8.4.12 API/Body Brake

is a true fixed frequency converter. The major limitation for any fixed frequency converter is that during transient load step up, the converter needs to wait for the next clock cycle to response to the load change, depending on loop bandwidth design and the timing of load transient, this delay time could cause additional output voltage drop. implements a special circuitry to improve transient performance. During load step up, the converter senses both the speed and the amplitude of the output voltage change, if the output voltage change is fast and big enough, the converter will issue an additional PWM pulse before the next available clock cycle to stop output voltage from further dropping, thus reducing the undershoot voltage.

During load step-down, implements a body-brake function, that turns off both high-side and lowside FET, and allows power to dissipate through the low-side body diode, reducing overshoot. This approach is very effective while having some impact on efficiency during transient. See Figure 21 and Figure 22.

Figure 21. Undershoot Comparison with API ON/OFF

Figure 22. Overshoot Comparison with Body Brake ON/OFF