Rainbow Electronics LM3822 - Manual (Page 9)

Product Operation
The current is sampled by the delta-sigma modulator, as
illustrated in Figure 4. The pulse density output of the delta-
sigma modulator is digitally filtered. The digital output is then
compared to the output of a digital ramp generator. This
produces a PWM output. The duty cycle of the PWM output
is proportional to the amount of current flowing. A duty cycle
of 50% indicates zero current flow. If the current is flowing in
positive direction, the duty cycle will be greater than 50%.
Conversely, the duty cycle will be less than 50% for currents
flowing in the negative direction. A duty cycle of 95.5%
(4.5%) indicates the current is at I
MAX
(−I
MAX
). The IC can
sense currents from −I
MAX
to +I
MAX
. Options for I
MAX
are
1.0A or 2.0A. The sense current is given by:
I
SENSE
= 2.2 (D−0.5)(I
MAX
)
where D is the duty cycle of the PWM waveform, and I
MAX
is
the full scale current (1.00A or 2.00A). Similarly, the duty
cycle is given by:
D = [I
SENSE
/(2.2 I
MAX
)] + 0.5
For quick reference, see the Conversion Table in Table 1.
In this IC, the current is averaged over 50 msec time slots.
Hence, momentary current surges of less than 50 msec are
tolerated.
This is a sampled data system which requires an anti-
aliasing filter, provided by the filter capacitor.
The delta-sigma modulator converts the sensed current to
the digital domain. This allows digital filtering, and provides
immunity to current and noise spikes. This type of filtering
would be difficult or impossible to accomplish on an IC with
analog components.
The user also needs to specify the full scale value. See the
Ordering Information table for details.
10124910
FIGURE 4. Functional block diagram of LM3822
LM3822
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