Follow these steps to design an
active filter circuit:
- Quickstart
Calculator – Use the TPSF12C3 quickstart calculator as a
convenient starting point. See Figure 3-5 for illustration.
Typical steps to
complete the quickstart calculator are as follows:
- Choose
the core material for the CM chokes – the primary
choices being nanocrystalline (NC) and ferrite. NC
chokes are generally preferable for active filter
designs given their higher permeability (and thus
fewer winding turns), broader impedance
characteristic over frequency, more damped impedance
behavior with softer phase transition, and better
stability over temperature.
- Define
the CM choke impedances – two options are
available:
- Measure the CM impedance magnitude and phase vs.
frequency using a network analyzer. Paste the data
directly into the calculator file.
- Enter the behavioral model parameters for each
choke based on (a) a parallel LRC circuit for a
ferrite choke (LCM || RPAR
|| CPAR), or (b) a ladder network for
an NC choke consisting of three parallel RL
circuits connected in series along with a
parasitic capacitance across the total network. An
equivalent circuit model is the most convenient
option if the choke data sheet includes the CM
impedance data.
- Enter
values for the grid-side and regulator-side
Y-capacitors, sense capacitors and inject
capacitor.
- Enter
values for source impedance of the grid supply and
the noise source. Select from a drop-down menu if a
LISN (50 µH or 5 µH) is installed.
- Review
the AEF loop gain plot for stability based on the
calculated component values for the damping network.
Adjust the damping network values to ensure the
phase does not reach –180° at the resonant
frequencies (when the gain is positive). Refer to
the TPSF12C3 data sheet for guidance on component
selection. Check the insertion loss plots with AEF
enabled and disabled.
- Circuit Simulation
– Avail of PSPICE or SIMPLIS simulation models for the TPSF12C3
device. Use such models along with prepared test benches to
investigate the operation of the complete active filter circuit. See
the SIMPLIS schematic in Figure 3-6 as an example. Perform both time-domain and
frequency-domain analyses as required.
Note that
the CM choke model schematics are not shown above. If the
choke model equivalent circuit parameters are defined in the
quickstart calculator, transfer them directly to the
simulation model as needed.
- Low-Voltage Tests
– Validate the filter design at low voltage prior to connecting to
the switching regulator. This is a relatively easy step to confirm
various aspect of the design, including filter stability, insertion
loss, voltage swing on the INJ pin, and EMI performance with CM
signal excitation. See Figure 3-4 and refer to tests 4 through 7 described in
Section 2.4.
- Insertion
loss – measure with 50-Ω source and load
impedances.
- Apply a
CM excitation signal with a function generator.
- Check the dynamic voltage range of the INJ pin
(TPSF12C3 pin 13).
- Measure the EMI (CM only, there is no DM
propagation in this test).
- High-Voltage Tests
– Validate the filter design while connected to the switching
regulator. See Figure 3-3 and refer to tests 8 and 9 described in
Section 2.4.
- Check the
dynamic voltage range of the INJ pin.
- Calculate
the device power dissipation(4) based on VVDD,
IVDD, TA and
RθJA. Verify that the maximum junction
temperature is less than 150°C under the worst case
operating conditions.
- Check the sense and inject capacitance variation over
temperature and ensure the circuit is stable under
all operating conditions.
- Measure
the total EMI. Separate the CM (asymmetrical) and DM
(symmetrical) propagation components, as the
TPSF12C3-based AEF circuit only attenuates the CM
noise.