Help PWM DC Chopper (DC-DC Converter)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the output of the UC3524 IC chip in the context of a PWM DC chopper (DC-DC converter). Participants seek clarification on how to properly connect and read the output signals, as well as the role of MOSFET chopper switches in the circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about reading the output of the UC3524 and mentions a suggestion from their teacher regarding the use of a transistor.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of referring to the manufacturer's datasheet and explains how to interpret different sections of it, including features and reference circuits.
  • There is a discussion about the function of a MOSFET chopper, with one participant explaining that it converts a DC input into a square wave for power control applications.
  • A participant questions the differences in output connections between pins 12, 13 and pins 11, 14, and seeks clarification on whether biasing is necessary.
  • Another participant clarifies that the outputs are open collector and mentions the presence of pull-up resistors to bias the built-in BJT, which may relate to the teacher's comments.
  • One participant indicates they will only know the effectiveness of their understanding through practical application.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the output connections and the role of transistors in the circuit. There is no consensus on the exact interpretation of the teacher's instructions or the specifics of the output configuration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential for confusion due to the open collector configuration and the necessity of pull-up resistors, which may not have been fully explained in the initial inquiry.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students working on assignments related to DC-DC converters, particularly those involving the UC3524 IC and MOSFET chopper switches.

kadzuki2
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Hi guys, i need help on my assignment. The problem i have is reading the output of this IC chip (UC3524). Apparently you can't just connect an oscilloscope to the output and get a reading. My teacher said something about using transistor?

Here is the IC chip's schematic http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/29328/TI/UC3524.html"

All i know is that you have to connect them in parallel. Pin 12 with pin 13 and pin 11 with pin 14.

Another thing what is a MOSFET Chopper Switch?
 
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kadzuki2 said:
Hi guys, i need help on my assignment. The problem i have is reading the output of this IC chip (UC3524). Apparently you can't just connect an oscilloscope to the output and get a reading. My teacher said something about using transistor?

Here is the IC chip's schematic http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/29328/TI/UC3524.html"

All i know is that you have to connect them in parallel. Pin 12 with pin 13 and pin 11 with pin 14.

Another thing what is a MOSFET Chopper Switch?

Shouldn't this be in the homework help section? Ah well...

First off, try to link to the manufacturer's website, not these second-source / last resort datasheet vendors:
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/uc3524.pdf

The ability to parse a datasheet is one of the most important skills an EE acquires. The Features section tells you what the IC does, the Description gives you more details, and the Principles of Operation tells you how it does it. The Reference Circuits section (rolled into the Application Information tells you how to hook up the IC so that it does various things.

I'm assuming that your teacher is asking you to hook the circuit up in the open loop test configuration (Fig. 8 note that there's a typo in the pin numbering) so based on the above information, what should you see at the output?

As to the other question of what a MOSFET chopper does... I'll break with the homework template and say that all it does is chops up a DC input into a square wave (of some desired frequency and pulse-width). This is used for analog-like power control (e.g. controlling motor speed beyond on-off, and without having to do analog voltage output), as the basis of switching regulators (buck, boost, inverting, etc.) In short, it can be used for a lot of things.
 
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MATLABdude said:
As to the other question of what a MOSFET chopper does... I'll break with the homework template and say that all it does is chops up a DC input into a square wave (of some desired frequency and pulse-width). This is used for analog-like power control (e.g. controlling motor speed beyond on-off, and without having to do analog voltage output), as the basis of switching regulators (buck, boost, inverting, etc.) In short, it can be used for a lot of things.

Thanks! I get it now. (For the MOSFET part)

I still don't understand the output side. In Fig. 8 the output seems to be different from each other, the Pins 12,13 and Pins 11,14. They are connected differently. I do see that they are connected in parallel. But if i recalled my teacher said something about connecting up to a transistor. :confused:

Did he mean biasing?
 
kadzuki2 said:
Thanks! I get it now. (For the MOSFET part)

I still don't understand the output side. In Fig. 8 the output seems to be different from each other, the Pins 12,13 and Pins 11,14. They are connected differently. I do see that they are connected in parallel. But if i recalled my teacher said something about connecting up to a transistor. :confused:

Did he mean biasing?

No, they just don't have them connected together. Note that the emitters (11 and 14) are just grounded (so the outputs are relative to ground) Regardless, it really depends on what configuration you've got your UC3524 in (and presumably, that it's wired up properly). The output stage is already a transistor (see the Block Diagram), and you'd probably be able to measure a potential difference between the collector and emitter, whether with an oscilloscope or multimeter.

Actually, I just noticed that these are open collector... You'll note in diagram 8 that they have pull up resistors (2k) to bias the built-in BJT. That's probably what they meant.

That's about all I have, so good luck!
 
OK thanks! I wouldn't know until i tried it practically
 
Since this is more project-oriented, I'll let the thread stay here for now. Good help by MATLAB.
 

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