The LM5146 provides a diode emulation feature that can be enabled to prevent reverse (drain-to-source) current flow in the low-side MOSFET. When configured for diode emulation, the low-side MOSFET is switched off when reverse current flow is detected by sensing of the SW voltage using a zero-cross comparator. The benefit of this configuration is lower power loss at no-load and light-load conditions, the disadvantage being slower light-load transient response.

The diode emulation feature is configured with the SYNCIN pin. To enable diode emulation and thus achieve discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operation at light loads, connect the SYNCIN pin to AGND or leave SYNCIN floating. If forced PWM (FPWM) continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation is desired, tie SYNCIN to VCC either directly or using a pullup resistor. Note that diode emulation mode is automatically engaged to prevent reverse current flow during a prebias start-up. A gradual change from DCM to CCM operation provides monotonic start-up performance.