The LT3463 uses a constant off-time control scheme to
provide high efficiency over a wide range of output current.
Operation can be best understood by referring to the
block diagram in Figure 1. When the voltage at the FB1 pin
is slightly above 1.25V, comparator A1 disables most of
the internal circuitry. Output current is then provided by
capacitor C2, which slowly discharges until the voltage at
the FB1 pin goes below the hysteresis point of A1 (typical
hysteresis at the FB1 pin is 8mV). A1 then enables the
internal circuitry, turns on power switch Q1, and the
current in inductor L1 begins ramping up. Once the switch
current reaches 250mA, comparator A2 resets the oneshot,
which turns off Q1 for 300ns. Q1 turns on again and
the inductor currents ramp back up to 250mA, then A2
again resets the one-shot. This switching action continues
until the output voltage is charged up (until the FB1 pin
reaches 1.25V), then A1 turns off the internal circuitry and
the cycle repeats. The second switching regulator is an
inverting converter (which generates a negative output)
but the basic operation is the same.