User's Guide
SNVU441B – October 2014 – Revised April 2015
LM5160A, LM5160 User’s Guide
1
Introduction
The Texas Instruments LM5160DNTBKEVM evaluation module (EVM) helps designers evaluate the
operation and performance of the LM5160A / LM5160 synchronous buck regulator IC in a synchronous
Buck configuration. It also includes the specification for the board, complete application schematic, bill of
materials (BOM), setup instructions, and typical performance curves.
2
Background
The LM5160DNTBKEVM evaluation board provides a fully functional buck regulator, employing the
constant on-time (COT) operating principle. This evaluation board provides a 5-V output over an input
voltage range of 10 V to 60 V. The circuit delivers load current up to 1.5 A. The application schematic is
setup up to operate from a 24 V nominal bus. The nominal switching frequency is approximately 300 kHz.
The LM5160 device name is used generically throughout this document and represents both the LM5160
and LM5160A unless stated otherwise. The only difference between the two is the ability to connect an
external voltage source to the VCC pin of the LM5160A. The board is designed to demonstrate a small
buck solution size for low power wide V
IN
applications.
Table 1. Board Specification
EVM
INPUT
V
OUT
I
OUT
LM5160DNTBKEVM
VIN=10V–60V
5V
0–1.5A
3
Setup
This section describes the connectors, the test points and the jumper on the EVM as well as how to
properly connect and use the LM5160DNTBKEVM with the LM5160, unless stated otherwise.
3.1
Input/Output Connector Description
J1 – Input
is the power input terminal for the converter. The terminal block provides an input V
IN
(+) and
ground (-) connection to allow the user to attach the EVM to a power supply.
J2 – Output
is the regulated output voltage for the converter. The terminal block provides a V
OUT
(+) and
ground (-) connection to allow the user to attach the EVM to a load.
TP1 – (EN)
allows the user to remotely shutdown/startup LM5160 while operating in the buck mode. EN
circuitry is not populated on EVM.
TP2 – (SW)
allows the user to connect a scope probe to observe the switch node of the converter.
JP1
–
Mode
pin allows the user to select between the forced CCM and the DCM operation.
3.2
Operation
For proper operation of the LM5160 Buck converter, the input voltage applied across J1 should be
gradually increased. The load on the output (J2) should not exceed 1.5 A. The inductor L1 utilized in this
board is optimized for small solution size. The saturation current rating (I
SAT
) of the inductor should be
higher than the LM5160 integrated high side FET peak current-limit threshold of 2.875 A (max.).
The nominal switching frequency can be set using the R
ON
(R3 in the EVM) resistor as shown by
:
4
LM5160A, LM5160 User’s Guide
SNVU441B – October 2014 – Revised April 2015
Copyright © 2014–2015, Texas Instruments Incorporated
