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LM5110
SNVS255B –MAY 2004–REVISED SEPTEMBER 2016
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8.3 Feature Description
8.3.1 Input Stage and Level Shifter
The control inputs of the drivers are high impedance CMOS buffers with TTL compatible threshold voltages. The
negative supply of the input buffer is connected to the input ground pin IN_REF. An internal level shifting circuit
connects the logic input buffers to the totem pole output drivers. The level shift circuit and separate input/output
ground pins provide the option of single supply or split supply configurations. When driving MOSFET gates from
a single positive supply, the IN_REF and VEE pins are both connected to the power ground. The LM5110 pinout
was designed for compatibility with industry standard gate drivers in single supply gate driver applications. Pin 1
(IN_REF) on the LM5110 is a no-connect on standard driver IC's. Connecting pin 1 to pin 3 (VEE) on the printed-
circuit board accommodates the pin-out of both the LM5110 and competitive drivers.
The input stage of each driver should be driven by a signal with a short rise and fall time. Slow rising and falling
input signals, although not harmful to the driver, may result in the output switching repeatedly at a high
frequency.
The input pins of noninverting drivers have an internal 18-μA current source pull-down to IN-REF. The input pins
of inverting driver channels have neither pullup nor pulldown current sources. Unused input should be tied to
IN_REF or VCC and not left open.
8.3.2 Output Stage
The two driver channels of the LM5110 are designed as identical cells. Transistor matching inherent to integrated
circuit manufacturing ensures that the AC and DC performance of the channels are nearly identical. Closely
matched propagation delays allow the dual driver to be operated as a single driver if inputs and output pins are
connected. The drive current capability in parallel operation is 2X the drive of either channel. Small differences in
switching speed between the driver channels will produce a transient current (shoot-through) in the output stage
when two output pins are connected to drive a single load. Differences in input thresholds between the driver
channels will also produce a transient current (shoot-through) in the output stage. Fast transition input signals are
especially important while operating in a parallel configuration. The efficiency loss for parallel operation has been
characterized at various loads, supply voltages and operating frequencies. The power dissipation in the LM5110
increases by less than 1% relative to the dual driver configuration when operated as a single driver with inputs
and outputs connected.
8.3.3 Turn-off with Negative Bias
The isolated input/output grounds provide the capability to drive the MOSFET to a negative VGS voltage for a
more robust and reliable off state. In split supply configuration, the IN_REF pin is connected to the ground of the
controller which drives the LM5110 inputs. The VEE pin is connected to a negative bias supply that can range
from the IN-REF as much as 14-V below the VCC gate drive supply.
Enhancement mode MOSFETs do not inherently require a negative bias on the gate to turn off the FET.
However, certain applications may benefit from the capability of negative VGS voltage during turnoff including:
1. When the gate voltages cannot be held safely below the threshold voltage due to transients or coupling in
the printed-circuit-board.
2. When driving low threshold MOSFETs at high junction temperatures.
3. When high switching speeds produce capacitive gate-drain current that lifts the internal gate potential of the
MOSFET.
8.3.4 UVLO and Power Supplies
An undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuit is included in the LM5110, which senses the voltage difference between
VCC and the input ground pin, IN_REF. When the VCC to IN_REF voltage difference falls below 2.7 V, both driver
channels are disabled. The driver will resume normal operation when the VCC to IN_REF differential voltage
exceeds approximately 2.9 V. UVLO hysteresis prevents chattering during brown-out conditions.
The maximum recommended voltage difference between VCC and IN_REF or between VCC and VEE is 14 V. The
minimum voltage difference between VCC and IN_REF is 3.5 V.