There are millions of totally different switching regulators in the marketplace. Their election relies on specs equivalent to enter voltage vary, output voltage functionality, most output present, and another parameters. This text explains present mode, a differentiating characteristic generally listed in information sheets, and its benefits and drawbacks.
The fundamental working precept of a current-mode regulator is proven in Fig. 1. Right here, the suggestions voltage is just not solely simply in contrast with an inner voltage reference but in addition with a sawtooth voltage ramp for the era of the mandatory pulse width modulated (PWM) sign for the facility swap.
The slope of this ramp is mounted in voltage-mode regulators. In current-mode regulators, the slope depends on the inductor present and is yielded from the present measurement proven in Fig. 1 on the switching node. That is what differentiates current-mode regulators from voltage-mode regulators.
Present-mode regulators provide many benefits. One is that the inductor present instantly adapts to modifications within the enter voltage (VIN in Fig. 1). Thus, the enter voltage change info is immediately fed into the management loop, even earlier than the output voltage (VOUT in Fig. 1) tracks this enter voltage change.
The benefits of current-mode management are so convincing that almost all switching regulator ICs in the marketplace work in keeping with this current-mode management precept.
One other key benefit is simplified management loop compensation. The Bode plot of a voltage-mode regulator exhibits a double pole; a current-mode regulator generates only one easy pole of the facility stage at this level. This produces a part shift of 90°, as an alternative of 180° with a double pole. Thus, a current-mode regulator might be way more simply compensated and thus stabilised. Fig. 2 exhibits the straightforward switch perform of the facility stage of a typical current-mode regulator.
Nevertheless, just a few disadvantages exist alongside the talked about benefits. Present-mode regulators can’t instantly make the required present measurements after a switching transition as a result of the noise will couple into the measurement strongly presently. It takes just a few nanoseconds for the noise brought on by the switching to subside. That is known as the blanking time. It usually ends in a considerably longer mini
mum on-time specification than for voltage-mode regulators.
One other drawback of current-mode regulators is the chance, in precept, of a subharmonic oscillation. That is proven in Fig. 3. If an obligation cycle of larger than 50% is required, a current-mode regulator might alternately execute brief and lengthy pulses. In lots of purposes, that is thought of instability, which needs to be prevented.
To unravel this, a sure ramp compensation might be added to the generated present ramp proven in Fig. 1. It may possibly shift the important obligation cycle threshold to properly above 50% in order that even at larger obligation cycles, no subharmonic oscillations happen.
Even these earlier talked about restrictions, as a result of blanking time and the resultant obligation cycle limitations, might be circumvented by means of the IC design. For instance, one treatment is to include low-side present sensing the place the inductor present is measured throughout the off time relatively than the on time.
All in all, some great benefits of current-mode management in switching regulators outweigh the disadvantages for many purposes. And thru varied circuit improvements and modifications, the disadvantages might be bypassed. Consequently, most switching regulator ICs at present use current-mode management.
Frederik Dostal has greater than 20 years of expertise on this business. After working in Nationwide Semiconductor since 2001, he joined Analog Gadgets in 2009, the place he held varied positions, and at the moment works within the ADI workplace in Munich, Germany as an influence administration skilled
