9.1.1.10.1 How Auto-Track™ Works

Auto-Track works by forcing the module output voltage to follow a voltage presented at the Track control pin ⁽¹⁾. This control range is limited to between 0 V and the module set-point voltage. Once the track-pin voltage is raised above the set-point voltage, the module output remains at its set-point ⁽²⁾. As an example, if the Track pin of a 2.5-V regulator is at 1 V, the regulated output is 1 V. If the voltage at the Track pin rises to 3 V, the regulated output does not go higher than 2.5 V.

When under Auto-Track control, the regulated output from the module follows the voltage at its Track pin on a volt-for-volt basis. By connecting the Track pin of a number of these modules together, the output voltages follow a common signal during power up and power down. The control signal can be an externally generated master ramp waveform, or the output voltage from another power supply circuit ⁽³⁾. For convenience, the Track input incorporates an internal RC-charge circuit. This operates off the module input voltage to produce a suitable rising waveform at power up.