Highly Integrated Synchronous Buck Power Module with TPSM63603 for Control Applications

Arshmah Shahkar

Before designing a PCB it is important to know that the design should be reliable. The reliability of the design means that it should be low-EMI(low damaging effects). This can be implemented by improving tracing, layout, and routing in design.

Key Takeaways:

  • Uses and benefits of TPSM63603 device
  • Why TPSM63603 is preferred?
  • How the board can be designed with TPSM63603?
  • Advantages of board design

Hardware Components:

1.Capacitor 4.7uFx2
2.Capacitor 1nFx1
3.Capacitor 47uFx2
4.Capacitor 1uFx1
5.Connector Header 10 positionx2
6.Header Single Row 3 Positionx1
7.Terminal Block Header 2 Positionx4
8.Resistor 26.7k ohmx1
9.Resistor 17.4k ohmx1
10.Resistor 13k ohmx1
11.Resistor 8.66k ohmx1
12.Resistor 0 ohmx1
13.Resistor 402k ohmx1
14.Resistor 20 ohmx1
15.Resistor 49.9k ohmx1
16.Resistor 10k ohmx1
17.Resistor 15k ohmx1
18.Resistor 8.06k ohmx1
19.Resistor 16.9k ohmx1
20.Resistor 24.9k ohmx1
21.Resistor 45.3k ohmx1
22.5012 Test pointx4
23.5010 Test pointx2
24.5011 Test pointx5
25.TPSM63603x1

Software Tools:

  • Inventhub
  • Altium Designer

Introduction:

The synchronous buck power module is a step-down regulator to protect the devices from damages. In this article, we will study the most efficient TPSM63603 buck power module. It is a DC-DC buck power module with input voltages of 3V to 36V and provides a peak efficiency of 93%. I have designed a TPSM63603 evaluation board using a TPSM63603 which will be used in devices like laptops, mobile phones, and brushless motors to charge and drive their batteries. It can be used to measure efficiency, faults, noise, and ripples in the devices.

Buck Power Module:

Before starting a discussion on TPSM63603, I will briefly discuss the role of a buck power module in control applications. The buck power modules are used to control power in specific applications like mobile phones, Laptops, computers, and Brushless motors. Due to the presence of these power modules, batteries never get overheated.

What is TPSM63603?

The TPSM63603 is an easy-to-use, synchronous buck, DC-DC power module that operates from a 3V to 36V supply voltage. The device is intended for step-down conversions from 5V, 12V, and 24V supply rails. With an integrated power controller, inductor, and MOSFETs, the TPSM63603 delivers up to 3A DC load current, with high efficiency and ultra-low input quiescent current, in a very small solution size. This device is specially designed for space-constrained applications. Moreover, it provides features for different functions like;

  1. Faulty protection
  2. Voltage monitoring at the output side
  3. For sequencing i.e. PGOOD indicator
  4. Frequency switching
  5. Integration of VCC
  6. Input capacitors for high density and reliability
  7. Hysteresis for adjustable Vin
  8. Spread spectrum for improved EMI
Chip IC TPSM63603

Existing Buck Power Modules:

  • LM2576 Buck Converter:

It is a low-cost step-down switching regulator which has an input voltage of 37V. It has two output voltage variants; one is fixed and the other is adjustable. With a 52kHZ switching frequency, it provides 90% efficiency. While TPSM63603 has an adjustable frequency from 200 kHz to 2.2 MHz using the RT pin or an external SYNC signal. It provides an external bias option for improved efficiency. This device as compared to LM2576 provides a low noise package.

  • A4490 Buck Converter:

This step-down regulator provides an input voltage of 4.5V to 34V. With the switching frequency of 550kHz, it is 90% efficient but its efficiency drops to 75% with a 1.5A constant load. While TPSM63603 provides an ultra-high efficiency at 12 VIN, 5 VOUT,1 MHz across the full range of load. That is why it is preferred to use.

TPSM63603 Evaluation Board:

Using TPSM63603, I have designed a TPSM63603 evaluation board. This board is designed to maximize thermal performance and minimize output ripple and noise in the circuit. Input and output capacitors are included to accommodate the entire range of input voltage and the selectable output voltages on the board. The board has some control test points that allow users to measure Efficiency, Power dissipation, Output, and Input ripple, Line and load regulation, and Transient response.

The TPSM63603 buck converter is a highly integrated 36V, 3A DC-DC solution that combines power MOSFETs, a shielded inductor, and passives. With an output voltage from 1 V to 16 V, the TPSM63603 is designed to quickly and easily implement a low-EMI(the unwanted and damaging effects of interference from environmental sources) design in a small PCB footprint.

TPSM63603 Evaluation Board

Design of TPSM63603 Board:

The design of the board consists of a major component that is the TPSM63603 device. The output pins of the TPSM63603 are connected to the capacitors of 47uF, with a resistor of 20ohm and a red test point for measurement. Input pins of the TPSM63603 are connected to the 4.7uF capacitors which are in parallel to each other. The VCC pin of the device is connected to the 1uF capacitor. An external SYNC signal pin RT is connected to the resistors to switch the frequency between 200kHz and 2.2MHz.

I have uploaded my schematic and PCB file online on Inventhub for the users and the manufacturers. They can view or download the files to implement my design.

Schematic diagram
PCB design

For fabrication, I have uploaded a release file of my project in a ZIP file format which contain all my design files. Instead of visiting the manufacturer, I can send him this release file and he can fabricate my board without any error.

Bill of Materials:

I have created a bill of materials which contains the details of my components. To embed components on the board, I can send this file in CSV format to my component provider. He can deliver the components easily as per design requirements. I can calculate the total cost of my project by clicking on ‘Supply Chain’. My total cost is $23.650 as per the choice of my supplier, manufacturer and availability of the component.

Scope and Testing:

The purpose of designing the TPSM63603 is to provide the feature of frequency synchronization, Enable, low-EMI design testing, Power Good(signal to indicate when the output voltage is within regulation), and protection from overcurrent in a device. This board is useful for different applications like;

  1. Testing performance of a device
  2. Measurement of efficiency
  3. For Defense purposes
  4. In Aerospace
  5. Factory Automation and control
  6. Buck power supplies
  7. Inverting buck-boost power supplies

Summary:

In conclusion, the TPSM63603 board is useful where the efficiency of the device really matters as it is highly efficient across the full range of loads it provides 93% peak efficiency at 1MHz frequency. It is an easy-to-use DC-DC power module with high density. It can deliver up to 3A current with high efficiency in a small-size solution. Basically, it is designed for simple solutions but this device offers flexibility to optimize its usage as per the required application.

Resources:

Feel free to ask any query at arshmah@inventhub.io

Related Posts