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AN4391
Application note
New P-channel trench technology from ST for low power DC-DC
conversions and load switching applications
Delfo Fusillo, Filippo Scrimizzi
Introduction
P-channel and N-channel MOSFETs show a different electrical performance. Due to lower
hole mobility (three times smaller than electrons), the magnitude of specific on-resistance is
greater in the P-channel structure. A larger die-size is needed to reach the same RDS(on)
performance. However, an important advantage of P-channel devices is the simplicity and
the driving circuitry optimization. In this document, new STripFET VI DeepGATE trench Pchannel technology is deeply analyzed, from a technological point of view and in some of
most popular applications for P-channel FETs, such as: low power DC-DC conversions
(buck, boost) and load switches.
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Contents
AN4391
Contents
1
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2
P-channel technology overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3
P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1
12 V - 5 V, 2.5 A, 450 kHz non synchronous buck converter . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2
2.5 V - 5 V, 1 A, 600 kHz synchronous boost converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3
P-channel FETs as load switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6
Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
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Description
Description
P-channel MOSFETs don't play a relevant role in high-current applications, where a low
RDS(on) is required to minimize the system conduction losses. In fact, with the same diesize, the P-channel device’s RDS(on) is around 2.5/3 times higher than N-channel one, in
other words, a bigger die-size for P-channel structures is needed to achieve the same onstate performance. This is a serious drawback in terms of overall system cost, efficiency and
thermal management when the system works at a high switching frequency. If the die-size is
bigger, device’s intrinsic capacitances and switching losses are higher. However, there are
several application segments where P-channel FETs can be used with a good performance,
thanks to their electrical features. First of all, in low power DC-DC converters (buck
converter, with maximum load current in the range of 2 - 3 A), a P-channel device can be
used as high-side switch, without any additional external gate driving circuitry (i.e. charge
pump), simplifying the overall circuit complexity. Secondly, in boost converters with low input
voltages, a P-channel device can be used as an output synchronous rectifier, replacing a
low-VF diode and improving the converter efficiency thanks to its figure-of-merit (FOM =
RDS(on) * QG). Finally, one of the most common P-channel MOSFET applications is the load
switch, a pass element connecting a power source (battery, adapter) to a given load
(display, ASIC…); by shutting off the load switch, the loads can be temporarily disconnected
improving battery autonomy. Load switches are gaining ever-increasing importance
because battery life is becoming one of the most important requirements for modern
handheld devices.
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P-channel technology overview
2
AN4391
P-channel technology overview
The main target of silicon technology for P-channel structure has always been the RDS(on)
improvement. Old planar devices (Figure 1) show specific RDS(on) (also known as RDS(on) x
area) values, measured in mΩ *mm2, not competitive, with bigger die-sizes to achieve the
desired specifications. But, in this way, costs increase and the dynamic performance of the
FET worses, due to higher intrinsic capacitances. To center the electrical specifications
required by modern applications, the fixed course is to choose trench technology for new
low voltage P-channel MOSFETs. New STripFET VI DeepGATE trench technology develops
in order to produce a P-channel Power MOSFET with low RDS(on) and high robustness
during reliability stress. The cross section of new trench MOSFET, highlighting both body
and source contacts, is reported in Figure 2.
Figure 1. P-channel planar device structure
GIPG131120130855FSR
Figure 2. STripFET VI DeepGATE technology structure
GIPG131120130858FSR
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P-channel technology overview
In a trench structure, the gate electrode is made up of a deep dug polysilicon electrode,
isolated by a gate oxide layer. So, the trench extends beyond the bottom of N- body region
to form a channel connecting P+ source region to P- drift region. The elimination of JFET
region, which affects negatively the RDS(on) planar structures, allows very competitive
RDS(on) values to be achieved and the cell pitch to be reduced, with additional benefits in
other RDS(on) components.The main electrical parameters of two MOSFETs are reported in
Table 1: the STL30P3LLH6 is realized with the new STripFET VI DeepGATE technology
and is compared with an old planar device.
Table 1. MOSFET electrical parameters
Type
BVDSS
@ 250
µA
RDS(on)
typ. @ 5 V
RDS(on)
typ. @ 10
V
STL30P3LLH6
> 30 V
39 mΩ
28 mΩ
1.8 V
1300 pF
Old planar
device
> 30 V
65 mΩ
45 mΩ
1.6 V
1350 pF
VTH @ 250
Ciss @ 25 V Crss @ 25 V
µA
Coss @ 25
V
RG
125 pF
175 pF
2.3 Ω
130 pF
490 pF
3Ω
In Figure 3 there is a comparison between the RDS(on) x area and die-size of two above
mentioned devices:
Figure 3. STripFET VI DeepGATE technology vs. planar one
GIPG131120130900FSR
As shown in the previous chart, the STL30P3LLH6 RDS(on) x area improvement is around
60% (both at 4.5 V and 10 V), while its die-size is halved.
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P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters
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AN4391
P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters
For low power DC-DC converters, the above described MOSFETs are tested in the following
topologies:
3.1
1.
Non synchronous buck converter, where the P-channel device is used as main switch.
2.
Synchronous boost converter, where the P-channel FET works as synchronous device,
replacing a low-VF diode.
12 V - 5 V, 2.5 A, 450 kHz non synchronous buck converter
The simplified schematic of the buck converter, highlighting its main sections, is shown in
Figure 4. Q1 is the P-channel FET, mounted as main switch; the synchronous element is the
Schottky diode D1. LOUT and COUT form the converter output filter, while RC networks,
connected to FB and COMP controller pins, are the feedback circuit and compensation
network.
Figure 4. Non synchronous buck converter schematic
Driver+Controller
GIPG131120131325FSR
The switching behavior is evaluated by capturing full load waveforms (IOUT,MAX = 2.5 A), at
steady-state and during turn-on and off transients. Figure 5 and Figure 6 refer to the
STL30P3LLH6 while Figure 7 and Figure 8 show old planar device waveforms.
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P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters
Figure 5. STL30P3LLH6 steady-state waveforms
GIPG131120130902FSR
Turn-on waveforms are not reported because of VDS and VGS signals, which are regular
without relevant stresses.
Figure 6. STL30P3LLH6 turn-off waveforms
GIPG131120130927FSR
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Figure 7. Old planar device steady-state waveforms
GIPG131120130931FSR
Figure 8. Old planar device turn-off waveforms
GIPG131120130932FSR
Comparing Figure 6 and Figure 8, two FETs are perfectly aligned, maximum VDS spike is
much lower than BVDSS rating. In a buck converter, high-side (or main switch) switching
losses are given by:
Equation 1
Q GS
1
P sw = --- ⋅ V IN ⋅  IOUT ⋅ f sw ⋅ Q GD + ------------ ⋅ ( ts ( L – H ) + t s ( H – L ) )

2 
2
where ts(L-H) and ts(H-L) are the switching times (linked to driver supply voltage, pull-up/down
and gate resistances), QGD and QGS the gate-drain and gate-source MOSFET charge. If the
switching frequency is higher, device switching losses increase. The conduction losses are:
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P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters
Equation 2
P COND = D ⋅ RDS ( on ) ⋅ I
2
D is the converter duty-cycle (D=VOUT/VIN) and I the drain current. Increasing D, conduction
losses become more significant. Converter losses can be minimized only if MOSFET
dynamic (QG, gate charge) and static (RDS(on), drain-source resistance) parameters are as
low as possible. In Figure 9 efficiency curves are shown:
Figure 9. Efficiency comparison
GIPG131120130934FSR
The efficiency gain is high both at light and full load, due to simultaneous switching and
conduction loss minimization. Finally, Figure 10 shows thermal measurements at light
(IOUT = 0.5 A) and full load (IOUT = 2 A):
Figure 10. Temperature measurements
GIPG131120130936FSR
At low currents, thanks to lower intrinsic capacitances, the STL30P3LLH6 has lower
switching losses and gate drive losses (they are needed to switch on and off the device):
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hence, the driver is also cooler. At high-currents, a better RDS(on) allows higher efficiency
and lower temperature.
3.2
2.5 V - 5 V, 1 A, 600 kHz synchronous boost converter
Low power synchronous boost converters are widely used: in fact, their input voltage range
(typically, from 2.5 V to 4.2 V) allows operation from a 3.3 V source or directly from a Li-ion
battery. In this converter (Figure 11), P-channel FET (Q2) can be used as synchronous
element, replacing a low-VF diode with lower voltage drop increasing the efficiency of the
entire system.
Figure 11. Synchronous boost converter schematic
GIPG131120131330FSR
The STL30P3LLH6 and planar device’s switching and efficiency behavior (see Table 1) are
compared. Due to low input voltage level, there are not D-S voltage stress issues, with
maximum values well lower than the device breakdown rating (Figure 12 and Figure 13).
So, waveforms are quite regular for both devices.
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P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters
Figure 12. STL30P3LLH6 turn-off waveforms
GIPG131120130952FSR
Figure 13. Old planar device turn-off waveforms
GIPG131120130955FSR
Due to converter duty cycle, δ (Q2 is ON for most of time), the major loss factor for
synchronous device is the conduction loss, strictly related to FET RDS(on):
Equation 3
2
Pcond
I OUT
= R DS ( on ) ⋅ --------------1–δ
The RDS(on) improvement achieved thanks to P-channel trench technology allows the
STL30P3LLH6’s conduction loss minimization, exalting the overall efficiency at medium and
full load (Figure 14).
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Figure 14. Efficiency comparison
GIPG131120131202FSR
Finally, together with the efficiency improvement, Q2 (synchronous device) and driver
temperatures are cooler when the STL30P3LLH6 is mounted.
Table 2. Thermal measurements @ 4 W (°C)
Device
T(Q1)
T(Q2)
T(DRV)
STL30P3LLH6
34.4
35.1
34.4
Old planar device
35
38.1
35.6
Thanks to RDS(ON) optimization, STripFET VI DeepGATE technology allows a good
converter performance, especially in efficiency and thermal management, together with diesize shrinking and micro-package assembly availability.
3.3
P-channel FETs as load switches
Load switches are gaining ever-increasing importance (widely used in mobile phones,
notebooks, tablets, handheld gaming system, etc…) playing a crucial role in the modern
mobile system performance maximization. In fact, they provide a simple way to connect a
voltage rail to a specific load, depending on the particular system operating mode.
Disconnecting the unused load, the entire system can work more efficiently. Figure 15
shows a P-channel device used as load switch:
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P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters
Figure 15. Load switch circuit
GIPG131120131334FSR
Q1 is the load switch, while Q2 is the control FET (N-channel): when Q2 is ON
(by a high logic signal), Q1 gate is at GND level, turning on Q1 (VOUT = VIN) level. The main
advantage of a P-channel FET as load switch is the driving circuit, because no additional
circuit (i.e. charge pump) is needed to turn on and off the switch. Moreover, it is the best
choice for low power and high VOUT load switch applications. In Table 3, the main
application requirements are reported:
Table 3. Load switch application requirements
Parameter
Value
VIN
12 V
ILOAD
1A
RL
12 Ω
CL
47 pF
In Table 1, the main electrical parameters of the tested devices are reported.
The load switch can be characterized by a series of switching parameters, which are briefly
shown below:
1.
Enable time, time between 50% of logic signal (applied to Q2 gate), in the rising edge,
and 10% of VOUT
2.
Disable time, time between 50% of logic signal, in falling edge, and 90% of VOUT
3.
VOUT rise time, time between 10% and 90% of output voltage, during rising edge
4.
VOUT fall time, time between 90% and 10% of output voltage, in the falling edge
As shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17, the STL30P3LLH6’s turn-on time is shorter than
planar device, allowing faster VOUT rising phase and therefore lower rise time (23 μs vs. 34
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μs, Figure 16 and Figure 17). Vice versa, the output voltage fall time is less sensitive to Q1
switching speed variations, because it is strictly linked to load capacitance and R1 values.
Figure 16. STL30P3LLH6 turn-on waveforms
GIPG131120131314FSR
Figure 17. Old planar device turn-on waveforms
GIPG131120131317FSR
The shorter turn-on process also implies lower turn-on power losses (41 μJ vs. 54 μJ), as
shown in Figure 18 and Figure 19. During ON state (output load enabled), the
STL30P3LLH6 has lower conduction losses thanks to its better RDS(on); so, combining a
better performance both during switching transients and in ON state, the STL30P3LLH6 has
lower power losses during one entire cycle (ECYCLE = ESW + EON). These results are
summarized in Figure 20.
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P-channel FETs in low power DC-DC converters
Figure 18. P-channel FET1 turn-on losses
GIPG131120131319FSR
Figure 19. P-channel FET2 turn-on losses
GIPG131120131321FSR
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Figure 20. Power loss comparison
GIPG131120131323FSR
In load switch applications, STripFET VI DeepGATE technology, with its optimized figure-ofmerit, allows the switching time optimization (enable, disable, rise and fall times) and power
loss minimization. So, the specific load can be connected and used in more efficient way.
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Conclusions
Conclusions
Thanks to some of its electrical features, P-channel MOSFETs are very often used in low
power DC-DC converters (as main switch or synchronous device) and in load switching
applications. FOM (FOM= RDS(on) · QG) minimization is mandatory for both applications to
optimize the overall system performance. STripFET VI DeepGATE technology allows a
strong RDS(on) x area minimization (-60% than old planar technology), maintaining a good
switching performance: this implies an excellent thermal and efficiency performance, both at
light and at full load, in low power DC-DC converters, but also fast switching times and low
overall system losses in load switch applications.
5
References
B. Jayant Baliga, Fundamentals of Power Semiconductor Devices, Springer Science, 2008
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Revision history
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Revision history
Table 4. Document revision history
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Date
Revision
21-Nov-2013
1
Changes
Initial release.
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