MICREL MIC3833BWM

MIC3832/3833
Micrel
MIC3832/3833
Current-Fed PWM Controllers
Not Recommended for New Designs
General Description
Features
The MIC3832 and MIC3833 are unique PWM controllers
designed for current-fed, multiple-output or push-pull,
switched-mode power supply applications.
The MIC3832/3 features UVLO (undervoltage lockout) with
hysteresis, soft start with a programmable time constant,
cycle-by-cycle current limiting, a PWM latch to prevent multiple outputs due to noise or ringing, and front-edge blanking.
Current-fed topologies eliminate core saturation problems
caused by shoot through (cross conduction) of push-pull
circuits and reduce stress on the switching transistors.
The MIC3832/3 has one PWM stage capable of operating up
to 500kHz and two output stages, Q and Q, that operate at
one-half of the system frequency at a fixed 50% duty cycle.
The MIC3832 UVLO circuit permits startup when the supply
is above 15.9V and forces shutdown when the supply drops
below 9.8V. The MIC3833 starts up above 8.3V and shuts
down below 7.8V. An internal 22V zener diode provides low
power overvoltage protection.
The three output stages are totem-pole drivers capable of 1A
peak current to external power MOSFETs, BJTs, or IGBTs.
The Q and Q outputs have an intentional 50ns overlap (no
dead time).
• 15.9V startup, up to 21V operation (MIC3832)
8.3V startup, up to 21V operation (MIC3833)
• 9.8V undervoltage lockout (MIC3832)
7.8V undervoltage lockout (MIC3833)
• 0.5mA maximum startup current (40µA typical)
• 17mA typical operating current
• 50ns maximum rise and fall times
• 30kHz to 500kHz RC oscillator
• Voltage or current-mode control
• Cycle-by-cycle current limit
• Soft start function
• 5V 2% reference sources 20mA
• Totem-pole output drive stages
1A peak output drive current
• 22V zener clamp on supply pin
• PWM latch eliminates false outputs from noise or ringing
• Adjustable maximum duty-cycle limit
• 5MHz bandwidth error amplifier
Applications
• High-power, multiple-output, switched-mode
power supplies and dc-to-dc Converters
• Current-fed, push-pull, switched-mode
power supplies or dc-to-dc converters
• Isolated high-voltage supplies
Ordering Information
Pin Configuration
1 GND
Q 16
2 PWM
CT 15
3 Q
RT 14
4 VDD
5 5V REF
Temperature Range
Package
MIC3832BN
–40°C to +85°C
16-pin Plastic DIP
MIC3832BWM
–40°C to +85°C
16-pin Wide SOIC
MIC3833BN
–40°C to +85°C
16-pin Plastic DIP
MIC3833BWM
–40°C to +85°C
16-pin Wide SOIC
SYNC 13
CMR 12
6 EA –
MDC/SS 11
7 EA +
SHDN 10
8 EA OUT
Part Number
NC 9
DIP (N) or Wide SOIC (WM)
April 1998
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MIC3832/3833
Micrel
Pin Description
Pin Number
Pin Name
Pin Function
1
GND
Ground: Use as single-point ground tie point.
2
PWM
PWM Output: Variable duty-cycle totem pole output.
3
Q
4
VDD
5
5V REF
6
EA –
Inverting Error Amplifier Input
7
EA +
Noninverting Error Amplifier Input
8
EA OUT
9
NC
10
SHDN
11
MDC/SS
12
CMR
Current Mode Ramp: Feed point for a sample of inductor current when using
current mode control. For voltage-mode control, connect directly to the CT
pin.
13
SYNC
Synchronization (Input): AC coupled input from an external master clock
(reference) signal. If not used, leave unconnected. A high (>1.5V) resets the
CT ramp.
14
RT
Oscillator Timing Resistor: Connect 4kΩ minimum resistor to GND.
15
CT
Oscillator Timing Capacitor: Connect capacitor to GND. See “Typical
Characteristics: Discharge Time” graph for capacitor value.
Switch (Output): Totem pole output. Noninverting 50% duty cycle output
(180° out-of-phase with Q with no dead time).
Supply Voltage (Input): Clamped to 22V by internal zener diode.
5V Bandgap Reference (Output)
Error Amplifier Output: Connect to the appropriate feedback network to
adjust the open loop gain or frequency response.
No Connection: Do not use—leave open.
Overcurrent Shutdown (Input): >1 V disables outputs, >1.25V initiates softstart restart. For cycle-by-cycle current limiting, even in voltage-mode control
applications, connect to current sensor. If current sense is not used, connect
to GND.
Maximum Duty Cycle/Soft Start (Input): Apply a dc voltage to adjust maximum duty cycle (see chart). Adjust soft start by adding capacitance to
increase turn-on time during initial start up or restart after overcurrent
shutdown.
Maximum oscillator frequency =
16
Q
1
2 × (discharge time)
Switch (Output): Totem pole output. Inverting 50% duty cycle output (180°
out-of-phase with Q with no deadtime).
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Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
Operating Ratings
Supply Voltage, VDD (continuous) ................................. 22V
Source/Sink Load Current (peak) .................................... 1A
Maximum Supply (Zener) Current .............................. 50mA
Junction Temperature ............................................... 150°C
Lead Temperature, Soldering ....................... 260°C for 10s
θJAPlastic DIP ....................................................... 130°C/W
Storage Temperature Range ................... –65°C to +150°C
Operating Temperature Range .................. –40°C to +85°C
Reference Load Current ............................................. 25mA
Supply Voltage (VDD): MIC3832 ....................... 16V to 21V
Supply Voltage (VDD): MIC3833 ...................... 7.6V to 21V
Oscillator Frequency Range ..................... 10kHz to 500kHz
Oscillator Timing Resistor ............................. 3kΩ to 100kΩ
Oscillator Timing Capacitor .............................. 1nF to 10nF
Electrical Characteristics (Notes 2, 3)
TA = –40°C to +85°C, VDD = 15V, f = 52kHz unless otherwise specified.
Parameter
Conditions
Min
Typical
Max
Units
Output Voltage
Io = 1mA, TA = 25°C
4.90
5.0
5.10
V
Input Regulation
VCC = 12V to 20V
5
20
mV
Output Regulation
IO = 1mA to 20mA
6
25
mV
Reference Section
Temperature Stability
–0.2
mV/°C
Total Output Variation
50
mV
Output Noise Voltage
f = 10Hz to 10kHz, TA = 25°C
50
µV
Long Term Stability
TA = 125°C, 1000hrs.
5.0
mV
Output Short Circuit Current
VREF = 0
25
60
160
mA
Frequency
TA = 25°C, RT = 16kΩ, CT = 2.2nF
47
52
57
kHz
Voltage Stability
VCC = 12V to 20V
Oscillator Section
Amplitude (Ct)
Discharge Current
TA = 25°C
Synchronization
ac coupled
1
0.5
%
1.7
VP-P
2.3
5
1.5
mA
V
Error Amplifier Section
±2
15
mV
Input Bias Current
0.6
3.0
µA
Input Offset Current
0.1
1.0
µA
Input Offset Voltage
–15
Open Loop Gain
1V < VO < 4V
60
82
dB
CMRR
1.5V < VCM < 4.5V
75
95
dB
PSRR
12V < VDD < 20V
85
120
dB
Output Sink Current
VEA OUT = 1V
1.0
2.5
mA
Output Source Current
VEA OUT = 4V
–0.5
–1.3
mA
Output High Voltage
IEA OUT = –0.5mA
4.0
4.9
5.0
V
Output Low Voltage
IEA OUT = 1mA
0.6
1.0
V
Soft Start/Max Duty Cycle Section
Bias Current
–0.05
µA
mA
Discharge Current
1
3
Duty Cycle Clamp Accuracy
40
50
April 1998
4-137
60
%
4
MIC3832/3833
Parameter
Micrel
Conditions
Min
Typical
Max
Units
Current Limit/Shutdown Section
Bias Current
µA
–0.02
Current Limit Threshold
0.9
1.0
1.1
V
1.125
1.25
1.375
V
Delay to Output
400
600
ns
Front Edge Blanking Time
140
Shutdown Threshold
ns
PWM Comparator Section
2
µA
85
%
300
500
ns
ISINK = 20mA
0.1
0.4
V
ISINK = 200mA
1.5
2.5
V
Bias Current
measured at CMR (pin 12)
–2
Duty Cycle Range
C = 2.2nF
0
Delay to Output
–0.05
Output Sections
Output Low Level
Output High Level
ISOURCE = 20mA
12.5
ISOURCE = 200mA
12
V
13.1
V
Rise Time
CL = 1000pF
50
150
ns
Fall Time
CL = 1000pF
50
150
ns
UVLO Saturation
ISINK = 1mA
0.7
1.1
V
Q to Q Overlap
Q rising, Q falling, 50%
50
ns
Q to Q Overlap
Q rising, Q falling, 50%
50
ns
MIC3832
15.9
V
MIC3833
8.3
V
Lower Threshold—Operating
MIC3832
9.8
V
(Shutdown)
MIC3833
7.8
V
Undervoltage Lockout Section
Upper Threshold—Startup
Total Standby Current
Startup Current
0.04
Operating Supply
VCC Zener Voltage
ICC = 25mA
0.2
mA
17
mA
22
V
Note 1
Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Electrical specifications do not apply when
operating the device beyond its specified Operating Ratings.
Note 2
Minimum and maximum Electrical Characteristics are 100% tested at TA = 25°C and TA = 85°C, and 100% guaranteed over the entire range.
Typicals are characterized at 25°C and represent the most likely parametric norm.
Note 3
All pins ESD protected to 2kV. Test conditions: Supply pin grounded; all other pins floating.
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Typical Characteristics
4.98
4.96
4.94
-40
0
40
80
120 160
JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (°C)
Oscillator Frequency
vs. Timing Resistance
550pF
1.1nF
2.2nF
10.2nF
10
100
TIMING RESISTANCE (kΩ)
80
70
60
Note 5
40
30
20
10
1
2
3
4
5
MDC CONTROL VOLTAGE (V)
9.4
OFF
125°C
1
1
5
3
-55°C
125°C
1
0
0
45
1
2
3
4
5
ERROR AMP OUTPUT (V)
6
-45
25
-90
PHASE
0
-135
-25
-180
FREQUENCY (Hz)
April 1998
4-139
PHASE (°)
50
1x108
0
0
1x107
0
VII = 1
75
1x102
1
1
Output Voltage Drop vs.
Output Source Current
4
125°C
3
-55°C
25°C
2
1
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
OUTPUT SOURCE CURRENT (A)
Note 4:
CMR (pin 12) connected to CT
(pin 15).
Note 5:
CMR (pin 12) connected to CT
(pin 15). MDC voltage measured
at MDC/SS (pin 11).
CT = 1nF, RT = 10kΩ.
AMPLITUDE
25°C
VII = 2
4
2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
OUTPUT SINK CURRENT (A)
VII = 3
-55°C
3
5
25°C
2
4
0
-40
0
40
80
120 160
JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (°C)
2
3 4 5 6 8 10
TIMING CAPACITOR (nF)
4
Oscillator Discharge
Current vs. Junct. Temp.
5
-40°C
100
3
125°C
OFF
7.5
Discharge Time vs.
Timing Capacitance
25°C
0.1
8.0
7.0
-40
0
40
80
120 160
JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (°C)
9.2
-40
0
40
80
120 160
JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (°C)
10
ON
Error Amplifier Open-Loop
Frequency Response
Current Sense Threshold
vs. Error Amplifier Output
2
160
9.6
1x106
0
120
9.8
1x101
CURRENT SENSE THRESHOLD (V)
0
80
OUTPUT VOLTAGE DROP (V)
90
50
40
8.5
Output Saturation Voltage
vs. Output Sink Current
Voltage-Mode Max. Duty
Cycle vs. MDC Voltage
100
0
1x105
1
15.6
-40
10.0
1x104
100
10
MAXIMUM DUTY CYCLE (%)
Note 4
15.8
1x103
85pF
16.0
AMPLITUDE (dB)
FREQUENCY (Hz)
1000
REFERENCE VOLTAGE (V)
5.00
9.0
ON
DISCHARGE CURRENT (mA)
5.02
16.2
TIMING CAPACITOR DISCHARGE TIME (µs)
5.04
MIC3833 Undervoltage
Lockout vs. Junct. Temp.
MIC3832 Undervoltage
Lockout vs. Junct. Temp.
16.4
OUTPUT SATURATION VOLTAGE (V)
REFERENCE VOLTAGE (V)
5.06
UNDER-VOLTAGE LOCKOUT (V)
Reference Voltage vs.
Junction Temperature
MIC3832/3833
Micrel
Block Diagram
VDD
UVLO
LATCH
21V
UVLO
5V REF
VDD
S
REF
R
PWM
SYNC
RT
CT
OSC
1-SHOT
VDD
EA +
TOGGLE
÷2
FRONT
EDGE
BLANKING
EA
EA –
Q
EA OUT
PWM
CMR
VDD
1.5V
R
Q
S
MDC
MDC/SS
PWM
LATCH
1.25V
SHDN
GND
1.0V
MIC3832/3833
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MIC3832/3833
Micrel
Functional Description
Refer to the block diagram and Figure 5.
The MIC3832 and MIC3833 are self-contained controllers,
with a voltage reference, voltage-mode error amplifier; current-mode, maximum duty cycle, overcurrent, and shutdown
comparators; and an undervoltage lockout circuit. Three
control loops are provided: voltage-mode through the error
amplifier, current-mode through the PWM comparator, and
overcurrent through the shutdown comparator. Three totempole outputs provide up to 1A peak synchronized drive to
external FETs for current-fed push-pull or bridge transformer
applications.
Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO)
Undervoltage lockout (UVLO) requires that the input voltage
rise above 15.9V (MIC3832) or 8.3V (MIC3833) before the
startup circuit is energized. Once operating, the controller will
not shut down until the supply drops to 9.8V (MIC3832) or
7.8V (MIC3833). There is an internal 22V zener between VDD
and ground for overvoltage clamping. Zener current should
be limited to less than 20mA.
Voltage Reference (REF)
The reference consists of a 5V bandgap reference internally
trimmed to 2% accuracy. It provides an internal reference
and can be used to supply up to 25mA to external circuits.
Oscillator (RT /CT)
The oscillator stage performs two functions. First, it provides
a linear sawtooth waveform which is fed to the PWM comparator in voltage-mode control. Second, it toggles the flipflop which provides the Q and Q outputs. The oscillator
frequency is configured using an external timing resistor and
capacitor. A nominal voltage of 3.6V appears on the RT pin;
the resulting current is then mirrored through the CT pin which
charges the timing capacitor and generates the linear ramp.
It is important to select an appropriate capacitor. At high
frequencies effective series resistance, effective series inductance, dielectric loss and dielectric absorption all affect
frequency stability and accuracy. RF capacitors such as
silver mica, glass, polystyrene, or COG ceramics are recommended. High K ceramics should not be used.
Front-Edge Blanking
This feature provides a fixed delay time prior to current
sensing becoming active. This prevents the overcurrent
sensing function from being falsely tripped by initial system
transients. Timing is set to a nominal 140ns.
Error Amplifier (EA)
The error amplifier is an opamp with a low impedance output
that is used to sense output conditions and provide a dc
output based on those conditions to the PWM comparator.
The output of this stage is brought out to allow tailoring of the
closed loop gain or frequency response. The open loop gain
of this stage is typically 95dB. The inputs are diode clamped
to each other.
April 1998
PWM Comparator
A sawtooth waveform is compared to the output of the error
amplifier. The sawtooth is generally the oscillator waveform
on CT in voltage-mode control systems. In current-mode
control systems, it is often the inductor current waveform.
Both systems result in a square wave output which, after
being NOR’ed with the MDC output (see below), is used to
drive the main (PWM) output stage.
PWM Latch and Output
The PWM latch is reset by an oscillator rising cycle, turning
the PWM output on if SHDN or UVLO are inactive. The PWM
comparator trips when the CMR rising ramp voltage exceeds
the error amplifier output voltage, setting the PWM latch and
terminating the PWM output, after a minimum time set by the
front edge blanking one-shot. If the output voltage is below
the setpoint, the PWM cycle is terminated at a maximum duty
cycle set by the voltage on the MDC/SS pin. If the output
voltage is above the setpoint, the error amplifier output is low,
and the PWM cycle terminates after the minimum set by the
front edge blanking one-shot. The PWM output is designed
to source and sink 1A peak into 1,000 pF loads. The output
is disabled when SHDN is enabled.
Push-Pull Outputs (Q and Q)
Two push-pull outputs are provided, with their leading edge
synchronized to alternating PWM rising ramp initiation. The
two outputs are 180° out of phase, with a slight (50ns typ.)
overlap. The push-pull outputs are designed to source and
sink 1A peak into 1,000 pF loads. This peak current was
chosen to provide the designer with the option of using
bipolar, MOSFET, or IGBT switching elements. To minimize
ringing on the output waveform, the series inductance seen
by the drivers should be as low as possible. This can be
accomplished by keeping the distance between the MIC3832/
3 and the switching elements as short as possible, or by using
carbon composition resistors in series with the FET gates.
The Q and Q outputs have a small overlap with no dead time.
While advantageous to current-fed topologies, other topologies may require slight modification to accommodate this
overlap. The outputs are disabled when SHDN is enabled.
Maximum Duty Cycle (MDC)
This feature, which uses the same pin as soft start (MDC/SS),
provides another method of limiting duty cycle. The voltage
seen by this pin determines the maximum duty cycle that can
be obtained from the PWM output. As this feature can vary
by as much as 15% over temperature, it is not recommended
that it be used in place of a well designed feedback loop.
The voltage on MDC/SS, the inverting input of the MDC
comparator, is compared to the voltage on CMR, with internal
front edge blanking.
For voltage-mode operation, refer to the graph, “Typical
Characteristics: Voltage-Mode Max. Duty Cycle vs. MDC
Voltage.” Voltage-mode operation requires the timing capacitor ramp, from CT, be connected directly to CMR.
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MIC3832/3833
Micrel
If a voltage-divided portion of the timing capacitor ramp (from
CT) is fed to CMR (to slope compensate for current-mode
subharmonic oscillation, for example), the corresponding
maximum duty cycle control voltage must be proportionally
reduced to achieve the same duty cycle control.
Soft Start
This feature prevents damage due to large inrush currents
generated upon initial application of system power or when
the device attempts to restart after an overcurrent shutdown
by the current limit function. When soft start is activated, the
PWM comparator output duty cycle will increase slowly, with
a time constant determined by the size of the external
capacitor connected to MDC/SS. (Timing is RTHC, where
RTH is the Thevenin equivalent resistance seen by this pin.)
Overcurrent Sensing and Shutdown
Overcurrent sensing and shutdown is accomplished via a
current sense transformer or an external sense resistor
connected from the switching element (power transistor) to
ground. The current ramp is fed into the noninverting input of
two sensing comparators (SHDN). If the sensed voltage
equals or exceeds 1.0V, the corresponding input to the logic
gates is pulled low, and the PWM comparator output is
overridden. This provides a current limited output. If 1.25V
is exceeded, the other comparator is also tripped activating
the soft start feature.
Application Information
Voltage Mode
Voltage mode control has a single feedback path, comparing
the oscillator voltage ramp with the output of an error amplifier
which is comparing a sample of the dc output voltage to a
reference. The MIC3832/3 may be operated in voltage mode
by connecting CT directly to CMR. Excessive current may be
controlled indirectly by driving SHDN. Input voltage changes
are sensed as output voltage changes, with delayed response. The ESR (effective series resistance) of each output
capacitor adds a pole, requiring a compensating zero or lowfrequency roll-off in the error amplifier. Loop gain varies with
input voltage.
Current Mode
Current-mode control samples the inductor current waveform. It provides feedback from the output stage, limits peak
switching transistor current, removes one pole (the LC filter
pole) from the output, provides input voltage feedforward with
good rejection of input line transients, and reduces the
problem of core saturation. The CMR pin monitors the
inductor current.
Current-mode control uses a current sense resistor or transformer to provide a voltage ramp which is compared the
output of an error amplifier/comparator which is comparing a
sample of the dc output voltage to a reference.
The MIC3832/3 may be operated in current mode by connecting the current sample to the CMR pin. Input voltage
variations affect the inductor current slope, providing fast
response. Two feedback loops complicate circuit analysis.
The error amplifier controls the output current, with a single
pole from the output filter.
Multiple supplies may be connected in parallel without concern for current-hogging.
Slope Compensation
At duty cycles above 50% subharmonic oscillations may
occur due to the negative resistance effect of the input, for
example, current decreasing as input voltage increases.
Slope compensation, adding a portion of the oscillator ramp
to the CMR pin, is used to remove this error. Power circuit
resonances may introduce instability due to output current
variations. Internal front edge blanking reduces the effect of
leading edge inductive current spikes.
Push-Pull Cross Conduction
Push-Pull power stages have a problem when both power
switches are on simultaneously, creating a short-circuit path
from rail to rail. In order to eliminate this cross-conduction, or
shoot-through, a dead-time is usually added at each transition, allowing the energized switch to fully turn off before the
opposite switch is energized. This dead time decreases
efficiency as the available duty cycle time is reduced, making
the input current larger than optimum for a given input
voltage, with higher conduction losses.
In a push-pull (forward) converter, an output inductor operates like a buck converter to store and provide energy to the
load and output capacitor during the deadtime. Both output
rectifier diodes are pulled into conduction by the output
inductor during the deadtime, draining the magnetic field from
the output transformer. At the start of each power cycle the
energized input switch sees a virtual short-circuit in the
transformer, until the opposite diode is pulled out of conduction.
Current Fed
If a constant current source is added to the feedpoint of a
push-pull power stage, no deadtime is needed between
power cycles, since the switches may be designed to handle
the limited cross-conduction current. No output inductor is
needed to store energy during the deadtime, and the related
problem of simultaneously conducting output rectifiers is
eliminated.
Buck-Derived Current Fed
Refer to Figure 5.
If a supply is designed to operate from a widely varying input
voltage, such as the power line, a PWM step-down (buck)
regulator may be used as the constant current input to the
push-pull stage by omitting the customary output capacitor
from the buck circuit. A bifilar wound pulse transformer is
used to provide high-side drive to the PWM switch. A slightly
overlapping drive is provided to the push-pull switches, so the
output side of the buck inductor will swing toward ground
during cross-conduction, limiting dissipated power.
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MIC3832/3833
Micrel
The push-pull cycles are synchronized to run at half of the
PWM frequency, so a soft or zero voltage switch transition
may be obtained, reducing spikes and EMI. Feeding a
sample of the PWM oscillator ramp to the current-mode
comparator along with the input current sample allows slope
compensation to be obtained for PWM duty cycles above
50%, preventing subharmonic oscillation at low input voltages.
Boost-Derived Current Fed
If a regulator is designed to run at higher push-pull voltage
than the input line voltage, a step-up (boost) PWM regulator,
with an inductor switched to ground, minus the normal output
capacitor, will provide a current limited input to the push-pull
stage. In this configuration all three power switches may be
operated low-side, simplifying their drive circuitry. An input
fuse is needed to guard against short-circuits since there is no
high-side series switch.
Construction Hints
Careful prototyping techniques are required to prevent oscillations. Traditional solderless breadboards are a source of
noise, and should be avoided. Use double-sided, copperclad boards with a large area used as a single-point ground
plane.
All timing and loop compensation capacitors and resistors
should be star connected to GND (ground). Wire lengths
along the high-current path should be kept as short as
possible, with appropriate wire gauges being used. Do not
socket the switching transistors as this can add to the voltage
drop and power losses.
Current-Fed Push-Pull SMPS
an inductor current instead of a voltage. This constant current
reduces cross conduction and catastrophic transformer core
saturation. Push-pull topologies are often used in 100W and
larger power supplies as they allow more efficient use of the
transformer. The entire range of the B-H curve is used in a
push-pull supply, so a transformer that is one-half the size of
a transformer used in a single-ended, forward-mode topology
can be used. This topology can be extended to a full bridge
where the two 50% duty cycle stages would be used to drive
two MOSFETs each, one for each half of the bridge.
S2
50%
S1
L
Duty Cycle
Control
S3
50%
Figure 3: Current-Fed Push-Pull Topology
Current-Fed Multiple-Output SMPS
Figure 4 illustrates this topology. The absence of output
inductors improves cross-regulation and simplifies the construction of isolated or high-voltage output supplies.
Figure 3 illustrates this basic topology, a standard push-pull
configuration where the center tap of the primary is fed with
April 1998
D1
4-143
4
S2
50%
S1
L
Duty Cycle
Control
D1
S3
50%
Additional
Outputs
Figure 4: Current-Fed Multiple-Output Topology
MIC3832/3833
Micrel
100kHz 100W Current-Fed Converter
Refer to Figure 5.
A 5V, 20A dc-to-dc converter uses the current-fed, push-pull
configuration for increased safety and reduced size and
transformer core area.
The input is an unregulated 14V to 32Vdc supply. An
MIC2951 low-dropout regulator supplies 12V to the MIC3833.
The main PWM switching element is an IRF540, with gate
drive provided by transformer T1. The two 50% duty cycle
outputs each drive an IRF540 directly, which in turn drive
respective sides of T2’s center tapped primary. The 1N6291A
transzorb is used to protect the MOSFETs from spikes.
Current-mode control simplifies the stability analysis, with the
0.2Ω, 5W resistor being used as the sensing element. As the
maximum duty cycle at light loads is greater than 50%, the
well characterized problem of subharmonic oscillations found
when using current-mode control was evident. A ramp,
introduced at the sensing element, provides slope compensation. The 10kΩ and 470kΩ divider from the oscillator (ramp
source) to the sensing element provides the proper slope. A
large resistor value from CT to CMR makes buffering unnecessary.
Front-edge blanking eliminates the need for a filter network
around the sensing element and decreases the possibility of
turn-on transients that cause system instabilities.
Four inexpensive output capacitors in parallel reduce ESR to
an acceptable level of 80mΩ without adding too much size or
cost.
Error amplifier compensation uses a simple lead-lag network.
With current-mode control there is no need to compensate for
the LC filter pole.
Soft start is implemented to allow slow turn-on in the event of
a short circuit.
All magnetics were chosen to minimize losses at 100 kHz. T2
and L1 are wound using Siemen’s N87 material and T1 using
Magnetics Inc.’s P-type material. T2 and L1 use Siemen’s
EFD core and bobbin assemblies which are designed to
reduce the height/form factor of the finished supply. T1 is a
bifilar-wound toroid used as a 200kHz pulse transformer. T2
is not gapped, since a push-pull transformer has a minimum
dc current component, being a forward converter.
1N6291A
14—32V IRF540
L1
20µH
20V
1N968
2:1 T2
1/2
MBR2535CT
2000
µF
0.1µF
MYLAR
IRF540
+5V 20A
39kΩ
10Ω
100Ω
220µF 220µF 0.01µF
16V
CER
39kΩ 16V
MUR1605CT
IRF540
1/2 MBR2535CT
0.1µF
0.2Ω
5W
1N6291A
10kΩ
T1
MIC3833
1:1
3.3µF
1
2
0.1µF
3
12V
MIC2951
1
2
3
4
V OUT
SENSE
SHDN
GND
V IN
FB
5V TAP
ERROR
8
7
5
887kΩ
1%
5.1kΩ
100pF
6
7
3.3µF
2.2nF
6
5
4
102kΩ
1%
5.1
kΩ
8
16
Q
GND
15
C
PWM
T
14
RT
Q
13
SYNC
VDD
12
5V REF CMR
11
EA – MDC/SS
10
EA +
SHDN
9
EA OUT
NC
470kΩ
2nF
10kΩ
68k 68k
1µF
200kΩ
.01µF
Figure 5: 100W Current-Fed, Push-Pull DC-to-DC Converter (Efficiency ~75%)
Magnetics Design
T1 : Magnetics Inc # 41303 – TC, P material, Primary = 26 turns 30 gauge wire, Secondary = 26 turns 30 gauge wire
T2: Seimen’s EFD25, N87 material. Primary = 20 turns 20 gauge wire, Secondary = 10 turns trifilar wound 20 gauge
wire. Both are center tapped.
L1: Seimen’s EFD20, N87 material. 13 turns 20 gauge wire. Gap for 20µH
4-144
April 1998