MIC4421A/4422A Micrel
October 2002 9 MIC4421A/4422A
Table 1: MIC4421A Maximum Operating Frequency
VSMax Frequency
18V 220kHz
15V 300kHz
10V 640kHz
5V 2MHz
Conditions:
1. θJA = 150°C/W
2. TA = 25°C
3. CL = 10,000pF
The supply current vs. frequency and supply current vs.
capacitive load characteristic curves aid in determining
power dissipation calculations. Table 1 lists the maximum
safe operating frequency for several power supply voltages
when driving a 10,000pF load. More accurate power dissi-
pation figures can be obtained by summing the three
dissipation sources.
Given the power dissipation in the device, and the thermal
resistance of the package, junction operating temperature
for any ambient is easy to calculate. For example, the
thermal resistance of the 8-pin plastic DIP package, from
the data sheet, is 84.6°C/W. In a 25°C ambient, then, using
a maximum junction temperature of 150°C, this package
will dissipate 1478mW.
Accurate power dissipation numbers can be obtained by
summing the three sources of power dissipation in the
device:
• Load Power Dissipation (PL)
• Quiescent power dissipation (PQ)
• Transition power dissipation (PT)
Calculation of load power dissipation differs depending on
whether the load is capacitive, resistive or inductive.
Resistive Load Power Dissipation
Dissipation caused by a resistive load can be calculated as:
PL = I2 RO D
where:
I = the current drawn by the load
RO = the output resistance of the driver when the
output is high, at the power supply voltage
used. (See data sheet)
D = fraction of time the load is conducting (duty
cycle).
MIC4421A
VIN +18V
0.1µF
1
86, 7
5
40.1µF2500pF
Polycarbonate
TEK Current
Probe 6302
Logic
Ground
Power
Ground
300mV 6 Amps
PC Tr ace
Resistance = 0.05Ω
+18V
0V
+5.0V
0V
WIMA
MKS-2
1µF
Figure 7. Switching Time Degradation Due to
Negative Feedback
Input Stage
The input voltage level of the MIC4421A changes the quies-
cent supply current. The N-Channel MOSFET input stage
transistor drives a 320µA current source load. With a logic “1”
input, the quiescent supply current is typically 500µA. Logic
“0” input level signals reduce quiescent current to 80µA
typical.
The MIC4421A/4422A input is designed to provide 600mV of
hysteresis. This provides clean transitions, reduces noise
sensitivity, and minimizes output stage current spiking when
changing states. Input voltage threshold level is approxi-
mately 1.5V, making the device TTL compatible over the full
temperature and operating supply voltage ranges. Input
current is less than ±10µA.
The MIC4421A can be directly driven by the TL494, SG1526/
1527, SG1524, TSC170, MIC38C42, and similar switch
mode power supply integrated circuits. By offloading the
power-driving duties to the MIC4421A/4422A, the power
supply controller can operate at lower dissipation. This can
improve performance and reliability.
The input can be greater than the VS supply, however, current
will flow into the input lead. The input currents can be as high
as 30mA p-p (6.4mARMS) with the input. No damage will
occur to MIC4421A/4422A however, and it will not latch.
The input appears as a 7pF capacitance and does not change
even if the input is driven from an AC source. While the device
will operate and no damage will occur up to 25V below the
negative rail, input current will increase up to 1mA/V due to
the clamping action of the input, ESD diode, and 1kΩ resistor.
Power Dissipation
CMOS circuits usually permit the user to ignore power
dissipation. Logic families such as 4000 and 74C have
outputs which can only supply a few milliamperes of current,
and even shorting outputs to ground will not force enough
current to destroy the device. The MIC4421A/4422A on the
other hand, can source or sink several amperes and drive
large capacitive loads at high frequency. The package power
dissipation limit can easily be exceeded. Therefore, some
attention should be given to power dissipation when driving
low impedance loads and/or operating at high frequency.