DN-43
Design Note
Simple Techniques to Generate a
Negative Voltage Bias Supply
from a Positive Input Voltage
by Bill Andreycak
Developing a low power negative supply voltage IC’s lower totem pole transistor thus saving one
from a positive input supply can be accomplished component. Reverse recovery characteristics are
using some very common PWM control ICs. Typical not a concern since current also flows through the
applications include generating a negative five MOS transistor channel in parallel with the body di-
through twelve volt (-5V to -12V) supply for analog ode.
function ICs (OP amps), RS-232 communication
The circuit can be designed for either continuous or
circuits, and MOSFET or IGBT gate drives at power
discontinuous inductor current operation, depending
levels below a few Watts.
on the application. Discontinuous mode is generally
Many PWM ICs contain a high current totem pole preferred at lower power levels to minimize inductor
output which goes high during the device’s ON-time size. Continuous inductor current operation is more
or pulse width. The exact pulse width is modulated applicable with higher load currents. High frequency
to regulate a converter’s output voltage during switching and surface mount packaging options
changes in input voltage and output current. The minimize overall size.
IC’s totem pole output can also be used as the main
Conventional duty cycle control ( voltage mode ) is
switch in low power applications. One example of
less complex to implement as the control technique
this is a Flyback converter configured as shown in
than current mode control. The principal difficulty is
Figure 1.
sensing the inductor current which is not referenced
Figure 1: Low Power Negative Output Voltage +5V to the IC’s return connection, -Vout instead of
to -5V Inverter ground. Adding a current sense transformer is pos-
sible, but will increase cost and complexity. Overcur-
rent protection is obtained by using the IC’s internal
maximum current limit at the switch.
Note that the BiCMOS UCC3803 device used in the
example circuit of Figure 1. has a maximum low im-
pedance input supply voltage rating of 12VDC. This
limits it’s applications to less than negative seven
volts outputs (-7V max) with a +5V DC input. Higher
voltage outputs, for example -12V to -15V, can be
obtained by using a UC3843 with a higher maxi-
mum input voltage ( 30VDC ). Here too there are
some limitations. These fully bipolar ICs draw higher
supply current and have higher undervoltage lock-
out (UVLO) thresholds, but are acceptable choices
With this arrangement, the inductor (L) charges
for some applications.
when the IC output is high and discharges or flies-
back when the IC output goes low. Energy stored The IC datasheet should be referred to for addi-
during the inductors charging time is transferred to tional information. Application Notes within the IC
the output capacitor (Cout) during the flyback, or databook contain general information about the de-
OFF portion of the cycle. When a BiCMOS PWM sign of the Flyback converter, and others. For fur-
control IC is used, the external diode can be re- ther assistance contact a Unitrode Field Application
placed by the MOS channel and body diode of the Engineer or the factory.
8/93
UNITRODE CORPORATION
7 CONTINENTAL BLVD. • MERRIMACK, NH 03054
TEL. (603) 424-2410 • FAX (603) 424-3460
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Texas Instruments and its subsidiaries (TI) reserve the right to make changes to their products or to discontinue
any product or service without notice, and advise customers to obtain the latest version of relevant information
to verify, before placing orders, that information being relied on is current and complete. All products are sold
subject to the terms and conditions of sale supplied at the time of order acknowledgement, including those
pertaining to warranty, patent infringement, and limitation of liability.
TI warrants performance of its semiconductor products to the specifications applicable at the time of sale in
accordance with TI’s standard warranty. Testing and other quality control techniques are utilized to the extent
TI deems necessary to support this warranty. Specific testing of all parameters of each device is not necessarily
performed, except those mandated by government requirements.
CERTAIN APPLICATIONS USING SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS MAY INVOLVE POTENTIAL RISKS OF
DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE (“CRITICAL
APPLICATIONS”). TI SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED, AUTHORIZED, OR
WARRANTED TO BE SUITABLE FOR USE IN LIFE-SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS OR OTHER
CRITICAL APPLICATIONS. INCLUSION OF TI PRODUCTS IN SUCH APPLICATIONS IS UNDERSTOOD TO
BE FULLY AT THE CUSTOMER’S RISK.
In order to minimize risks associated with the customer’s applications, adequate design and operating
safeguards must be provided by the customer to minimize inherent or procedural hazards.
TI assumes no liability for applications assistance or customer product design. TI does not warrant or represent
that any license, either express or implied, is granted under any patent right, copyright, mask work right, or other
intellectual property right of TI covering or relating to any combination, machine, or process in which such
semiconductor products or services might be or are used. TI’s publication of information regarding any third
party’s products or services does not constitute TI’s approval, warranty or endorsement thereof.
Copyright 1999, Texas Instruments Incorporated