LTpowerCAD II v2 1 Quick Start Guide

LTpowerCADTM II Design Tool
Introduction & Quick Start Guide
Rev. 2.1 01/2014
Design Tool Development Team

Power Products, Linear Technology Corp.
LTpowerCAD@Linear.com
Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved
What is the LTpowerCAD Design Tool Program ?

A Complete, Step-by-Step Power Supply Design Tool:
Step-by-Step Power Supply Design:
Enter specs,
Power Supply
search solution.
Schematic.
Efficiency & Power

Loss
Loop Stability
Design Summary
& Transient
& BOM
LTpowerCAD
LTspiceTM
LTpowerCADTM Design Tool Quick Start Guide
LTC Confidential
Simulation
How is LTpowerCAD Different from Ltspice ?

LTspice:
A powerful circuit simulation tool with integrated models for most LTC products.
LTpowerCAD Design Tool :

- A power supply design tool instead of simulation tool.
Searches for a solution / LTC part for given power supply spec.
Guides users to select power stage components.
Provides detailed power efficiency / loss analysis.
Provide quick loop bode plot stability and load transient analysis.
Supports selected power products.
Design file can be exported into LTspice simulation circuit.
TM
LTpowerCAD Design Tool Quick Start Guide

LTC
Confidential
How do I get the free LTpowerCAD II Program ?
1) Go to http://www.linear.com/LTpowerCAD
2) Download & install LTpowerCAD II on your Windows PC.
See the following pages for installation instructions.
TM

LTC
Confidential
LTpowerCAD II v2.1 Supported Parts

Over 200 DC/DC Power Products Supported !
Buck Converters :
Note: This list was generated on 01/29/2014. New parts could be added to the library after that. Click SyncRelease to update LTpowerCAD library & functions.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Start Guide Copyright
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTpowerCAD II v2.1 Supported Parts

Boost Converters :
Buck-Boost Converters :
Note: This list was generated on 01/29/2014. New parts could be added to the library after that. Click SyncRelease to update LTpowerCAD library & functions.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
I. Installation
LTpowerCAD II
Software Installation
TM

LTC
Confidential
System Minimum Requirements

The following system and software is required for LTpowerCAD II v2.1 TM
PC with Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later OS
Microsoft Office Excel 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010 or 2013
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, 4.0 or Higher

http://www.microsoft.com/net/download
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 Service Pack 2

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5783
Note :
The LTpowerCAD installer is made to automatically download and install these the Microsoft
.NET and SQL Server requirements to your system if your system does not already have
these installed. However, if for some reason they are not installed automatically, you need to
install them manually from Microsoft download sites.
Note:
Windows Vista or Windows 7, Windows 8 based PC has .NET Framework integrated.
Some Windows XP based PC may need additional installation of the .NET Framework, which can be freely downloaded at www.microsoft.com.
Many new computers may already have SQL Server Compact 3.5SP2 installed (check to make sure)
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
Minimum Requirements (contd)

Optional: check if .NET and SQL Server are installed:
Microsoft .NET 3.5, 4 or

higher is required
Required for accessing

part information
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
10
Installing LTpowerCAD II v2.1TM

1. Double Click Setup.exe to Start LTpowerCAD II v2.1TM Design Tool Setup Wizard
Note : Do not install by double clicking the NotForSetup.msi file as this will prevent the installer from checking to install and installing
any missing Microsoft requirements.
2. Click Next
3. Select Installation Folder and Click Next
4. Click Next to Confirm Installation and then Close to complete the Installation
Click Next
Select Folder
Click Next
Click Close
Click Next
5. Check the contents of the installation folder (see next slide)

Note : The installation will place shortcuts to the LTpowerCAD II v2.1
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
II. User Interface
Getting Start with LTpowerCAD II
TM

LTC
Confidential
11
Main Page
Search for a part based on supply spec. and requirements

Open an existing Excel-Based design file
Open an existing LTpowerCAD II design file
View help file
View LTC Sales Office contacts
Open LTC Toolbox
Update LTpowerCAD II program & program library
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
12
13
Search Page
Step 1. Enter power

supply spec. &
functions required
Step 2. Click Search (or hit

keyboard Enter key) after the
supply specs are entered to
find parts.
Note: If you know the

LT part number to use
you can also enter the
4 digit part # and click
go to locate the part
Step 3. Select a Part from

Search Results Table:
Click LTC Icon
(for LTpowerCAD II tool)
Or
Click Excel Icon
(for Excel-based tool)
Note : If the design tool icon is

gray, the design tool is currently
unavailable for that part
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
Design Tool Formats
Two possible design tool formats:
1. Non-Excel LTpowerCAD II
Design Tool:
If available, an active LTC button is
shown:
2. Excel-Based Design Tool:

If available, an active Excel button is
shown:
Note:
If the icon is in grey color, the
design tool is not yet available.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
14
Supply Design Procedure
15
Step-By-Step Supply Design Procedure using the LTpowerCADTM Design Tool

Main
program
Enter Supply Spec.
Search/select a part
Automatic spec transfer
Open the design tool
Libraries
Individual
Design Tool
Component libraries
Power stage design
Control loop optimization
Check load step

(if needed)
LTspice simulator
Export to and run LTspice
simulation file
View layout
example (OPT)
View Design Summary / Power

Stage BOM
15
16
Design Steps Example

(Non-Excel based LTpowerCAD design Tool)
TM

LTC
Confidential
Design Step 1 Power Stage Design

Blue Cell
Yellow Cell
Design Requirements & Part Limits
Orange Cell
Red Cell
: Suggested values or calculated parameters

: User entered values
: Soft warnings (parameter outside of recommended range)
: Hard warnings (parameter far outside of recommended range)
Select from different available

current sensing schemes
Complete Blue Cell entries to specify component values & desired design parameters.
Yellow cells values show calculated design parameters & component value suggestions
Red / orange cells show warnings for certain parameters to help guide design choices
TM

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved.
LTC
Confidential
LTpowerCAD II v2.1TM Design Tool Quick Start Guide
17
View Design Curves
Inductor current, Iout current limit, Input and Output Cap. RMS current curves
vs. Vin help in determining power stage component rating requirements.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
18
View Layout Example
PCB Top and Bottom Layer recommended layout example
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
19
Design Step 2 Select L and FET, Optimize Eff % & Power Loss
View data for each rail
(each rail has its own tab)
Click Update Plots to

refresh estimates for
component value changes.
Enter power stage component details & Test Conditions (enter manually or select from built-in library)
Estimated Efficiency & Power Loss Curves with

Data Point Cursors. Double-click to set axes
Preferences
Estimated Power Loss Breakdown
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
20
21
Power Component Library - MOSFETs

Click Select to open
MOSFET library.
Built in
library
User
generated
library
User can
add a new
part to the
user library
Popular vendor web links
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
22
Power Component Library - Inductors

Inductor library.
Built in
library
User
generated
library
User can
add a new
part to the
user library
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
Design Step 3 Optimize Loop Comp & Load Transient

View data for each rail
(each rail has its own tab)
Enter component details to

optimize loop & transient
performance
Loop Gain, Feedback Divider,

Output Impedance, Control to
Output, Compensator, Output
Impedance Plots.
Load Transient Estimation plots.

Double-click to set axes Preferences.
Import plot data from data file (ie Ridley AP300)

or Export data to data file or Excel.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
23
Power Component Library - Capacitors
24

Capacitor library.
Built in
library
User
generated
library
User can
add a new
part to the
user library
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
(Optional) Design Step 4 Export to LTspice for Simulation
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
25
Design Step 5 Design Summary
26
Summary of each
rails performance
parameters
Warning messages
note any undesired
parameters
Power stage
Component
Summary
Power stage
Components
Footprint Area
Estimation
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
Print Summary Report
Power stage
Components
Footprint Area
Estimation
Summary Report summarizes schematic, performances,

components, power stage solution size
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
27
Bench Verified Loop and Load Transient Model
The small signal model of every part in LTpowerCAD has

been verified against LTC standard demo board bench
results.
Voltage Loop Gain

Example Only
60
105
40
60
20
15
-30
-20
-75
-40
-120
0.1
1
Mag
mag_Exp
10
Frequency(KHz)
Phase
* Still, it remains the users responsibility to verify their

estimated performance against their own bench
prototypes performance.
150
100
P h a s e (d e g )
M a g n itu d e (d B )
80
28
Example Only
1000
Ph_Exp
29
Example of an Excel-Based design Tool
TM

LTC
Confidential
Step 1: Power Components Selection
30
In the design spreadsheet, power components design is guided with schematic interface:
Values in yellow cells are calculated / recommended
by design tool.
Values in blue cells are selected

/ entered by user.
30
Power Stage Performances
CIN RMS Current
RED fonts give warnings

of undesirable design values
31
Peak Inductor Current
Standard Vo setting resistor values
Real Vo value and ripples
31
Step 2: Control Loop Optimization
32
In the design spreadsheet, control loop design can be fine tuned:

Sliding bar for compensation adjustment.
Output Impedance
Loop gain
prediction
Load transient prediction
Additional Feature (1): Export to & Run LTspice Simulation
In the design spreadsheet, click the Export To LTspice button:
If the LTspice simulator is installed, it will be automatically opened:
Link to down load free LTSpice simulator:

http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/ltspice.jsp
33
Additional Feature (2): Summary of design: BOM, size, cost and stress 34
In the design spreadsheet, click the Summary sheet:
Power
components
summary
Stress analyses
34
LTpowerCAD II
Any feedback comments on the program or issues encountered are welcome!

Please forward your comments to the addresses below.
LTpowerCAD@Linear.com
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
35
Appendix
LTpowerCAD II v2.1TM
Installation
Troubleshooting
TM

LTC
Confidential
36
Appendix : Installation Troubleshooting

I. Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 ENU requirement :
1) Possible issue: Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 is requirement missing
LTpowerCAD II v2.1 requires Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 to access the internal parts database. If
this is not installed, the program may have issues accessing information for parts included in the program. An
example screenshot is shown below where this type of error has occurred. If this is confirmed to be installed on
your system, make sure it was installed correctly which may require a repair of the installation or new
installation of this requirement.
* Example shown above is on Windows XP
Important : Make sure you installed using setup.exe file (not the NotForSetup.msi file)
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
37
38
Possible issue solution:

Check the programs you have currently installed on your system to see if Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2
requirement is missing or not. The LTpowerCAD II v2.1 installer automatically checks if you have this requirement, if not it
will download and install it automatically. This can also be freely downloaded at Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/enus/download/details.aspx?id=5783 If this is confirmed to be installed on your system, make sure it was installed correctly
which may require a repair of the installation or new installation of this requirement.
Step 1) Check the list of programs you have currently installed on your system by
going to Start Menu Control Panel Uninstall a program
Step 2) If this is not installed, this can be downloaded from

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5783 . Please download
and install this package, then try to
un-install / re-install LTpowerCAD II v2.1.
** Note : The installer is made to automatically

download and install these software requirements
to your system if your system does not already
have these installed.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential

II. Microsoft Security Settings :
2) Possible issue: Microsoft Security Settings
Security default settings may prevent access of LTpowerCAD II v2.1 from its database causing an error
message to pop up when searching for a part (see below).
** Note : The installer is made to automatically set

up these folder settings. If for some reason you are
still getting a similar error please read through the
following slides to make sure.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC Confidential
39

Possible issue solution:
Run the program with an Administrator account , or try to modify your systems Users account security settings
for now (see below).
Step 1) Go to the LTC folder location: (ie C:\Program Files (x86)\LTC)
Step 3) Click on the Security tab. Click on your Administrators account and see
Step 2) Right click on the LTpowerCAD 2 program folder Properties
that the permissions should show Allow for all options (except for Special
permissions). The SYSTEM account should also have the same settings.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential
40
41
Possible issue solution (contd):
Step 4) Click on your Users account to see the user settings. Your user account
may not have the permissions set (like shown below) that are needed. You can
change these in the next step.
Step5) Click on the Edit button and click on your Users account again and click the
check boxes on the Allow column for Full control, Modify, Write. Click OK. The
settings should now be the same as you saw for the Administrators account.
LTpowerCADTM
Design
Tool Quick
Start Guide
2014
Linear
Technology.
All All
rights
reserved
TM Design
LTpowerCAD
II v2.1
Tool Quick
Copyright
2014
Linear
Technology.
rights
reserved.
LTC
Confidential

LTpowerCAD II v2 1 Quick Start Guide

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

LTpowerCAD II v2 1 Quick Start Guide

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

LTpowerCADTM II Design Tool

Introduction & Quick Start Guide

Rev. 2.1 01/2014

Design Tool Development Team

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved

What is the LTpowerCAD Design Tool Program ?

Step-by-Step Power Supply Design:

Efficiency & Power

How is LTpowerCAD Different from Ltspice ?

LTpowerCAD Design Tool :

LTpowerCAD Design Tool Quick Start Guide

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved

How do I get the free LTpowerCAD II Program ?

LTpowerCAD Design Tool Quick Start Guide

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved

LTpowerCAD II v2.1 Supported Parts

LTpowerCAD II v2.1 Supported Parts

LTpowerCAD Design Tool Quick Start Guide

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved

System Minimum Requirements

PC with Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later OS

Microsoft Office Excel 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010 or 2013

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, 4.0 or Higher

Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 Service Pack 2

Minimum Requirements (contd)

Microsoft .NET 3.5, 4 or

Required for accessing

Installing LTpowerCAD II v2.1TM

5. Check the contents of the installation folder (see next slide)

II. User Interface

Getting Start with LTpowerCAD II

LTpowerCAD Design Tool Quick Start Guide

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved

Search for a part based on supply spec. and requirements

Step 1. Enter power

Step 2. Click Search (or hit

Note: If you know the

Step 3. Select a Part from

Note : If the design tool icon is

Design Tool Formats

Two possible design tool formats:

2. Excel-Based Design Tool:

Supply Design Procedure

Step-By-Step Supply Design Procedure using the LTpowerCADTM Design Tool

Enter Supply Spec.

Open the design tool

Power stage design

Control loop optimization

Check load step

LTpowerCADTM Design Tool Quick Start Guide

View Design Summary / Power

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved

Design Steps Example

LTpowerCAD Design Tool Quick Start Guide

Copyright 2014 Linear Technology. All rights reserved

Design Step 1 Power Stage Design

Design Requirements & Part Limits

: Suggested values or calculated parameters

Select from different available

LTpowerCAD Design Tool Quick Start Guide

View Design Curves

View Layout Example

PCB Top and Bottom Layer recommended layout example

Click Update Plots to