[1JJ
_ UNITRCCE 
UC1872 UC2872 UC3872 
Resonant Lamp Ballast Controller 
FEATURES 
• Controls Different Types of Lamps: 
Cold Cathode Fluorescent, Neon, and Gas Discharge 
• Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) of Push-Pull Drivers 
• Accurate Control of Lamp Current 
• Variable Lamp Intensity Control 
• 1)lA Disable Current 
• 4.5V to 24V Operation 
• Open Lamp Detection Circuitry 
BLOCK DIAGRAM 
DESCRIPTION 
The UC3872 is a resonant lamp ballast controller optimized for driving cold cathode fluorescent, neon, and other gas discharge lamps. The resonant power stage develops a sinusoidal lamp drive voltage, and minimizes switching loss and EMI generation. Lamp intensity adjustment is accomplished with a buck regulator, which is synchronized to the external power stage's resonant frequency. Suitable for automotive and battery powered applications, the UC3872 draws only 1)lA when disabled. 
Soft start and open lamp detect circuitry have been incorporated to minimize component stresses. Open lamp detection is enabled at the completion of a soft start cycle. The chip is optimized for smooth duty cycle control to 100%. 
Other features include a precision 1.2% reference, undervoltage lockout, and accurate minimum and maximum frequency control. 
1---------------------------------------------------------------------, 
1 3 VC 
1 1 1 1 1 
1 
ZD 8 1 
SYNC P-CHANNEL 1 
10.5V + ~ I 
1 __ __ 13 
I_ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -= - - - 14 - _-_ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - J 
GND 
VCC 10 f----------1 
(HIGH=ENABLE) 
Note: Pin numbers shown are for DIP package. 
PUSH PULL OUTPUTS N-CHANNEL 
..__-+--_---1 2 AOUT 
50k 
COUT 
PGND 
UDG-99112 
07/99 
OIL-14 (TOP VIEW)         PLCC-20 (Top View)       
N Package         Q Package         
        N/C         
BOUT     GND     SS       COMP   
AOUT     PGND     N/C       VC   
            
VC     COUT     N/C       AOUT   
COMP     ENBL     INV       BOUT   
        CT       GND   
SS     VCC     ZD       PGND   
        REF       COUT   
INV     REF             
CT     ZD     N/C       N/C   
        N/C       ENBL   
              VCC   ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS 
Analog Inputs -0.3 to +1 OV 
VCC, VC Voltage +24V 
ZD Input Current 
High Impedance Source +10mA 
ZD Input Voltage 
Low Impedance Source +24V 
Power Dissipation at T A = 25° C 1 W 
Storage Temperature -65° C to +150° C 
Lead Temperature 300° C 
Note 1: Currents are positive into, negative out of the specified terminal. 
Note 2: Consult Packaging Section of Databook for thermallimitations and considerations of package. 
CONNECTION DIAGRAMS 
SOIC-16, SSOP-16 (TOP VIEW) 
OW, M Package r-r---.-.-----, BOUT 
AOUT VC 
COMP 
SS N/C INV CT 
UC1872 UC2872 UC3872 
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Unless otherwise stated, these parameters apply for TJ = -55°C to +125°C for the UC1872, -40° C to +85° C for the UC2872, -0°C to + 70°C for the UC3872; VCC= 5V, VC = 15V, VENBL = 5V, CT = 1 nF, ZD = 1 V. 
PARAMETER   TEST CONDITIONS   MIN   TYP   MAX   UNITS   
Reference Section             
Output Voltage   TJ = 25°C   2.963   3.000   3.037   V   
  Over Temperature   2.940   3.000   3.060   V   
Line Regulation   VCC = 4.75V to 18V       10   mV   
Load Regulation   10 = 0 to -5mA       10   mV   
Oscillator Section             
Free Running Frequency   TJ=25°C   57   68   78   kHz   
Maximum Synchronization Frequency   TJ=25°C   160   200   240   kHz   
Charge Current   VeT = 1.5V   180   200   220   ).lA   
Voltage Stability         2   %   
Temperature Stability       4   8   %   
Zero Detect Threshold     0.46   0.5   0.56   V   
Error Amp Section             
Input Voltage   Vo=2V   1.445   1.475   1.505   V   
Input Bias Current       -0.4   -2   ).lA   
Open Loop Gain   Vo = 0.5 to 3V   65   90     dB   
Output High   VINV = 1.3V   3.1   3.5   3.9   V   2 
UC1872 UC2872 UC3872 
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Unless otherwise stated, these parameters apply for TJ = --55°C to +125°C for the UC1872, -40° C to +85° C for the UC2872, -floC to + 70°C for the UC3872; VCC= 5V, VC = 15V, VENBL = 5V, CT = 1 nF, ZD = 1 V. 
PARAMETER   TEST CONDITIONS   MIN   TYP   MAX   UNITS   
Error Amp Section (cont.)             
Output Low   VINV = 1.7V     0.1   0.2   V   
Output Source Current   VINV = 1.3V, Va = 2V   -350   -500     i!A   
Output Sink Current   VINV = 1.7V, Va = 2V   10   20     mA   
Common Mode Range     0     VIN-1V   V   
Unity Gain Bandwidth   TJ = 25° C (Note 4)     1     MHz   
Open Lamp Detect Section             
Soft Start Threshold   VINV= OV   2.9   3.4   3.8   V   
Open Lamp Detect Threshold   Vss = 4.2V   0.6   1.0   1.4   V   
Soft Start Current   Vss = 2V   10   20   40   ).lA   
Output Section             
Output Low Level   lOUT = 0, Outputs A and B     0.05   0.2   V   
  lOUT = 10mA     0.1   0.4   V   
  lOUT = 100mA     1.5   2.2   V   
Output High Level   lOUT = 0, Output C   13.9   14.9     V   
  lOUT = -'lOmA   13.5   14.3     V   
  lOUT = -'lOOmA   12.5   13.5     V   
Rise Time   TJ = 25°C, CI = 1nF (Note 4)     30   80   ns   
Fall Time   TJ = 25°C, CI = 1nF (Note 4)     30   80   ns   
Output Dynamics             
Out A and B Duty Cycle     48   49.9   50   %   
Out C Max Duty Cycle   VINV = 1V   100       %   
Out C Min Duty Cycle   VINV = 2V       0   %   
Under Voltage Lockout Section             
Startup Threshold Voltage     3.7   4.2   4.5   V   
Hysteresis     120   200   280   mV   
Enable Section             
Input High Threshold     2       V   
Input Low Threshold         0.8   V   
Input Current   VENBL = 5V     150   400   ).lA   
Supply Current Section             
VCC Supply Current   VCC = 24V     6   14   mA   
VC Supply Current   VC = 24V     5   12   mA   
ICC Disabled   VCC = 24V, VENBL = OV     1   10   ).lA   Note 3: Unless otherwise specified, all voltages are with respect to ground. Currents are positive into, and negative out of the specified terminal. 
Note 4: Guaranteed by design. Not 100% tested in production. 
3 
PIN DESCRIPTIONS 
AOUT, BOUT: These outputs provide complementary drive signals for the push-pull N-channel MOSFETs. Each one is high for 50% of the time, switching states each time a zero-detect is sensed. 
COMP: COMP is the output terminal of the error amplifier. Compensation components are normally connected between COMP and INV. Connecting a capacitor from this pin to ground limits turn on current and blanks the open lamp detect signal allowing the lamp to start. 
COUT: This output directly drives the bulk regulator P-channel MOSFET. COUT turn-on is synchronized to each zero-detect, and therefore switches at twice the frequency of AOUT and BOUT. The modulator controlling COUT is designed to provide smooth control up to 100% duty cycle. 
CT: A capacitor connected between this pin and GND ground sets the synchronization frequency range. The capacitor is charged with approximately 200)lA, creating a linear ramp which is used by COUT's (buck regulator driver) PWM comparator. 
ENBL: When ENBL is driven high the device is enabled. When ENBL is pulled low, the IC is shut down and typically draws 1)lA. 
GNO: This pin is the ground reference point for the internal reference and all thresholds. 
UC1872 UC2872 UC3872 
INV: This pin is the inverting input to the error amplifier and the input for the open lamp detect circuitry. If the voltage at INV is below the 1V open lamp detect threshold, the outputs are disabled. 
PGNO: This pin is the high current ground connection for the three output drivers. 
REF: This pin is connected to the 3V reference voltage which is used for the internal logic. Bypass REF to ground with a 0.01)lF ceramic capacitor for proper operation. 
VC: VC is the power supply voltage connection for the output drivers. Bypass it to ground with a 0.1)lF ceramic capacitor for proper operation. 
VCC: VCC is the positive supply voltage for the chip. Its operating range is from 4.2V to 24V. Bypass VCC to ground with a 0.1)lF ceramic capacitor for proper operation. 
ZO: The zero-detect input senses when the transformer's primary center tap voltage falls to zero to synchronize the sawtooth voltage waveform on CT. The threshold is approximately 0.5V, providing a small amount of offset such that with propagation delay, zero-volt switching occurs. A resistor (typically 10k) should be connected between ZD and the primary center tap to limit input current at turn off. 
APPLICATION INFORMATION 
Figure 1 shows a complete application circuit using the UC3872 Resonant Lamp Ballast Controller. The IC provides all drive, control and housekeeping functions. The buck output voltage (transformer center-tap) provides the zero crossing and synchronization signals. 
The buck modulator drives a P-channel MOSFET directly, and operates over a 0-100% duty-cycle range. The modulation range includes 100%, allowing operation with minimal headroom. 
The oscillator and synchronization circuitry are shown in Figure 2. The oscillator is designed to synchronize over a 3: 1 frequency range. In an actual application however, the frequency range is only about 1.5: 1. A zero detect comparator senses the primary center-tap voltage, generating a synchronization pulse when the resonant wave- 
form falls to zero. The actual threshold is 0.5 volts, providing a small amount of anticipation to offset propagation delay. 
The synchronization pulse width is the time required for the 4mA current sink to discharge the timing capacitor to 0.1 volts. This pulse width limits the minimum linear control range of the buck regulator. The 200)lA current source charges the capacitor to a maximum of 3 volts. A comparator blanks the zero detect signal until the capacitor voltage exceeds 1 volt, preventing multiple synchronization pulse generation and setting the maximum frequency. If the capacitor voltage reaches 3 volts (a zero detection has not occurred) an internal clock pulse is generated to limit the minimum frequency. 
4 
APPLICATION INFORMATION (cont.) 
A unique protection feature incorporated in the UC3872 is the Open Lamp Detect circuit. An open lamp interrupts the current feedback loop and causes very high secondary voltage. Operation in this mode will usually breakdown the transformer's insulation, causing permanent damage to the converter. The open lamp detect circuit, shown in Figure 3 senses the lamp current feedback signal at the error amplifier's input, and shuts down the outputs if insufficient signal is present. Soft start circuitry limits initial turn-on currents and blanks the open lamp detect signal. 
UC1872 UC2872 UC3872 
Other features are included to minimize external circuitry requirements. A logic level enable pin shuts down the IC, allowing direct connection to a battery. During shutdown, the IC typically draws less than 1j.!A. The UC3872, operating from 4.5V to 24V, is compatible with almost all battery voltages used in portable computers and automotive applications. Undervoltage lockout circuitry disables operation until sufficient supply voltage is available, and a 1 % voltage reference insures accurate operation. 
03 L1 
IRFD9020 150~H 
+4.5V to +24V 
VCC C10 "T' 
0.1~F....L}-¢ 
R1 -=- 
100k C2 REF 
0.01~F.J. n 
'r' ENBL 
'-----1>----iC~ COMP 0.22~F 
+4.5V to +24V 
I 
r-~GND ~ 
+Y PGND~ 
I I ""'=" 
L... ...J 
UC3872 
Brightness Control 
D2 1N4148 
COUT 
COIL TRONICS 305-781-8900 
T1: CTX110600-1 L 1: CTX150-4 
ZD 
UDG·93018·2 
Figure 1. Typical application. 
5 
UC1872 UC2872 UC3872 
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION 
CT 
R 
s 
4mA 
ZD 
UDG-99005 
Figure 2. UC3872 oscillator section. 
1----------------, 
tOV 
INV 
Low = Open Lamp (Disable Outputs) 
3.7V 
ss 
Open Lamp Detect 
L _j 
Figure 3. UC3872 open lamp detect circuitry. 
UNITRODE CORPORATION 
7 CONTINENTAL BLVD.' MERRIMACK, NH 03054 TEL. (603) 424-2410 FAX (603) 424-3460 
6 
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Copyright © 1999, Texas Instruments Incorporated 
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