AN9519: Using the HS-26C31RH, HS-26CT31RH Radiation Hardened RS-422 Line Driver

Application Note 9519
Authors: Jim Swonger and Don Koch
Using the HS-26C(T)31RH Radiation Hardened
RS-422 Line Driver
Description
Output Characteristics
The HS-26C(T)31RH is a radiation hardened RS-422 line
driver which incorporates specific performance
enhancements while maintaining pin and functional
compatibility with commercial 2631 types. The
HS-26C31RH has CMOS input levels and the
HS-26CT31RH accepts TTL-level signals. The two circuits
are identical except for the configuration of the input
buffers. The HS-26C31RH has substantially lower output
impedance and higher output current capability than
commercial types. Short circuit protection to ground is
provided by an active output sense circuit. A power-up
reset feature inhibits output below 3.5V (typical). These
features address requirements particular to the space
design community. This Application Note describes the
operational characteristics of these features and the
differences from commercial 2631 part types.
The output drivers of the HS-26C31RH have been
designed to provide a low, constant output impedance
over the operating output range. The ZOUT is typically
5Ω. The low impedance allows closer, more repeatable
matching to transmission lines.
Pinout
HS-26C(T)31RH
TOP VIEW
AIN 1
16 VDD
AO 2
15 DIN
AO 3
14 DO
ENABLE 4
13 DO
BO 5
12 ENABLE
BO 6
11 CO
BIN 7
10 CO
9 CIN
GND 8
An output impedance of 5Ω requires a very high output
current capability. The BiCMOS output stage consists of a
large NMOS sink driver and a PMOS/NPN emitter follower
source driver. Both have 4Ω output resistors in series to
linearize the output impedance (the bulk of ZOUT comes
from the resistor; the driver devices are sized so that
their contribution is small). Both the source and sink
drivers are capable of current in excess of 500mA,
consistent with their ZOUT.
While the drivers have high current capability electrically,
the ability of the device to dissipate heat precludes using
them in continuous-duty high-current applications. The
output current/impedance characteristics are designed to
meet transmission-line matching and drive
requirements.
The source (high) driver has an output short circuit
protection mechanism which protects against output
shorts to ground. This IOS limiter operates in a unique
manner. Short circuit is sensed as the failure of the
output to move above a threshold (typically 1V) within a
set time-out (50ns to 100ns). If the output does not
move, the high drive is reduced from its initial high level
to a lower drive of 120mA typical (compliant with the
RS-422 150mA IOS limit). An output which is shorted will
trip to the 120mA IOS state when brought below 1V.
When the output short is released, the output driver
returns to its normal state when the output voltage
(driven by the IOS current) rises above 1V. This
mechanism allows the output to supply the high currents
necessary to present a low output impedance but
prevents the driver from being damaged by short circuit
conditions.
The presence of the IOS feedback circuit means that
there is active circuitry which takes its input from the
output pin. There is therefore, a dynamic IDD component
deriving from output pin activity as well as from
input-controlled transitions. A three-stated part on an
active line will draw slightly higher IDD because of this
circuit activity. However, the time-averaged IDD in such
an application is only 33µA/MHz/channel.
April 26, 2010
AN9519.2
1
CAUTION: These devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge; follow proper IC Handling Procedures.
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Application Note 9519
Output Drive Current vs Output
Voltage
600
ZO ~5W; IOS TRIP AT 1V
IOH (mA)
400
The POR circuit has built-in hysteresis to allow more
supply headroom once the part is powered up. That is,
the POR enables the outputs at 3.5V but does not disable
them until the supply falls below 3.2V (typical).
200
IOS TRIP
0
Supply Decoupling
VOUT
0
5
VOUT (V)
FIGURE 1A. IOH vs VOUT
The HS-26C(T)31RH has very high drive current
capability. This means, in addition to the desirable ability
to quickly drive a large load, a requirement to have that
drive current readily available at the supply pins.
The VDD and ground pins of these devices should be
bypassed as close to the part as physically possible with
capacitors having low ESR and moderate-to-high
capacitance. The amount of capacitance scales with the
load driven. A minimum of 0.1µF is recommended, and
more is suggested.
0
ZO ~5W FROM 0V TO 4V
-200
IOH (mA)
high threshold is the fact that some customers have
reported anomalous behavior in their TTL-based logic
circuits (glitches, oscillations, etc.) at lower supply levels
where these part types are just becoming active. Since
these circuits would be controlling data and enable pins
on the HS-26C(T)31RH, it is desirable to block all inputs
and maintain output three-state until the control inputs
can safely be assumed to be valid and stable. A 3.5V POR
level is a good compromise between system stabilization
and supply headroom.
-400
To derive the theoretical minimum bypass cap required,
take all four channels switching in unison. There is an
internal transient current demand and a load current
demand. Assuming max VDD and 200pF/channel load,
with the output swinging from ground to VDD - 1V.
-600
I INT = CPD
( dv ) ⁄ ( dt )
5.5V
I INT = 4 ( 170p ) × ⎛ ------------⎞ = 1.2A
⎝ 3ns ⎠
-800
0
5
VOUT (V)
FIGURE 1B. IOL vs VOUT
FIGURE 1.
Power-Up Reset
The HS-26C(T)31RH design includes a power-up “reset”
circuit which maintains the outputs in a high-impedance
state until the supply voltage rises above a preset
threshold, typically 3.5V. This ensures that the outputs
will either be under input pin control or will be
three-stated.
This feature has value in applications where entire
modules or boards are power-strobed to reduce supply
demand or for redundancy. Many space applications take
this approach. The POR feature provides the capability to
power-cycle the circuit without line interference.
The POR enable level was set to keep the outputs
three-stated well past the point where the
HS-26C(T)31RH becomes functional. The reason for the
2
(EQ. 1)
I LOAD = C LOAD ( dv ) ⁄ ( dt )
( 4.5 )V
I LOAD = 4 ( 200p ) × ⎛ -----------------⎞ = 720mA
⎝ 5ns ⎠
(EQ. 2)
I DD ( PK ) = 2A
(EQ. 3)
duration 5ns
Applying a 2A/5ns rectangular pulse to a 0.1µF capacitor
will remove 1E - 8 Coulomb of charge. Using DQ = CdV,
Equation 4 gives:
1E – 8 = 1E – 7dV or dV = 0.1V
(EQ. 4)
In real applications, however, there are additional
considerations. In particular, the resistance and
inductance of board traces have the potential to slow the
maximum current edge rate, thereby collapsing the
available VDD at the part or raising the ground level.
Inductance also has the potential to form a resonant
supply/ground circuit which can degrade noise margins
and timing if ringing is severe enough to approach the
noise margin levels. As with other high speed/high drive
logic types, proper board design is a factor in obtaining
optimum performance.
AN9519.2
April 26, 2010
Application Note 9519
Transmission Lines
The RS-422 transmission line is a twisted-pair, 100Ω line
standard. The standard RS-422 load is a 100Ω shunt
termination and three 100pF capacitors, one between
pins and one from each output pin to ground. This is
intended to model the load presented by a cable
attached to the pins.
In satellite applications the use of shunt termination is
unappealing due to the high amount of current required
to hold a line signal voltage against the shunt resistance:
20mA or more per channel, typically 40mA, even when
the signal is doing nothing at all. For this reason, these
applications typically use source (or series) termination
resistors to match the transmission line impedance.
OUT+
IN
A1
SHUNT TERMINATION
HS-26C(T)31RH B1
OUT-
A2
Z LINE
RES
TRANSMISSION S2
LINE
GND
S1
R = Z LINE
B2
FIGURE 2.
applied before the first has settled. A shunt resistor of
the same resistance as the characteristic line impedance
or two series resistors, each Z/2, are ideal. A terminating
resistor larger than ZLINE will produce a far-end
waveform which is “overdamped”; it steps most of the
way to the final value, a bit more on the next reflection,
never quite getting there but getting closer. A low value
for the matching resistor will act “underdamped”; the far
end will overshoot, then undershoot, hunting around the
final value. This behavior is more dangerous because in
severe cases the undershoot may actually recross the far
end receiver’s input threshold and produce multiple logic
transitions before it settles out. In practice, the
percentage of mismatch corresponds pretty well to the
amount of overshoot or undershoot.
This requirement for good line matching is the primary
reason for the high output drive capability/low output
impedance design of the HS-26C(T)31RH. By minimizing
the amount and variability of the impedance inside the
device, the total drive impedance (the sum of internal
impedance and external matching) is less subject to
variability from supply, temperature and radiation. This
allows tighter matching and better transmission line
performance.
Power Dissipation
R = Z LINE/2
IN
OUT+ R1
A1
SOURCE TERMINATION
HS-26C(T)31RH
B1
R = Z LINE/2
S1
OUT- R2
TRANSMISSION
LINE
A2
S2 B2
GND
FIGURE 3.
Source termination depends more heavily on the quality
of line driver characteristics and impedance matching
than shunt termination. This is due in large part to the
absence of any DC return path for the signals. The
drivers excite the line pair in antiphase. If this antiphase
is perfect, the lines cancel perfectly and there is no
current in the shielding and no radiated noise from the
line. If the matching of the line impedance is perfect,
the transition will be completed on the first reflection.
If the signal transitions of the true and complement
drivers are separated in time, there will be a different
current generated by the failure of the lines fields to
cancel each other; this difference current will run in the
shield, which becomes a third line rather than a passive
covering. This unshielded current is undesirable; it
produces EMI which can degrade the performance of
nearby circuitry. The timing skew specification of the
RS-422 Specification is intended to limit the amount of
time difference. A typical HS-26C(T)31RH has less than
1ns of skew.
If the line impedance is not properly matched, the
waveform at the far end of the line will not settle to its
final value immediately. This compromises noise margin
and can cause odd behavior if the next transition is
3
The HS-26C(T)31RH dissipates about 100µA IDD current
at standby (limit = 500µA). Most of this is in the analog
power-up reset circuitry.
Operating current at frequency is the sum of the standby
current and the dynamic operating current given by
(CPD)(VDD) (frequency). For the HS-26C(T)31RH the
CPD (per active channel) is 170pF.
Cross-Strapping
In space systems it is vital to have a data
communications bus structure which provides resistance
to single point failures. One common technique is the use
of redundant bus drivers and receivers in parallel,
sometimes called cross-strapping. In this arrangement
one driver and receiver are active and another pair is
quiescent. The desire to minimize power leads to the
need to power down the redundant circuits. This poses a
problem for typical CMOS output structures and input
protection circuits. The parasitic diodes in the P-Channel
output drivers and the input clamp diodes will tend to
clamp the signal unless the supply voltage to the
quiescent parts remains above the bus signal range.
The HS-26C(T)31RH transmitter provides
RS-422-compliant output characteristic, including
power-off isolation. The output stage presents a high
impedance to the line with power off (VDD < 3V). This
prevents any significant amount of current flow over an
output voltage range of 0.25V to 6V with respect to
device ground.
The use of a BiCMOS output stage provides an output
characteristic very similar to LSTTL devices and superior
to standard CMOS. Figure 4 shows what the NPN, NMOS
and PMOS device physical structures look like. Figure 4
AN9519.2
April 26, 2010
Application Note 9519
illustrates the four standard output topologies and their
associated parasitic diodes.
The standard P-Well CMOS structure presents an
undesirable characteristic to the line when the supply is
at 0V. This is due to the P-Channel drivers parasitic
drain-body diode, which becomes forward-biased at
voltages above ground (see Figure 5A).
N-Channel source-follower high side drivers and
NPN-based output drivers have parasitic diodes which
remain reverse-biased with VDD at 0V and output
voltages above ground. These output types will not
conduct until the E-B or S-B diodes break down, typically
above 7V (see Figures 5B and 5C).
The HS-26C31RH line driver is produced in a radiation
hardened CMOS process but uses a NPN bipolar output
driver to provide both high output drive and power-off
output isolation. The output can be run from ground to
over 6V without significant leakage, with the supply off,
unlike standard CMOS logic types. This allows the
outputs of active and inactive drivers to be paralleled
without complications (see Figure 5D).
The HS-26C32RH line receiver has an input structure
which provides a ±10V maximum input signal range with
respect to device ground. The input impedance of the
receiver is typically 10,000Ω, with no clamping devices at
the pin. A powered-down device simply adds its input
impedance in parallel to the other devices on the line.
Lab tests verify the difference in behavior between a
standard CMOS input and output with power off and the
HS-26C31RH and HS-26C32RH devices line inputs and
outputs. The inactive CMOS devices clamp whatever
line they are attached to at less than a volt, drawing
many mA. The line pins of the Intersil RS-422 chip set
are well-behaved, acting as a three-state output and a
10kΩ input.
NMOS
NPN
E (N)
D (N)
B (P)
PMOS
S (N)
D (P)
S (P)
B (P)
C/S (N)
S (N)
S (N)
FIGURE 4. NPN, NMOS AND PMOS DEVICE PHYSICAL STRUCTURES
VDD
M4
PMOS
NMOS
S
S
VDD
VDD
M49
D12
LINE
M5
OK
D11
GND
STANDARD CMOS
OUTPUT STAGE
GND
D10
D9
GND
FORWARD
BIASED
VO > 0V
NMOS
NMOS
S
S
FIGURE 5A. STANDARD CMOS OUTPUT STAGE
LINE
OK
D17
GND
GND
OK
D55
D25
GND
VDD UP
VDD = GND
PARASITIC DIODES
FIGURE 5B. NMOS ONLY OUTPUT STAGE
VDD
VDD
Q53
D54
Q52
D31
OK
D28
OK
D56
VDD UP
VDD = GND
PARASITIC DIODES
FIGURE 5C. STANDARD LSTTL OUTPUT STAGE
D59
Q58
LINE
GND
GND
STANDARD LSTTL
OUTPUT STAGE
D50
M21
NMOS ONLY
OUTPUT STAGE
VDD UP
VDD = GND
PARASITIC DIODES
VDD
NMOS
S
M44
D43
GND
INTERSIL BiCMOS
OUTPUT STAGE
GND
LINE
OK
D45
OK
D57
GND
VDD UP
VDD = GND
PARASITIC DIODES
FIGURE 5D. INTERSIL BICMOS OUTPUT STAGE
FIGURE 5. FOUR STANDARD OUTPUT TOPOLOGIES
4
AN9519.2
April 26, 2010
Application Note 9519
System Noise
OUTPUT CURRENT MAXIMUM
Another primary benefit of a balanced, differential line
standard such as RS-422 is the cancellation of radiated
EMI from the data lines. A shielded twisted-pair data line
has primary EMI cancellation by virtue of the antiphase
signals and Faraday shielding as well. In applications,
where sensitive analog circuitry has to reside near the
data bus, this type of bus standard can significantly
improve system noise levels and signal quality.
The HS-26CT31RH will source and sink over 500mA
(+25°C, 5V). This reduces loading effects on timing. It
also increases signal strength at higher data rates.
Using this chip set, a 10MHz, low power, quiet bus
system with cross-strapped redundant data paths can be
implemented easily. The Intersil radiation-hardened
CMOS solution cuts power compared to bipolar chip sets
and allows configurations not possible with standard
CMOS logic.
The large voltage swings, low typical line impedance and
differential bus also provide superior immunity to both
supply and radiatively-coupled noise. The normal signal
span is 8V (+4 to -4) for the HS-26C31/32RH, less than
5V for standard single-ended CMOS and less than 4V for
LSTTL. In addition, the HS-26C32RH can tolerate
differences between driver and receiver ground levels
which would render standard logic either unreliable or
completely nonfunctional. For example, an LSTTL or
CMOS input whose ground supply is more than 1V below
the driving device’s may never switch because its
VIL(min) level cannot be met. The HS-26C32RH
functions properly with its inputs ±7V from device
ground. This also minimizes the chances of ground
bounce or supply spikes causing false logic states.
Substrate Connection
The substrate of the HS-26C(T)31RH circuits is
connected internally to the VDD pin. If the
HS-26C(T)31RH is used in die form for hybrid
applications, the die should be mounted to an
electrically isolated surface. If there is any electrical
connection to the back side of the die, there will be a
low value resistance to the VDD pin. However, the
value of the resistance of the substrate and mounting
material are not necessarily low or well enough
controlled to use as a supply feed.
Summary of 2631 Type Lab Comparison
Results
The commercial LS and CMOS parts are limited to
approximately 100mA.
OUTPUT SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT
The HS-26CT31RH provides an output short circuit
current limit of 130mA into a true short-to-ground. In
other conditions full output current is permitted.
Commercial LS and CMOS parts IOS and maximum drive
current are the same.
TRANSMISSION LINE PERFORMANCE
HS-26CT31RH provides stronger signal at far end of line,
less amplitude degradation with increasing frequency.
Radiated noise (shield current) is equivalent to other
types.
RADIATION
The HS-26C(T)31RH and HS-26C(T)32RH have been
fully characterized to 300k RAD total dose. A sample of
each wafer lot is evaluated to 300k RAD (Si) total dose,
and all post rad electricals (in accordance with the
datasheet) must pass.
In addition, Single Event Upset (SEU) and Single Event
Latch-up (SEL) testing on these two parts demonstrate
that the SEU and SEL thresholds are each >80
MEV/mg/cm2. The testing was performed by NASA
Goddard SFC, and is published in the 1994 IEEE
Radiation Effects Data Workshop. (IEEE Publication #
94TH06841, “Single Event Effect Proton and Heavy Ion
Test Results for Candidate Spacecraft Electronics”, by K.
LaBel et al).
CONCLUSION
The Intersil HS-26CT31RH provides superior hardness to
the commercial bipolar and CMOS types tested. Power
dissipation is less than CMOS or bipolar types up to 1MHz
unloaded. Higher output signal strength consumes
slightly more power in load. Intersil RH CMOS part can
run three channels fully loaded at 10MHz on less current
than an unloaded LS part at DC.
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
The Intersil HS-26CT31RH has a constant output
impedance of 5Ω over its output range.
The commercial LS and CMOS part types have output
impedances which are not constant; they change from
5Ω to 10Ω to >100Ω over the output swing.
5
AN9519.2
April 26, 2010
Application Note 9519
TABLE 1. PRE-RAD UNLOADED ICC AND CPD
ICC DC
(mA)
ICC 1MHz
(mA) (Note 1)
ICC 10MHz
(mA) (Note 1)
CPD
(pF/CHANNEL)
(Note 2)
HS-26CT31RH
0.3
1.0
8.7
170
DS26C31CN
1.5
2.5
4.7
65
67.5
68.7
82.4
300
PART TYPE
AM26LS31CN
NOTES:
1. One channel active at specified frequency.
2. CPD = (ICC 10M-ICCDC)/(5.0V x 10MHz).
TABLE 2. ICC, 20 FEET OF 77Ω LINE (Note 3)
ICC 1MHz
(mA)
ICC 10MHz
(mA)
HS-26CT31RH
11.5
18.2
DS26C31CN
11.3
14.5
AM26LS31CN
73.5
89.5
PART TYPE
NOTE:
3. One channel active at specified frequency.
TABLE 3. 1MHz ICC, 20 FEET OF 77Ω LINE (Note 4)
PART TYPE
300k RAD
(mA)
HS-26CT31RH
12.0
DS26C31CN
12.2
AM26LS31CN
75.3
NOTE:
4. One channel active at specified frequency.
Intersil Corporation reserves the right to make changes in circuit design, software and/or specifications at any time without notice. Accordingly, the
reader is cautioned to verify that the Application Note or Technical Brief is current before proceeding.
For information regarding Intersil Corporation and its products, see www.intersil.com
6
AN9519.2
April 26, 2010