LM3815MX-1.0 National Semiconductor, LM3815MX-1.0 Datasheet - Page 11
![IC CURRENT GAUGE 3.5% 8SOIC](/photos/6/56/65640/pkg_m08a_sml.jpg)
LM3815MX-1.0
Manufacturer Part Number
LM3815MX-1.0
Description
IC CURRENT GAUGE 3.5% 8SOIC
Manufacturer
National Semiconductor
Datasheet
1.LM3814M-7.0NOPB.pdf
(14 pages)
Specifications of LM3815MX-1.0
Function
Current Gauge
Sensing Method
Low-Side
Accuracy
±3.5%
Voltage - Input
2 ~ 5.25 V
Operating Temperature
-40°C ~ 125°C
Mounting Type
Surface Mount
Package / Case
8-SOIC (3.9mm Width)
Lead Free Status / RoHS Status
Lead free / RoHS Compliant
Current - Output
-
Other names
*LM3815MX-1.0
PWM Output and Current Accuracy
OFFSET
The PWM output is quantized to 128 levels. Therefore, the
duty cycle can change only in increments of 1/128.
There is a one-half (0.5) quantization cycle delay in the
output of the PWM circuitry. That is to say that instead of a
duty cycle of N/128, the duty cycle actually is (N+
The quantization error can be corrected for if a more precise
result is desired. To correct for this error, simply subtract
1/256 from the measured duty cycle.
The extra half cycle delay will show up as a DC offset of
bit if it is not corrected for. An offset of
than for precision mode parts, and results in approximately
8.8 mA for a 1 Amp part is 88 mA for a 7 Amp part.
JITTER
In addition to quantization, the duty cycle will contain some
jitter. The jitter is quite small (for example, the standard
deviation of jitter is only 0.1% for the LM3814/15-1.0). Sta-
tistically the jitter can cause an error in a current sample.
Because the jitter is a random variable, the mean and stan-
dard deviation are used. The mean, or average value, of the
jitter is zero. The standard deviation (0.1%) can be used to
define the peak error caused from jitter.
The "crest factor" has often been used to define the maxi-
mum error caused by jitter. The crest factor defines a limit
within which 99.7% of the samples fall. The crest factor is
defined as
Since the jitter is a random variable, averaging multiple
outputs will reduce the effective jitter. Obeying statistical
laws, the jitter is reduced by the square root of the number of
readings that are averaged. For example, if four readings of
the duty cycle are averaged, the resulting jitter (and crest
factor) are reduced by a factor of two.
JITTER AND NOISE
Jitter in the PWM output appears as noise in the current
measurement. The Electrical Characteristics show noise
measured in current RMS (root mean square). Arbitrarily one
could specify PWM jitter, as opposed to noise. In either case
the effect results in a random error in an individual current
measurement.
Noise, just like jitter, can be reduced by averaging many
readings. The RMS value of the noise corresponds to one
standard deviation. The "crest factor" can be calculated in
terms of current, and is equal to
noise).
Noise will also be reduced by averaging multiple readings,
and follows the statistical laws of a random variable.
ACCURACY OF 7A VERSIONS
The graph of Figure 7 shows two possible responses to a 7A
current step. The flat response shows basically a 7A level
with some noise. This is what is possible with a good thick
trace and a good thermal connection to the IC on the sense
pins.
The second trace that asymptotically approaches a higher
value shows what can happen under extremely poor thermal
conditions. Here a very small wire connects the IC to the
current source. The very small wire does not allow heat in
the sense resistor to dissipate. Hence, as the sense resistor
heats up, a temperature difference between the sense ele-
ment and the die gets larger, and an error develops. Even-
±
0.3% error in the duty cycle.
±
3 sigma (RMS value of the
1
⁄
2
bit is 8 times larger
1
⁄
2
)/128.
1
⁄
2
11
tually the temperature difference reaches steady state,
which accounts for the under-damped exponential response.
ACCURACY VERSUS NOISE
The graph shown in Figure 8 illustrates the typical response
of
axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates measured
current (the PWM duty cycle has been converted to current).
The graph was generated for an actual current of 500 mA.
The difference between successive readings manifests itself
as jitter in the PWM output or noise in the current measure-
ment (when duty cycle of the PWM output is converted to
current).
The accuracy of the measurement depends on the noise in
the current waveform. The accuracy can be improved by
averaging several outputs. Although there is variation in
successive readings, a very accurate measurement can be
obtained by averaging the readings. For example, on aver-
aging the readings shown in this example, the average
current measurement is 497.5 mA (Figure 8). This value is
very close to the actual value of 500 mA. Moreover, the
accuracy depends on the number of readings that are aver-
aged.
FIGURE 8. Typical Response of LM3814-1.0/LM3815-1.0
FIGURE 7. Transient Response to 7 Amp Step Current
±
1 Ampere current gauges. In this graph, the horizontal
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