FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
POWER DOWN MODES
The ML4873 operates in either a powered down mode or
a run mode according to the state of the ON/OFF pin
(Table 1). When the ON/OFF pin is high, the IC is in the
run mode and all IC sections are functioning. When the
ON/OFF pin is low, the IC is in the standby mode and
only the µPower 5V linear regulator and 2.5V reference
are on. All gate drive outputs are low. The 5V linear
regulator then provides the power to run the system’s
power management logic. When the BURST pin is high,
and the output is above the lower threshold of the burst
comparator, the IC is also in standby mode, but with the
burst comparator logic also running.
ML4873
BUCK REGULATORS
The two buck regulators (Figure 3) are synchronously
rectifying voltage mode PWM regulators capable of being
used over a wide variety of loads and input voltages. The
use of synchronous rectification improves system
efficiency by reducing the fixed drop associated with the
“freewheeling” diode in conventional regulators. These
regulators also drive all N-Channel power MOSFETs,
significantly improving system efficiency at a low cost.
In order to drive the MOSFET gates adequately, a VGT
supply must be provided which is higher than the battery
voltage by an amount sufficient to provide full
enhancement voltage to the MOSFETs. This can be
generated as shown in figure 2.
TABLE 1. ML4873 POWER DOWN MODES
Mode
On/Off Enable B
Burst
Function
Sleep
0
X
Suspend
1
X
Partial
1
0
Run
Run
1
1
X
5V Linear Reg Only
1
Buck Reg A in Burst Mode 5V Linear Reg on
0
Reg. B Disabled, All Other Functions
Running
0
All Functions Enabled
*Note This figure represents the total quiescent current for the Bust and
5V regulator. Actual current consumed will vary in proportion to load current.
Total Supply
Current
130µA
250µA*
8mA
10mA
5.5
1mA
5
10 mA
4.5
25 mA
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
4
5
6
7
8
9
VIN INPUT (V)
Figure 1. 5V Linear Regulator Output at low VIN
VGT
OUT1
B1
VIN
B2
OUT2
VIN
RS
0.1
1
VOUT
Figure 2. Generating VGT Bias Voltage
5