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AN-1171
3. High Voltage Regulator
The IRS2980 contains an internal high voltage regulator to supply VCC from the
high voltage DC bus. Figure 2 shows that pin 1 (HV) is connected directly the DC
bus. Current is supplied to the VCC supply at pin 2 through an internal current
source capable of operating up to 450V. The internal regulator can supply up to
3mA, which is sufficient to supply VCC for most MOSFET gate capacitances and
frequencies normally required in an LED driver. ICC can be reduced by selecting
a MOSFET with a low gate capacitance (25nC or less) and selecting an
inductance (LBUCK) that will allow the regulator to operate at a reduced
frequency. A regulator operating at 60kHz for example will require much less ICC
than one operating at 120kHz. As explained earlier this is a tradeoff against
inductor size. It is also important to consider the temperature rise of the IRS2980.
Since the internal regulator operates linearly the associated power loss is
dependent on bus voltage and ICC.
More care must be taken at higher bus voltages to minimize frequency and ICC
to minimize the IC operating temperature. The addition of heat sinking in the form
of large areas of copper on the PCB or thermally conductive potting compounds
can significantly reduce temperature. Inductor values are generally larger for
220V off line AC applications than for 120V in order to reduce switching
frequency, which lowers power dissipation in the circuit.
4. Current sense level shifter
The IRS2980 uses a floating differential current sense circuit to measure the LED
current in the high side of the supply circuit. The Buck regulator configuration
uses a low side switch, which is opposite to the IRS25401. In order to realize
average current control the current must be sensed both when the MOSFET
(MBUCK) is switched on and when it is switched off and therefore must be
sensed at the high side. In order to accomplish this the hysteretic current sensing
circuitry within the IRS2980 is situated within a floating high side well constructed
by means of International Rectifiers HVIC technology. A floating supply voltage
(nominally 8V) for the circuitry contained within this well is developed between
the HV and VS pins of the IC. The supply is provided by a current source located
between VS and COM.
The high side contains a comparator with defined hysteresis connected to a
-0.5V reference with respect to HV. The output from the comparator is
transferred through high voltage level shift circuitry to the gate driver circuitry,
which is referenced to COM. The incorporation of the floating high side well
allows the LED current to be sensed at voltages up to 450V above COM.