SLVUCB8A May 2022 – September 2022 TPS25985
The TPS25985EVM provides an add-on circuit to facilitate load transients and persistent overcurrent events. The implementation consists of three (3) low side MOSFETs (Q7, Q8, and Q9) and a monoshot gate driver circuit (U5 and U6) as well as six (6) onboard load resistors of 1 ohm each (R28 to R33) in parallel. Using a single pole single through (SPST) switch (S1), the monoshot gate driver generates a gate signal of 1 ms, 2 ms, 5 ms, 10 ms, and 20 ms durations. By doing this, the low side MOSFETs (Q7, Q8, and Q9) are turned on for that specific duration, creating a load transient in addition to the steady-state load. Use the following instructions to apply a load transient or persistent overcurrent event using this onboard switching circuit:
Configure the Jumper J6 position to desired reference voltage for overcurrent protection and active current sharing as mentioned in Table 4-3.
Configure the Jumper J4 in a suitable position to set required circuit breaker threshold (IOCP) as per Table 4-3.
Set the input supply voltage VIN to 12 V and current limit to 200 A.
Connect the power supply between VIN (Connector T1) and PGND (Connector T3) and enable the power supply.
Connect a steady state load between VOUT (Connector T2) and PGND (Connector T3).
Use the single pole single through (SPST) switch (S1) to configure the transient load turn on duration.
Press the switch SW3 to turn on the Q7, Q8, and Q9 MOSFETs, which creates a load transient of 72 A (typical) between VOUT and PGND with 12 V output.
Observe the waveforms of VOUT (TP4), MOSFET GATE (J9), and input current using an oscilloscope.
Another option is to apply a custom load transient using an external function generator, connected between TP38 and TP39, and the shunt of jumper J9 set to "2-3".
In that case, make sure to limit the transient load current magnitude to a safe level for reliable operation of the load resistors (R28 to R33) based on their maximum permissible peak pulse power vs pulse duration plot.
Figure 5-13 and Figure 5-14 show the test waveforms of transient overload and persistent overload events respectively using the onboard switching circuit.