
POWER MANAGEMENT
Description
The SC2446 is a high-frequency dual synchronous step-
down switching power supply controller. It provides out-
of-phase high-current output gate drives to all N-chan-
nel MOSFET power stages. The SC2446 operates in syn-
chronous continuous-conduction mode. Both phases are
capable of maintaining regulation with sourcing or sink-
ing load currents, making the SC2446 suitable for gen-
erating both V
DDQ
and the tracking V
TT
for DDR applica-
tions.
The SC2446 employs fixed frequency peak current-mode
control for the ease of frequency compensation and fast
transient response.
The dual-phase step-down controllers of the SC2446 can
be configured to provide two individually controlled and
regulated outputs or a single output with shared current
in each phase. The Step-down controllers operate from an
input of at least 4.7V and are capable of regulating out-
puts as low as 0.5V
The step-down controllers in the SC2446 have the pro-
vision to sense a synthesized MOSFET R
for cur-
rent-mode control. This sensing scheme (U.S. patent
6,441,597) eliminates the need of the current-sense re-
sistor and is more noise-immune than direct sensing of
the high-side or the low-side MOSFET voltage. Precise cur-
rent-sensing with sense resistor is optional.
Individual soft-start and overload shutdown timer is in-
cluded in each step-down controller. The SC2446 imple-
ments hiccup overload protection. In two-phase single-
output configuration, the master timer controls the soft-
start and overload shutdown functions of both control-
lers.
1
U.S. Patent No. 6,441,597, www.semtech.com
SC2446
Dual-Phase Single or Two Output
Synchronous Step-Down Controllers
Revision: September 9, 2004
Features
2-Phase synchronous continuous conduction mode
for high efficiency step-down converters
Out of phase operation for low input current ripples
Output source and sink currents
Fixed frequency peak current-mode control
75mV/-110mV maximum current sense voltage
Synthesized MOSFET R
DS(ON)
current-sensing for
low-cost applications
Optional resistor current-sensing for precise current-
limit
Dual outputs or 2-phase single output operation
Excellent current sharing between individual phases
Wide input voltage range: 4.7V to 16V
Individual soft-start, overload shutdown and enable
Duty cycle up to 88%
0.5V feedback voltage for low-voltage outputs
External reference input for DDR applications
Buffered V
DDQ
/2 output
Programmable frequency up to 1 MHz per phase
External synchronization
Industrial temperature range
28-lead TSSOP - EDP package
Typical Application Circuit
R76
C102
RCS-
R78
VO1
C99
RFILTER
VIN
RCS+
SYNC
C101
R81
C106
C97
RCS-
C105
C92
U1
SC2446
REFOUT
PGND
GDH2
BST2
IN1-
VPN1
SYNC
CS1+
PVCC
COMP1
SS1/EN1
CS1-
SS2/EN2
COMP2
IN2-
REFIN
CS2-
CS2+
VPN2
VIN2
BST1
GDH1
GDL1
GDL2
REF
Rosc
AGND
AVCC
R80
D11
R77
RFILTER
C96
C103
R73
C100
CFILTER
C93
+
C95
R85
C104
R83
C109
R82
CFILTER
VIN
REF
Dual Independant Outputs
C94
R84
Q22
D12
R74
VIN
R75
L12
C108
Q23
C107
R79
Q21
+
C98
Q24
RCS+
VO2
L11
Applications
Telecommunication power supplies
DDR memory power supplies
Graphic power supplies
Servers and base stations
Figure 1