ADP5054ACPZ-R7 is a DC DC switching controller with a transistor driver output. In this article, we break down the concept of a DC DC switching controller and all the technical specifications of ADP5054ACPZ-R7.
How Does a DC DC Switching Controller Work?
DC DC switching controller is a type of Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC). The controller plays a significant role in consumer electronics by aiding the voltage regulation process.
Now, voltage or current can be excessive for a number of factors and it is the duty of the DC DC switching controller to keep the performance at the optimum. For this to work, the controller first generates the output supply voltages either below or above the input supply.
By doing that, it helps to balance the voltage of the high-efficient circuits at the best performance through the current alternation between the input and output voltages.
If you are using a DC DC switching controller, you can be sure that the excessive voltage will be regulated using different means. The processes include but are not limited to:
- Push-pull
- Buck-boost
- Half bridge
- Flyback
- SEPIC
ADP5054ACPZ-R7’s Features
ADP5054ACPZ-R7 packs a wide range of features or characteristics that make it one of the best DC DC switching controllers.
In this section, we are going to talk about some of these features.
1. Start Function
Voltage or current can be excessively “rushed into” the circuits depending on how the switching controller starts or boots. That is the reason why ADP5054ACPZ-R7’s start function combines a variety of functions.
First, there is the precharged start-up feature, which prevents the low-side FETs from getting damaged during the boot process.
Second, a majority of ADP5054ACPZ-R7’s buck regulators use a soft start circuitry, which aids in limiting the current of flow of voltage once the controller is started.
2. Direct Connection to High-Input Voltages
ADP5054ACPZ-R7 is by default, equipped with four (4) high-performance buck regulators. These regulators are packed in a 48-lead LFCSP package.
In addition to the optimization according to board space requirements and system performance, the regulators also establish a direct connection without using any of the preregulators. The outcome? A seamless connection to the high-input voltages, up to 15.5 volts.
3. Power Savings Mode (PSM)
Conserving power is also a part of the features that set ADP5054ACPZ-R7 apart from the other DC DC switching controllers.
The Power Savings Mode (PSM) works by enabling a smooth transition of the buck regulators to the variable frequency.
Note that the Power Savings Mode (PSM) is typically activated when the output of the controller falls below the preset or predefined value/threshold of the PSM.
The activation of the Power Savings Mode (PSM) enables the buck regulators to remain the mode for a few oscillator cycles. The buck regulators would only be taken out of the PSM and restored to the default settings after voltage increases to the PSM’s threshold.
4. Technical Specifications
The table below shows some of the technical attributes of the ADP5054ACPZ-R7 DC DC switching controller:
| Attributes | Description |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount Technology (SMT) |
| Maximum Duty Cycle | 50% |
| Type of Output | Transistor Driver |
| Operating Temperature (minimum to maximum) | 40˚C to 125˚C |
| Topology | Buck |
| Frequency Switching Capabilities | Between 250kHz to 2MHz |
| Output Configuration | Positive |
| Control Features | Power Good, Enable and Frequency Control |
| Function | Step-Down |
| Type of Case/Package | 48-WFQFN Exposed Pad, CSP |
| Number of Output Phases | 2 |
| Synchronous Rectifier | Yes |
| Number of Outputs | 4 |
5. ADP5054ACPZ-R7’s Transistor Driver Output
ADP5054ACPZ-R7 uses a transistor driver as the output and this section is dedicated to explaining how it works.
A transistor driver is generally viewed as a “current amplifier” in the sense that it magnifies or increases the current in any consumer electronics or circuit it is placed. It is typically used to “drive” or provide sufficient current to the target device without necessarily amplifying or increasing the voltage.
Transistor drivers are also designed to drive the “high-power applications,” thus, increasing the performance in the process. To that end, you can expect the transistor to get hotter at some point.
A better way to tackle the excessive heat is to use a thermal transfer compound paste, which helps in improving the heatsink’s efficiency.
You should also consider installing a heatsink. Attaching the heatsink to the transistor’s tab helps in cooling it when it gets hotter.
Important Considerations for the ADP5054ACPZ-R7 DC DC Switching Controller
Before you are sold on the idea of getting the ADP5054ACPZ-R7, we would like to make a few more submissions.
These are some of the additional considerations you may want to make before deciding to get the switching controller:
Thermal Shutdown Capabilities
Everything is not left to chance, as far as the ADP5054ACPZ-R7 is concerned. It keeps the power optimum, while ensuring that the heat dissipation is excellent.
It also has a thermal shutdown capability, designed to oversee the shutting down of the IC. The thermal shutdown feature kicks in when the junction temperature goes above 150˚C.
The junction temperature tends to shoot above the recommended temperature of 150˚C only when certain factors come to play. From the increase in the ambient temperature to a higher current operation and a poor circuit board design; these factors can negatively impact the junction temperature.
Now, when the junction temperature goes above 150˚C, the Thermal Shutdown (TSD) circuit would then kick in to regulate it. The regulation is done in the form of turning off the Integrated Circuit (IC), while keeping the internal linear regulator on.
However, ADP5054ACPZ-R7 is not quick to restore the circuit to operation until certain measures have been put in place. The first measure is to integrate a 15˚C hysteresis to prevent the circuit board from returning to the normal operations.
Once that is done, the ADP5054ACPZ-R7 wouldn’t become operational, until the on-chip temperature has fallen below 135˚C.
It is only when this has been attained that the ADP5054ACPZ-R7 would initiate the soft start function to slowly activate the circuit for operations after exiting the Thermal Shutdown (TSD) mode.
Precision Enabling
ADP5054ACPZ-R7 has a precision enable pin on each of the channels. The pin, among many other things, aid the power-up sequencing of the circuit board.
Final Words
ADP5054ACPZ-R7 uses the DC DC switching controller to regulate (excessive) voltage, protect the circuit and balance the performance of the components.
