The buck-boost regulator is made with two different topologies buck & boost. So buck regulator topology gives an output voltage with a lower magnitude than the input voltage. A boost regulator topology gives an output voltage with a higher magnitude than the input voltage. So a buck-boost regulator is a type of DC-DC converter that can generate an output voltage that is either lower or higher than the input voltage. Thus it makes a versatile power conversion topology used for different applications in power electronics wherever the regulation of input and output voltage supplies may differ. This article elaborates on one of the types of buck-boost regulator IC like XL6009 IC, pinout, features, and its applications.
What is XL6009 IC?
The XL6009 IC is a high-performance Buck-Boost switching regulator that drives a 4A load with outstanding load and line regulation. This regulator uses an input voltage and generates a regulated output voltage. So this voltage could be lower or higher as compared to the input voltage. The XL6009 regulator is a current mode, wide input range, and DC/DC converter and is capable of producing either positive (or) negative o/p voltages. So it can be connected as a flyback, boost, inverting, and SEPIC converter.
The XL6009 IC is built with an N-channel power MOSFET, fixed frequency oscillator, and current-mode architecture which gives a secure operation over a wide supply range & output voltages. So this regulator’s special design will make it to use in portable electronic device applications.
XL6009 IC Working
The XL6009 DC/DC converter IC works by increasing the input voltage to a high output voltage. This IC utilizes a coil to change the energy from magnetic to electrical which raises the voltage within the circuit. So the XL6009 generates either positive (or) negative output voltages. The XL6009 utilizes a MOSFET to rapidly open & close the circuit. Thus, the fixed frequency oscillator of XL6009 generates interruptions within the MOSFET.
This regulator operates stably over a wide range of voltage supply & output voltages. This regulator’s features allow it to have a high conversion efficiency of up to 94%, so there is nearly no energy loss while using it. Thus, the XL6009 IC has an adjustable potentiometer that controls the output voltage.
XL6009 IC Pin Configuration:
The pin configuration of the XL6009 IC is shown below. Thus this regulator IC includes five pins which are discussed below.
XL6009 IC Pin Configuration
- Pin-1 (GND): It is a ground pin which connected to the system’s GND.
- Pin-2 (Enable Pin): To turn ON the device, this pin must be high and to turn off the device, it must be low.
- Pin-3 (Switch): It is a switched o/p voltage pin.
- Pin-4 (Input Voltage): It is an input voltage pin that ranges from 3.6 volts to 36 volts.
- Pin-5 (Feedback): It is a feedback voltage given for output regulation throughout the resistor divider.
Features & Specifications:
The features and specifications of XL6009 IC include the following.
- XL6009 IC is a DC-to-DC converter IC.
- It is available in the To-263 package.
- Its mounting style is through the hole.
- It provides buck & boost operation.
- Its output voltage can be either positive or negative.
- The maximum output voltage of this converter is 42V.
- Input voltage ranges from 3.6V to 36V
- Its maximum output current is 5A.
- The switching frequency is 400 KHz.
- Its in-built 4A MOSFET switch allows up to 94% efficiency.
- SW pin has in-built over-voltage protection.
- It has excellent load and line regulation.
- EN pin has TTL shutdown ability.
- It is built with frequency compensation, soft-start function, thermal shutdown function, and current limit function.
- Shutdown current supply ranges from 70 to 100 uA
- The quiescent current supply is 2.5 to 5 mA
- The input leakage current of EN Pin ranges from 3 to 10 uA.
- Its duty cycle is 90%
- The feedback voltage is 1.25V
- Its operating junction temperature ranges from -40 to 125°C
- ESD (HBM) is above 2000 V
Equivalent & Alternatives:
Equivalent XL6009ICs are; MT3608, XL6019, LT1070, etc. So its alternative switching regulators are; LM2596, MC34063, TPS5430, etc.
XL6009 Boost Converter Module Components
The DC-DC step-up XL6009 boost converter module includes different components which include the following.
- XL6009 IC: This is the main boost converter IC in this module.
- Inductor: It connects the SW pin of the IC and the remaining parts of the circuit.
- Resistors: These components set the feedback voltage (or) current sensing levels.
- Capacitors: These components help in filtering and stabilizing the power supply circuit.
- Potentiometer: It adjusts the preferred output voltage
- Diode: It is used for reverse protection.
- Input & output terminals: These terminals are connected to the circuit.
The XL6009 DC-DC step-up module provides 4Amps of rated current from an input voltage of 3V to 32V. Thus this module has a potentiometer that adjusts the output voltage based on the requirements of the user. This module needs a heat sink if the output power rating is above 15 watts.
So this module can also provide < 94% high conversion efficiency with a 0.5% load regulation that can be an outstanding choice for audio electronics-based products. Thus, higher conversion efficiency allows battery-operated applications. Here users can regulate the potentiometer to acquire the output voltage that ranges from 5Volts to 35Volts. However, the high input voltage provides high load current abilities.
XL6009 Boost Converter Circuit
XL6009 is a buck-boost switching regulator that provides negative output voltages apart from providing lesser or higher output voltage as compared to the input voltage. Generally, the regulator works both in DC/DC converter mode and current mode which can be connected to work as Buck, Boost, Buck-Boost, SEPIC, Flyback, or even as an inverting converter. So An XL6009 IC as a boost converter circuit is shown below.
The required components to make XL6009 IC as boost converter mainly include; XL6009 IC, resistors 1K, 13.8K, 33uh/4A inductor, 1N5824 diode, capacitors like 105, 220uF/50V and 47uF/50V. So connect this circuit as per the diagram shown below.
XL6009 Boost Converter Circuit
Working
The input voltage provided to pins 4 & 1 is connected to GND which needs to be regulated. So the enable pin of this IC is used to turn on or off the device. Here, the Enable pin by default can be considered as high if left floating. So an Inductor is connected between pins 3 & 4 which work as an energy storage device. So the switched output voltage can be attained from pin-3.
The output voltage’s feedback can be given to the regulator chip through a potential divider to pin-5. So the PWM duty cycle based on this feedback voltage value for the N-Channel MOSFET can be adjusted to control the o/p voltage. Thus the output voltage value mainly depends on the resistor’s value and can be specified by the given formula.
Vout = 1.25 * (1+(R2/R1))
Advantages & Disadvantages
The advantages of XL6009 IC include the following.
- XL6009 IC provides adjustable o/p voltage.
- It is designed to increase power conversion efficiency.
- It handles a wide range of i/p voltages which makes it suitable to use with a variety of power sources.
- Its small size & light weight will make it a good choice for limited-space applications.
- This IC has an in-built current protection to maintain the module & its components secure.
- It operates stably over a wide supply range & output voltages.
- It maintains a fixed o/p voltage even when the input voltage is below or above the necessary output voltage.
- Its surface area is large.
- The XL6009 IC is made with high-quality components.
- It provides higher performance at low cost.
- It handles a wide input voltage range, so it is suitable for a variety of power sources.
- This IC automatically boosts or bucks to maintain a stable output voltage when the input voltage is lower or higher.
The disadvantages of XL6009 IC include the following.
- The conversion efficiency is < 94% & it will reduce when the current increases.
- The output ripple is 50 mV which increases when the voltage & current increase.
- The current specification of this IC is not accurate completely, thus it can be overloaded.
- Stresses that go beyond the maximum ratings can harm the device permanently.
Applications
The applications of XL6009 IC include the following.
- XL6009 IC is used in different circuits like a buck converter, boost converter, and buck-boost converter.
- It is used in small RPS circuits, variable voltage generators, battery-operated applications, etc.
- It is used in car adapters for EPCs and notebooks.
- This IC is used in automotive and industrial converters.
- It is used to power portable electronics.
- It is used for PC processor supplies, multimedia, and high-efficiency linear power supplies.
- This IC is used for SMPS post regulators, low-voltage microcontrollers, StrongARM™ processor supplies, etc.
Please refer to this link for the XL6009 IC Datasheet.
Thus, this is an overview of XL6009 IC, pin configuration, features, specifications, circuit, working, pros, cons, and applications. The XL6009 IC is a DC-DC converter that steps up input voltages to high output voltages. So this chip is mainly designed for use in portable electronic equipment, battery-powered systems, etc. Thus, here is a question for you, what is LT1070 IC?