1
\$\begingroup\$

I'm trying to build a smps for a capstone project and am having trouble with the pwm portion of the circuit. When I'm simulating the buck portion it works with 18V dc-400kHZ-43% duty cycle. Now that I think about building the smps I don't know how I'm going to do the pwm. I've looked into gate drivers but don't know where to get the 18v supply. I'm assuming what the input voltage is the output is the same for a gate driver? I'm not trying to get an external power supply to power the gate driver. I was looking into using a microcontroller to do the pwm but it only outputs 5v. I've seen a logic level mosfet and was wondering if I could use this in my circuit and have the microcontroller hooked up to the gate?https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10213

Here's my simulation. I appreciate all the help. enter image description here

\$\endgroup\$
0

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2
\$\begingroup\$

How about a 2 minute design review?

  • Make sure the primary size of the transformer is properly fused. Also include a common mode choke and L-N filter cap for conducted emission suppression. You can get that all in a single package, and I would recommend that for this project.
  • 0.012F is a big cap. Some inrush current limiting may be necessary.
  • At 400kHz, you will need a gate driver. Usually it is powered from the rectifier side of the switch. You don't show what your turns ratio is on the transformer, but make sure the gate driver's absolute maximum voltage rating isn't exceeded. The gate driver should be able to accept 5V TTL input from your microcontroller.
  • Your microcontroller will need powered from the same node as the gate driver. Assuming is a lower power relative to your load, a linear regulator should be fine for that.
  • As FakeMoustache said, you want a P channel MOSFET there. There are dedicated gate drivers for driving a P MOSFET in that configuration. Further, you may want to consider synchronous rectification.
  • If you're putting this on a PCB, which you should, layout will be critical.
\$\endgroup\$
2
  • \$\begingroup\$ And another one: make sure the inductor can handle the current, see it's datasheet. If it cannot handle the current, it will saturate and your output voltage will drop above a certain current. You would not be the first to fall into the saturated inductor trap ;-) \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Sep 8, 2015 at 14:42
  • \$\begingroup\$ The transformer was 10:1. I put the 0.012F cap as the filtering cap. It was what I calculated but I might of calculated it wrong since it is very big. \$\endgroup\$
    – pc9460
    Sep 9, 2015 at 14:21
0
\$\begingroup\$

The problem is that you used an NMOS for the switch (Q1). In this circuit Q1 will behave as a source follower which is a bit like a buffer amplifier. In this application you want it to behave as a switch so that's why you need to pull Vgate very high.

If you use a PMOS instead then you can pull the gate LOW and Vgs will be in parallel with C3. So the PMOS source has to be connected to C3, the drain to the inductor. Your PWM signal will be inverted also ! Low is PMOS on, high is PMOS off.

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • \$\begingroup\$ Is there a good pmos on multisim that you would recommend to use? \$\endgroup\$
    – pc9460
    Sep 9, 2015 at 14:20
  • \$\begingroup\$ I don't use multisim so no. But almost any PMOS with appropriate specifications (max Vds, max Ids) will do. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Sep 9, 2015 at 14:28

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.