Device description
L6716
20/57
Doc ID 14521 Rev 3
6
Device description
L6716 is two-to-four phase PWM controller with three embedded high current drivers
providing complete control logic and protections for a high performance step-down DC-DC
voltage regulator optimized for advanced microprocessor power supply. Multi phase buck is
the simplest and most cost-effective topology employable to satisfy the increasing current
demand of newer microprocessors and modern high current VRM modules. It allows
distributing equally load and power between the phases using smaller, cheaper and most
common external power MOSFETs and inductors. Moreover, thanks to the equal phase shift
between each phase, the input and output capacitor count results in being reduced. Phase
interleaving causes in fact input rms current and output ripple voltage reduction.
L6716 is a dual-edge asynchronous PWM controller featuring load transient boost LTB
Technology: the device turns on simultaneously all the phases as soon as a load transient
is detected allowing to minimize system cost by providing the fastest response to load
transition. Load transition is detected (through LTB pin) measuring the derivate dV/dt of the
output voltage and the dV/dt can be easily programmed extending the system design
flexibility. Moreover, load transient boost (LTB) Technology gain can be easily modified in
order to keep under control the output voltage ring back.
LTB Technology can be disabled and in this condition the device works as a dual-edge
asynchronous PWM.
The controller allows to implement a scalable design: a three phase design can be easily
downgraded to two phase and upgraded to four phase (using an external driver).The same
design can be used for more than one project saving development and debug time.
L6716 permits easy system design by allowing current reading across inductor in fully
differential mode. Also a sense resistor in series to the inductor can be considered to
improve reading precision. The current information read corrects the PWM output in order to
equalize the average current carried by each phase limiting the error in the static and
dynamic conditions.
The controller allows compatibility with both Intel VR11.0 and VR11.1 processors
specifications, also performing D-VID transitions accordingly.
The device is VR11.1 compatible implementing IMON signal and managing the PSI# signal
to enhance the system performances at low current in low-power states.
Low-side-less start-up allows soft-start over pre-biased output avoiding dangerous current
return through the main inductors as well as negative spike at the load side.
L6716 provides a programmable overvoltage protection to protect the load from dangerous
over stress, latching immediately by turning ON the lower driver and driving high the
OSC/FAULT pin. Furthermore, preliminary OVP protection also allows the device to protect
load from dangerous OVP when VCC is not above the UVLO threshold or OUTEN is low.
The overcurrent protection is for each phase and externally adjustable through a single
resistor. The device keeps constant the peak of the inductor current ripple working in
constant current mode until the latched UVP.
A compact 7x7 mm body VFQFPN-48 package with exposed thermal pad allows dissipating
the power to drive the external MOSFET through the system board.