HIP6301

FN4765 Rev 6.00

Page 8 of 17

December 27, 2004

Current Loop

The current control loop works in a similar fashion to the

voltage control loop, but with current control information

applied individually to each channel’s Comparator. The

information used for this control is the voltage that is

Q4, when they are conducting. A single resistor converts

and scales the voltage across the MOSFETs to a current

that is applied to the Current Sensing circuit within the

HIP6301. Output from these sensing circuits is applied to the

current averaging circuit. Each PWM channel receives the

difference current signal from the summing circuit that

compares the average sensed current to the individual

channel current. When a power channel’s current is greater

than the average current, the signal applied via the summing

Correction circuit to the Comparator, reduces the output

pulse width of the Comparator to compensate for the

detected “above average” current in that channel.

Droop Compensation

In addition to control of each power channel’s output current,

the average channel current is also used to provide CORE

voltage “droop” compensation. Average full channel current

is defined as 50

amount of voltage droop required at full load current can be

programmed. The average current driven into the FB pin

direction to make the Error Amplifier “see” a higher voltage

at the inverting input, resulting in the Error Amplifier

adjusting the output voltage lower. The voltage developed

Sensing and Balancing” section for more details.

Applications and Convertor Start-Up

Each PWM power channel’s current is regulated. This

enables the PWM channels to accurately share the load

current for enhanced reliability. The HIP6601B, HIP6602B

HIP6603B or HIP6604B MOSFET driver interfaces with the

HIP6301. For more information, see the HIP6601B or

HIP6602B data sheets.

The HIP6301 is capable of controlling up to 4 PWM power

automatically sets the number of channels. The phase

PWM channels. For example, for three channel operation,

the PWM output signals for a four channel system. In all

cases the maximum duty cycle is 75%.

Power supply ripple frequency is determined by the channel

channels. For example, if the channel frequency is set to

250kHz and there are three phases, the ripple frequency is

750kHz.

The IC monitors and precisely regulates the CORE voltage

of a microprocessor. After initial start-up, the controller also

provides protection for the load and the power supply. The

following section discusses these features.

Initialization

The HIP6301 usually operates from an ATX power supply.

Many functions are initiated by the rising supply voltage to

Soft-Start and other functions are initialized during this

interval. These circuits are controlled by POR, Power-On

Reset. During this interval, the PWM outputs are driven to a

three state condition that makes these outputs essentially

open. This state results in no gate drive to the output

MOSFETs.

level to insure proper internal function, the PWM outputs are

enabled and the Soft-Start sequence is initiated. If for any

POR circuit shuts the converter down and again three states

the PWM outputs.

Soft-Start

4.375V, the Soft-Start sequence is initiated. Soft-Start, by its

slow rise in CORE voltage from zero, avoids an overcurrent

condition by slowly charging the discharged output

capacitors. This voltage rise is initiated by an internal DAC

that slowly raises the reference voltage to the error amplifier

input. The voltage rise is controlled by the oscillator

frequency and the DAC within the HIP6301, therefore, the

PWM 1

PWM 2

PWM 3

PWM 4

FIGURE 2. FOUR PHASE PWM OUTPUT AT 500kHz