PRERELEASE
LTM4600
14
4600p
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
WU
U
Thermal Considerations and Output Current Derating
The power loss curves in Figures 8 and 13 can be used
in coordination with the load current de-rating curves in
Figures 9 to 12 and Figures 14 to 15 for calculating an
approximate θJA for the module. Each of the load current
de-rating curves will lower the maximum load current
as a function of the increased ambient temperature to
keep the maximum junction temperature of the power
module at 100°C maximum. This 100°C maximum is to
allow for an increased rise of about 15°C to 20°C inside
the module. This will maintain the maximum operating
temperature to below 125°C. Each of the de-rating curves
and the power loss curve that corresponds to the correct
output voltage can be used to solve for the approximate
θJA of the condition. Each Figure has three curves that are
taken at three different air ow conditions. For example
in Figure 9, the 10A load current can be achieved up to
60°C ambient temperature with no air ow. If this 60°C
is subtracted from the maximum module temperature
of 100°C, then 40°C is the maximum temperature rise.
Now Figure 8 records the power loss for this 5V to 1.5V
at the 10A output. If we take the 40°C rise and divided it
by the 3 watts of loss, then we get an approximate θJA
of 13.5°C/W with no heatsink. If we take the next air ow
curve in Figure 9 at 200LFM of air ow, then the maximum
ambient temperature allowed at 10A load current is 65°C.
This calculates to a 35°C rise, and an approximate θJA of
11.6°C/W with no heatsink. In the next air ow curve at
400LFM in Figure 9, the maximum ambient temperature
allowed at 10A load current is 73°C. This calculates to
a 27°C rise, and an approximate θJA of 9°C/W with no
heatsink. Each of the de-rating curves in Figures 9 to
12 or Figures 14 to 15 can be used with the appropriate
power loss curve in either gure 8 or gure 13 to derive
an approximate θJA. Table 3 and 4 provide the approximate
θJA for Figures 9 to 12, and Figures 14 to 15. A complete
explanation of the thermal characteristics is provided in
the thermal application note for the LTM4600.
In the application where the light load efciency is im-
portant, tying the FCB pin above 0.6V threshold enables
discontinuous operation where the bottom MOSFET turns
off when inductor current reverses. Therefore, the conduc-
tion loss is minimized and light load efcient is improved.
The penalty is that the controller may skip cycle and the
output voltage ripple increases at light load.
Paralleling Operation with Load Sharing
Two or more LTM4600 modules can be paralleled to provide
higher than 10A output current. Figure 7 shows the neces-
sary interconnection between two paralleled modules. The
OPTI-LOOP current mode control ensures good current
sharing among modules to balance the thermal stress.
The new feedback equation for two or more LTM4600s
in parallel is:
VV
k
N
R
OUT
SET
=
+
06
100
.
where N is the number of LTM4600s in parallel.
Figure 7. Parallel Two Modules with Load Sharing
VIN
VOUT
VIN
VOUT
(20AMAX)
4600 F07
LTM4600
PGND
SGND
COMP VOSET
RSET
VIN
VOUT
LTM4600
PGND
SGND
COMP VOSET
OPTI-LOOP is a trademark of Linear Technology Corporation.