VISHAY AN732

AN732
Vishay Siliconix
Designing A High-Voltage Non-Isolated
Buck-Boost Converter with the Si9121DY
Nitin Kalje
The Si9121DY is a non-isolated buck-boost converter IC,
operating from a wide input voltage range of –10 to –60 V with
minimal external components. This polarity inverter converts
–48 V to +5 V or +3.3 V, making it suitable for applications
including digital phones and ISDN power supplies. A
non-isolated buck-boost design with the Si9121 eliminates the
need for an expensive transformer, while its integrated low
on-resistance MOSFET driver, floating feedback error
amplifier, fixed-frequency oscillator, output voltage sensing
resistor divider, and depletion mode MOSFET for start up/VCC
regulation reduce the external component count to less
than 10. Current-mode control technology achieves good line
transient response, making the Si9121DY suitable for the high
source impedance environment. Other features include the
under-voltage lock out, programmable soft start, pulse by
pulse current limit, hiccup mode with negligible power delivery
and dissipation during continuous short circuit conditions,
automatic recovery from hiccup after fault removal, and over
temperature shutdown. The Si9121 is available in a narrow
body SO-8 package and allows power dissipation of up to
1.25 W.
while the output capacitor supports the load current. Since the
current in an inductor cannot change instantaneously, the
voltage across it reverses to maintain a constant current when
the main switch turns off. The reverse voltage is clamped to
(VO + VD), and the inductor is discharged through the diode,
output capacitor, and load.
The energy stored and discharged to the load is proportional to
the square of the peak inductor current. At full load, the circuit
can be designed to operate in a continuous conduction mode
to reduce the peak and RMS currents in the MOSFET switch
and an inductor. Operation is in discontinuous mode at lower
loads. The constant volt-second product determines the
operating duty cycle in continuous conduction mode while the
amount of energy needed to be stored in the inductor
determines the duty cycle in discontinuous conduction mode.
The peak and average inductor currents for continuous mode
operation are:
I L(AVG) I L(PK) The Si9121DY uses a current-mode flyback topology to
convert the –48-V input to a +5-V or +3.3-V output. As shown in
Figure 1, the inductor stores energy during switch-on time,
COM
I OUT
1–
(1)
IOUT
I
L
1–
2
(2)
COM
IL
L
Si9121
∆IL
C
ID
IL(PK)
IL(AVG)
IL
t
IS
t
ID
IOUT
t
+VOUT
SW
ISW
–VIN
FIGURE 1. Buck-Boost Converter
Document Number: 71156
04-May-00
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4
VOUT
5
COMP
10 mA
R1*
GND
6
R2*
+
–
2 mA
VCC
–
GM
+
+
–
H
3.5 V
VREF
1.25 V
–
+
L
1.5 V
VNEG
Soft Start
Hiccup Discharge Mode
OSC
OTP
7
VCC
8
0.6 V
–
+
–
Low Side
Error Amp
LX
50% Max.
PWM Duty Cycle
+
R Q
–VIN
S
3
BYPASS
OCL
Bias/
Reference
Circuit
+
0.67 V
–
1
–
+
–
+
2
8.5 V
VNEG
+
–
CS
0.6-V Hysteresis
*R1 and R2 are internal voltage setting resistors used to set
output voltage to fixed 3.3 V or 5 V.
FIGURE 2. Detailed Block Diagram
The following sections provide an outline of considerations for
designing a buck-boost converter using the Si9121DY. The
component selection is based on the 100-kHz operating
frequency to achieve maximum efficiency. An inductor,
input/output filter, a tantalum or low-cost aluminum capacitor, a
Schottky diode, and a few resistors/capacitors are required for
a complete solution.
operation at a nominal line. Use the following equation to
calculate the inductance:
LMIN +
d+
(V OUT ) V D) (1 * d) 2
2 I OMIN FSW
(VOUT ) V F)
(V IN–V SW) ) (V OUT ) VF)
(3)
(4)
Inductor
Selection of the inductor is based on the inductance value, the
maximum temperature rise of the coil at maximum load
current, and peak saturating current. The temperature rise is
related to the power dissipation and/or efficiency. The higher
inductance value drives the converter in continuous mode
operation, reducing the RMS currents but at the same time
increasing the size of the inductor for the same current
handling capability. To find a balance, select a load current
(IO(min)) that is slightly lower than the operating load current at
which the converter begins continuous current mode
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Where,
LMIN = min Inductance for continuous conduction mode
operation at VIN and IOUT (H)
IO(min) = min load current required for in continuous
conduction mode (A)
VOUT = Output voltage (V)
VIN = Nominal Input voltage (V)
VF = Diode Forward drop at IO (V)
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VSW = Voltage drop across MOSFET + current sense
resistor at IO (V)
FSW = Switching frequency (Hz)
d= Duty Cycle
During start-up, the inductor on-current can reach the
threshold current limit, IPK_LIMIT = VCS/RSENSE. For efficient
energy storage and transfer, the inductor must be operated
below its saturating flux density. Make sure that the peak
saturating inductor current ISAT is more than the worst-case
threshold current limit. Use the follow equation to calculate:
I SAT u 0.77
R SENSE
(5)
Output Capacitor
In the buck-boost converter, both the input and output
capacitor currents are pulsating or discontinuous. Obviously,
to achieve acceptable ripple performance, a much higher
capacitance and lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) are
needed at both input and output to support these pulsating
currents. In continuous current mode, the amount of
capacitance needed is a function of the output load and the
switching frequency, for a given pk-pk ripple caused by loss of
charges (DVOC). Use following equation to choose the
capacitor value COUT for continuous conduction mode
operation.
C OUT w
V
)V F
OUT
(V INMIN*V
))(V
)V F)
SW
OUT
I OMAX
F SW
R2 v
VC_PK–1.5
25 mA
The output capacitor and the load resistor RL introduce the
power stage pole (fp1). This pole causes gain rollover at a rate
of 20db/decade.
f P1 +
(6)
1
2p C OUT R L
(8)
DV OC
The input impedance of the capacitor (ESR at a switching
frequency) causes the output voltage to drop when the output
load current is supplied by the capacitor. In continuous current
mode, the ESR needed to limit the pk-pk ripple to DVOESR can
be calculated using equation 7.
ESR v
compensation, the soft-start action sequence needs to be
considered as well (Figure 3). At start-up, once the VCC
reaches above UVLO threshold, the COMP steps up to 1.5 V.
The R2, C7, C8 combination at the COMP start charging with
10-mA of current. During this period, the duty cycle slowly
opens up with the voltage rise at error output (COMP), and
output starts rising during time t1 (Figure 3). During this period,
the amount of energy delivered to charge the output capacitor
and support the load current depends on the inductance and
peak current passing through it. This continues until the output
VOUT reaches approximately 2.5 V, at which point the soft-start
charging current increases to 25 mA. The soft start charging
current passing through resistor R2 shoots up the error
amplifier output voltage to VC-pk, where the OCL comparator
limits the maximum current in the inductor during on time. Care
must be taken to keep VC-pk below 3.5 V. If VCOMP exceeds an
upper threshold (approximately 3.5 V), the timer is started. This
will discharge the compensation network capacitor and the
converter will unintentionally enter into hiccup mode. Use the
following equation to determine the resistor value R2.
DV OESR
I L(PEAK)
The low frequency zero (fz1) should be placed before the
power stage low-frequency pole (fp1) introduced by output
capacitor and the load resistor RL. Placing the fz1 as early as
possible on the frequency scale maintains the low frequency
gain.
f Z1 +
1
2 p R7
C7 C8 Ǔ
ǒC7)C8
(9)
or
ESR v
DV OESR
I
O
1–d MAX
)
DI L
(7)
2
Where,
V
dMAX
DI L + INMIN
L FSW
The available output ripple is sum of the two ripple components
DVOC and DVOESR.
Total DVO(pk-pk) = DVOC + DVOESR
To reduce the number of external components, the Si9121DY
uses the same external components for multiple functions.
While selecting the R2, C7, and C8 network for lead lag
Document Number: 71156
04-May-00
The capacitor ESR introduces zero at the frequency where the
impedance offered by the ESR is equal to the capacitive
impedance. At this frequency, the gain tends to go flat.
f Z*ESR +
1
2p C OUT
ESR
(10)
The high frequency error amplifier pole (fp2) is needed to make
the compensation independent of the output capacitor’s ESR
and to eliminate high-frequency noise spikes.
f p2 v f Z*ESR
and,
f p2 +
1
2 p R7C8
(11)
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VCOMP
COMP
R7
C8
PWM
VC–PK
C7
Error Amp
VC1
To Driver
1.5
0.67 V
OCL
t
CS
t1
t2
FIGURE 3. Start-Up Sequence VCOMP
Refer to Figures 4 and 5 to observe the turn on with the R2, C7,
C8 values from the typical application circuit of Figure 6.
Ch 1 = VOUT (2 V/div
Ch 4 = VIN (50 V/div)
FIGURE 4. Turn On—Si9121DB–5
Diode
The output rectifier diode should be chosen carefully to
maintain high-efficiency operation. The forward break down
voltage (VF) is a more significant factor for low output voltages,
especially the 3.3-VOUT. Up to 15% efficiency can be lost in the
high VF of the rectifier if this is not chosen carefully. The output
diode is forward biased when the MOSFET switch turns off and
provides a path for the inductor current. This means the peak
current through the diode is quite high, even if the average
current is same as the load current IO. A lower forward drop at
high peak currents, lower reverse recovery current/times, and
a high reverse breakdown voltage VRRM are key criteria for a
good rectifier. The higher reverse recovery current of the
rectifier can increase the power dissipation in the MOSFET
significantly since the MOSFET is hard switched from high
input voltages. A Schottky rectifier is recommended because
of its low forward drop VF and zero reverse recovery resulting
from the absence of minority carrier conduction.
Select a Schottky diode with peak reverse voltage VRRM VIN(MAX) + VO(MAX) and average forward current of IF(AVG) IOUT.
Current Sense Resistor RSENSE
Ch 1 = VOUT (1 V/div
Ch 4 = VIN (50 V/div)
FIGURE 5. Turn On—Si9121DB–3
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The Si9121DY has two integrated comparators. The PWM
comparator, which is relatively slow, performs the current
mode control function by comparing the output of the error
amplifier with the current in the inductor. The over current limit
(OCL) comparator is a faster channel to the output driver and
has a 100-ns typical propagation time.
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04-May-00
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GND
GND
L1
68 mH
220 mF
C2
0.1 mF*
C3
+
6
3
7
2
+
33 mF
80 V
C4
0.1 mF
C5*
0.1 mF
C1
1 mF
C6
VOUT
+5 V/400 mA
or
+3.3 V/400 mA
8
GND
BYPASS
VCC
LX
VOUT
COMP
CS
VNEG
5
10MQ100N
4
1
R1
0.25 W
1/ W
2
Si9121DY-5
or
Si9121DY-3
R2
75 kW
(27 kW for Si9121DY-3)
180 pF
C7
+
0.1 mF
C8
VNEG
–10 to –60 V
*Optional
FIGURE 6. Typical Applications Circuit
With the current sense resistor in the inductor current path at
turn on, a voltage signal which is proportional to the inductor
current is available to control the switch-on period. This signal
is used by both the PWM as well as the OCL comparator. The
selection of an RSENSE resistor value is based on the allowable
peak current in the inductor before saturation and the energy
delivery capacity of the converter to charge the output
capacitor, while supporting the load current during converter
switch-on. A 0.25-W resistor value is recommended for
avoiding a hiccup condition during turn-on when charging a
220-uF output filter capacitor and supporting the
400-mA-output load. Higher resistor values can be used for
lower output capacitance and/or a lower output load. The low
inductance WSL series resistors from Vishay are
recommended to reduce the turn-on current spike at the CS pin
and prevent premature cycle termination.
P SW + I 2RMS_SW
P quiscent + V in
R DSON )
(V IN
I L(AVG)) (tr ) tf) FSW
2
IGND ) (V IN ) V OUT) IOUT_IC
(12)
(13)
Where,
IRMS_SW = RMS current in MOSFET (A)
rDS(on) = On resistance of MOSFET at operating junction
temperature. (W)
IL(avg) = Average inductor current (A) (see Equation 1)
tr, tf = Rise and fall time of drain (sec)
IGND, IOUT_IC = GND supply current and VOUT supply
current (A) — (see Si9121DY data sheet)
And the junction temperature
The Si9121DY is provided in an 8-pin SOIC package for low
junction-to-ambient thermal resistance and higher power
dissipation (up to 1.25 W at room temperature). Sources of
power losses in the Si9121DY include the MOSFET
on-resistance/cross conduction switching losses (PSW),
quiescent current losses in operating the oscillator and
control/drive circuit, and the voltage drop across the VCC
regulator (PQUISCENT).
Pt = PSW + PQUISCENT
Power losses can be estimated by using the following
equation:
Document Number: 71156
04-May-00
TJ (_C) = 100 Pt + TA
To achieve good operating lifetime and reliability, the maximum
junction temperature should be kept below 125_C.
Another major power loss occurs in the rectifier diode. The
power loss in the diode is equal to the product of the output
current (IO) and the forward voltage drop at IL(PK)/2.
PDIODE = VF x IO
Where,
VF = Forward voltage drop at IL(pk)/2
Inductor power loss PL = I2LRMS x RL
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Where, RL is the dc resistance.
circuitry provides initial power to the IC by charging an external
bypass capacitance connected to the VCC pin. The constant
current is disabled when VCC exceeds 9.5 V(max). Adding
another winding on the inductor can generate an external VCC.
See Figure 7 for an application schematic.
The ac resistance losses of bare copper wire thinner than
28 AWG can be neglected since the ac ripple current in the
inductor is not significant for continuous conduction mode.
Power loss in sense resistor PSENSE = I2RMS_SW x RSENSE
When the MOSFET switch turns on, the transformer phasing
induces the voltage across the VCC winding NS such that the
diode D2 is reverse biased. When the mosfet switch turns off,
the voltage across the inductor’s main windings Np and
NSchanges the polarity, making the diode forward-biased. The
voltage across NS is proportional to VOUT + VD2. The externally
generated VCC must be in the range of 9.5 V to 12 V.
PM = Power loss in capacitor ESR and PCB traces
Total converter power loss PTOTAL = Pt + PDIODE + PL + PM
Use equations 14, 15 and 16 to calculate the required number
of turns for the VCC winding for a given VOUT. A 12-V zener
placed between VCC and VNEG is recommended to keep the
VCC below its absolute maximum rating.
A high-efficiency buck-boost converter needs to account for
every milliwatt power dissipation. There are many ways to
achieve high efficiency at lower power levels, such as reducing
the switching frequency, but at the cost of a larger form factor.
The fixed 100-kHz switching frequency used in the Si9121DY
provides an optimal balance between size and efficiency.
NS Another way of reducing power losses is to apply the VCC
voltage externally, instead of deriving it from VIN through
internal VCC regulator.
N P (V CC V D2)
(V OUT V DI)
(14)
or
N S 1.9 N P
When power is first applied during start-up, the Si9121DY will
draw a constant current. The magnitude of this current is
determined by a high-voltage depletion MOSFET device
which is connected between VGND and VCC. This start-up
(for Si9121–5)
N S 2.87 N P
(15)
(for Si9121–3)
(16)
1
1
T1
GND
C1
33 mF
80 V
68 mH
Np
+
C2*
0.1 mF
8
CS
2
3
4
C3
0.1 mF
Ns
D2
BAS21
1
R1
0.25
1/ W
2
GND
C4
180 pF
C5
0.1 mF
VNEG
C7
220 mF
10 V +
C8*
0.1 mF
D1
10MQ100N
+VOUT
COIL
VCC
BYPASS
GND
COMP
VOUT
Si9121DY-5
1
7
+5 V
@ 400 mA
or
3.3 V
@ 400 mA
6
5
C6
1 mF
R2
75 kW
(27 kW for Si9121DY-3)
*Optional
–VIN
1
–10 to –60 V
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FIGURE 7. Si9121 Application with External Vcc Through Winding
Document Number: 71156
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Rectifier diode D2 should be a fast recovery switching signal
diode with a reverse blocking voltage rating greater than or
equal to VRRM, as calculated from equations 17 and 18.
V RRM 1.9 V INMAX V CC
(for Si9121–5)
(17)
V RRM 2.87 VINMAX V CC
(for Si9121–3)
(18)
90
80
48 VIN
10 VIN
The BAS21 from Lite On is recommended (Figure 7). Refer to
Figures 8 and 9 to observe the efficiency improvement after
using an additional winding for the external VCC.
Efficiency (%)
70
60 VIN
60
50
40
30
20
10
90
80
0
10
10 VIN
Efficiency (%)
70
60
100
1000
IOUT (mA)
48 VIN
50
FIGURE 9. Efficiency—Si9121-5 (With VCC Winding)
60 VIN
40
30
20
10
0
10
100
1000
IOUT (mA)
FIGURE 8. Efficiency—Si9121-5 (Without VCC Winding)
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