NSC LM3423

National Semiconductor
Application Note 2011
James Patterson
September 23, 2010
EFFICIENCY WITH 9 SERIES LEDS AT 700mA
Introduction
This evaluation board showcases the LM3423 NFET controller used with a boost current regulator. It is designed to
drive 9 to 12 LEDs at a maximum average LED current of
700mA from a DC input voltage of 10 to 26V.
The evaluation board showcases most features of the
LM3423 including PWM dimming, overvoltage protection and
input under-voltage lockout. It also has a connector footprint
(J7) which can mate with an external LED load board allowing
for the LEDs to be mounted close to the driver. Alternatively,
the LED+ and LED- banana jacks can be used to connect the
LED load.
The boost circuit can be easily redesigned for different specifications by changing only a few components (see the Alternate Designs section found at the end of this application note).
Note that design modifications can change the system efficiency. See the LM3423 datasheet for a comprehensive explanation of the device and application information.
30107801
Schematic
© 2010 National Semiconductor Corporation
301078
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AN-2011
30107802
LM3423 Boost 2 Layer Evaluation Board
LM3423 Boost 2 Layer
Evaluation Board
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Pin Descriptions
LM3423
LM3421
Name
Description
Function
1
1
VIN
Input Voltage
Bypass with 100 nF capacitor to AGND as close to the
device as possible in the circuit board layout.
2
2
EN
Enable
Connect to AGND for zero current shutdown or apply >
2.4V to enable device.
3
3
COMP
Compensation
Connect a capacitor to AGND to set the compensation.
4
4
CSH
Current Sense High
Connect a resistor to AGND to set the signal current.
For analog dimming, connect a controlled current
source or a potentiometer to AGND as detailed in the
Analog Dimming section.
5
5
RCT
Resistor Capacitor Timing
External RC network sets the predictive “off-time” and
thus the switching frequency.
6
6
AGND
Analog Ground
Connect to PGND through the DAP copper pad to
provide ground return for CSH, COMP, RCT, and TIMR.
Over-Voltage Protection
Connect to a resistor divider from VO to program output
over-voltage lockout (OVLO). Turn-off threshold is
1.24V and hysteresis for turn-on is provided by 23 µA
current source.
7
7
OVP
8
8
nDIM
Dimming Input /
Under-Voltage Protection
Connect a PWM signal for dimming as detailed in the
PWM Dimming section and/or a resistor divider from
VIN to program input under-voltage lockout (UVLO).
Turn-on threshold is 1.24V and hysteresis for turn-off is
provided by 23 µA current source.
9
-
FLT
Fault Flag
Connect to pull-up resistor from VIN and N-channel
MosFET open drain output is high when a fault condition
is latched by the timer.
10
-
TIMR
Fault Timer
11
-
LRDY
LED Ready Flag
Connect to pull-up resistor from VIN and N-channel
MosFET open drain output pulls down when the LED
current is not in regulation.
12
-
DPOL
Dim Polarity
Connect to AGND if dimming with a series P-channel
MosFET or leave open when dimming with series Nchannel MosFET.
13
9
DDRV
Dim Gate Drive Output
14
10
PGND
Power Ground
15
11
GATE
Main Gate Drive Output
16
12
VCC
Internal Regulator Output
Bypass with 2.2 µF–3.3 µF ceramic capacitor to PGND.
17
13
IS
Main Switch Current Sense
Connect to the drain of the main N-channel MosFET
switch for RDS-ON sensing or to a sense resistor installed
in the source of the same device.
18
14
RPD
Resistor Pull Down
19
15
HSP
LED Current Sense Positive
Connect through a series resistor to the positive side of
the LED current sense resistor.
20
16
HSN
LED Current Sense Negative
Connect through a series resistor to the negative side
of the LED current sense resistor.
DAP (21)
DAP (17)
DAP
Thermal PAD on bottom of IC
Star ground, connecting AGND and PGND.
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Connect a capacitor to AGND to set the time delay
before a sensed fault condition is latched.
2
Connect to the gate of the dimming MosFET.
Connect to AGND through the DAP copper pad to
provide ground return for GATE and DDRV.
Connect to the gate of the main switching MosFET.
Connect the low side of all external resistor dividers
(VIN UVLO, OVP) to implement “zero-current”
shutdown.
AN-2011
Bill of Materials
Qty
Part ID
Part Value
Manufacturer
Part Number
2
C1, C12
0.1 µF X7R 10% 50V
TDK
C1608X5R1H104K
2
C2, C8
1.0 µF X7R 10% 50V
MURATA
GRM21BR71H105KA12L
KA01L
1
C3
100 µF 20% 50V
PANASONIC
EEV-FK1H101GP
1
C4
0.1 µF X7R 10% 100V
TDK
C2012X7R2A104M
1
C5
DNP
4
C6
10 µF X7R 10% 50V (4
TDK
installed for a total of 40 µF)
C5750X7R1H106
1
C7
1000 pF X5R 5% 100V
MURATA
C2012X5R2E102K
1
C9
2.2 µF X7R 10% 16V
MURATA
GRM21BR71C225KA01L
1
C10
10 nF X7R 10% 50V
PANASONIC
ECJ2VB1H103 KA12L
1
C11
47 pF COG/NPO 5% 50V
PANASONIC
ECJ2VG1H470 KA01L
1
D1
Schottky 100V 7A
VISHAY
6CWQ10FNPBF
4
J1, J2, J4, J5
banana jack
KEYSTONE
575-8
1
J3
1x2 male header (with shunt SAMTEC
tab)
TSW-102-07-T-S
1
J6
BNC connector
AMPHENOL
112536
1
J7
DNP
1
L1
22 µH 20% 6.3A
COILCRAFT
DO5040H
2
Q1, Q2
NMOS 100V 40A
VISHAY
SUD40N10-25
1
Q3
NMOS 60V 260 mA
ON-SEMI
2N7002ET1G
2
R1, R11
12.4 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW080512k4FKEA
1
R2
0Ω 1%
VISHAY
CRCW08050000Z0EA
2
R3, R20
10Ω 1%
VISHAY
CRCW080510R0FKEA
1
R4
5.76 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW08055k76FKEA
1
R5
14.0 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW080514k0FKEA
2
R7, R8
1.40 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW08051k40FKEA
1
R6
0.06Ω 1% 1W
VISHAY
WSL2512R0600FEA
1
R9
0.2Ω 1% 1W
PANASONIC
ERJ12RSFR20U
1
R10
35.7 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW080535k7FKEA
1
R12
10.0 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW080510k0FKEA
3
R13, R14, R15
100 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW0805100kFKEA
2
R16, R21
DNP
1
R17
432 kΩ 1%
VISHAY
CRCW0805432kFKEA
5
TP1, TP4, TP5,
TP7, TP10
turret
KEYSTONE
1502-2
1
U1
Buck-boost controller
NSC
LM3423MH
3
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PCB Layout
30107803
Top Layer
30107804
Bottom Layer
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4
AN-2011
3. AVERAGE LED CURRENT
Solve for R9:
Design Procedure
Refer to LM3429 datasheet for design considerations.
SPECIFICATIONS
N=9
VLED = 3.5V
rLED = 325 mΩ
VIN = 24V
VIN-MIN = 10V; VIN-MAX = 26V
fSW = 700 kHz
VSNS = 150 mV
ILED = 700mA
Assume R1 = 12.4 kΩ and solve for R8:
The closest standard resistor for R9 is 0.2Ω and the closest
for R8 (and R7) is actually 1.4 kΩ therefore ILED is:
ΔiL-PP = 350 mA
ΔiLED-PP = 25 mA
ΔvIN-PP = 100 mV
ILIM = 4A
VTURN-ON = 10V; VHYS = 3V
VTURN-OFF = 44V; VHYSO = 10V
The chosen components from step 3 are:
1. OPERATING POINT
Solve for VO and rD:
4. INDUCTOR RIPPLE CURRENT
Solve for L1:
Solve for D, D', DMAX, and DMIN:
The closest standard inductor is 22 µH therefore the actual
ΔiL-PP is:
Determine minimum allowable RMS current rating:
2. SWITCHING FREQUENCY
Assume C7 = 1 nF and solve for R10:
The closest standard resistor is actually 35.7 kΩ therefore the
fSW is:
The chosen component from step 4 is:
The chosen components from step 2 are:
5
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AN-2011
TU0 is approximated:
5. OUTPUT CAPACITANCE
Solve for CO:
To ensure stability, calculate ωP2:
A total value of 40 µF (using 4 10 µF ceramic capacitors) is
chosen to improve PWM dimming response therefore the actual ΔiLED-PP is:
Solve for C8:
To attenuate switching noise, calculate ωP3:
Determine minimum allowable RMS current rating:
Assume R20 = 10Ω and solve for C12:
The chosen components from step 5 are:
6. PEAK CURRENT LIMIT
Solve for R6:
Since PWM dimming can be evaluated with this board, a
much larger compensation capacitor C8 = 1.0 µF is chosen
and a smaller high frequency capacitor C12 = 0.1 µF is chosen.
The chosen components from step 7 are:
The closest standard resistor is 0.06 Ω therefore ILIM is:
The chosen component from step 6 is:
8. INPUT CAPACITANCE
Solve for the minimum CIN:
7. LOOP COMPENSATION
ωP1 is approximated:
To minimize power supply interaction a much larger capacitance of 100 µF is used, therefore the actual ΔvIN-PP is much
lower.
Determine minimum allowable RMS current rating:
ωZ1 is approximated:
The chosen components from step 8 are:
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6
AN-2011
Solve for R4:
9. NFET
Determine minimum Q1 voltage rating and current rating:
The closest standard resistor is 5.76 kΩ making VHYS:
A 100V NFET is chosen with a current rating of 40A due to
the low RDS-ON = 50 mΩ. Determine IT-RMS and PT:
The chosen components from step 11 are:
The chosen component from step 9 is:
10. DIODE
Determine minimum D1 voltage rating and current rating:
12. OUTPUT OVLO
Solve for R17:
A 100V diode is chosen with a current rating of 12A and VD =
600 mV. Determine PD:
The closest standard resistor is 432 kΩ therefore VHYSO is:
The chosen component from step 10 is:
Solve for R11:
11. INPUT UVLO
Since PWM dimming will be evaluated a three resistor network will be used. Assume R13 = 100 kΩ and solve for R5:
The closest standard resistor is 12.4 kΩ making VTURN-OFF:
The closest standard resistor is 14 kΩ therefore VTURN-ON is:
The chosen components from step 12 are:
7
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AN-2011
13. PWM DIMMING
The LM3423 Boost Evaluation board is configured to demonstrate PWM dimming of the LEDs. For best operation, use a
PWM signal that has greater than 3V amplitude at a frequency
between 120Hz and 25kHz. Apply the PWM signal to the BNC
connector (J6) and the inverted signal (seen by the nDIM pin)
can be monitored at TP5.
The output DDRV signal is connected directly to the series
dimming FET (Q2) to open and close the LED load. Achievable contrast ratios are dependant on the dimming frequency
and operating point. The minimum pulse width is limited by
the internal delays of the LM3423 and the slew time of the
LED current from zero to its nominal value. This can be several microseconds in duration.
Using the evaluation board (24V input, 31.5V output), at
25kHz dimming frequency the best case contrast ratio is approximately 20:1, but at 200Hz the same system is more like
2500:1 ratio. In general, contrast ratios much above 4000:1
are not possible for any operating point using the LM3423
boost evaluation board.
13. FAULT AND LED CURRENT MONITORING
The LM3423 has a fault detection flag in the form of an opendrain NFET at the FLT pin. Using the external pull-up resistor
(R14) to VIN, the fault status can be monitored at the FLT pin
(high = fault). The fault timer interval is set with the capacitor
(C10) from TIMR to GND (10nF yields roughly 1ms). If a fault
is detected that exceeds the programmed timer interval, such
as an output over-voltage condition, the FLT pin transitions
from high to low and internally GATE and DDRV are latched
off. To reset the device once the fault is removed, either the
input power must be cycled or the EN pin must be toggled.
This can be tested directly with the evaluation board by opening the LED load. An OVP fault will occur which disables
GATE and DDRV. Then if the LEDs are reconnected, the EN
pin jumper (J3) can be removed and reinserted to restart normal operation of the LM3423.
The LED status flag (LRDY) can be seen by monitoring TP4.
LRDY is also an open-drain NFET connection which has an
external pull-up resistor (R15) to VIN. If the LED current is in
regulation the voltage at TP4 will be high, but when it falls out
of regulation the NFET turns on and pulls TP4 low. The
LM3423 datasheet lists all of the conditions that affect LRDY,
FLT, and TIMR.
Typical Waveforms
TA = +25°C, VIN = 24V and VO = 31.5V.
30107861
30107862
1kHz 50% PWM DIMMING
TP5 dim voltage (VDIM)
LED current (ILED)
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1kHz 50% PWM DIMMING (Rising Edge)
TP5 dim voltage (VDIM)
LED current (ILED)
8
Alternate designs with the LM3423 evaluation board are possible with very few changes to the existing hardware. The
evaluation board FETs and diodes are already rated higher
than necessary for design flexibility. The input UVLO, output
OVP, input and output capacitance can remain the same for
Specification /
Component
Design 1
Design 2
Design 3
Design 4
VIN
10V
15V
20V
25V
VO
14V
21V
28V
35V
fSW
600kHz
700kHz
500kHz
700kHz
ILED
2A
500mA
2.5A
1.25A
R9
0.05Ω
0.2Ω
0.04Ω
0.08Ω
R10
41.2 kΩ
35.7 kΩ
49.9 kΩ
35.7 kΩ
L1
22µH
68µH
15µH
33µH
9
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AN-2011
the designs shown below. These alternate designs can be
evaluated by changing only R9, R10, and L1.
The table below gives the main specifications for four different
designs and the corresponding values for R9, R10, and L1.
PWM dimming can be evaluated with any of these designs.
Alternate Designs
LM3423 Boost 2 Layer Evaluation Board
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