TPS7A16xx

OUT

GND

C

IN

IN

EN

V

IN

V

OUT

V

EN

R

PG

DELAY

C

DELAY

PG

C

OUT

V

PG

mC1

IO1

IO2

IO3

mC2

EN

VCC

12V

60V

t

V

IN

TPS7A16

www.ti.com

SBVS171A

– DECEMBER 2011 – REVISED DECEMBER 2011

APPLICATION INFORMATION

AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

The TPS7A16 family maximum input voltage of 60 V makes it ideal for use in automotive applications where

high-voltage transients are present.

Events such as load-dump overvoltage (where the battery is disconnected while the alternator is providing

current to a load) may cause voltage spikes from 25 V to 60 V. In order to prevent any damage to sensitive

circuitry, local transient voltage suppressors can be used to cap voltage spikes to lower, more manageable

voltages.

The TPS7A16 family can be used to simplify and lower costs in such cases. The TPS7A16 very high voltage

range allows this regulator to not only withstand the voltages coming out of these local transient voltage

suppressors, but even replace them, thus lowering system cost and complexity.

Figure 15. Low-Power Microcontroller Rail Sequencing in Automotive Applications Subjected to

Load-Dump Transients

MULTICELL BATTERY PACKS

Currently, battery packs can employ up to a dozen cells in series that, when fully charged, may have voltages of

up to 55 V. Internal circuitry in these battery packs is used to prevent overcurrent and overvoltage conditions that

may degrade battery life or even pose a safety risk; this internal circuitry is often managed by a low-power

microcontroller, such as TI

’s MSP430.

The microcontroller continuously monitors the battery itself, whether the battery is in use or not. Although this

microcontroller could be powered by an intermediate voltage taken from the multicell array, this approach

unbalances the battery pack itself, degrading its life or adding cost to implement more complex cell balancing

topologies.

The best approach to power this microcontroller is to regulate down the voltage from the entire array to discharge

every cell equally and prevent any balancing issues. This approach reduces system complexity and cost.

TPS7A16 is the ideal regulator for this application because it can handle very high voltages (from the entire

multicell array) and has very low quiescent current (to maximize battery life).

Copyright

© 2011, Texas Instruments Incorporated

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