MIC5013

Micrel, Inc.

MIC5013

14

July 2005

V

+

C1

C2

500Ω

12.5V

G

S

125pF

125pF

100 kHz

OSCILLATOR

OFF

ON

GATE CLAMP

Z ENER

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q5

Q6

C1

COM

C2

Q5. For the second phase Q4 turns off and Q3 turns on,

pushing pin C2 above supply (charge is dumped into the

gate). Q3 also charges C1. On the third phase Q2 turns

off and Q1 turns on, pushing the common point of the two

capacitors above supply. Some of the charge in C1 makes

its way to the gate. The sequence is repeated by turning

Q2 and Q4 back on, and Q1 and Q3 off.

In a low-side application operating on a 12 to 15V supply,

the MOSFET is fully enhanced by the action of Q5 alone.

On supplies of more than approximately 14V, current flows

directly from Q5 through the zener diode to ground. To

prevent excessive current flow, the MIC5010 supply should

be limited to 15V in low-side applications.

The action of Q5 makes the MIC5013 operate quickly in

low-side applications. In high-side applications Q5 pre-

charges the MOSFET gate to supply, leaving the charge

pump to carry the gate up to full enhancement 10V above

supply. Bootstrapped high-side drivers are as fast as low-

side drivers since the chip supply is boosted well above

the drain at turn-on.

Gate Control Circuit

When applying the MIC5010, it is helpful to understand the

operation of the gate control circuitry (see Figure 14). The

gate circuitry can be divided into two sections: 1) charge

pump (oscillator, Q1-Q5, and the capacitors) and 2) gate

turn-off switch (Q6).

When the MIC5010 is in the OFF state, the oscillator is

turned off, thereby disabling the charge pump. Q5 is also

turned off, and Q6 is turned on. Q6 holds the gate pin (G)

at ground potential which effectively turns the external

MOSFET off.

Q6 is turned off when the MIC5013 is commanded on. Q5

pulls the gate up to supply (through 2 diodes). Next, the

charge pump begins supplying current to the gate. The

gate accepts charge until the gate-source voltage reaches

12.5V and is clamped by the zener diode.

A 2-output, three-phase clock switches Q1-Q4, providing a

quasi-tripling action. During the initial phase Q4 and Q2 are

ON. C1 is discharged, and C2 is charged to supply through

Figure 14. Gate Control

Circuit Detail