SNVS676I August 2010 – April 2018 LM5119
PRODUCTION DATA.
Selection of the power MOSFETs is governed by the same tradeoffs as switching frequency. Breaking down the losses in the high-side and low-side MOSFETs is one way to compare the relative efficiencies of different devices. When using discrete SO-8 MOSFETs, generally the output current capability range is 2 A to 10 A. Losses in the power MOSFETs can be broken down into conduction loss, gate charging loss, and switching loss. Conduction loss PDC is approximately Equation 36 and the example (Equation 37).
where
Alternatively, the factor of 1.3 can be eliminated and the high temperature ON-resistance of the MOSFET can be estimated using the RDS(ON) vs Temperature curves in the MOSFET datasheet. Gate charging loss, PGC, results from the current driving the gate capacitance of the power MOSFETs and is approximated with Equation 38.
where
Gate charge loss differs from conduction and switching losses in that the actual dissipation occurs in the LM5119 and not in the MOSFET itself. Further loss in the LM5119 is incurred if the gate driving current is supplied by the internal linear regulator. In this example, VCC is supplied from the 10-V output through a diode to minimize the loss of the internal linear regulator.
Switching loss occurs during the brief transition period as the MOSFET turns on and off. During the transition period both current and voltage are present in the channel of the MOSFET. The switching loss can be approximated with Equation 39.
where
The rise and fall times are usually mentioned in the MOSFET datasheet or can be empirically observed with an oscilloscope. Switching loss is calculated for the high-side MOSFET only. Switching loss in the low-side MOSFET is negligible because the body diode of the low-side MOSFET turns on before the MOSFET itself, minimizing the voltage from drain to source before turnon. For this example, the maximum drain-to-source voltage applied to either MOSFET is 55 V. The selected MOSFETs must be able to withstand 55 V plus any ringing from drain to source, and be able to handle at least the VCC voltage plus any ringing from gate to source. A good choice of MOSFET for the 55-V input design example is the PSMN5R5. It has an RDS(ON) of 5.2 mΩ and total gate charge of 56 nC. In applications where a high step-down ratio is maintained in normal operation, efficiency may be optimized by choosing a high-side MOSFET with lower Qg, and low-side MOSFET with lower RDS(ON).