AN9209: A Spice-2 Subcircuit Representation for Power MOSFETs Using Empirical Methods

A Spice-2 Subcircuit Representation For Power
MOSFETs Using Empirical Methods
Application Note
October 1999
AN9209.2
Abstract
Discussion
An accurate power-MOSFET model is not widely available
for CAD circuit simulation. This work provides a subcircuit
model which is compatible with SPICE-2 software and
MOSFET terminal measurements. SPICE-2 is the circuit
simulation package of choice for this work because of its
universal availability, despite its inherent limitations. These
limitations are circumvented through circuit means.
The subcircuit shown in Figure 1 is described in Table 1. All
passive circuit elements are constants. The very-high-gain
JFET is used to simulate the dual-slope drain voltage vs time
switching curve common to the power MOSFET.1,2
This effort models power-MOSFET terminal behavior
consistent with SPICE-2 limitations; hence it will differ from
the physical model as suggested by Wheatley, et al1, Ronan
et al2 and others. We feel we have advanced prior efforts3
particularly in areas of third-quadrant operations, avalanchemode simulation, switching waveforms and diode recovery
waveforms.
C3
TABLE 1. EMPIRICAL INPUTS
I(V meas.)
RDRAIN
D
D1
G
E1
DBODY
-
-
JFET
Depletion mode; areas factor = 1; B = 100KP
(Figure 2); VTO = VPINCH (Figure 5); C’s = diode
lifetime = RSERIES = 0; diode ideality factor =
1.0, IDSO = IE -20
BODY DIODE
IS from Figure 4; Ideality Factor = 1.0; R from
Figure 4 (must be very much greater than RD);
C (from COSS); lifetime = best fit to TRR
D1
IS = arbitrary; C = lifetime = 0; ideality factor =
best low-current fit; R = best high-current fit
D2
IS = 1E -8; C = lifetime = R = 0; ideality factor =
0.03
RS
Figure 2.
RDRAIN
Figure 3.
LS
Approximately (5L) ln (4 L/d) nH; L and d are
source wire inches.
VPINCH
VTO of JFET.
VBRK
Avalanche voltage.
C1
From Figure 5.
C2
Maximum from Figure 5.
C3
Minimum from Figure 5.
LSOURCE
+
-
Enhancement mode; W = L = 1µm; KP (Figure
2); VTO (Figure 2); C’s = 0; IDSO = IE -12
VBREAK
Vpinch
D2
+
MOSFET
+
C1
E1
The body diode cannot be properly modeled by the JFET
gate-drain diode, hence DBODY. Conditions of Table 1
assure that most third-quadrant current flow is via DBODY.
Avalanche breakdown is more accurately modeled by the
clamp circuit containing D1.
Table 1 in combination with Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 provides
the required empirical inputs. Table 2 lists the preferred
algorithm for parameter extraction.
C2
+
If E1 exceeds VPINCH, errors will exist in the turn-on
waveforms. The C2 discharge current-controlled current
source remedies this situation in conjunction with the
subcircuit containing D2. The D2 ideality factor was set at
0.03 to assure that E1 minus VPINCH does not exceed
several millivolts.
RSOURCE
Vmeas.
S
FIGURE 1. SPICE-2 SUBCIRCUIT FOR POWER MOSFET
SIMULATION
NOTE: If the JFET source voltage, E1, is very low relative to its VPINCH
voltage, the JFET is in a highly conductive state, tightly coupling C2 to
the JFET drain. However, as the voltage E1 approaches VPINCH, the
JFET operates in a constant-current mode, thereby permitting a much
faster drain slew rate, which is determined primarily by C3.
1
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Application Note 9209
IDS RS
RFP15N15
25
SLOPE ≈ RD + RS
20
SLOPE AT KP
VDS > VGS
(SATURATED REGIME)
VDS (VOLTS)
√IDS (AMPERES1/2)
RFP15N15
15
10
5
4.0
VTHRESHOLD
5.0
6.0
VGS (VOLTS)
7.0
FIGURE 2. SQUARE ROOT OF DRAIN CURRENT vs GATE
VOLTAGE DEFINES VTHRESHOLD, KP, AND RS
0
2
4
IDS (AMPERES)
6
FIGURE 3. DRAIN CURRENT vs DRAIN VOLTAGE WITH
CONSTANT GATE VOLTAGE DEFINES “ON”
RESISTANCE
RFP15N15
RDRAIN = 10Ω
IG = 1mA
TEST CIRCUIT
(SEE REF. 1)
IMAX R
RFP15N15
135
VGS = 0
9.0
q
= 60mV/DECADE
6.0
90
VDS (VOLTS)
SLOPE =
KT
VGS (VOLTS)
LOG ID (AMPERES)
SLOPE = IG/(C1 +
C2 + C3)
GATE PLATEAU VOLTAGE
SLOPE ≈ IG/C2
45
3.0
SLOPE ≈ IG/C1
TRIAL Vpinch
IDRDS
ON
IS
0
0
VDS (VOLTS)
FIGURE 4. THIRD-QUADRANT OPERATION DEFINES IS AND
R OF DIODE DBODY
TABLE 2. PREFERRED ALGORITHM FOR PARAMETER
EXTRACTION
1. Determine KP of lateral MOS
2. Determine VTH of lateral MOS
3. Determine C1
4. Determine C1 + C2 + C3
5. Determine RDS
6. Assign B of JFET = 100 x KP of lateral MOS
7. Use trial VPINCH
8. Use C2 (Maximum), C3 (Minimum) are curve-fit C’s
9. Adjust VPINCH to fix gate voltage plateau
2
20
40
TIME (µs)
FIGURE 5. DRAIN AND GATE VOLTAGE vs TIME DETERMINE
C1, C2, C3 AND VPINCH.
Results
Figure 6 and Figure 7 compare measured static data to
calculated transfer curves and output curves. Calculated
static-output curves are shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 for
third-quadrant range, including avalanche.
Calculated switching data is compared to measured
switching curves1,2 in Figure 10 and Figure 11. Calculated
body-diode recovery curves are shown in Figure 12.
Application Note 9209
30
MEASURED
CALCULATED
20
RFP15N15
MEASURED
25
CALCULATED
RFP15N15
IDS (AMPERES)
IDS (AMPERES)
20
10
15
10
5
1.0
0.1
0
3.0
5.0
VGS (VOLTS)
0
7.0
FIGURE 6. DRAIN CURRENT vs GATE VOLTAGE (NOTE
SQUARE ROOT SCALE) - MEASURED CURVE vs
CALCULATED POINTS
-1
VDS (VOLTS)
-0.6
-0.4
-0.8
2
4
VDS (VOLTS)
6
8
FIGURE 7. DRAIN CURRENT vs DRAIN VOLTAGE FOR
CONSTANT VALUES OF GATE VOLTAGE MEASURED CURVES vs CALCULATED POINTS
40
-0.2
RFP15N15
0
0
RFP15N15
IDS (AMPERES)
-5
-10
IDS (AMPERES)
30
20
10
-15
0
0
-20
FIGURE 8. THIRD-QUADRANT DRAIN CURRENT vs DRAIN
VOLTAGE WITH CONSTANT POSITIVE GATE
VOLTAGE (CALCULATED)
40
80
120
VDS (VOLTS)
160
200
FIGURE 9. FIRST-QUADRANT DRAIN CURRENT vs DRAIN
VOLTAGE, VGS = CONSTANT. NOTE AVALANCHE
BREAKDOWN (CALCULATED)
150
10
75
120
8
60
10
4
60
RDRAIN = 10Ω
VSUPPLY = 37.5V, 75V, 112.5V, 150V
30
0
TEST CKT. (SEE REF. 1)
0
20
40
60
TIME (µs)
80
FIGURE 10. DRAIN AND GATE VOLTAGE vs TIME FOR
CONSTANT GATE CIRCUIT - MEASURED
CURVES vs CALCULATED POINTS
3
2
0
100
8
MEASURED
CALCULATED
10Ω
45
30
20V
0V
6
+
-
50Ω
4
50Ω
VGS (VOLTS)
6
MEASURED
CALCULATED
VDS (VOLTS)
RFP15N15
90
VGS (VOLTS)
VDS (VOLTS)
RFP15N15
2
15
0
200
400
600
TIME (ns)
800
1000
FIGURE 11. DRAIN AND GATE VOLTAGE vs TIME FOR
STANDARD SWITCHING CIRCUIT - MEASURED
CURVES vs CALCULATED POINTS
Application Note 9209
Conclusion
4A
ID (AMPERES)
RFP15N15
VGS = 0
0.0
An equivalent-circuit model for power-MOSFETs, that is
suitable for use with the SPICE CAD program, has been
demonstrated. The model is compatible with all versions of
SPICE presently available without modification to the
program’s internal code. The model addresses static and
dynamic behavior of first and third-quadrant operation,
including avalanche breakdown, and is empirical in nature.
All necessary input parameters may be inferred from data
sheets or simple terminal measurements.
Excellent agreement has been obtained between measured
and simulated results.
-4A
References
0
100
200
300
400
TIME (ns)
FIGURE 12. THIRD-QUADRANT DIODE - RECOVERY vs TIME
CURVE (CALCULATED)
[1] Wheatley Jr., C. F. and Ronan Jr., H. R., “Switching
Waveforms of the L2FET: A 5-Volt Gate-Drive Power
MOSFET,” Power Electronic Specialists Conference
Record, June 1984, p. 238
[2] Ronan Jr., H. R. and Wheatley Jr., C. F., “Power MOSFET Switching Waveforms: A New Insight,” Proceedings of Powercon II, April 1984, p. C-3
[3] Nienhaus, H. A., Bowers, J. C., and Herren Jr., P. C.,
“A High Power MOSFET Computer Model,” Power Conversion International, January 1982, p 65
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