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agile switching power supply

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: UCC3750

I need a switching power supply with the ability to a fast modulation (>200Hz) of the output voltage. Such power siupplies are used for RF PA (Envelope Tracking) or for test systems. I prefer a galvanic decoupled supply. I am looking for a suitable component an a related application.

  • Hello Reinhard,
     
    Can you tell us a bit more about your power supply requirements?

  • Hello Jeffrey,

    I want to develop a testsystem for LIN-bus components in 24 V board power supplys for commercial vehicles. The test of the components requires a voltage that changes from -6V to +60V and back within 50ms. The required current is about 600mA.
    I know, that agile power supplies are common for mobile phone systems like LTE. Of cource, it is necessary to modify these supplies due to higher voltage.

    Best Regards

    Reinhard Meschenmoser
  • Hello Reinhard,

    I apologize for the late response, this application falls in sort of a grey area of support.

    +60V at 600mA is 36 Watts. This would be relatively easy to create a moduled output.
    However, the -6V negative would require a 4 Quadrant converter.
       Current direction and voltage polarity are both reversed from the positive output.

    A 4 quadrant converter is required because you must be able to source and sink current in both directions while also having plus and minus voltage polarities.

    For your power level you may consider the UCC3750 Source-Ringer Controller.

    The UCC3750 Source-Ringer Controller provides a complete control and drive solution for a four quadrant flyback-based ring generator circuit. The IC controls a primary-side switch, which is modulated when power transfer is taking place from input to output. It also controls two secondary switches, which act as synchronous rectifier switches during positive power flow. These switches are pulse-width-modulated when the power is being delivered back to the source. Ring-signal generation can be addressed from a power-conversion viewpoint with a switching amplifier or a DC-AC inverter. This application note describes a unique flyback-derived four-quadrant power inverter with a complete design procedure and control solution. While the ring-generator solution is emphasized, it is clear that this approach is suitable for many other low-power inverter applications, such as UPS systems and audio amplifiers.

    U-169 A Complete Control Solution for a Four-Quadrant Flyback Converter

       

    The UCC3750 has a clock to create the low ring frequencies, but you can bypass that.
    The ring clock feeds the error amplifier circuit via SINFLT signal.
    You can provide your own signal into this node, Figure 8 below, to drive the output to +60 or -6V at the desired slew rate and period.

               

    Also see this Unitrode Seminar paper on the IC: Seminar 1200 Topic 5 - Unique Four-Quadrant Flyback Converter

    TI doesn't have any examples of doing exactly what you want, however it is within the realm of this IC.

    You could create your own Test Power Supply, perhaps with this design, but I suggest looking for an off the shelf packaged supply made for LIN testing.

    Your comments are welcome.

  • Hello Ed,

    thank you for your tips concerning my problem. I assume that the UCC3750 has two limitations concerning my application. First I need a positive voltage of 55V. Second I need 25Hz with a triangle waveform. That requires a frequency up to 200Hz to get a precise waveform. Due to these requirements, it is probably better to have a combination of a decoupled regulator with a fixed offset.

    Reinhard

  • Good morning Sir,
    The UCC3750 controls a flyback topology. The Vout is determined by the transformer turns ratio. Th IC never sees the Vout directly, it being divided down by resistors in the feedback path. Therefore Vout could be 50V or 200V.

    The output waveform will follow what signal you put into SINFLT, so you create the 25Hz triangle waveform, somehow, and the IC will follow it.

    What are your thoughts on how to achieve "combination of a decoupled regulator with a fixed offset"?
  • Hello Ed,

    before my first reply to your proposal of the ucc3750 I had a very short view on the documents. After a more detailed view the component seems suitable. You proposed, that I apply my signal at SINFLT. This PIN is the output of an an amplifier. Is it probably better to apply the signal at SINREF ? I have found no references for the simulation of the componenet. Is this not available ? My idea for a decoupled regulator with a fixed offset was the possibilty to use a very common regulator. (e.g. with +5 to +70 V) Probably this solution is a little bit easier to handle.

    Reinhard

  • Here is how I look at it.
    A power supply compares the output to the reference and adjusts accordingly.
    In a DC supply the reference is DC.
    The output follows the reference, at least it tries to.

    If the frequency of the control reference is below the power supply loop crossover then it can react to changes in its reference.
    Suppose you have a 2kHz crossover and a 200 Hz signal. 200Hz is a decade below the loop crossover, so the supply has 'gain' there to react.

    SINFLT is the reference input to the error amp circuit.
    Vout will try to follow SINFLT.
    The main concern with ringers is outputting a clean SIN wave.
    To force Vout + and -, and maintain a perfect output, a 4 Quadrant converter is needed.

    UCC3750 is a Ringer Controller.
    This provides the energy to ring your phone, the old REN measurement way.
    There is an application note in the product folder that details a ringer design.
    But the basics still apply for whatever it's to be used for.

    I am from Unitrode, and this ringer did see much success back in the day.
    Nowadays its done differently, but this part still has users for installed base infrastructure.

    Can you attach the Voltage and current waveforms you need?
    Just curious what you want the output to do, time, frequency, slew rate, etc.

    Cheers.
  • Hello Ed,

    you find the description of the required waveform in this document:

    ISO17987_7_K7_K8_p86_87.pdf

    In the Unitrode document DN-79 I see a description of a demonstration board. Is this board available anywhere ?

    Reinhard

  • Hello Reinhard,

    Unfortunately the EVM is no longer available.
    The EVM schematic is shown in the UCC3750 datasheet page 6.
    Attached is a PDF showing a bill of materials.
    UCC3750 EVM slua103.pdf

    That waveform is 20 Hz triangle centered on ground.
    20 Hz sin is one of the ringer frequencies selectable.
    The IC oscillator will create a 20Hz sin wave, fairly clean.

    There may be an op amp circuit to convert the sin to a triangle.
    However there is another possibility.

        SWRLY: Logic output that leads the battery offset
        crossings (by typically 5ms) to allow “zero voltage” relay
        switching. This pin can typically source 250μA.

    This is a pulse that happens on the 20Hz zero crossings.
    This could be used to make your own triangle reference.

    A 20 Hz triangle reference should work fine to create the triangle output.
    You would need to calculate voltage feedback dividers to give the voltage you want.
    And this circuit is based on 40V input, you want 24V.
    This will affect the transformer turns ratio.

    The topology is flyback, very common.
    Have you designed a Flyback before?

  • Hello Ed,

    I have not yet designed a Flyback before. Until now I could realize my projects with simple Buck - Boost converters without a transformer. Therefore I would prefer some simulations. I am very familar with PSpice and I have TINA license. Unfortunately there is nothing available for the UCC3750. Do you have an idea who could still have an old demoboard of the UCC3750 ?

    Greatings 

  • Hi Reinhard,
    I don't know where you would find one of these old EVM's.
    You could make one yourself.

    I have found the EVM files from 2001 when TI imported them in from the Unitrode acquisition.
    The EVM data is sent over only as an example, Evaluation.
    TI makes no claim that they are error free.
    Use at your own risk.



    Included is:
    Bill of Material
    Schematic file, PCAD,
    Schematic PDF
    PCB file, PCAD

    Using the EVM, and U-169 app note and datasheet, you can understand how the EVM was designed then make changes needed for your design.

    Let me know if this helps.


    3750.sch3750.pcb3750bom.xls1440.TI.pdf

  • Good morning Sir,

    I will close this thread now.

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    Please click the green button  THIS RESOLVED MY ISSUE if you are satisfied with the responses.

    Good luck with your design.