9.1 Overview

The TPS6215xA-Q1 synchronous switched mode power converters are based on DCS-Control™ (Direct Control with Seamless Transition into Power Save Mode), an advanced regulation topology, that combines the advantages of hysteretic, voltage mode and current mode control including an AC loop directly associated to the output voltage. This control loop takes information about output voltage changes and feeds it directly to a fast comparator stage. It sets the switching frequency, which is constant for steady state operating conditions, and provides immediate response to dynamic load changes. To get accurate DC load regulation, a voltage feedback loop is used. The internally compensated regulation network achieves fast and stable operation with small external components and low ESR capacitors.

The DCS-Control™ topology supports PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) mode for medium and heavy load conditions and a Power Save Mode at light loads. During PWM, it operates at its nominal switching frequency in continuous conduction mode. This frequency is typically about 2.5MHz or 1.25MHz with a controlled frequency variation depending on the input voltage. If the load current decreases, the converter enters Power Save Mode to sustain high efficiency down to very light loads. In Power Save Mode the switching frequency decreases linearly with the load current. Since DCS-Control™ supports both operation modes within one single building block, the transition from PWM to Power Save Mode is seamless without effects on the output voltage.