, comparable to fixed frequency PWM regulators.

Course Map/Table of Contents

1. Course Navigation 1. 1.1 Course Navigation 2. Buck Regulator 1. 2.1 Buck Regulator Power Stage Waveforms and Characteristics 3. Hysteretic Control 1. 3.1 Conventional Hysteretic Control 2. 3.2 Conventional Hysteretic Regulator Waveforms 4. Constant On-Time 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 4.1 Constant On-Time (COT) Switching Regulator 4.2 Constant On-Time Regulator Waveforms (Continuous) 4.3 Frequency of Operation (Continuous) 4.4 Operating Frequency vs Input Voltage (Continuous Operation) 4.5 Constant On-Time Regulator Waveforms (Discontinuous) 4.6 Frequency of Operation (Discontinuous) 4.7 Operating Frequency vs Load 4.8 Transient Response - Load Transient (100mA to 350mA) 4.9 Transient Response - Unloading Transient (350mA to 100mA) 4.10 COT Regulators Need Output Ripple Voltage for Stable Operation 4.11 Methods to Reduce Output Ripple

5. National COT Regulators 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 5.1 Valley Current Limit in the LM5010 5.2 Minimum Load Current Requirement 5.3 LM5007/8 High Voltage Step Down Switching Regulator 5.4 LM5007 Switching Regulator Demo Board 5.5 LM5010A High Voltage Step Down Switching Regulator 5.6 LM5010 Switching Regulator Demo Board 5.7 LM34910 Switching Regulator Demo Board 5.8 Positive Input, -12V Output 5.9 Integrated Buck Regulators Utilizing COT Control

Course Navigation
1.1 Course Navigation

Course Navigation
This course is organized like a book with multiple chapters. Each chapter may have one or more pages. The previous and next arrows move you forward and back through the course page by page.

The left navigation bar takes you to any chapter. It also contains the bookmarking buttons, 'save' and 'go to.' To save your place in a course, press the 'save' button. The next time you open the course, clicking on 'go to' will take you to the page you saved or bookmarked. The 'Go to Final Test' button on the left navigation bar takes you back to the Analog University course listing, where you started. Take the course final test by clicking on 'Test Yourself.' The top services bar contains additional information such as glossary of terms, who to go to for help with this subject and an

in a course, press the 'save' button. The next time you open the course, clicking on 'go to' will take you to the page you saved or bookmarked. The 'Go to Final Test' button on the left navigation bar takes you back to the Analog University course listing, where you started. Take the course final test by clicking on 'Test Yourself.' The top services bar contains additional information such as glossary of terms, who to go to for help with this subject and an FAQ. Clicking home on this bar will take you back to the course beginning. Don't miss the hints, references, exercises and quizzes which appear at the bottom of some pages.

Buck Regulator
2.1 Buck Regulator Power Stage Waveforms and Characteristics

Buck Regulator Power Stage Waveforms and Characteristics

The buck regulator is used to efficiently step-down and regulate using Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM). The output of the PWM comparator controls the buck switch. This voltage waveform at the SWITCH NODE has an average value of V . The
OUT

inductor and output capacitor create a two pole low pass filter such that a DC voltage with only a relatively small ripple appears at the output. The duty cycle, D, is defined as T /T , and V = V D.
ON S OUT IN

This is the same equation as one would use to calculate the average value of a square wave with a magnitude of V , a
IN

period of T and a duration of T

ON

. The diode allows a path for

the inductor current to flow or circulate when the buck switch opens. The buck regulator (and its variants) is the only topology that has a direct connection between the input and the output when the control switch is on.

Hysteretic Control
3.1 Conventional Hysteretic Control 3.2 Conventional Hysteretic Regulator Waveforms

Conventional Hysteretic Control

Conventional hysteretic control is the simplest architecture available for a switching regulator. The modulator is simply a comparator with input hysteresis that compares the feedback voltage to a reference voltage. When the feedback voltage exceeds the reference hysteresis voltage, the comparator output transitions low, turning off the switch. The switch will remain off until the feedback voltage falls below the reference hysteresis voltage, at which point, the comparator output transitions high, turning on the switch and allowing the output voltage (and feedback voltage) to rise again. This simple topology provides several benefits. It is extremely fast at reacting to load and line transients. It has a very wide bandwidth control loop that doesn't use an error amplifier, and doesn't require frequency compensation. Thus, total component count is reduced, and output capacitance can be reduced. Unlike a PWM regulator, switching frequency isn't set

extremely fast at reacting to load and line transients. It has a very wide bandwidth control loop that doesn't use an error amplifier, and doesn't require frequency compensation. Thus, total component count is reduced, and output capacitance can be reduced. Unlike a PWM regulator, switching frequency isn't set by an oscillator, but is dependant on several variables.
Hysteretic control is the simplest architecture for a switching regulator.

Conventional Hysteretic Regulator Waveforms

The waveforms for a hysteretic buck regulator are shown. The inductor ripple current generates an AC voltage across the output capacitor's Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR). This results in a triangle-shaped waveform superimposed upon the DC level at V . The buck switch alternates on and off
OUT

as the output waveform ramps beyond the upper and lower thresholds set by V at the
HYS

feedback node. The frequency of operation is a function of the input and output voltage, the inductor, ESR and ESL of the output cap, the comparator's hysteresis and the feedback ratio. When designing a regulator, we can assume that V ,V , the resistor feedback ratio, and t
OUT HYS

are constants. As a result, we select L and ESR for a desired frequency. However, the frequency will vary with input voltage and ESR. In most cases, the output capacitor's ESR will dominate in determining both frequency and output ripple. Therefore, it is recommended that a low ESR ceramic output capacitor be used in series with a resistor to provide a stable ESR. Hysteretic regulators implemented with a comparator as described, operate over a wide frequency range as the line and load conditions are varied. This varying frequency imposes filtering and noise challenges since the filtering components cannot be optimized due to the varying frequency.
For hysteretic control, the modulator is simply a comparator with input hysteresis.

Constant On-Time
4.1 Constant On-Time (COT) Switching Regulator 4.2 Constant On-Time Regulator Waveforms (Continuous) 4.3 Frequency of Operation (Continuous) 4.4 Operating Frequency vs Input Voltage (Continuous Operation) 4.5 Constant On-Time Regulator Waveforms (Discontinuous) 4.6 Frequency of Operation (Discontinuous) 4.7 Operating Frequency vs Load 4.8 Transient Response - Load Transient (100mA to 350mA) 4.9 Transient Response - Unloading Transient (350mA to 100mA) 4.10 COT Regulators Need Output Ripple Voltage for Stable Operation 4.11 Methods to Reduce Output Ripple

Constant On-Time (COT) Switching Regulator

Constant On-Time (COT) Switching Regulator

Shown in the figure is a block diagram of a Constant On-Time (COT) regulator. Rather than using a dual level comparator, the COT regulator uses a circuit which turns on the buck switch for a time (T ) inversely
ON

proportional to the input voltage (V ). The two

IN

main blocks within this regulator are the ON time one-shot and the Regulation Comparator. The Regulation Comparator monitors the output voltage. When the output voltage falls below the regulation comparator threshold (V ), the comparator triggers the one-shot.
REF

The one-shot monitors the input voltage. Once triggered it enables the buck switch for a period of time inversely proportional to the input voltage. The larger the input voltage the smaller the on-time. This regulator does not contain a clock oscillator, yet operates at a fixed frequency even as the input voltage is varied.

Adding a one-shot helps to maintain constant frequency operation.

Constant On-Time Regulator Waveforms (Continuous)

The waveforms for a COT buck regulator are shown. The inductor ripple current generates an AC voltage across the output capacitor's Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR). This results in a triangle-shaped waveform superimposed upon the DC level at V . The
OUT

buck switch turns on when the output voltage (as sensed at the feedback pin) falls to the V threshold. The buck switch remains on for
ON

a period of time determined by the on-time one-shot. The addition of the on-time one-shot greatly reduces the variation in operational frequency as we will see.

The inductor ripple current into the ESR creates the ripple voltage for the feedback comparator.

Frequency of Operation (Continuous)

The following equations illustrate how a relatively constant operating frequency is obtained using a constant on-time hysteretic regulator. The

Frequency of Operation (Continuous)

The following equations illustrate how a relatively constant operating frequency is obtained using a constant on-time hysteretic regulator. The basic Buck regulator equation for any Buck regulator operating in continuous conduction mode defines the duty cycle D of the Buck switch.

D=V

OUT

/V

IN

=T

ON

F , where T
S

ON

is the on-time and F is the operating frequency. The constant on-time controller sets the
S

on-time of the Buck switch. T

ON

=KR

ON

/ V , where K is a constant and R

IN IN

ON

is a programming resistor. V

IN

is in the denominator as expected, setting the

on-time inversely proportional to V . Rearranging and substituting T Since V

OUT ON

into the first equation, then solving for F yields: F = V

S S

OUT

/ (K R

ON

).

, K and R

ON

are all constants, the operating frequency will also be a constant. In practice the actual operating frequency will vary

slightly (<10%) due to nonlinearities in the one-shot, propagation delays, and non-ideal switch voltage drops.

Operating Frequency vs Input Voltage (Continuous Operation)

Shown in this graph are actual operating frequency measurements of a COT regulator with a varying input voltage and a constant load. The small change in operating frequency is due to second order effects such as non-linearity of the COT one-shot and voltage drops of the internal buck switch and the external free-wheel diode.

For continuous conduction mode, the operating frequency is nearly constant.

Constant On-Time Regulator Waveforms (Discontinuous)

For a COT regulator, the constant frequency relationship holds true provided the inductor current remains continuous. At light loading conditions the current in the inductor will become discontinuous. Shown here are the

For a COT regulator, the constant frequency relationship holds true provided the inductor current remains continuous. At light loading conditions the current in the inductor will become discontinuous. Shown here are the switching waveforms for a Buck regulator controlled with constant on-time control in the discontinuous conduction mode, which means the ramping inductor current returns to zero every cycle. The inductor current in discontinuous conduction mode has three states: ramp up, ramp down, and zero. Similar to continuous conduction mode, the Buck switch turns on at a predetermined V
ON

threshold and the Buck switch remains on for an on-time of K/V . Following the on-time, the
IN

switch turns off and the inductor current ramps down to zero. V ramps down to the V
OUT ON

threshold with a slope inversely proportional to the load resistance. A large load resistance requires a longer time for V back to the V
ON

OUT

to decay

threshold. The operating frequency will decrease with increasing load resistance while operating in discontinuous

conduction mode. This characteristic is actually desirable to maintain the conversion efficiency at light load, due to the reduction in switching losses with decreasing operating frequency.
For discontinuous conduction mode, the operating frequency will decrease with increasing load resistance.

Frequency of Operation (Discontinuous)

The switching frequency at discontinuous mode can be predicted as follows: Peak Inductor Current:

For high input, lower output voltage applications the discontinuous mode peak inductor current can be simplified to:

Output Power:

Solving for F :
S

Note that the switching frequency will vary inversely to the output load resistance (R equation are constants.

LOAD

) since all of the other parameters in the above

Decreasing frequency at light load decreases switching losses, maintaining low power efficiency.

equation are constants.

Decreasing frequency at light load decreases switching losses, maintaining low power efficiency.

Operating Frequency vs Load

The operating point where the mode (continuous or discontinuous) of the power converter changes depends upon on the chosen inductor value and the input/output voltages. Shown on this chart is the operating frequency of a 48V input, 10V output regulator designed with a 100H inductor. The regulator operates in continuous conduction mode for all load currents greater than 50mA with a relatively constant operating frequency as predicted. For output loading less than 50mA the regulator operates in discontinuous mode and the operating frequency decreases with decreasing load as shown.

Transient Response - Load Transient (100mA to 350mA)

Another attribute of both hysteretic and COT controlled regulators is inherently fast transient response. Regulators that provide control utilizing conventional Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques require an error amplifier and associated compensation. This compensation is necessary for stable operation, but imposes a bandwidth limitation and a subsequent limit on the transient response of the regulator. A hysteretic regulator does not require an error amplifier or associated compensation. This feature allows almost instantaneous response to transient load changes. Shown in this chart is the transient response of a constant on-time hysteretic regulator for a load step from 100mA to 350mA. The three waveforms are: output voltage (AC coupled), load current and switching node voltage. The recovery time for this transient is less than 5s.

Transient Response - Unloading Transient (350mA to 100mA)

Shown in this chart is the transient response of a constant on-time hysteretic regulator for a load step from 350mA to 100mA. The three waveforms are: output voltage (AC coupled), load current, and switching node voltage. The recovery time for this transient is less than 5s. It can be noted that Buck regulators with low

load step from 350mA to 100mA. The three waveforms are: output voltage (AC coupled), load current, and switching node voltage. The recovery time for this transient is less than 5s. It can be noted that Buck regulators with low voltage outputs have longer recovery times during unloading transients since the inductor voltage is lower (-V ) during unloading
OUT

transients.

COT Regulators Need Output Ripple Voltage for Stable Operation

The response time of the regulation comparator depends on the amount of overdrive at the inverting input, and on the speed at which it is applied (dv/dt) at the end of the off-time. If the ripple at V is reduced,
OUT

that means less ripple amplitude at FB, and a lower dv/dt. The comparator's response time is longer. This disrupts the total on-time/off-time duty cycle, and the circuit operation may be erratic. The ripple voltage at V , and consequently
OUT

at FB, is created by the inductors ripple current acting on R (assuming the intrinsic ESR of C2 is negligible).
ESR

The LM5007, LM5008, LM5010, and LM34910 buck regulators require a minimum of 25 mV p-p ripple at the FB pin for proper operation. The required ripple at V is higher than that at FB due to the attenuation from the feedback resistors. The minimum ripple
OUT

occurs at minimum V , when the duty cycle is highest.

IN

Ceramic capacitors need additional ESR for stable operation.

Methods to Reduce Output Ripple

In Figure A, the ripple at V
OUT

is fed to FB through C . Therefore the ripple at V

R

OUT

can be

less than in the standard circuit since it is not attenuated as much by the feedback resistors.

In Figure B, taking the output right from C

OUT

provides an output with less ripple, but load

ESR

regulation (and efficiency) is degraded since the load current passes through R

. If the

application requires low ripple voltage but is tolerant of degraded load regulation this is a good solution.

In Figure C, R

ESR

can be removed, resulting in low ripple at V

OUT

OUT

. The ripple required at FB

IN

is produced by R1/C1/C2. Since V

is an AC ground, and SW switches between V

and

ground, a sawtooth is generated at the R1/C1 junction. C2 then couples that ripple to FB.

OUT

IN

ground, a sawtooth is generated at the R1/C1 junction. C2 then couples that ripple to FB.

National COT Regulators

5.1 Valley Current Limit in the LM5010 5.2 Minimum Load Current Requirement 5.3 LM5007/8 High Voltage Step Down Switching Regulator 5.4 LM5007 Switching Regulator Demo Board 5.5 LM5010A High Voltage Step Down Switching Regulator 5.6 LM5010 Switching Regulator Demo Board 5.7 LM34910 Switching Regulator Demo Board 5.8 Positive Input, -12V Output 5.9 Integrated Buck Regulators Utilizing COT Control

Valley Current Limit in the LM5010

In Normal Operation (Low Load Current) the inductor current increases during the on-time and decreases during the off-time. The p-p amplitude (I) is determined by V , V , and
IN OUT

the inductor value. The load current is the average I .

O

In Normal Operation (High Load Current), the average I is higher, but the ripple waveform
O

is the same as at the low load current. It has same p-p amplitude and timing. In the figure the average exceeds the LM5010's current limit threshold. That is OK as long as the lower peak falls below the threshold during the normal off-time. V

OUT

is regulated at its correct

value by the Regulation Comparator. In Normal Operation, the Regulation Comparator controls the input to the On Timer based on the voltage at FB. Current limiting occurs when the waveform is increased such that the current's lower peak would be above the threshold. As long as the current in R is above the threshold, the Current Limit Comparator
SENSE

prevents the next on-time from starting, even if the voltage at FB is low. The off-time is extended until the current reduces to the threshold. Then the next on-time starts. V and the frequency are reduced, and the
OUT

circuit operates in a constant current mode (I

OCL

). The transition in and

out of current limit mode is smooth with no foldback or abrupt changes. As the load current is reduced, V and the frequency increases, and
OUT

the waveforms return to normal. The LM5010 and LM34910 use a Valley Current Limit technique which monitors the load current during the off-time rather than during the on-time. This method allows the average load current to exceed the current limit threshold as long as the lower peak of the inductor current waveform does not exceed the threshold (1.25A). When the lower peak "tries" to exceed the threshold (as load current is increased) the off-time increases to allow the inductor current to ramp down to the threshold. The next on-time does not start until the current reduces to the threshold. Output voltage, power, and input current are reduced in this mode, as well as the frequency The LM5007/LM5008 current limit implementation differs in that the buck switch peak current is monitored instead of the valley current monitor of the LM5010. When the LM5007/8 detects an over-current condition, the buck switch remains off for a user programmable off-time before a new on-time is allowed.

Valley Current Limit

For valley current limiting, which of the following are true? 1. There is no foldback.

Valley Current Limit

For valley current limiting, which of the following are true? 1. There is no foldback. 2. The transition in and out of current limit is smooth. 3. The operating frequency is reduced. 1 Answer: They are all true.

Minimum Load Current Requirement

The bootstrap capacitor (C4) provides the voltage to power the driver, and the current to charge the switch's gate each on-time. C4 is recharged each off-time when the SW pin is at ground. The recharge current flows from V through the internal diode, C4, L1, and through
CC

R1/R2 and the load. If the recharge current through C4 is too small, C4 will not recharge sufficiently, the switch will not turn on, and the circuit will shutdown. This occurs if the load current is too low AND R1 and R2 are too high in value. The minimum current to keep C4 properly charged has been determined experimentally to be about 200A. If the application is such that the load current will be zero at times, the minimum required current for C4's recharge can be provided by making R1 and R2 small enough. This is why the data sheet recommends those two resistors be in the range of 1k to 10k ohms.

A minimum load is required to keep the bootstrap capacitor charged.

LM5007/8 High Voltage Step Down Switching Regulator

There is a family of high voltage constant on-time regulators available from National Semiconductor. The LM5007 contains a 75V rated Buck switch with a current limit set to 725mA nominal. The LM5008 contains a 100V rated Buck switch with a current limit set to 500mA nominal. Very few external components (1 Diode, 1 Inductor, 10 discrete components) are necessary to realize a complete regulator solution. R
ON

sets the on-time and

resulting operating frequency. R sets the off time following an over-current event.
CL

R1 and R2 sets the output voltage. R3 sets the output voltage ripple, necessary for stable operation. The recommended output ripple is approximately 25mV at the FB pin. The LM5007/8 integrates the following features:

CL

sets the off time following an over-current event.

R1 and R2 sets the output voltage. R3 sets the output voltage ripple, necessary for stable operation. The recommended output ripple is approximately 25mV at the FB pin. The LM5007/8 integrates the following features: Integrated 75V (LM5007) or 100V (LM5008) N-Channel Buck Switch Peak Switch Current Limit 0.725A (LM5007) or 0.5A (LM5008) Internal HV Start-up Vcc Regulator Adjustable Output Voltage (2.5V to 70V) Thermal Shutdown (165C) Packages: MSOP-8 and LLP-8 LM5007 - High Voltage (80V) Step Down Switching Regulator LM5008 - High Voltage (100V) Step Down Switching Regulator

LM5007 Switching Regulator Demo Board

AN-1298: Application Note 1298 LM5007 Evaluation Board

LM5010A High Voltage Step Down Switching Regulator

Two additional higher current devices are also available. The LM34910 contains a 40V rated Buck switch, while the LM5010 contains an 75V rated Buck switch. Both devices are capable of providing output currents up to 1.5 Amps. The devices are provided with an exposed metal pad on the underside of the device to facilitate heat removal. Two additional changes from the LM5007/8 are: Addition of a soft start pin to ease stress during start-up. Valley Current Limit (set to 1.25A nominal) rather than peak current limit. The valley current is monitored by connecting the recirculating diode to an internal sense resistor. The LM5010 integrates the following features: Integrated 40V (LM34910) or 75V (LM5010) N-Channel Buck Switch Capable of 1.5A Output Current Soft Start Adjustable Output Voltage (2.5V - 70V) Thermal Shutdown (165C) Packages: MSOP-14EP and LLP-10

Integrated 40V (LM34910) or 75V (LM5010) N-Channel Buck Switch Capable of 1.5A Output Current Soft Start Adjustable Output Voltage (2.5V - 70V) Thermal Shutdown (165C) Packages: MSOP-14EP and LLP-10
Soft start causes the output voltage to increase in a controlled manner, which limits the in-rush current at turn-on.

LM5010A High Voltage 1A Step Down Switching Regulator AN-1423: Application Note 1423 LM5010A Evaluation Board

LM5010 Switching Regulator Demo Board

AN-1352: Application Note 1352 LM5010 Evaluation Board

LM34910 Switching Regulator Demo Board

LM34910 High Voltage (40V, 1.25A) Step Down Switching Regulator

Positive Input, -12V Output

LM5010 Buck-Boost Application In applications where a negative output voltage is required, any of the constant on-time regulators described can be reconfigured into this buck-boost circuit. When the main switch is turned on, energy is stored in the output inductor. When the main switch is turned off, the inductor current continues to flow through the output capacitor and load, returning through the recirculating diode, creating the negative output voltage. The transfer function for this topology is: V = V D / (1 - D)
OUT IN

The average inductor current is: I (1 + V /V )

OUT OUT IN

The regulator IC is referenced to the negative output to ease the design of the output feedback. There is a limitation that the maximum input to output voltage differential must not exceed the rating of the regulator IC. Since the current delivered to the output from the inductor is delivered in pulses rather than being delivered continuously, the output voltage ripple of this circuit will be greater than a Buck regulator described previously.

A buck regulator IC can be configured as a buck-boost with its ground referenced to the negative output.

Integrated Buck Regulators Utilizing COT Control

Shown are the available integrated buck regulators utilizing COT control. Check the current selector guide to get the latest information as the family is constantly expanding.

COT
Constant On-Time

D
Duty Cycle

ESL

D
Duty Cycle

ESL
Equivalent Series Inductance

ESR
Equivalent Series Resistance

Switching Frequency

PWM
Pulse Width Modulation

T, T

Period of one cycle, measured in seconds. Generally refers to the switching period.

d
Contact/Help Information

Delay time

For additional information on getting started go to http://www.national.com/analog/training/getting_started To contact us, and send feedback go to http://wwwd.national.com/feedback/newfeed.nsf/newfeedback?openform&category=pwdesignuniv For Frequently Asked Questions go to http://www.national.com/analog/training/faqs Thank you, PowerWise Design University Team

Introduction and Application of Constant On-Time (COT) Buck Regulators Copyright 2010 by National Semiconductor All rights reserved