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IR3086
Page 12 of 15
9/1/03
Over Voltage Protection (OVP)
The IR3086 includes over-voltage protection that turns on the low side MOSFET to protect the load in the event of a
shorted high-side MOSFET or connection of the converter output to an excessive output voltage. A comparator
monitors the voltage at the CSIN- pin which is usually connected directly to the converter output. If the voltage
exceeds the DACIN voltage plus 130mV the GATEL pin drives high. The OVP circuit over-rides the normal PWM
operation and will fully turn-on the low side MOSFET within approximately 150ns. The low side MOSFET will remain
ON until the over-voltage condition ceases.
When designing for OVP the overall system must be considered. In many cases the over-current protection of the AC-
DC or DC-DC converter supplying the multiphase converter will be triggered thus providing effective protection without
damage as long as all PCB traces and components are sized to handle the worst-case maximum current. If this is not
possible a fuse can be added in the input supply to the multiphase converter. One scenario to be careful of is where
the input voltage to the multiphase converter may be pulled below the level where the ICs can provide adequate
voltage to the low side MOSFET thus defeating OVP.
Dynamic changes in the VID code to a lower output voltage may trigger OVP. For example; a 250mV decrease in
output voltage combined with a light load condition will cause the low side MOSFETs to turn on and interfere with
Body Braking
. This will not cause a problem however as Body Braking
will resume once the output voltage is less
than 130mV above the VID voltage.
Excessive distribution impedance between the converter and load or programming of the converter output voltage
above the VID voltage may trigger OVP during normal operation. If the voltage dropped across the distribution
impedance exceeds the minimum OVP comparator threshold of 100mV plus any voltage positioning the IR3086 can
not be used. For example; a converter having 25mV of VID offset, 125mV of AVP at full load, and 75mV of drop in the
distribution path at full load would be OK since 100mV + 25mV + 125mV = 250mV which is greater than 75mV. The
IR3088 Phase IC without OVP should be used in applications with excessive distribution impedance.
Thermal Monitoring (VRHOT)
The IR3086 senses its own die temperature and produces a voltage at the input of the VRHOT comparator that is
proportional to temperature. An external resistor divider connected from VBIAS to the HOTSET pin and ground can be
used to program the thermal trip point of the VRHOT comparator. The VRHOT pin is an open-collector output and
should be pulled up to a voltage source through a resistor. If the thermal trip point is reached the VRHOT output
drives low.
Phase Fault
Its possible for multiphase converters to appear to be working correctly with one or more phases not functioning. The
output voltage can still be regulated and the full load current may still be delivered. However, the remaining phase(s)
will be stressed far beyond their intended design limits and are likely to fail. Loss of a phase can occur due to poor
solder connections or mounting during the manufacturing process, or can occur in the field. The most common failure
mode of a buck converter is failure of the high side MOSFET.