SBVA093 December   2022 LP2992 , TPS786 , TPS7A30 , TPS7A3001-EP , TPS7A33 , TPS7A39 , TPS7A4501-SP , TPS7A47 , TPS7A47-Q1 , TPS7A4701-EP , TPS7A49 , TPS7A52 , TPS7A52-Q1 , TPS7A53 , TPS7A53-Q1 , TPS7A53A-Q1 , TPS7A53B , TPS7A54 , TPS7A54-Q1 , TPS7A57 , TPS7A7100 , TPS7A7200 , TPS7A7300 , TPS7A80 , TPS7A8300 , TPS7A83A , TPS7A84 , TPS7A84A , TPS7A85 , TPS7A85A , TPS7A87 , TPS7A89 , TPS7A90 , TPS7A91 , TPS7A92 , TPS7A94 , TPS7A96 , TPS7B7702-Q1 , TPS7H1111-SEP , TPS7H1111-SP , TPS7H1210-SEP

 

  1.   Abstract
  2.   Trademarks
  3. 1Introduction
  4. 2Comprehensive Review of Error in LDO's
    1. 2.1 Commentary on Real World Error Voltage (VE) in Single LDO's
      1. 2.1.1 VREF Pin
      2. 2.1.2 VFB Pin
  5. 3Current Sharing and Load Voltage Analysis for n Parallel LDO's
    1. 3.1 Commentary on Parallel LDO's in Real World Applications
  6. 4Ballast Resistor Design and Analysis
    1. 4.1 Selecting the Ballast Resistor Value
    2. 4.2 PCB Ballast Resistor Design vs. Discrete Ballast Resistance
  7. 5Impacts and Opportunities of PCB Parasitic Impedance
  8. 6Design Examples
    1. 6.1 TPS7A57
    2. 6.2 TPS7A47xx
  9. 7Conclusion
  10. 8References

TPS7A47xx

Three parallel TPS7A47 LDO's were configured for 12 VDC output voltage, supplying a combined 2.5 A load current, with a 60 mV maximum increase in load regulation (Figure 6-3). The TPS7A47 reference voltage is generated using a precision voltage source and is buffered with an internal unity gain amplifier see reference [3]. Thus, from Section 3.1 we tie the individual reference voltage pins together to reduce the current sharing imbalance among the three LDO's. The remaining error voltage is a function of the line regulation, load regulation and offset voltage variation. For the TPS7A47, the offset voltage across line and load is ± 4 mV worst case. We will set VE = ± 4 mV in the analysis and from see reference [6], RB = 61 mΩ. From Section 3, the highest load current for one LDO is when VE is positive for one and negative for the rest. From Equation 10 we conclude IOUT1 = 928 mA and IOUT2 = IOUT3 = 797 mA. We can determine the lowest load for an LDO by assuming one LDO has -VE while the others have +VE. From Equation 10 we conclude IOUT1 = 753.5 mA and IOUT2 = IOUT3 = 885 mA.

GUID-20221117-SS0I-VVCP-DLZ2-5CV8JVCZRZ65-low.png Figure 6-3 3 Parallel TPS7A47 LDO's. Input Supplies and 2.5 A Load not Shown.

The parallel LDO’s were implemented using EVM's and a post route simulation of the EVM identified 8.6 mΩ in the forward and return paths. Thus a 50 mΩ discrete ballast resistor was used for each LDO. Each output voltage was measured at VIN = 15 V prior to connecting the EVM's together. Milliohm measurements were made of each ballast resistor (R4, R5 and R6) and the wire used to connect each EVM together (R7, R8 and R9), and these values were included in the spice simulation (Figure 6-4). Measurements versus simulation data in this configuration show strong correlation (Table 6-2).

GUID-20221117-SS0I-BKNR-2VXK-ZQG0WGFWZMVJ-low.png Figure 6-4 Spice Simulation of the Parallel TPS7A47 LDOs.
Table 6-2 Parallel TPS7A47xx LDO Design Simulation vs. Measured Current
+/- 1 sigma Analysis, RB = 61 mΩ +/- 6 sigma Analysis, RB = 61 mΩ Spice Simulation Measurement Spice Simulation vs Measurement Error
IOUT1 856 mA / 826 mA 928 mA / 753.5 mA 835 mA 835 mA 0%
IOUT2 856 mA / 826 mA 928 mA / 753.5 mA 855 mA 853 mA 0.23%
IOUT3 856 mA / 826 mA 928 mA / 753.5 mA 833 mA 835 mA 0.25%