Televisions and Monitors Power Semiconductor Applications
Philips Semiconductors
A plot of base current, IB, against turn off dissipation, Eoff,
for one BU2508A measured in the switching test circuit at
a peak collector current of 4.5A gives the characteristic
‘bathtub’ shape shown in Fig.4 above. From this curve the
tolerance to base drivevariations can be assessed and the
optimum IBdetermined for a given IC.
The switching performance is also determined by the peak
reverse base current at switch off. For a typical hFE device,
of all types in the BU25XXA/D range, a peak reverse base
current, IBoff, equal to one half the typical peak ICis
recommended for optimum dissipation. This is largely
determined by the drive transformer and is usually difficult
tobefine-tuned. Inthetypicalnon-simultaneousbasedrive
circuit the level of forward base current, IB, is easily
controlled, hence, the presentation of the turn-off losses
versus IB.
The ‘bathtub’ curves are plotted for a reverse base voltage
at turn-off of -4V. This level of reverse base drive is
recommended for the BU25XXA/D range as it reduces the
risk of any noise, or ring, forward biasing the base-emitter
during flyback. However, in well-engineered designs the
BU25XXA/D can operate just as well with a reverse base
voltage at turn-off of only -1V. This tolerance to base drive
is very useful to design engineers.
On the far left of the curve, at low IBvalues, the device is
severelyunderdriven resulting in a high turnoff dissipation.
As the base drive is increased the degree of underdrive is
reduced and the device remains in saturation for a larger
proportion of its on time. This is the reason for the initial
decrease in Eoff with increasing IBseen in the ‘bathtub’
curve. Eventually, the optimum drive is reached and the
turnoffdissipation, Eoff,isatitsminimumvalue. Increasing
the base drive still further results in overdrive and the
appearance of an ICtail at turn off. The result of this, as
can be seen in the ‘bathtub’ curve, is increasing turn off
losses with increasing IB.
Typically, this curve has steep sides and a flatter central
portion; this gives it the shape of the cross-section through
a bathtub, hence the name ‘bathtub’ curve !
The BU25XXA/D technology gives a sharper looking curve
but a much lower level of Eoff/Poff than competitor types.
For optimised drive the BU25XXA/D technology offers
world class dissipation in 16 kHz TV deflection circuits.
Process Control
The success of the BU25XXA/D range has enabled
significant enhancements to be made to the benefit of both
our customers and ourselves. By utilising a continuous
cycle of quality improvement coupled with high volume
production, Philips Semiconductors can demonstrate their
excellent process control in specified hFE and dissipation
limits. This control is achieved bymanufacturing capability
rather than test selections. This process control improves
manufacturing throughput and yield and, hence, customer
deliveries. The improvements in manufacturing result in
higher process capability indices enabling the introduction
of tightened internal test specifications.
Critical Parameter Distribution Fact Sheets
Industry standard data sheets for all power semiconductor
devices offer an introduction to the device fundamentals
and can usually be used for a quick comparison between
competitortypes. Detaileduseofa specificdevicerequires
muchmore information thanis contained inany data sheet.
This is particularly relevant to high voltage bipolar
transistors,and especially horizontaldeflection transistors.
Ahorizontaldeflectiontransistorisonlyasgoodasthebase
circuit that drives it. The growth of power MOSFET’s is
mainly due to the difficulties in driving bipolar transistors.
However,MOSFETtechnologyisnotsuitableforhorizontal
deflection applications, Philips Semiconductors are
actively involved in supplying the support tools necessary
for the successful design-in of their BU25XXA/D range.
Recognising the designers requirements Philips
Semiconductorsnowprovidecritical parameterdistribution
factsheets for the BU25XXA/D range. This additional data
should be used in conjunction with the data sheets to give
a full picture of the device capabilities and characteristics
over the production spread.
The fact sheets give limit curves for the power dissipation
in the device caused by turn-off, Poff, at a given operating
frequencyand range ofload current, ICall at 85˚C(a typical
operating temperature for TV and monitor applications).
These curves provide limits to the typical ‘bathtub’ curves
given in data. It is important to recognise that these fact
sheet curves represent the LIMIT of production when
comparing the BU25XXA/D range with competitor types
which offer this information as TYPICAL only, if at all. This
information displays the technical performance of the
device and the measurement capability available.
Contained in the fact sheets is evidence of the world class
dissipation limits obtained by the BU25XXA/D range. As
an example,the BU2508A/AF/AX ‘bathtub’limit curves are
shown in Figs.5-7.
These fact sheetsalso containlimit hFE curves for VCE =1 V
and 5 V at three different temperatures: -40˚C, 25˚C, and
85˚C. Therangeoftemperatureschosenreflects therange
of customer requirements. These limit curves define the
device characteristics for all the important extremes of
operation. As an example the BU2508A/AF/AX limit hFE
curves for VCE = 1 V and 5 V at 25˚C are shown in Figs.8-9
below. The 100% test points are indicated by arrows.
334