MAX8685A/MAX8685C/MAX8685D/MAX8685F
Xenon Photoflash Charger with
IGBT Driver and Voltage Monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________ 13
UVLO
The MAX8685 family of devices provides a UVLO thresh-
old for the VCC power-supply input. When VCC < VUVLO,
the device cannot turn on. All switching behavior is locked
out until VCC increases above the UVLO threshold.
Operation near the UVLO threshold can result in slight
overcharge of the output capacitor. Additionally, the
voltage-monitor output (VMTR) may not provide a prop-
er output voltage when VCC is near the UVLO threshold
and less than the minimum valid VCC voltage in the
Electrical Characteristics
table. To ensure that this does
not occur, always connect the MAX8685 family of
devices to a valid VCC voltage in accordance with the
Electrical Characteristics
.
Applications Information
IGBT Driver
The MAX8685 family provides an integrated IGBT dri-
ver to trigger and control the discharge of the
photoflash capacitor through a xenon flash bulb.
Internal pullup and pulldown resistors control the turn-
on and turn-off rate of the IGBT. The MAX8685A/
MAX8685F provides a separate power input (VCCT) for
the IGBT driver, while the IGBT drivers of the
MAX8685C/MAX8685D use VCC as their power source.
Drive TRIG high to turn on the IGBT gate. Drive TRIG
low to turn off the IGBT gate. An internal 1MΩpulldown
resistor on TRIG prevents indeterminate states on the
input, while an internal 100kΩpulldown resistor on
GATE prevents indeterminate states on the IGBT gate
in the event that VCCT is not present.
The IGBT driver circuitry remains active when EN is
pulled low and VCC is valid. This allows a reduction in
battery-power consumption, while the photoflash
capacitor is being discharged through the xenon flash
tube. However, EN may be left high so that multiple
flashes at maximum intensity can occur in rapid suc-
cession, if needed.
IGBT Selection
IGBT selection is important for long-term reliability of
the photoflash-discharge circuitry. Ensure that the
IGBT’s VCE maximum voltage rating exceeds the maxi-
mum expected output voltage at the photoflash capaci-
tor. Additionally, choose an IGBT that can withstand
peak currents in excess of 150A.
Choose an IGBT such that its VGE specification over the
expected VCCT (or VCC) voltage range is met. Failure to
observe these specifications can result in damage to
the IGBT. Observe the grounding recommendations in
the IGBT data sheet because many IGBTs have a sepa-
rate emitter connection for the GATE drive only.
Output-Voltage Monitoring
(MAX8685A/MAX8685F Only)
A voltage monitor provides a scaled replica of the output
voltage in real time. The scaled output voltage interfaces
with a microprocessor’s internal A/D converter. MTR
provides a 2V output when VFB equals 1.25V. The volt-
age-monitor output is only valid when the part is charg-
ing. In shutdown mode, MTR is internally grounded.
Transformer Design
The transformer is a key element in any transformer fly-
back design. The switching elements are subject to
significantly large voltage and current stresses,
depending on the transformer design. The transformer
also plays a key role in the noise performance of the
circuit. Proper selection, design, and construction of
the transformer are crucial to the performance of a
photoflash charger.
Minimum Transformer Turns Ratio
The transformer turns ratio needs to be high enough so
that the transformer’s peak primary voltage does not
exceed the voltage rating (34V) of the clamp on the
internal MOSFET. The minimum transformer turns ratio
is determined by:
where VOUT is the output voltage, VDis the diode volt-
age drop, and VBATT is the battery voltage. For example,
VOUT = 300V, VD= 2.0V, VBATT = 1.5V. The equation
above provides a minimum turns ratio of 1:10. A trans-
former with a turns ratio of 1:15 is typically recommend-
ed for most applications.
Primary Inductance
The MAX8685 family operates either in discontinuous-
conduction mode (DCM) or in continuous-conduction
mode (CCM). Generally, CCM operation offers a higher
efficiency and lower ripple currents for the same output
power as compared to DCM operation. The capacitive
switching losses in the DMOS switch are minimal at the
boundary of DCM and CCM operation. The primary
inductance is therefore estimated based on this CCM
assumption. The MAX8685 devices have a maximum
on-time limit (tON(MAX)), typically 23µs, and a typical
peak current limit (ILIM). The maximum inductance for a
minimum battery voltage (VBATT(MIN)) is given by: