Buffer amplifier and LED improve PWM power controller¡¯s low-load operation

Texas Instruments¡¯ UCC3895 offers a good base for building a high-efficiency, pulse-width-modulated, switchedmode power supply that suits either current- or voltage-mode control. Designed for driving a full-bridge power inverter using two sets of complementary outputs, Out A through D, the circuit controls power by phase-shifting outputs C and D with respect to A and B. The manufacturer¡¯s data sheet provides a detailed description (Reference 1). However, when lightly loaded and configured for current-mode control, the controller can produce asymmetric-width pulses on its lagging outputs, C and D, under start-up conditions. Reference 2 provides a complete description of the problem and a workaround.


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Unfortunately, the workaround evokes other problems when you use the IC in other circuit implementations. Figure 1, from Reference 2, shows a partial schematic featuring the UCC3895 in a peak-current-mode-control circuit in which R1 serves as a pullup resistor, providing a dc offset for the voltage ramp. However, for a significant portion of the ramp waveform, diode D1 doesn¡¯t conduct and therefore narrows the power supply¡¯s dynamic range by cutting off a portion of the ramp voltage at IC1¡¯s Pin 3.



Figure 2 shows another approach that requires additional components but delivers the full magnitude of the voltage ramp to Pin 3 of IC1 and provides the approximately 1V-dc offset that Reference 1 requires. Transistors Q1 and Q2, resistors R1 and R2, and LED D3 form an emitterfollower amplifier for the ramp voltage available at IC1, Pin 7 across timing capacitor C1. This arrangement provides reliable current-mode operation over the full range from no-load to full-load output current by delivering a sawtooth drive with a dc offset to IC1¡¯s ramp input. Diode D3, a yellow LED, performs a 1.7V level translation without introducing any substantial signal loss. The component values not shown depend on the application.

References
1. ¡°UCC3895 BICMOS Advanced Phase Shift PWM Controller,¡± Texas Instruments data sheet,
http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/ucc3895.html.

2. Mappus, S, ¡°UCC3895 OUTC/OUTD Asymmetric Duty Cycle Operation,¡± Texas Instruments Application Report, SLUA275, September 2002.