Operational ideal-diode mode (OP-IDM) is implemented in the LMG3425R030 but not in the LMG3422R030. Understand that the OP-IDM function is not a general-purpose ideal-diode mode function which allows the LMG3425R030 to autonomously operate as a diode, including as an autonomous synchronous rectifier. Furthermore, the OP-IDM function is not intended to support an ideal-diode mode transition from the on-state to the off-state in a high-voltage, hard-switched application. Exposing the LMG3425R030 to this situation is akin to operating a half-bridge power stage with negative dead time with corresponding high shoot-through current.

Instead, as described below, the LMG3425R030 OP-IDM function is narrowly implemented to address a specific off-state third-quadrant current flow situation while minimizing situations where the ideal-diode mode can create a dangerous shoot-through current event.

OP-IDM is intended to minimize GaN FET off-state third-quadrant losses that occur in a zero-voltage switched (ZVS) event. ZVS events are seen in applications such as synchronous rectifiers and LLC converters. The ZVS event occurs at the FET off-state to on-state transition when an inductive element discharges the FET drain voltage before the FET is turned-on. The discharge ends with the inductive element pulling the FET drain-source voltage negative and the FET conducting off-state third-quadrant current.

Power supply controllers use dead-time control to set the time for the ZVS event to complete before turning on the FET. Both the ZVS time and resulting FET off-state third-quadrant current are a function of the power converter operation. Long ZVS time and low third-quadrant current occur when the inductive element is slewing the FET with low current and short ZVS time and high third-quadrant current occur when the inductive element is slewing at the FET with high current. Sophisticated controllers optimally adjust the dead time to minimize third-quadrant losses. Simpler controllers use a fixed dead time to handle the longest possible ZVS time. Thus, in a fixed dead-time application, the highest possible off-state third-quadrant losses occur for the longest possible time.

OP-IDM mitigates the losses in a fixed dead-time application by automatically turning on the GaN FET as soon as third-quadrant current is detected. In this sense, OP-IDM can be described as providing a turn-on assist function with optimum dead-time control. Meanwhile, OP-IDM is not intended to be used to turn-off the GaN FET in normal operation. OP-IDM turnoff capability is only provided as a protection mechanism to guard against shoot-through current.

OP-IDM works within the confines of normal LMG3425R030 switching operation as controlled by the IN pin. The key consideration for the OP-IDM operation is to ensure the turn-on assist function is only activated on the ZVS edge. For example, third-quadrant current is seen in a LMG3425R030 used as a synchronous rectifier both before the IN pin goes high to turn on the GaN FET and after the IN pin goes low to turn off the GaN FET. OP-IDM turns on the GaN FET before the IN pin goes high when OP-IDM detects third-quadrant current. But it would be a mistake for OP-IDM to turn the GaN FET back on right after IN has turned it off because OP-IDM detects third-quadrant current. If OP-IDM were to turn on the GaN FET in this situation, it would create a shoot-through current event when the opposite-side power switch turns on. OP-IDM avoids this shoot-through current problem on the turn-off edge by requiring the drain voltage to first go positive before looking for the ZVS event.

The OP-IDM state machine is shown in Figure 7-6. Each state is assigned a state number in the upper right side of the state box.

Figure 7-6 Operational Ideal-Diode Mode (OP-IDM) State Machine

1. A new OP-IDM cycle begins in OP-IDM state #1 after the IN pin goes low in OP-IDM state #5. OP-IDM turns off the GaN FET in OP-IDM state #1. OP-IDM monitors the GaN FET drain voltage, looking for a positive drain voltage to know it can now start looking for a ZVS event. After a positive GaN FET drain voltage is detected, the device moves to OP-IDM state #2.
2. OP-IDM keeps the GaN FET off in OP-IDM state #2. OP-IDM continues monitoring the GaN FET drain voltage. But this time it is looking for a negative drain voltage which means third-quadrant current is flowing after a ZVS event. This is also the starting state when the device powers up or exits OTSD. After a negative GaN FET drain voltage is detected, the device moves to OP-IDM state #3.
3. OP-IDM turns on the GaN FET in OP-IDM state #3. OP-IDM monitors the drain current in this state. Ideally, the device simply stays in this state until IN goes high. The drain current is monitored to protect against an unexpected shoot-through current event. If first-quadrant drain current is detected, the device moves to OP-IDM state #4.
4. OP-IDM locks the GaN FET off in OP-IDM state #4. The GaN FET only turns back on when the IN pin goes high.
5. The device moves to OP-IDM state #5 from any other state when the IN pin goes high. The GaN FET is commanded on in OP-IDM state #5. OP-IDM is idle in this state. A new OP-IDM switching cycle begins when IN goes low moving the device into OP-IDM state #1.

OP-IDM can only turn on the GaN FET once per IN cycle. If an unexpected shoot-through current is detected between OP-IDM turning on the GaN FET and the IN pin going high, OP-IDM locks the GaN FET off for the remainder of the IN cycle.

Understand that the OP-IDM function turns on the GaN FET, after IN goes low, if it sees a positive drain voltage followed by a negative drain voltage. A design using the LMG3425R030 must be analyzed for any situations where this sequence of events creates a shoot-through current event. The analysis must include all power system corner cases including start-up, shutdown, no load, overload, and fault events. Note that discontinuous mode conduction (DCM) operation can easily create an OP-IDM shoot-through current event when the ringing at the end of a DCM cycle triggers OP-IDM to turn on the GaN FET.