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Issues with voltage output using LT8708

Category: Hardware
Product Number: LT8708

Hi all!

So, I'm using LT8708 buck-boost controller with Bidirecctional Capability.
Currently, I'm using it in CCM mode, so I can inject voltage on Vin and then I will have Vout voltage out, or inject Vout voltage and I will have Vin voltage out automatically.

-Mode: 0V
-DIR:3.3V
-RVOFF: 3.3V
-Vshdn and VinChip are powered from an external source 12V, and not like in schematic.
-ExtVcc is also powered by the same 12V external.
-I'm using the 10uH coil SER2918H-103KL (2.2uH coil is disable)
-I'm using BSC050NE2LS mosfets
-Voltage dividers FBin and FBout are from external digital potentiometers.
-Vinhimon is connected to ground and Voutlomon is connect to 3.3V from LDO33 pin (both pins are disabled according to schematic pins).

I have 2 issues that I can't solve:

1-
I need to program Vin with 4V and Vout with 12V. As I'm in CCM mode, if I inject 12V on Vout, I will have 4V as output on Vin side. If I inject 4V on Vin, I will have 12V on Vout side.
I notice that I only have 12V on Vout side if I inject 4v or more on Vin side (table 6 from datasheet says that, VIN > VIN_VINHIMON and VOUT < VOUT_VOUTLOMON: Power Flows from VIN to VOUT).
If I inject 12V or less in Vout, I will have 4V on Vin as expected.
BUT if I inject more than 12V on Vout side, mosfets Q1 and Q3 will burn in a few seconds. Unfortunately I can't measure with an oscilloscope Q1 and Q3 as they will burn before measurement. Table 6 says should be "No Power Transfer", but a lot of current is being consumed untill Q1 and Q3 burn (VIN > VIN_VINHIMON and VOUT > VOUT_FBOUT) and Vin will have a random voltage.
What is going on with this issue? I notice that in another modes, I can have more than 12V and I will always have 4V on Vin side. But due to my project, I need to be in CCM mode.

2-
IMON_INN, IMON_INP, IMON_ON and IMON_OP are also being controlled by digital potentiometers, so I can limit the maximum current from one side and another. If I inject 12V in Vout and program digital potentiometers with 1A each pin 28Kohms (except IMON_INN with 0.5A) I will have 4V in Vin side. But if I increase IMON_INN with more than 0.7A, the Vin output will increase from 4V to 22V. I notice than Vc is with 1.1V. The voltage divider Fbin is programmed for a Vin output 4V. What is causing the Vin output voltage increasing randomly when changing IMON_INN resistor? (I only change resistors with LT8708 OFF).

I'm using and Arduino Mega to control digital potentiometers and MODE, RVSOFF and DIR pins. Also I have a relay to turn ON and OFF the LT8708 on VinChip and Vshdn pins.
First I program voltage dividers on both sides. Then I program current pins control and then MODE, DIR and RVSOFF pins. When everything is programmed, the relay turns ON.
Everything works fine if not in the conditions described. I also noticed that when I have 4V as output on Vin side (I'm powering Vout side with 12V), the current is limited to 320mA (even if I have IMON_INN limited to 0.5A for example). More than 320mA and Vin side will start to decrease as expected, but the current should be limiting at 0.5A and not at 0.32A. If I increase the current untill 0.7A, nothing changes, Vin will continue to have a maximum of 0.32A.

The voltage dividers from Fbin and Fbout I'm using AD5206 10k. For IMON pins I'm using AD5206 10k and AD5206 50k in series.

Best Regards!




change schematic for better resolution
[edited by: Rafao95 at 11:07 AM (GMT -5) on 6 Mar 2025]