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UCD3138: How to synchronize the switching frequency of power modules

Part Number: UCD3138

Hi, 

I use UCD3138 as the controller of power module. When the modules are in parallel, I see the beat-frequency oscillation in the output ripple.

So, I would like to know how to configure the registers of UCD3138 for fsw synchronization.

Could you please share the relevant codes?

Thank you.

  • Hi,

    Is this needed for a new project or an existing project?

    What is the topology of your power supply and what is Event4 set to?

    The SYNC pin in UCD3138 can be used for synchronization between the power supplies.

    Please note that an edge on SYNC will reset the counter on DPWM and restart a new DPWM switching cycle on the receiving part.

    Therefore the two frequencies are going to match.

    But depending on your DPWM configuration, some restriction and considerations may apply.

    Hope this helps.

    Regards,

  • Hi,

    1、it's an existing project;

    2、we use hard-switching half-bridge;

    EV4 is use to set the deadtime between primary mos and SR mos.

    Dpwm0Regs.DPWMEV1.all = EV1;

    Dpwm0Regs.DPWMEV2.all = ((PWM_PERIOD+EV1) >> 1)- DEADTIME1;

    Dpwm0Regs.DPWMEV3.all = ((PWM_PERIOD+EV1) >> 1);
    Dpwm0Regs.DPWMEV4.all = EV1 - DEADTIME2;
    Dpwm0Regs.DPWMPRD.all = PWM_PERIOD;

    3、I find there is a external sync enable bit in the DPWM control register. for the slave module,we need to enable this bit, right? But for the master module, how to set the sync signal?

  • Hi,

    Yes, you have to enable the external sync.

    The sync out has no enable, but it has a SYNC_DIR bit that has to be set to 0 for output (inside the SYNCCTRL register).

    Also the IOMUX has to be set accordingly, so SYNC comes out through one of the pins that are configured to serve a different function as default.

    You also need to set your EV4 to zero in order to prevent pulse extension.

    If you are using UCD3138 (Non A version) and your DEADTIME2 is more than 75 nS, then set EV1 to DEADTIME2 in order to keep your deadtime intact.

    Hope this helps.

    Regards,

  • Hi,

    what's the meaning of  pulse extension?

    And I noticed there is a paragraph about CBC and slave sync in the UCD3138 technical reference manual.

    CBC_SYNC_CUR_LIM_EN is used to control the slave sync. If this bit is set, the slave sync is advanced
    during current limit. This is not used in any topology configuration at this time. If this bit is set, the sync out
    pulse from the DPWM will occur if the CBC fault occurs. If the CBC fault does not occur during a period,
    the sync pulse will occur according to the normal setting of the sync control bit fields

    If the bit is set to 1, the CBC fault will result in the sync out,right?

    If the bit is set to 0,the sync pulse will just occur accoring to the normal setting, CBC fault has no effec to the sync pulse, right?

  • Hi,

    As you know DPWM's B output goes low at Event4.

    That is because when DPWM_counter reaches Event4 (DPWM_counter == Event4), B output toggles low.

    If DPWM_counter resets due to the arrival of SYNC signal before Event4 is reached, then it will never reach Event4 during the current switching cycle, and B output will stay high.

    Meaning the B pulse will extend into the next switching cycle (Pulse extension). That is obviously not a desired behavior and needs to be prevented.

    I have no experience with DPCBC_SYNC_CUR_LIM_EN, this bit is always set to zero (default) in our applications. I will try to find out what is this bit for.


    Regards,

  • Hi,

    I have not tried to set the CBC_SYNC_CUR_LIMIT_EN myself.

    But based on my discussion with collogues, it seems like you understanding of this bit is correct.

    If the bit is set to 1, the CBC fault will result in the sync out.

    If the bit is set to 0,the sync pulse will just occur according to the normal setting, CBC fault has no effect to the sync pulse.

    Regards,

  • hi,

    thank you very much.