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TPSM64406: TPSM6440X Design Calculator Errors and Confusing User Interface

Mark Liebendorfer
Prodigy 80 points
Part Number: TPSM64406

Tool/software:

Background: 

I've downloaded the TPSM6440x Quickstart Tool REVB to my computer and unblocked it in the Windows Properties dialog.

Question 1:  The following look like leftovers and a broken link from copy-paste errors.  What functionality is the spreadsheet missing?

When opening the tool in Excel and enabling active content (bar at top), I get the following notice:

When I click on either "Continue" or  "Edit Links..." I get:

When I open the highlighted link source, I get:

A path on a TI computer or server perhaps?

Question 2 - The RESET VALUES button in "Step 9: External Loop Compensation Design" raises the following error dialogs.  I assume the button is intended to be a macro to reset the compensation component values to the recommended ones.  Is that the only functionality that's missing?:

Pressing the RESET VALUES button raises the following:

Clicking OK raises the following:

Question 3 - In "Step 3: Internal Buck Inductor" the DCR of the module's buck inductor is 68mΩ @25°C.  What is the source of that value?  I cannot find it in the data sheet.

Question 4 - Since the inductor is fixed, is Step 3 only useful for choosing switching frequency?   A couple of notes in Step 3 as well as recommended "Inductance for 35% Ripple Current..." make this section seem like a copy-paste from another calculator.

Question 5 - When performing a dual-output design, the module's loop compensation is internal (Step 8 compensation fields not available).  In Step 6, "Output Capacitors", Undershoot Transient and Crossover Frequency fields appear to do nothing, should they also be made unavailable? 

Question 6 - In In Dual Output mode, "Step 6, Output Capacitors", changing Cout and its ESR make changes to the Loop Response plot and, consequently, phase and gain margins.  Despite the apparently non-functional fields (in Question 5), is the Loop Response plot still valid?

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 24115 points

    Hi Mark,

    It looks like none of the images attached are able to load. Do you mind sending them again?

    Thank you,

    Joshua Austria

  • 0 in reply to Joshua Austria
    Prodigy 80 points

    I've downloaded the TPSM6440x Quickstart Tool REVB to my computer and unblocked it in the Windows Properties dialog.

    Question 1:  The following look like leftovers and a broken link from copy-paste errors.  What functionality is the spreadsheet missing?

    When opening the tool in Excel and enabling active content (bar at top), I get the following notice:

    When I click on either "Continue" or  "Edit Links..." I get:

    When I open the highlighted link source, I get:

    A path on a TI computer or server perhaps?

    Question 2 - The RESET VALUES button in "Step 9: External Loop Compensation Design" raises the following error dialogs.  I assume the button is intended to be a macro to reset the compensation component values to the recommended ones.  Is that the only functionality that's missing?:

    Pressing the RESET VALUES button raises the following:

    Clicking OK raises the following:

    Question 3 - In "Step 3: Internal Buck Inductor" the DCR of the module's buck inductor is 68mΩ @25°C.  What is the source of that value?  I cannot find it in the data sheet.

    Question 4 - Since the inductor is fixed, is Step 3 only useful for choosing switching frequency?   A couple of notes in Step 3 as well as recommended "Inductance for 35% Ripple Current..." make this section seem like a copy-paste from another calculator.

    Question 5 - When performing a dual-output design, the module's loop compensation is internal (Step 8 compensation fields not available).  In Step 6, "Output Capacitors", Undershoot Transient and Crossover Frequency fields appear to do nothing, should they also be made unavailable? 

    Question 6 - In In Dual Output mode, "Step 6, Output Capacitors", changing Cout and its ESR make changes to the Loop Response plot and, consequently, phase and gain margins.  Despite the apparently non-functional fields (in Question 5), is the Loop Response plot still valid?

  • 0 in reply to Mark Liebendorfer
    TI__Mastermind 24115 points

    Hi Mark,

    Thank you for resending that. I will do my best to answer your questions.

    Question 1: The links are links to old TI sites that are no longer accessible. Those links are not vital to the functionality of the calculator and can be ignored.

    Question 2: You are correct about that reset values button. It is just meant to reset the compensation values to the recommended ones as you stated. This can be done manually and the calculator should still function as intended.

    Question 3: The source of that value is internal and given for your convenience. This is a fixed value and cannot be changed.

    Question 4: Step 3 is given for your convenience as well. There are no required inputs for that section as the inductor is internal. That "Inductance for 35% ripple current" will change with your application conditions (VIN, VOUT, FSW, IOUT). While the inductance is not changeable, it is recommended to get the "Inductance for 35% ripple current" to match the 2.2 uH internal inductance value as close as possible to maximize efficiency. While this is not necessary for the part to work, it is a given spec to help the customer with designing their application with efficiency in mind.

    Question 5: The undershoot transient parameter will change the minimum derated output capacitance. This is the calculated value above the rated output capacitance. The desired crossover frequency parameter will modify the external loop compensation values (if available). Otherwise, if your device application does not recommend using external loop compensation (such as when using the device in a 1 phase configuration), it will change the minimum derated output capacitance value.

    Question 6: The Loop response plot and efficiency plots do not measure the application from the recommended values, but from the user's inputs when applicable. The idea is you input your application parameters into the calculator and your desired application characteristics. The calculator will give recommendations for minimum values to help you choose what values to use, for example, a "minimum derated output capacitance." However, you then need to put the actual output capacitance you are planning to use as well as what the derating factor you expect from your output capacitance under load. The calculator will then take that derated value (the derated output capacitance parameter) and use that when calculating the loop response. Therefore the loop response plot should be valid for your inputs to the calculator.

    Thank you,

    Joshua Austria