LTC6801
22
Rev. D
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For a given sample rate, a delta-sigma converter can
achieve excellent noise rejection while settling completely
in a single conversion. This is particularly important for
noisy automotive systems. Other advantages of del-
ta-sigma converters are that they are inherently mono-
tonic, meaning they have no missing codes, and they have
excellent DC specifications.
The LTC6801’s ADC has a second order delta-sigma
modulator followed by a SINC2, finite impulse response
(FIR) digital filter, with a lowpass bandwidth of 1kHz. The
front-end sample rate is 512ksps, which greatly reduces
input filtering requirements. A simple 16kHz, 1 pole filter
composed of a 1k resistor and a 10nF capacitor at each
input will provide adequate filtering for most applications.
These component values will not degrade the DC accuracy
of the ADC.
Each conversion consists of two phases – an autozero
phase and a measurement phase. The ADC is autozeroed
at each conversion, greatly improving CMRR.
USING TRANSFORMERS FOR GALVANIC ISOLATION
As shown in Figure12, small gate-drive signal transform-
ers can be used to interconnect devices and transport
the enable and sense signals safely across an isolation
barrier. Driving a transformer with a squarewave requires
transient currents of several mA and frequency of oper-
ation at 20kHz or higher. Since the output pins of the
LTC6801 are current limited at <1mA, a small external
gate pair (NC7WZ17 dual buffer) is used to provide the
needed drive current. 330Ω resistors are placed in series
with each buffer output to optimize current flow into the
transformer primary and a coupling capacitor provides
prevention of current flow in static conditions. The sec-
ondary side is wired in a center-tapped configuration
to terminate the common mode voltage and thus sup-
press noise pickup. The differential signal is terminated
into 1500Ω to optimize the peak signal swing for the IC
input (to about ±4VP-P). Internal biasing features of the
IC inputs maintain an optimal DC common mode level at
the transformer secondary.
INTERCOMMUNICATION USING DATA ISOLATORS
As shown in Figure13, an inexpensive and compact
2-channel data isolator is used to communicate the enable
and the sense clocking signals between devices. The
wiring carries isolator power and return plus two sin-
gle-ended logic signals that are completely isolated at
the upper device interface, so the signals are effectively
differential from a common mode ingress perspective.
The isolator provides excellent rejection of noise between
battery groups, but consumes a few mA when operating,
so a conventional opto-coupler and a few discretes pro-
vide a power-down scheme for periods where no moni-
toring is needed. Since the required current would load
down VREG if used directly, the NPN transistor is used to
form a quasi-regulated 4.3V supply drawing from the full
battery group potential, also moving significant thermal
loading outside the IC. The PMOS FET is a low resistance
switch controlled by the opto-coupler output. Since the
opto-coupler is used to switch only a small current, the
LED need only be driven with ~500µA. Powering down the
bottom-of-stack isolator on the host µP side automatically
powers down the entire isolator chain.
DEMO BOARD CIRCUIT
An LTC6801 demonstration circuit is shown in Figure15.
The circuit includes a 10kHz oscillator (U2) for the enable
excitation and an LED (D15, driven by Q1) to indicate the
state of the status outputs, plus an assortment of import-
ant protection components to ensure robust operation
and hot-plugging of cell connections.
Series resistors (R14 to R21) provide a controlled cou-
pling capacitor (C14 to C17) current in the inter-IC con-
nections during startup or other abrupt potential changes,
and associated clamp diodes (D13 and D14 quad array
devices) redirect charge/surge current around the IC.
Input filters to each cell (R1, C1 to R12, C12) also use
6.2V Zener diodes (D1 to D12) to prevent overstress to
the internal ESD clamps.
The V+ input filter (R13, C13) has the same time constant
as the ADC input filters so that the V+ and C12 pins tend
to track during start-up or transients, minimizing stress
and ADC error.
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION