Im asking this question here and not in the class d forum because it has to do with basic BJT properties.
I want to design an as weak switchmode mosfet driver as possible. I will do this using PNP transistors with as low voltage and current rating as possible to avoid adverse switching performance (t_rise/t_fall). The currents that are switched arise from the charging and discharging of the gate- and miller capacitance of a mosfet, and the current peak only lasts for ~100ns or so. If a BJT is rated for 300mA repetitive current (say 2n3906), how much can this rating be abused if the current only lasts for 100ns, and the transistor has plenty of time to rest between charging cycles? I want it to stand at least 6A peak current, is this feasible?
I want to design an as weak switchmode mosfet driver as possible. I will do this using PNP transistors with as low voltage and current rating as possible to avoid adverse switching performance (t_rise/t_fall). The currents that are switched arise from the charging and discharging of the gate- and miller capacitance of a mosfet, and the current peak only lasts for ~100ns or so. If a BJT is rated for 300mA repetitive current (say 2n3906), how much can this rating be abused if the current only lasts for 100ns, and the transistor has plenty of time to rest between charging cycles? I want it to stand at least 6A peak current, is this feasible?
So what you say is that I will not reach that high peak currents because of negative impact on Beta at high Ic? The transistor I am thinking about if for the discharge of the gate charge in a UcD amplifier.
Will BJTs with higher current rating hold their Beta better at higher Ic and thus speed up gate discharge?
Will BJTs with higher current rating hold their Beta better at higher Ic and thus speed up gate discharge?
Hi zilog,
BJTs are not components that can tolerate high current densities; you're not allowed to average the current over any arbitrary period of time, because destruction mechanisms exist that have nothing to do with thermal damages.
One of these mechanism is the junction delocalisation which results in a much lowered breakdown voltage; another is the Kirk effect, which also affects the transition frequency making them useless for your purpose.
Instead of abusing defenseless BJTs, why don't you use specialized drivers for SMPS: the more moderns now have transition times in the ns range and are designed to handle peak currents of several amperes.
LV
BJTs are not components that can tolerate high current densities; you're not allowed to average the current over any arbitrary period of time, because destruction mechanisms exist that have nothing to do with thermal damages.
One of these mechanism is the junction delocalisation which results in a much lowered breakdown voltage; another is the Kirk effect, which also affects the transition frequency making them useless for your purpose.
Instead of abusing defenseless BJTs, why don't you use specialized drivers for SMPS: the more moderns now have transition times in the ns range and are designed to handle peak currents of several amperes.
LV
Hi,
the first datasheet I pulled out was a Zetex zdt1048. 8DIL
I am sure there are many others from Zetex (who seem to specialise in high current small devices) and different manufacturers.
They talk about 150MHz & 60pF.
Ic <=5A & 20Apk.
2W @ DC & 200Wpk @ 100uS
Vce(sat) @1A ~=60mV @ 100degC
switching low 100s nS
the first datasheet I pulled out was a Zetex zdt1048. 8DIL
I am sure there are many others from Zetex (who seem to specialise in high current small devices) and different manufacturers.
They talk about 150MHz & 60pF.
Ic <=5A & 20Apk.
2W @ DC & 200Wpk @ 100uS
Vce(sat) @1A ~=60mV @ 100degC
switching low 100s nS
peranders said:
I dont want to use mosfet drivers since I dont need fast rise times, only fast turn-off. Besides, driver ICs have no place in a fully discrete UcD.
For the discussion on RS/Farnell, these dont sell to DIY:ers. I am a consultant but I unfortunately have no company to place the order from :/
I have driven seven IRFZ44 mosfets with 22 ohm gate resistors with a totem pole using 2N3904/2N3906 at 56kHz for a car SMPS (14 in all). so far, they have survived. not sure if they would be fine in the long run though.
the transistors do feel a little warm but not burning hot during operation.
the transistors do feel a little warm but not burning hot during operation.
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