Current Paths in Step-up DC-DC Converters

Current Paths in Step-up DC-DC Converters

With step-up DC-DC converters as with other circuits, when designing the PCB layout, it is important that current paths in the circuit and the properties of the currents flowing in those paths be understood. Before examining specific layouts, we review current paths in step-up DC-DC converters.

Current Paths When the Switching Transistor Q₂ is Turned On

The circuit diagram below schematically shows a step-up DC-DC converter; the red lines represent the main currents flowing when the switching transistor Q₂ is turned on. C_IBYPASS is a high-frequency decoupling capacitor; in many cases, a small-capacitance ceramic capacitor is used. C_IN is a capacitor provided mainly for the purpose of stabilization, and has a comparatively large value. Most of the current that flows suddenly at the instant that the switching transistor Q₂ turns on is supplied from C_IBYPASS, and then supplied from C_IN. When the input current is not so very large, C_IN can be combined with C_IBYPASS, using a single capacitor for both purposes. Gradually changing currents are supplied from the input power supply. During this time, current energy is stored in the inductor L.

Current Paths When the Switching Transistor Q₂ is Turned Off

Next, the state of currents when the switching transistor Q₂ is turned off is shown (the red line in the diagram). The inductor L acts to hold the immediately preceding current value even after the switching transistor Q₂ turns off. The left end of the inductor L is fixed at the voltage V_IN, and continues to supply current so as to add a voltage to V_OUT, and therefore V_OUT becomes higher than V_IN (step-up operation). Hence the longer the on-time of the switching transistor Q₂, and the greater the amount of current energy stored in the inductor L, the greater the power that can be extracted. However, if the on-time of the switching transistor Q₂ is made unnecessarily long, the time during which power is supplied to the output side becomes short, and efficiency is worsened. For this reason, a limit is imposed on the maximum value of the on/off time ratio (the duty cycle). In a circuit with a small output current, by using a ceramic capacitor with a good frequency characteristic for C_OUT, this capacitor can also serve as the high-frequency decoupling capacitor C_BYPASS.

Difference in Currents When the Switching Transistor Q₂ is On and Off

Finally, the difference in the currents when the switching transistor Q₂ is on and is off is indicated (the red lines in the diagram). Each time the switching transistor Q₂ changes from off to on and from on to off, the current paths indicated by the red lines change sharply. Because the changes in this system are sudden, waveforms containing many high harmonics appear. The layout of this system of differences is an important issue for PCB layout, and requires the highest degree of attention.