Half-Bridge Drivers A Transformer or an All-Silicon Drive? Agenda • Topologies using a half-bridge configuration • The difference between soft and hard-switching • The gate-drive transformer • The all-silicon-solution • Comparison • Conclusions Agenda • Topologies using a half-bridge configuration • The difference between soft and hard-switching • The gate-drive transformer • The all-silicon-solution • Comparison • Conclusions Topology Trend for High Efficiency • • Hard Switching – – – – – – – – – – Flyback Forward 2-sw flyback 2-sw forward Full bridge Active clamp Forward LLC-HB Soft Switching Active clamp Flyback LLC-HB resonant Active clamp forward Active clamp flyback Asymmetrical half-bridge Full bridge with phase shift AHB FB Phase-shift The High-Side Switch • To achieve high efficiency, the topologies with ZVS (ZeroVoltage Switching) behavior are preferred. • All the soft switching topologies implement the power switch with floating reference pin, e.g. the source pin of MOSFET. • Why are MOSFETs used in soft switching applications? – High frequency operation – Body diode (current loop for ZVS) How to drive the high side MOSFET? Agenda • Topologies using a half-bridge configuration • The difference between soft and hard-switching • The gate-drive transformer • The all-silicon-solution • Comparison • Conclusions Turn-on Procedure for Hard-switching The Miller plateau VGS ID VDRV VGS,Miller VTH D CGD RHI RGATE RG,I CDS G IG IG CGS VDS S The miller plateau is caused by CGD ID S1 S2 • • S3 S4 Stages 2 and 3 dominate the switching losses of MOSFET and driver. DRV’s source capability as VGS is around VGS,Miller is important. Turn-off Procedure for Hard-switching The Miller plateau ID VGS,Miller VGS VTH D VDRV CGD RLO RGATE RG,I CDS G IG IG CGS S The miller plateau is caused by CGD VDS ID S1 • • S2 S3 S4 Stages 2 and 3 dominate the switching losses of MOSFET and driver. DRV’s sink capability as VGS is around VGS,Miller is important. Simulation Circuit of Flyback Iout Rp 300m Δ 2 Vclipp Cclamp 1.4nF R11 3.9k D3 MUR160 Aux 18 R9 300m 10 C6 47pF 1 Isnub Resr 100m 16 C2 440uF 21 C5 10uF Ll 0.1uH 17 Vin 250 Vout D1 1N4148 Lp 1.75mH Ip Iclipp Out 7 Rclamp 88k 22 X1 MBRS340t3 RATIO_POW = -0.0667 RATIO_AUX = -0.0667 Out 5 Ipri Verr Rupper 4.851k V1 C7 470pF Aux Vdrain 6 12 11 R17 20k X2 PWMCM C4 3.97nF FB 23 OUT 3 D2 1N4148 OSC GND SENS R5 470 Vgs Rg 15 CMP 9 Vramp Vdrv X3 IRF840 IDS Rlower 0.97k 14 C1 470pF 13 R13 1k Vsense Rsense 1 • Simulate the VGS, VDS, and IDS on Flyback. Rload 2.5 Turn-on Simulation of Flyback 16.0 1 2 V / div plot1 vgs in volts 12.0 8.00 50 ns / div 4.00 VGS 0 plot3 vdrain in volts 700 200 V / div 500 VDS 300 50 ns / div 100 2 -100 plot2 ipri in amperes 1.20 200 mA / div 800m 3 400m 50 ns / div 0 IDS -400m 1.01995m 1.02005m 1.02015m time in seconds • VGS rises with Miller effect. 1.02025m 1.02035m Turn-off Simulation of Flyback 16.0 2 V / div plot1 vgs in volts 12.0 VGS 8.00 100 ns / div 4.00 0 1 plot3 vdrain in volts 700 200 V / div 500 2 300 100 ns / div 100 VDS -100 plot2 ipri in amperes 1.20 800m 200 mA / div IDS 400m 100 ns / div 0 3 -400m 1.0244m 1.0246m 1.0248m time in seconds • Turn off with Miller effect. 1.0250m 1.0252m Turn-on Procedure for Soft-switching • Because of ZVS, there is no Miller effect as turning on. VGS VTH • The switching losses are dominated by IG – The dead time (to reduce S1), and – Source capability to charge CGS to reduce S2 VDS -Vf ID • Less driver capability requirement. S1 S S 3 2 ID depends on topology Turn-off Procedure for Soft-switching The Miller plateau • Similar as hard-switching: The Miller plateau exists as turning off. • The difference is that IDS also reduces at this duration since IDS will go through the opposite MOSFET as VDS changes. • To avoid overlap between 2 MOSFETs, minimize the duration of S1 ~ S4. • Strong DRV’s sink capability is needed. VGS,Miller VGS VTH IG VDS IDS S1 S2 S3 S4 Simulation Circuit of LLC-HB V3 {Vbulk} WV3 * 26 D2 1N4148 IM1 V10 5 R11 15 YM1 IMU 22 B1 Voltage Mupper V(G2) < 2.5 ? 0: 15 Δ 23 Δ M1 IRF840 X12 MBR2045 R10 5m 10 Vbridge Ls {Ls} V4 D3 1N4148 12 1 2 ILmag Lmag {Lmag} IML Δ 24 ? 19 B2 Voltage VLmag X13 MBR2045 Mlower 11 R14 15 M2 IRF840 Vcs IML ICs Cs 4 Cs {Cs} X3 XFMR-TAP RATIO = 1/N ICS • • Simulate the VGS_MU, VDS_MU, and IMU on LLC-HB To ease the reading of current, the direction of IMU and IML is referred to ICS. plot1 mlower, mupper in volts Turn-on Simulation of LLC-HB 1 14.0 2 V / div 10.0 6.00 VGS_ML VGS_MU 200 ns / div 2.00 2 -2.00 400 200 V / div plot2 ym1 in volts 300 200 200 ns / div VDS_MU 100 0 3 plot3 im1, iml in amperes 2.00 1.00 I_MU I_ML 5 0 500 mA / div 4 -1.00 Not overlap; it is the current through CDS -2.00 10.1922m • • 10.1926m 10.1930m time in seconds 10.1934m 10.1938m VGS_ML off, ICS reduces VDS_MU for ZVS. VDS_MU is 0 V BEFORE VGS_MU, so VGS_MU rises smoothly. 200 ns / div Plot1 mlower, mupper in volts Turn-off Simulation of LLC-HB 1 14.0 2 V / div 10.0 6.00 VGS_ML VGS_MU 2 -2.00 400 Plot2 ym1 in volts 100 ns / div 2.00 3 200 V / div 300 200 100 ns / div VDS_MU 100 0 Plot3 iml, im1 in amperes 2.00 500 mA / div 1.00 5 4 0 -1.00 VGS_ML I_MU -2.00 10.1976m 10.1978m 10.1980m time in seconds 10.1982m • Strong turn off capability is required. 10.1984m 100 ns / div Driver Comparison between Hard-Switching and Soft-Switching Hard-switching Soft-switching Source capability requirement Medium Low Sink capability requirement High High Dead time accuracy requirement Accurate Accurate The Solutions for High-Side Driver • Transformer-based solution – Single DRV input – Dual DRV inputs • Silicon integrated circuit driver: dual outputs – Single DRV input – Dual DRV inputs Agenda • Topologies using a half-bridge configuration • The difference between soft and hard-switching • The gate-drive transformer • The all-silicon-solution • Comparison • Conclusions Consideration as Designing Driver Transformer • Ground-referenced floating drive – keep 500 V isolation if a 400 V pre-regulated PFC exists. • Minimize the leakage inductance - the delay between output and input windings may kill the power MOSFETs. • Follow Faraday’s law – keep V*T constant, otherwise, saturate. • Keep enough margin from saturation – the worst case happens with transient load at high line. • High permeability ferrite – minimize the IM. • Keep high sink current capability Single DRV Input VDRV - VC Driver Dead time generator VC + RC CC RGS - VC VC = DVDRV Q> 1 RC LM = 0.5 CC RC ≥ 1 Q LM L =2 M CC CC DRV C C to reset the driver transformer and R C to damp the L-C resonance. • An ac coupling capacitor (CC) is needed to reset the driver transformer flux. • The amplitude of VGS is dependent on duty. / • • • With (-VC) to turn off at steady state, but the sink capability is limited at start-up. / Need a fast time constant (LM//RGS * CC) to avoid flux walking due to the fast transient. Watch out the ringing between CC and drive transformer at skip mode or UVLO, a diode is needed to damp the ringing. Single DRV Input with DC Restore VDRV - Vf Dead time generator Driver VC + RC CC1 - Vf VC-Vf - + RC ≥ 2 CC2 RGS DRV VC = DVDRV • VGS amplitude is independent on duty ratio at steady state. • Limited sink capability. / LM CC Single DRV Input with PNP Turn-Off Dead time generator Driver DRV • A pnp transistor + diode help to improve the switching off. Don’t Forget the AND Gate Dead time generator High-side Driver CC1 CC2 DRV • • Add the totem-pole drivers if output capability of AND gate is limited. Is the design finished? Î No, not yet. Pay attention to the ringing among CC1, CC2 and driver transformer when skip or UVLO. A diode and resistor to damp the ringing. / Dual Polarity Symmetrical DRV Inputs Driver VDRV - VDRV DRVA VDRV - Vf Roff DRVB Roff • • • DRVA and DRVB are opposite-polarity and symmetrical Î no ac coupling capacitor. This is suitable for push-pull type circuit, e.g. LLC-HB, but NOT for asymmetrical type, e.g. AHB or active clamp. / Pay attention to the flux of driver transformer at line/load transient. • • The strong turn off capability is still needed. / Pay attention to the delay caused by the leakage inductance. Î minimize the leakage inductance and use dual output windings instead of single output winding. • Extra losses caused by voltage drop on Roff. / The Driver Transformer • Pros – A transformer is more robust than a die! – Less sensitivity to spurious noise and high dV/dt pulses – Cheap? • Cons – – – – Complicated circuits Pay attention on extreme line/line condition & off mode …… Pay attention on the leakage inductance and isolation Is the sink capability strong enough? Agenda • Topologies using a half-bridge configuration • The difference between soft and hard-switching • The gate-drive transformer • The all-silicon-solution • Comparison • Conclusions Silicon Half Bridge Driver Principle Integrated HB driver • Principle LLC converter Vbulk Single Input – Single or dual inputs – High & low side driver VBoot DRV_HI Vcc in out M1 Gnd GND_HI IN Integrated HB driver in in out M1 GND_HI Vcc DRV_LO Vcc in out M2 Gnd GND Dual Inputs out M2 GND DRV_HI Gnd IN_LO DRV_LO Gnd VBoot IN_HI Vcc Vcc Vbulk Vcc Dead Time C1 Silicon Solution, What are its Limits? • High-side isolation – 600 V is reached within the silicon. • Matched propagation delay between high and low side drive – Prevents any unbalanced transformer usage. • High side driver supply – Bootstrap supply is requested. • Noise immunity – Negative voltage robustness of the high side driver. Silicon Solution, High Voltage Isolation Level shifter sustains up to 600 V Vbulk Floating area VBoot DRV_HI Vcc IN_HI Pulse Trigger Level Shifter S Q in out M1 Gnd GND_HI R Vcc DRV_LO Vcc IN_LO in M2 out Gnd GND • Pulse trigger: generates pulse on each edge from IN_HI input. • Level shifter: shifts pulses from GND reference to GND_HI reference. • SR flip flop: latches pulses information from the level shifter. Silicon Solution, Matched Propagation Delay Vbulk VBoot DRV_HI Vcc IN_HI Pulse Trigger Level Shifter S Q in out M1 Gnd GND_HI R Vcc DRV_LO Vcc IN_LO Delay in M2 out Gnd Delay compensation GND • Delay is inserted on the fastest path: Low side driver path Î to compensate: Pulse trigger + level shifter and SR flip-flop delays. Silicon Solution, High Side Driver Supply Bootstrap connected to Vcc Rboot Vcc Dboot Vbulk Vboot DRV_HI Vcc in Cboot out M1 Gnd Bridge Vcc Vcc DRV_LO Vcc in out CVcc M2 Gnd GND Bootstrap Step: • Step 1: M2 is closed Î Cboot is grounded: Cboot is refueled via Vcc. • Step 2: M1 & M2 are opened Î Bridge pin is floating, Dboot is blocked & Cboot supplies floating area. • Step 3: M1 is closed Î bridge pin moved to bulk level, Dboot is still blocked & Cboot supplies floating area. • Bootstrap technique is used for supplying the high side driver Root of High Side Driver Negative Voltage? • Let’s focus on the half-bridge branch: – the load connected to a half-bridge branch is inductive: – like an LLC-HB – Or with the most simple case in a synchronous buck (where body diodes of the mosfet are represented). Vbulk M1 Dbody1 M2 Dbody2 LLC-HB Theory: Buck Converter Operation • 1st step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 ON IL Time VBridge VBridge VBulk M2 OFF Time Step 1: M1 ON M2 OFF Step: 1 Theory: Buck Converter Operation • 2nd step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 OFF Time VBridge IL VBridge VBulk M2 OFF Time -Vf Step 2: M1 OFF M2 OFF Step: 1 2 Theory: Buck Converter Operation • 3rd step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 OFF Time VBridge IL VBridge VBulk M2 ON Time -Vf Step 3: M1 OFF M2 ON Step: 1 2 3 Theory: Buck Converter Operation • 4th step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 OFF Time VBridge IL VBridge VBulk M2 OFF Time -Vf Step 4: M1 OFF M2 OFF Step: 1 2 3 4 1 Bench: Buck Converter Operation • Anywhere but in a ppt file there are parasitic elements: – True buck converter: Vbulk M1 Dbody1 M2 Dbody2 Parasitic inductances Parasitic Capacitors Bench: Buck Converter Operation • 1st step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 ON IL Time VBridge VBridge VBulk M2 OFF Time Step: Step 1: M1 ON M2 OFF 1 Bench: Buck Converter Operation • 2nd step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 OFF Time VBridge IL VBridge VBulk M2 OFF Time -Vf Step 2: M1 OFF M2 OFF Step: 31.8V 1 2 20.0V 0V -10.0V 1.452846ms 1.453000ms V(BRIDGE) 1.453200ms Time 1.453400ms Bench: Buck Converter Operation • 3rd step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 OFF Time VBridge IL VBridge VBulk M2 ON Time -Vf Step 3: M1 OFF M2 ON Step: 1 2 3 Bench: Buck Converter Operation • 4th step of the buck converter: Vbulk IL M1 OFF Time VBridge IL VBridge VBulk M2 OFF Time -Vf Step 4: M1 OFF M2 OFF Step: 1 2 3 4 1 Bench: Buck Converter Operation • Negative voltage on bridge pin will create negative current injection inside the IC driver. Floating area Vbulk VBoot DRV_HI Vcc IN_HI Pulse Trigger Level Shifter S Q in out M1 Gnd VBridge Bridge R Vcc DRV_LO Vcc IN_LO Delay in out M2 Gnd GND Leaky path when VBridge < 0V This leakage path could create some trouble inside the driver IC. How to Characterize the Negative Voltage? VBridge VBulk Time -Vf VBridge Principle: ¾ Negative pulse is added on bridge pin: ¾ With adjustable Negative voltage Time Vneg Width ¾ And adjustable Width At each pulse width the neg. voltage is increased until the driver IC fails. How the Negative Voltage has Been Created? IC Driver VCC D4 R4 MBR1100 1 2 IN_HI 3 IN_LO 4 U1 NCP5106A VCC VBOOT IN_HI DRV_HI IN_LO BRIDGE GND C11 100n 10R DRV_LO VDC_IN 20V R2 10R 8 Q1 Q2N2907 7 Q5 FDP3682 R8 47k Synchronous Buck Converter 0 D6 BZX84C18 Vout L1 6 100uH 5 R1 1R 0 C3 220uF 50V R3 Sync 10R Pulse gen. Q2 Q2N2907 Q4 FDP3682 R9 47k Adj. pulse width 1 2 C7 10uF 25V C19 100nF D11 D1N4148 C13 0 D14 D1N4148 0 0Vdc to 50V 0 TX1 100V 330uF C4 100nF C12 Vneg Q6 FDP3682 100n U5 MC33152 Rload1 10R D5 BZX84C18 VCC D13 D1N4148 Rload 10R R10 47k Negative pulse generation D7 BZX84C18 Adj. VNeg Example of Negative Voltage Measurement VG_LO When the bridge pin is released, it generates some noise on the hiside driver. (10 V/div) VG_HI (10 V/div) Vbridge pin (20 V/div) Time Vneg = -18 V (80 ns/div) Width = 150 ns Note: Negative voltage pulse is applied when the bridge pin voltage is reaching zero. Negative Voltage Characterization Negative Voltage versus Neg. pulse duration @ +25°C 0 100 Negative pulse duration (ns) 200 300 400 500 600 Negative pulse voltage (V) 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 If the negative pulse is inside this area, the driver will work properly. If the negative pulse is inside this area, the driver will not work properly or can be damaged. Negative Voltage Characterization in Temperature Negative Voltage versus Neg. pulse duration @ different Temp Negative pulse duration (ns) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Negative pulse voltage (V) 0 -5 -40°C -10 25°C -15 125°C -20 -25 -30 -35 • Note: These characterizations will be available in each IC driver datasheet Driver IC Remarks • ON Semiconductor defines electrical parameters on overall temperature range (here -40℃ < Tj < +125 ℃). See electrical table & characterization curves. • Competitors define the electrical parameters only at Tamb = +25℃. Temp characterization is not always available Î what about min & max over extended temperature range? • The competitors values extracted from the curves probably do not take into account the lot to lot process variations Î the range variation is probably wider. ON Semiconductor IC Driver Cross Reference Drive trise / tfall typ. (CL=1 nF) Propag. Delay typ. tON / tOFF Matching Delay Typ / Max Cross Conduction Protection Pin-Out Compatibility 40 ns / 20 ns 100 ns / 100 ns 20 ns / 35 ns - IR2181 – IRS2181 •3.3 V CMOS/TTL inputs NCP5181 100 ns / 100 ns - IR2106 – IRS2106, FAN7382 •3.3 V CMOS/TTL inputs NCP5106A 85 ns / 35 ns NCP5106B 85 ns / 35 ns 100 ns / 100 ns 3 IR2106 – IRS2106, FAN7382 •3.3 V CMOS/TTL inputs •Internal fixed dead time 100 ns NCP5304 85 ns / 35 ns 100 ns / 100 ns 3 IR2304 IRS2304, L6388/84 FAN7380 •3.3 V CMOS/TTL inputs •Internal fixed dead time 100 ns NCP5111 85 ns / 35 ns 750 ns / 100 ns NA IR2111 – IRS2111, NCP5104 85 ns / 35 ns 620 ns / 100 ns NA IR2104 – IRS2104 20 ns / 35 ns 20 ns / 35 ns 20 ns / 35 ns 30 ns / 60 ns 10 ns /45 ns Remarks •3.3 V CMOS/TTL input •Internal fixed dead time 650 ns •One pin for creepage •3.3 V CMOS/TTL input •Internal fixed dead time 520 ns Agenda • Topologies using a half-bridge configuration • The difference between soft and hard-switching • The gate-drive transformer • The all-silicon-solution • Comparison • Conclusions LLC-HB Schematic with Driver Transformer +400 V Vcc 41 NCP1395A R16 75k 29 Vcc R24 250k U5A SFH615-A FF 3 42 14 R18 1k C20 39 4 13 6 5 12 1 6 11 31 7 10 150k D7 1n5818 14 C18 22u R29 47k 10u D15 1n5818 Q5 2N2907 Vcc 1 . C17 0.1u C16 10u C14 10n C13 InB 30 100n R17 1k Q2 2N2222 D5 1n5818 6 21 OutA 2 28 Q10 2N2907 33 R4 1k R30 ETD44 ET4415A P = 4W T1 XFMR L1 11 3 D12 mbr1645 4 27 5 OutB 24 32 R21 1k Q11 2N2907 out D11 mbr1645 24 V / 10 A Irms=5 A C3b 1mF D10 1N4148 R20 10 L3 4.7uH 4 26 8 D3 mbr1645 R9 47k C3c 1mF Part number = EEUFC1V102 D6 mbr1645 C8 100p C1 Gnd C2 680uF Part number = EEUFC1V681 C3a 1mF C10 C7 M2 IRFB11N50A KL195/25,4SW D17 1n5818 PCV-0-472-20L int 22 23 Q6 2N2907 R15 540 Heatsink 18°C/W KL112-25 KL195/25,4SW VB 5 3 M1 IRFB11N50A R5 47k 12 47k 15 . 25 . 9 8 2 17 R10 10 34 T2 Q3903-A 20 FF C15 100n Q1 2N2222 R19 5.2k R22 4.7k BO R33 5.6k 38 InA 15 C19 10u timer C11 10n 2 R11 160k R25 1.8Meg R12 R32 33k 37 D8 1N4148 16 1 1 kV 7 19 analog ground 45 D4 1N4148 Gnd out int R23 10k 0V R1 22k R14 10k 10 R6 10k R2 22k R7 86k 13 C4 10n C1 22nF Part number = PHE450MB5220JR06 EVOX RIFA 630 V LLC controller NCP1395 Driver Transformer 0.47uF Part number = PHE450MF6470JR06L2 C6 470p U5B SFH615-A R3 22k 18 C7 EVOX RIFA 630 V 100uF Part number = 2222-05737101 C10 Snap-in BC Comp. 450 V C5 470p 40 U2 TL431 16 L1 PCV-0-274-04 220u • LLC-HB with 24 V @ 10 A • NCP1395, the LLC controller with dual DRV outputs. • Transformer drivers the MOSFETs of LLC converter. R8 10k LLC-HB Schematic with Driver IC +400 V 41 NCP1395A R16 75k 29 U5A SFH615-A R32 33k FF 39 4 13 6 5 12 1 6 11 31 7 10 14 R12 150k R28 47k C20 10u FF C15 100n C18 22u 51 28 D2 1N4148 8 36 2 7 44 M1 IRFB11N50A Heatsink 18°C/W KL112-25 KL195/25,4SW ETD44 ET4415A R5 47k C9 100nF VB 6 4 OutA 2 1 3 17 R26 10 11 P = 4W T1 XFMR L1 3 PCV-0-472-20L C14 10n 9 8 InB R31 47k D12 mbr1645 C3b 1mF OutB 23 C13 30 100n 12 24 V / 10 A Irms=5 A 4 26 5 R27 10 24 D9 1N4148 D3 mbr1645 KL195/25,4SW C3c 1mF Part number = EEUFC1V102 D6 mbr1645 C8 100p C1 Gnd 15 C2 680uF Part number = EEUFC1V681 C3a 1mF 8 C10 C7 M2 IRFB11N50A R9 47k R15 540 out D11 mbr1645 5 C12 100n L3 4.7uH int R19 5.2k R22 4.7k BO R33 5.6k 14 42 C19 10u timer C11 10n 3 38 R13 10 U1 NCP5181 InA 15 2 R11 160k R25 1.8Meg 25 D1 1N4937 16 1 R24 250k 37 35 Vcc 1 kV 7 45 analog ground D4 1N4148 Gnd out int R23 10k 0V R1 22k R14 10k 10 R6 10k R2 22k R7 86k 13 C4 10n C1 22nF Part number = PHE450MB5220JR06 EVOX RIFA 630 V LLC controller Driver IC 0.47uF Part number = PHE450MF6470JR06L2 NCP5181 R3 22k 18 C7 EVOX RIFA 630 V 100uF Part number = 2222-05737101 NCP1395 C6 470p U5B SFH615-A C10 Snap-in BC Comp. 450 V C5 470p 40 U2 TL431 16 R8 10k L1 PCV-0-274-04 220u • LLC-HB with 24 V @ 10 A • NCP1395, the LLC controller with dual DRV outputs. • NCP5181, driver IC drives the MOSFETs of LLC converter. VGS Waveform 2 µs / div VGS_ML (5 V/div) VGS_MU (5 V/div) IMU (2 A/div) VDS_ML (100 V/div) Driver transformer • The waveforms seem similar. Driver IC (NCP5181) High Side MOSFET Turns Off Turn-off comparison 80 ns / div VGS_ML (5 V/div) VGS_MU (5 V/div) IMU (2 A/div) VDS_ML (100 V/div) Driver transformer Driver IC (NCP5181) • The driver IC turns off the MOSFETs more vigorously. • IC turn-off is 70 ns faster, lowering the switching losses High side MOSFET Turns On Turn-on comparison 200 ns / div VGS_ML (5 V/div) VGS_MU (5 V/div) IMU (2 A/div) VDS_ML (100 V/div) Driver transformer Driver IC (NCP5181) • The driver IC keeps safe and enough dead time between high and low side MOSFETs. The Efficiency Comparison Input power (W) 128.33 257.2 Driver IC 128.34 Driver Transformer 258.5 Output power (W) 119.72 235.46 119.72 236.46 Vout (V) 23.96 23.57 23.96 23.67 Iout (A) 5.00 9.99 5.00 9.99 η 93.29% 91.55% 93.29% 91.48% • There is no efficiency difference between the IC driver and transformer solutions. Agenda • Topologies using a half-bridge configuration • The difference between soft and hard-switching • The gate-drive transformer • The all-silicon-solution • Comparison • Conclusions Conclusion: Transformer or IC? • Both solutions work if well-trimmed. • We recommend the IC solution because: – We don’t sell the transformer. – Manual insertion for the transformer. – Ease the layout – Ease the design – Free of transformer problems, e.g.: • • • • isolation is destroyed, flux walking away, unexpected ringing after turn off, Height of the transformer in low profile PSU For More Information • View the extensive portfolio of power management products from ON Semiconductor at www.onsemi.com • View reference designs, design notes, and other material supporting the design of highly efficient power supplies at www.onsemi.com/powersupplies