Designing a Reverse Polarity Protection Circuit (Part II)

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Introduction

This is Part II of a two-part series on designing a reverse polarity protection circuit. Part I covered the various pulse interferences that necessitate the reverse polarity protection function in automotive electronic products, and reviewed the features of a reverse polarity protection circuit with a P-channel MOSFET. Part II will discuss a reverse polarity protection circuit with an N-channel MOSFET and buck-boost driver IC.

N-Channel MOSFET

When designing a reverse polarity protection circuit with an N-channel MOSFET and driver IC, the N-channel MOSFET is placed on the high side, which is also where the driver IC takes power. An internal voltage that exceeds the input voltage (V_IN) is generated to provide the gate-to-source voltage (V_GS), which powers the N-channel MOSFET.

Based on the driving power supply generation principle, the driving IC can have either a charge pump or buck-boost scheme. These schemes are described below:

Charge pump reverse polarity protection scheme: The charge pump scheme has a lower overall BOM requirement, which results in a lower cost. This scheme is well-suited for applications where the current is small, such as automotive USB powered devices (PDs) and high-power charging modules.
Buck-boost reverse polarity protection scheme: The buck-boost scheme provides a strong driving ability and excellent EMC performance. This scheme is well-suited for high-current and high-performance environments, such as automotive domain controllers and audio systems.

Figure 1 shows the characteristics of the charge pump and buck-boost schemes.

Figure 1: Charge Pump and Buck-Boost Schemes

Working Principles of the Driver IC

Figure 2 shows the simple working principle of the N-channel MOSFET driver with a charge pump topology.

Figure 2: Working Principle of Charge Pump Topology

The CLK cycle is as follows:

S1 and S2 turn on
C₀ is charged by the internal voltage source relative to ground
S3 and S4 turn on
C₁ is charged by the voltage on C₀

C₀ is a small capacitor with fast charging and discharging speed. C₁ is a large capacitor with a high load capacity. Therefore, by frequently switching S1 and S2 (as well as S3 and S4), the charge on C₀ can be continuously transferred to C₁, while the negative end of C₁ is connected to the battery voltage (V_BATT). As a result, the N-channel MOSFET is driven by a voltage that exceeds V_BATT.

Figure 3 shows the simple working principle of the N-channel MOSFET driver with a buck-boost topology.

Figure 3: Working Principle of Buck-Boost Topology

The buck-boost topology places the power MOSFET on the low side. When S_BAT is on, V_IN charges the inductor, and the inductor’s voltage is negative. When S_BAT is off, the inductor releases energy through the diode, and the inductor voltage is positive to charge C₁. This scheme generates a voltage exceeding V_BATT on C₁, which then drives the N-channel MOSFET’s gate.

Advantages of Buck-Boost Driver IC

Using a buck-boost driver IC in a reverse polarity protection driver IC has two important advantages: it enhances driver current capability and improves EMC performance.

Driver Current Capability

The buck-boost topology offers greater drive current capability and the ability to respond to input disturbances more quickly. Consider the waveforms measured under a 2V, peak-to-peak, 100kHz, superimposed AC input ripple (see Figure 4). This includes the input reverse polarity protection MOSFET’s source pole voltage (pink), the drain pole voltage passing through the reverse polarity protection MOSFET (light blue), the MOSFET driving V_GS (red), and the load current (green).

Figure 4: Waveforms of Buck-Boost Topology (Superimposed AC Ripple Pulse = 100kHz, Peak-to-Peak Value = 2V)

The waveforms show that the driver IC monitors the drain and source of the N-channel MOSFET in real time. In this scenario, V_IN is consistent with the source voltage (V_S), and the system voltage is consistent with the drain voltage (V_D).

If V_S is below V_D, then V_IN is below the system voltage, and the MOSFET driver turns off. The body diode uses the reverse polarity protection function to prevent the capacitor current from flowing back. If V_S exceeds V_D, then V_IN exceeds the system voltage, and the MOSFET driver turns on. This prevents the body diode from conducting, which impacts efficiency.

In comparison, when the charge pump reverse polarity protection driver is used, the weak driving current capability tends to cause abnormal gate driver pulse loss or unintended turn-on pulses as V_IN fluctuates rapidly.

Consider the waveforms measured using a charge pump reverse polarity protection circuit (see Figure 5). This includes the reverse polarity protection MOSFET’s input source pole voltage (yellow), output drain pole voltage (red), driving V_GS (green), and the load current (blue).

Figure 5: Waveforms of Charge Pump Topology

When the gate driver pulse is lost, the MOSFET is not driven. Meanwhile, the body diode is on, and there is considerable heat loss. At the turn-on moment, there is a large charging current spike.

When the gate driver pulse is on, the MOSFET is typically on. Meanwhile, the electrolytic capacitor is repeatedly charged and discharged, which results in significant heat generation.

Improved EMC Performance

The buck-boost topology also improves EMC performance. Although the charge pump has no inductance, it is a capacitive switching power supply that requires an extremely high operating frequency due to its low efficiency. In general, the integrated capacitance is small (within the pF range), while the external capacitance is large (within the µF range). As a result, the charge pump’s switching frequency (f_SW) exceeds 10MHz. This high frequency can cause EMI issues.

Using a buck-boost driver IC improves efficiency. By adopting fixed-peak current control, a lighter load corresponds to a lower f_SW. Therefore, the buck-boost topology improves EMC performance (see Figure 6).

Figure 6: Constant Peak Current of Buck-Boost Topology

Introducing the MPQ5850-AEC1

The MPQ5850-AEC1 is a smart diode controller that achieves reverse input protection by driving an external N-channel MOSFET to replace a Schottky diode. It is well-suited for automotive cold-crank conditions, and is available in a TSOT23-8 package.

Figure 7 compares the EMC performance of the charge pump topology and the MPQ5850-AEC1, which is a buck-boost topology. While the charge pump topology could experience EMC issues, the MPQ5850-AEC1 passes the national standard level 5 test.

Figure 7: Charge Pump Topology vs. MPQ5850-AEC1

Conclusion

To pass the various test standards for pulse interferences, it is important to achieve an optimal reverse polarity protection circuit design. Compared to the traditional P-channel MOSFET circuit, the N-channel MOSFET circuit improves driver current capability and EMC performance. In particular, the MPQ5850-AEC1 provides reverse input protection and passes the national EMC standards. For more details, explore MPS’s load switches and supervisors, which lead the industry with simple-to-use and safe solutions in compact packages.