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The Virtues of PWM Combined With a Power MOSFET

May 06, 2020 by John Koon

Pulse Width Modulation is a method commonly used to generate an analog signal output from digital input. But how is this feature enhanced when combined with a power MOSFET in a single device?

When STMicroelectronics recently released the VIPer Controller 730 V power MOSFET, one of the touted features was a built-in pulse width modulation controller. When suppliers advertise a device as having PWM capabilities, just how much can it affect your design? A closer look at the definition of PWM and certain use cases can tell us more.

 

What is Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)?

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a method commonly used to generate an analog signal output from digital input. There are three factors to consider in this process:

  • The amplitude of the digital signal
  • Duty cycle
  • Frequency, which determines how fast digital signal switches between zero (off) and 100% (on) of the amplitude

The duty cycle is defined as the length of the time the digital signal is on. In the figure below, the duty cycle is on 25% before going to zero.

 

Duty cycle

Graph of duty cycle, measured by time and amplitude. 
 

This cycle is said to have a 25% duty cycle, which can be adjusted. When the duty cycle is programmed on high (say, 90%) and the switching frequency is high enough, the output analog signal appears to be constant.

For example, a digital signal input of 10 V with a duty cycle of 40% will produce output analog signals of 10% × 40% or 4V. Likewise, a 6V digital signal with duty cycle of 30% will yield 1.8 V accordingly.

 

Why Use PWM?

A simple illustration will demonstrate the usefulness of PWM. Consider an AC light source of 110 V with a constant 110 V AC input. Using the PWM technique to generate the same output with 80% duty cycles will be more energy-efficient. If the switching is fast enough, the naked eyes will not be able to tell the difference. PWM can be applied to controlling motors and heaters as well.

 

ST's Power MOSFET-PWM Controller Hybrid

PWM now comes with the single power MOSFET silicon. One example we can use to illustrate the above principles is STMicroelectronics' VIPer controller 730 V power MOSFET with a built-in PWM controller. 

 

ST's VIPer controller

ST's VIPer controller. Image used courtesy of STMicroelectronics
 

The device supports multiple power conversion topologies, including:

  • Non-isolated flyback converters (AC-DC and DC-DC)
  • Isolated flyback converters with primary-side regulation or secondary-side regulation using a photo-coupler
  • Buck converters (DC-DC step down)
  • Buck-boost converters (DC-DC using a single inductor instead of a transformer)

Some external components for the printed circuit assembly (PCA) layout are eliminated by the device’s embedded high-voltage startup and the current sense circuits, simplifying the bill of materials (BoM).

 

Block diagram of VIPer Controller 730 V power MOSFET

Block diagram of VIPer Controller 730 V power MOSFET. Image used courtesy of STMicroelectronics
 

Other functions include operating voltage (VCC) of 4.5 V–30 V, startup voltage of 30 V DC, high-voltage converters up to 8 W, and light-load power consumption of less than 40 mW (at 230 VAC). Additionally, it has the short-circuit, thermal, and pulse skipping protection.

Packaged in 5 mm x 4 mm SSOP10, the device operates from -40°C to 150°C with storage from -55°C to 150°C.

This device is geared for several applications, including home appliances, consumer, industrial (motors and heaters), lighting, building-automation devices, and smart meters.

 

Different Chips for Different PWM Needs

PWM is not new. Traditionally, PWM is achieved with discrete components or with a FET PWM controller. Many power silicon makers integrate new functions—including PWM—onto a single chip, including:

If your design requires external PWM, you might consider Maxim’s external FET PWM controllers (MAX17595 and MAX17598) for isolated AC-DC applications. STMicroelectronics’ low-pin-count VIPer controller is a useful choice if you're looking for multiple power conversion topologies with built-in PWM function. 

 

Learn More About PWM

We just covered the basic dimensions of PWM in this article. To learn more, check out our other discussions on PWM. 

Pulse-width Modulation (PWM) Timers in Microcontrollers

Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage

Modeling the Pulse-Width Modulator

 


 

From your experience, what are the benefits and tradeoffs of PWM? Share your thoughts in the comments below.