DC-DC|Application
Power Supply Sequence Specification②:Power Supply Sequence Specifications and Control Block Diagrams
2022.05.11
Points of this article
・The specifications of the power supply sequence ② are confirmed.
・A function block diagram to represent the specifications is created.
table of contents
From this article, we embark on an explanation of the power supply sequence circuit of a second example. Initially we confirm the power supply sequence specifications to be achieved, and study the circuit configuration using control blocks.
Power Supply Sequence Specification②
The power supply sequence specifications ② are, like ①, for sequencing of three power supply systems, but the sequences are different. The input and output voltage specifications, power supply configurations, and sequences are as follows.

The design for specification ② is based on three power supply ICs. As the power supply ICs, switching regulators (DC-DC converters) or linear regulators (LDOs) are assumed. The power supply ICs must have enable pins facilitating on/off control of the output.
Power is turned on in the order VOUT1, VOUT2, VOUT3; when VOUT1 is turned on and the voltage setting is reached, VOUT2 is turned on, and when the voltage setting is similarly reached, VOUT3 is turned on. Shutoff is performed similarly to turn-on in the order VOUT1, VOUT2, VOUT3, with sequencing such that when VOUT1 shutoff ends, VOUT2 is shut off, and then VOUT3 is shut off.
Control Block Diagram②
The control block diagram for implementing sequence specification ② is shown below.

For implementation of sequence specification ②, in addition to three power supply ICs, two Power Good functions, three Discharge functions, and pull-up resistors are required. The block diagram indicates the functions and operations in block form, but in the actual circuit, external components and the like are also required. Below, the various functions and roles are explained.
- ・DCDC 1, DCDC 2, and DCDC 3 are separate power supply ICs, the output of each of which is controlled via an enable (EN) pin.
- ・Power Good 1 and 2 monitor the DCDC output voltages during power turn-on, and upon reaching the target voltage, output a “High” (hereafter “H”) signal to the next DCDC to start up.
- ・Similarly during power shutoff, Power Good 1 and 2 monitor the DCDC output voltages, and when a voltage drops to the target voltage, output a “Low” (“L”) signal to the next DCDC to be shut off.
- ・The Discharge blocks cause the power supply sequencing to operate normally by rapidly discharging the electric charge that has been stored in the DCDC output capacitors at power shutoff to cause the output voltages to drop.
In this block diagram, the sections between EN and VOUT of DCDC blocks, between IN and PGOOD of Power Good blocks, and between IN and OUT of Discharge blocks, are designed using positive logic. That is, at “H” level, the DCDC blocks are in the enabled state, the Power Good blocks have arrived at their target voltages, and the Discharge block outputs are turned on. Also, the PGOOD pins (outputs) of the Power Good blocks and the OUT pins of the Discharge blocks are open-collector or open-drain type terminals.
DC-DC
Basic
- Operation During Shutdown of a Boost DC-DC Converter
- Linear Regulator Basics
-
Switching Regulator Basics
- Types of Switching Regulators
- Advantages vs Disadvantages in Comparison with Linear Regulator
- Supplement-Current Paths during Synchronous Rectifying Step-Down Converter Operation
- Operating Principles of Buck Switching Regulator
- Differences between Synchronous and Nonsynchronous Rectifying DC-DC Conversion
- Control Methods (Voltage Mode, Current Mode, Hysteresis Control)
- Efficiency Improvements at Light Load for the Synchronous Rectifying Type
- Protective and Sequencing Functions
- Considerations on Switching Frequencies
- Behavior when Vin Falls Below Vout
- Supplement-Protective Function: Output Pre-bias Protection
- Seven Representative Power Supply Circuits: From Low-noise to Boost Specs
- Concluding Remarks
- What is a DC/DC Converter?
Design
- Overview of Selection of Inductors and Capacitors for DC-DC Converters
-
Overview of DC-DC Converter PCB Layout
- Ringing at switching nodes
- Placement of input capacitors and output diodes
- Placement of Thermal Vias
- Placement of Inductors
- Placement of Output Capacitors
- Feedback Path Wiring
- Ground
- Resistance and Inductance of Copper Foil
- Noise countermeasures: corner wiring, conducted noise, radiated noise
- Noise countermeasures: snubber, bootstrap resistor, gate resistor
- Summary
-
PCB Layout of a Step-Up DC-DC Converter – Introduction
- The Importance of PCB Layout Design
- Current Paths in Step-up DC-DC Converters
- PCB Layout Procedure
- Placement of Input Capacitors
- Placement of Output Capacitors and Freewheel Diodes
- Inductor Placement
- Placement of Thermal Vias
- Feedback Path Wiring
- Ground
- Layout for Synchronous Rectification Designs
- Resistance and Inductance of Copper Foil
- Relationship Between Corner Wiring and Noise
- Summary
Evaluation
- Overview of Characteristics and Evaluation Method of Switching Regulators
- How to Read Power Supply IC Datasheets: Cover, Block Diagram, Absolute Maximum Ratings and Recommended Operating Conditions
- Evaluating a Switching Regulator: Output Voltage
-
Introduction
- Definitions and Heat Generation
- Losses in Synchronous Rectifying Step-Down Converters
- Conduction Losses in Synchronous Rectifying Step-Down Converters
- Switching Losses in Synchronous Rectifying Step-Down Converters
- Dead Time Losses in Synchronous Rectifying Step-Down Converters
- Controller IC Power Consumption Losses in a Synchronous Rectifying Step-Down Converter
- Gate Charge Losses in a Synchronous Rectifying Step-Down Converter
- Conduction Losses due to the Inductor DCR
- Example of Power Loss Calculation for a Power Supply IC
- Simplified Method of Loss Calculation
- Heat Calculation for Package Selection: Example 1
- Heat Calculation for Package Selection: Example 2
- Loss Factors
- Matters to Consider When Studying Miniaturization by Raising the Switching Frequency
- Important Matters when Studying High Input Voltage Applications
- Important Matters when Studying Large Output Currents Applications: Part 1
- Important Matters when Studying Large Output Currents Applications: Part 2
- Summary
Application
-
Important Points in the Design of a Power Supply Using a Linear Regulator
- Typical Application Circuit Examples of Linear Regulator ICs
- Input/output capacitor design and ripple prevention for linear regulator ICs
- How to determine efficiency and Thermal design for linear regulator ICs
- Protection of Linear Regulator IC Terminals
- Soft Starting of a Linear Regulator IC
- Overcurrent Protection(OCP) and Thermal Shutdown(TSD) of Linear Regulator IC
-
Important Points in the Design of a Power Supply Using a Floating Type Linear Regulator
- Example of Power Supply Circuit Based on a Floating Type Linear Regulator IC
- Input/output capacitor design and ripple prevention for linear regulator ICs
- How to determine efficiency and Thermal design for Floating Type Linear Regulator ICs
- Terminal protection for linear regulator ICs
- Startup characteristics for linear regulator ICs
- Failure to Start of a Power Supply Using a Linear Regulator, Case 1: Damage to the IC and Peripheral Components Due to Hand-Soldering
- About Parallel Connections of LDO Linear Regulators
-
Introduction
- Power Supply Sequence Specification ①: Power Supply Sequence Specifications and Control Block Diagrams
- Power Supply Sequence Specification①: Sequence Operation at Power Turn-on
- Power Supply Sequence Specification①: Sequence Operation at Power Shutoff
- Power Supply Sequence Specification①: Example of Actual Circuit and Component Value Calculations
- Power Supply Sequence Specification①: Example of Actual Operations
- Power Supply Sequence Specification②:Power Supply Sequence Specifications and Control Block Diagrams
- Power Supply Sequence Specification②:Sequence Operation at Power Turn-on
- Power Supply Sequence Specification②: Sequence Operation at Power Shutoff
- Power Supply Sequence Specification②: Example of Actual Circuit and Component Value Calculations
- Power Supply Sequence Specification②: Example of Actual Operations
- Circuits to Implement Power Supply Sequences Using General-Purpose Power Supply ICs ーSummaryー
- Easy Stabilization/Optimization Methods for Linear Regulators – Introduction
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