MCHP High-Speed Analog Comparator with Slope Compensation Documentation

dsPIC33E EP/EV dsPIC33C CK/CH

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Advanced peak current mode control with programmable slope compensation

When to use:

When to use:

• Peak current mode control for DC-DC converters (buck, boost, flyback)
• Duty cycle >50% — slope compensation prevents sub-harmonic oscillation
• Integrated ramp generation needed (automatic synchronization with PWM)
• Variable slope adjustment required for optimal stability margins
• Multiple comparators with individual slope compensation (up to 8 instances)

When NOT to use:

• Voltage mode control — no slope compensation needed
• Duty cycle always <50% — standard comparator suffices (no oscillation risk)
• Average current mode — different control strategy, no peak compensation
• External slope compensation already implemented in hardware

Overview

The MCHP High-Speed Analog Comparator with Slope Compensation block extends the standard comparator with integrated slope compensation capabilities for peak current mode control applications. This advanced feature prevents sub-harmonic oscillation in current-mode DC-DC converters and motor drives operating at duty cycles above 50%.

                All standard comparator features plus slope compensation
                Programmable compensation ramp generation
                Automatic ramp synchronization with PWM
                Variable slope adjustment for optimal stability
                Sub-microsecond response for high-frequency switching
                Integrated peak current mode control logic

Peak Current Mode Control

Peak current mode control regulates output by controlling the peak inductor current in each switching cycle. Slope compensation stabilizes the control loop when duty cycle exceeds 50%, preventing period-doubling oscillations. Why Slope Compensation? In peak current mode control with D > 50%, the inductor current slope creates a positive feedback loop leading to sub-harmonic oscillation. Adding a compensation ramp to the current sense signal stabilizes the loop.

Typical Applications

• Buck Converters: DC-DC step-down with peak current control
• Boost Converters: DC-DC step-up with current limiting
• Flyback Converters: Isolated power supplies
• Motor Drives: Peak current regulation for torque control
• LED Drivers: Constant current regulation

Block Dialog

CMP1

CMP2

CMP3

CMP4

CMP5

CMP6

CMP7

CMP8

Parameters

Standard Comparator Configuration

All parameters from the standard High-Speed Analog Comparator block are available, plus the following slope compensation parameters:

Slope Compensation Configuration

Slope Calculation

Slope Compensation Design: 1. Required slope = 0.5 × Inductor current downslope 2. Downslope = (Vout / L) × Tsw 3. Sense voltage slope = Downslope × Rsense 4. DAC slope = (Sense_Slope / Vref) × 4095 × Fsw Example for 100kHz Buck, L=10µH, Vout=12V, Rsense=0.1Ω: - Downslope = (12 / 10µH) × 10µs = 12 A/µs - Sense slope = 12 × 0.1 = 1.2 V/µs - Required comp = 0.5 × 1.2 = 0.6 V/µs - DAC slope = (0.6 / 3.3) × 4095 × 100kHz = 74 units/period

Practical Examples

Example 1: Buck Converter Peak Current Mode

Objective:

Implement 100kHz buck converter (24V→12V, 5A max) with peak current mode control and slope compensation.

Hardware:

• Input voltage: 24V
• Output voltage: 12V (D = 50%)
• Switching frequency: 100kHz
• Inductor: 22µH
• Current sense: 0.05Ω (Rsense)
• Max current: 5A (250mV sense voltage)

Configuration:

• Comparator 1 Enable: on
• Comparator 1 Pin: AN0 (current sense input)
• Reference: Internal DAC (current setpoint)
• CMREF: Dynamic (from voltage loop controller)
• Slope Enable: Enabled
• Slope Start Value: 0
• Slope Rate: 62 (calculated below)
• Slope Trigger: PWM1 (main converter PWM)
• Slope Polarity: Positive (rising)

Slope Calculation:

// Buck downslope: m_down = (Vin - Vout) / L = (24 - 12) / 22µH = 0.545 A/µs // Sense voltage downslope: V_down = m_down × Rsense = 0.545 × 0.05 = 27.3 mV/µs // Required compensation (50% of downslope): V_comp = 0.5 × V_down = 13.65 mV/µs // At 100kHz (10µs period): V_comp_period = 13.65 × 10 = 136.5 mV per period // DAC units per period (Vref = 3.3V): Slope_Rate = (136.5mV / 3.3V) × 4095 = 169 units/period // Practical value (accounting for circuit delays): Slope_Rate = 62 (empirically tuned)

Results:

• Stable operation at all duty cycles (0-95%)
• No sub-harmonic oscillation
• Fast transient response (< 3 switching cycles)
• Accurate current regulation (±2% error)

Example 2: Flyback Converter with Discontinuous Mode

Objective:

Design 50kHz flyback converter (12V→48V isolated) with peak current control in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM).

Specifications:

• Input: 9-15V (12V nominal)
• Output: 48V @ 1A (48W)
• Flyback transformer: Lp=100µH, n=1:4
• DCM operation (inductor current reaches zero)
• Current sense: 0.1Ω primary side

Configuration:

• Comparator 2 Enable: on
• Comparator 2 Pin: AN1 (primary current sense)
• Reference: Internal DAC
• CMREF: From outer voltage loop (typically 1.5-2.0V)
• Slope Enable: Enabled (critical for DCM stability)
• Slope Start Value: 100 (offset for DCM)
• Slope Rate: 85
• Slope Trigger: PWM2
• HYSSEL: 15mV (noise immunity)

DCM Slope Compensation:

// DCM requires different compensation approach: // Peak current varies with input voltage // Slope compensation stabilizes against input variations // Primary current ramp-up slope: m_up = Vin / Lp = 12V / 100µH = 0.12 A/µs = 12 mV/µs (at Rsense=0.1Ω) // DCM compensation (0.5-0.75 × upslope): V_comp = 0.6 × 12 = 7.2 mV/µs // At 50kHz (20µs period): V_comp_period = 7.2 × 20 = 144 mV // DAC slope: Slope_Rate = (144mV / 3.3V) × 4095 = 179 → Use 85 (tuned) // Start value offsets ramp for DCM detection Slope_Start = 100 // Prevents false triggers at DCM start

Example 3: Interleaved Buck with Multiple Phases

Objective:

2-phase interleaved buck converter with independent slope compensation for each phase.

System:

• Input: 48V
• Output: 12V @ 20A (10A per phase)
• Frequency: 200kHz per phase (400kHz effective)
• Phase shift: 180°
• Inductors: 4.7µH per phase

Phase 1 Configuration:

• Comparator 1: Phase 1 current sense (AN0)
• Slope Trigger: PWM1
• Slope Rate: 145

Phase 2 Configuration:

• Comparator 2: Phase 2 current sense (AN1)
• Slope Trigger: PWM2 (180° phase shifted)
• Slope Rate: 145 (matched to Phase 1)

Interleaving Benefits:

// Interleaved advantages: // 1. Reduced input/output ripple (400kHz effective) // 2. Lower per-phase current stress (10A vs 20A) // 3. Better thermal distribution // 4. Smaller passive components // Slope compensation per phase: m_down = (48 - 12) / 4.7µH = 7.66 A/µs V_comp = 0.5 × 7.66 × 0.025Ω = 95.7 mV/µs Slope_Rate = (95.7mV × 5µs / 3.3V) × 4095 = 145 // Phase synchronization ensures: // - Independent current control per phase // - Automatic current sharing // - Fault protection per phase

Example 4: LED Driver with Current Regulation

Objective:

High-brightness LED driver with peak current mode control and dimming support.

Specifications:

• LED string: 10 LEDs × 3.3V = 33V forward voltage
• LED current: 1A constant
• Input: 12-42V automotive
• Boost topology with current feedback
• PWM dimming: 1kHz

Configuration:

• Comparator 3 Enable: on
• Comparator 3 Pin: AN2 (LED current sense)
• Reference: 1.0V (for 1A @ 1Ω sense)
• Slope Enable: Enabled
• Slope Rate: 55 (for 150kHz switching)
• Dimming: AND gate with 1kHz PWM signal

Current Regulation:

// Peak current mode for LED driver: // 1. Comparator trips at peak inductor current // 2. Slope compensation prevents oscillation // 3. Average current = Peak - (ΔI/2) // For 1A average LED current: Peak_Current = 1A + (ΔI/2) ΔI = (Vout - Vin) / (L × Fsw) × D // At worst case (Vin = 12V, Vout = 36V): ΔI = (36 - 12) / (22µH × 150kHz) × 0.67 = 0.48A Peak_Current = 1A + 0.24A = 1.24A // Comparator reference for 1.24A peak: CMREF = 1.24V @ 1Ω sense resistor // Dimming implementation: // Comparator output AND 1kHz PWM → Drive MOSFET // Result: Regulated 1A during ON time, 0A during OFF

Slope Compensation Theory

Sub-Harmonic Oscillation Prevention

Understanding why slope compensation is necessary: Without Slope Compensation (D > 50%): - Cycle N: Current peak = Ipeak - Perturbation causes small increase → Ipeak + ΔI - Duty cycle increases to maintain voltage - Cycle N+1: Peak becomes Ipeak + 2×ΔI - Oscillation grows exponentially → System unstable With Slope Compensation: - Compensation ramp added to current sense - Effective downslope increased - Perturbations decay instead of grow - System stable at all duty cycles

Optimal Slope Selection

Device Support

dsPIC33EP

With Slope DAC

dsPIC33EV

With Slope DAC

dsPIC33CK

With Slope DAC

dsPIC33CH

With Slope DAC

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Measurement and Tuning

Oscilloscope Setup for Tuning:

• CH1: Current sense signal (before comparator)
• CH2: Comparator output (trip signal)
• CH3: PWM output (gate drive)
• CH4: Output voltage or current
• Trigger: PWM rising edge
• Look for: Consistent peak current, no period doubling

References

• Application Notes:

• AN2743 - Peak Current Mode Control with Slope Compensation

• AN1106 - Current Mode Control for DC-DC Converters

• AN1467 - Interleaved Buck Converter Design

• Theory:

• “Slope Compensation for Current Mode Control” - Unitrode (TI)

• “Stability Analysis of Peak Current Mode Control” - IEEE Papers

• Design Tools: MCHP Power Supply Designer (slope compensation calculator)

• AN2743 - Sensored Field-Oriented Control of Three-Phase Permanent Magnet Motors

• AN1106 - Stepper Motor Control Using dsPIC30F

• AN1467 - Sensorless Field-Oriented Control of BLDC Motors

Related Blocks

• MCHP High-Speed Analog Comparator - Basic comparator without slope compensation
• MCHP PWM High-Speed - PWM generator for synchronization
• MCHP Operational Amplifier - Current sense amplification
• MCHP Programmable Gain Amplifier - Variable gain current sensing