TIDUF18A October 2022 – February 2024
Zero-crossing current spikes present a challenging issue for TTPL PFC topologies. This issue is solved by implementing a soft-start scheme with a state machine to turn on and off switches in a particular sequence.
Figure 3-8 PWM Sequence With Soft Starting to Reduce Current Spike at Zero-CrossingFigure 3-8 shows the switching sequence when the AC wave goes from negative to positive. During the negative half, Q1 is ON, Q3 is the active FET, and Q4 is the sync FET. During this time, the voltage across Q2 is the DC bus voltage. When the AC cycle changes, Q2 must be on 100% or close to 100%. If Q2 is turned ON immediately, a substantial positive spike results. Therefore, a soft-start sequence is used to turn Q4 ON as shown in Figure 3-8. The tuning of this soft start depends on the inductance value and other power stage parameters such as device Coss.
Another reason for a negative current spike around zero-crossing is the relatively low AC voltage around the zero-crossing. When Q3 is turned ON, though the duty cycle is low, a high-voltage difference is applied and can result in a high negative current spike. Therefore, a sufficient delay is applied before Q3 starts switching back again.
Similarly, Q2 is turned on after some delay after the soft start has started.