How to Use the Max15005 Current-mode Controller as a Boost Circuit for an Automotive Cold-crank Condition
Abstract: This reference design shows how to use a MAX15005 automotive power-supply controller as a boost circuit to maintain a constant voltage during an automotive cold-crank condition.
Introduction
When an automotive engine remains in a cold climate or is subjected to freezing temperatures for a long time, the engine oil becomes very viscous. In cold temperatures the battery’s internal resistance also increases from its normal value. If the engine is started during that time, the starter motor needs more torque, which draws more current from the battery. Due to transients in the current requirement and high-series resistance, the battery voltage can drop as low as 2.5V. This is known as the cold-crank condition in automotives.
The MAX15005 is a current-mode controller that operates from 4.5V to 40V. The device can manage cold-crank conditions and a load-dump condition as well. Once powered, the MAX15005 operates down to 2.5V, thus accommodating a further drop in the battery voltage.
This reference design shows a solution for a cold crank in automotive applications. The design includes the complete schematic, bill of materials (BOM), efficiency measurements, and test results.
Specifications and Design Setup
The design uses the following specifications:
- Input voltage: 2.5V to 18V
- Output voltage: 12V
- Output current: 1A
- Output ripple: ±0.6V
- Input ripple: ±15mV
- Efficiency: 75% with cold crank > 90% for normal operation
- Switching frequency: 200kHz
- The schematic for the above specifications is shown in Figure 1.
The BOM for this reference design is given in Table 1.
Designator | Value | Description | Part | Footprint | Manufacturer | Quantity |
C1 | 10µF/25V | Capacitor | GRM32DR71E106KA12L | 1210 | Murata® | 1 |
C2 | 1µF/25V | Capacitor | GRM219R71E105KA88D | 805 | Murata® | 1 |
C3 | 10µF/25V | Capacitor | GRM32DR71E106KA12L | 1210 | Murata® | 1 |
C4, C6 | 1µF/16V | Capacitor | GRM1885C1H151JA01D | 603 | Murata® | 2 |
C5 | 150pF | Capacitor | GRM1885C1H151JA01D | 603 | Murata® | 1 |
C7 | 100pF | Capacitor | GRM1885C1H101JA01D | 603 | Murata® | 1 |
C8, C9 | 330pF | Capacitor | GRM1885C1H331JA01D | 603 | Murata® | 2 |
C10 | 10nF | Capacitor | GRM188R71H103KA01D | 603 | Murata® | 1 |
C11 | 0.1µF | Capacitor | GRM188R71H104KA93D | 603 | Murata® | 1 |
D1 | 30V/500mA Schottky | Schottky Diode | MBR0530T1 | SOD123 | On Semiconductor® | 1 |
D2 | 30V/500mA Schottky | Schottky Diode | MBR0530T1 | SOD123 | On Semiconductor® | 1 |
D3 | 40V/2A Schottky | Default Diode | B240 | SMB | Diodes Incorporated | 1 |
L | 10µH | Inductor | IHLP-4040DZER100M01 | IHLP-4040EZ | Vishay® | 1 |
Q | 30V, 17A n-channel MOSFET | n-channel MOSFET | SI7386DP | Power PAKSO-8 | Vishay® | 1 |
R1 | 61.9k | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R2, R12 | 100k | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 2 |
R3 | 604Ω | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R4 | 4.7 | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R5 | 17.8K | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R6 | 100 | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R7, R8 | 0.07Ω/1W | Resistor | LRCLR2010LF01R070J | 2010 | IRC | 2 |
R9 | 20k | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R10 | 137K | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R11 | 15.6K | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
R13 | 10.5K | Resistor | SMD 1% Resistor | 603 | Vishay® | 1 |
U1 | 4.5V to 40V input, automotive flyback/boost/SEPIC, power-supply controller | PWIM controller | MAX15005BAUE+ | TSSOP-16 | Maxim | 1 |
Performance Data
The efficiency vs. load current plots for this design are given in Figure 2. Input voltage was the test parameter.
Converter output voltage and load current are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 with VIN = 2.5V and VIN = 11V, respectively.
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