Output diode junction temperature should be main-
tained below 110oC, but may vary depending on
application and/or system guidelines. The diode
θ
JA
can be minimized with additional PCB area on
the cathode. PCB heat-sinking the anode may
degrade EMI performance. The reverse leakage
current of the rectifier must be considered to main-
tain low quiescent (input) current and high efficien-
cy under light load. The rectifier reverse current
increases dramatically at elevated temperatures.
Selecting the Boost Inductor
The AAT1231 and the AAT1231-1 controllers utilize
hysteretic control and the switching frequency
varies with output load and input voltage. The
value of the inductor determines the maximum
switching frequency of the boost converter.
Increased output inductance decreases the switch-
ing frequency, resulting in higher peak currents and
increased output voltage ripple. To maintain 2MHz
maximum switching frequency and stable opera-
tion, an output inductor sized from 1.5μH to 2.7μH
is recommended.
A better estimate of D
MAX
is possible once V
F
is
known.
Where V
F
is the Schottky diode forward voltage. If
not known, it can be estimated at 0.5V.
Manufacturer’s specifications list both the inductor
DC current rating, which is a thermal limitation, and
peak inductor current rating, which is determined
by the saturation characteristics. Measurements at
full load and high ambient temperature should be
completed to ensure that the inductor does not sat-
urate or exhibit excessive temperature rise.
The output inductor (L) is selected to avoid satura-
tion at minimum input voltage, maximum output load
conditions. Peak current may be estimated using
the following equation, assuming continuous con-
duction mode. Worst-case peak current occurs at
minimum input voltage (maximum duty cycle) and
maximum load. Switching frequency (F
S
) can be
estimated from the curves and assumes a 2.2μH
inductor.
At light load and low output voltage, the controller
reduces the operating frequency to maintain maxi-
mum operating efficiency. As a result, further
reduction in output load does not reduce the peak
current. Minimum peak current can be estimated
from 0.5A to 0.75A.
At high load and high output voltages, the switch-
ing frequency is somewhat diminished, resulting in
higher I
PEAK
. Bench measurements are recom-
mended to confirm actual I
PEAK
and ensure that the
inductor does not saturate at maximum LED cur-
rent and minimum input voltage.
The RMS current flowing through the boost induc-
tor is equal to the DC plus AC ripple components.
Under worst-case RMS conditions, the current
waveform is critically continuous. The resulting
RMS calculation yields worst-case inductor loss.
The RMS current value should be compared
against the manufacturer's temperature rise, or
thermal derating, guidelines.
I
OUT
(1 - D
MAX
)
D
MAX
·
V
IN(MIN)
(2
·
F
S
·
L)
I
PEAK
=
+
Output Current (mA)
S
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
V
IN
= 3.6V
V
OUT
= 10V
V
IN
= 3.6V
V
OUT
= 12V
V
IN
= 2.7V
V
OUT
= 12V
V
IN
= 2.7V
V
OUT
= 10V
V
IN
= 3.0V
V
OUT
= 10V
V
IN
= 3.0V
V
OUT
= 12V
Output Current (mA)
S
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
V
IN
= 2.7V
V
OUT
= 15V
V
IN
= 2.7V
V
OUT
= 18V
V
IN
= 3.0V
V
OUT
= 15V
V
IN
= 3.0V
V
OUT
= 18V
V
IN
= 3.6V
V
OUT
= 15V
V
IN
= 3.6V
V
OUT
= 18V
(V
OUT
+ V
F
- V
IN(MIN)
)
(V
OUT
+ V
F
)
D
MAX
=
AAT1231/1231-1
Step-Up DC/DC Converters for
White LED Backlight Applications
1231.2007.01.1.2
19