
Application Notes
For technical support and further information visit http://power.ti.com
PTH/PTV Series of Wide-Output Adjust
Power Modules (3.3/5-V Input)
Features of the PTH Family of Non-Isolated
Wide Output Adjust Power Modules
POLA
Compatibility
The PTH/PTV family of non-isolated, wide-output adjust
power modules from Texas Instruments are optimized
for applications that require a flexible, high performance
module that is small in size. Each of these products are
POLA compatible. POLA-compatible products are
produced by a number of manufacturers, and offer cus-
tomers advanced, non-isolated modules with the same
footprint and form factor. POLA parts are also asssured
to be interoperable, thereby providing customers with true
second- source availability.
Many of the POLA-compatible parts include a feature
called Auto-Track. Auto-Track was specifically designed
to simplify the task of sequencing the supply voltages in
a power system. This and other features are described in
the following sections.
Soft-Start Power Up
The Auto-Track feature allows the power-up of multiple
modules to be directly controlled from their Track pin.
However in a stand-alone configuration, or when the
Auto-Track feature is not being used, the Track pin should
be directly connected to the input voltage, V
in (see Fig-
ure 3-1).
Figure 3–1
5 V
CI
1,000 F
+
CO
330 F
+
GND
3.3 V
RSET, 698
0.05 W, 1 %
PTH05020W
7
10
4
5
6
2
3
98
Track
VI
VO
GND
Inhibit
1
Up
Dn
Sense
Adjust
When the Track pin is connected to the input voltage the
Auto-Track function is permanently disengaged. This
allows the module to power up entirely under the control
of its internal soft-start circuitry. When power up is under
soft-start control, the output voltage rises to the set-point
at a quicker and more linear rate.
From the moment a valid input voltage is applied, the
soft-start control introduces a short time delay (typically
5 ms-10 ms) before allowing the output voltage to rise.
Vin (1 V/Div)
Vout (1 V/Div)
Iin (5 A/Div)
HORIZ SCALE: 5 ms/Div
Figure 3–2
The output then progressively rises to the module’s set-
point voltage. Figure 3-2 shows the soft-start power-up
characteristic of the 22-A output product (PTH05020W),
operating from a 5-V input bus and configured for a 3.3-V
output. The waveforms were measured with a 5-A resistive
load, with Auto-Track disabled. The initial rise in input
current when the input voltage first starts to rise is the
charge current drawn by the input capacitors. Power-up
is complete within 15 ms.
Over-Current Protection
For protection against load faults, all modules incorporate
output over-current protection. Applying a load that
exceeds the regulator’s over-current threshold will cause
the regulated output to shut down. Following shutdown
a module will periodically attempt to recover by initiating
a soft-start power-up. This is described as a “hiccup” mode
of operation, whereby the module continues in a cycle of
successive shutdown and power up until the load fault is
removed. During this period, the average current flowing
into the fault is significantly reduced. Once the fault is
removed, the module automatically recovers and returns
to normal operation.
Over-Temperature Protection
Products with a high output current capability (>20 A),
incorporate over-temperature protection. This feature is
provided by an on-board temperature sensor that protects
the module’s internal circuitry against excessively high
temperatures. A rise in the internal temperature may
be the result of a drop in airflow, or a high ambient
temperature. If the internal temperature exceeds the OTP
threshold, the module’s Inhibit control is automatically
pulled low. This turns the output off. The output voltage
will drop as the external output capacitors are discharged
by the load circuit. The recovery is automatic, and be-