Application Note 1811 October 2013 13.56 MHz, CLASS-E, 1KW RF Generator using a Microsemi DRF1200 Driver/MOSFET Hybrid Gui Choi Sr. Application Engineer Phone: 541-382-8028, ext. 1205 gchoi microsemi.com The DRF1200/Class-E Reference design is available to expedite the evaluation of the DRF1200 Driver MOSFET hybrid. This Application Note or Reference Design Kit does not represent a finished commercial-ready design. It is only a teaching tool to demonstrate the capability of the DRF1200 under 50 Ohm, flat line condition. Each reference design kit has been verified to perform to the specifications of the application note. The application note contains a parts list, PCB layout and schematic that enables the user to facilitate any repairs resulting beyond its intended use. By purchasing the reference design kit the user takes full responsibility for repair and any modification. No warranties, repair or returns will be accepted. The reference design kit contains lethal voltages and high power RF. Use safety precautions. Contents INTRODUCTION DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS OVERALL CONCEPT CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION a. RF PULSE GENERATION CIRCUIT b. RF OUTPUT MATCHING CIRCUIT c. DC SUPPLY TEST REQUIREMENTS PERFORMANCE (DATA SUMMARY) CONCLUSIONS APPENDIX I (SCHEMATIC) APPENDIX II (PCB LAYOUT) APPENDIX III (PARTS LIST) REFERENCES www.microsemi.com 1/10 Application Note 1811 October 2013 INTRODUCTION This application note discusses the design procedures and test results for a 13.56MHz, 1KW, CLASS-E generator ideal for ISM applications. To achieve high efficiency and low cost, a Microsemi DRF1200 Driver/MOSFET was selected. The DRF1200 can generate over 1KW of output power and consists of a MOSFET driver, high power MOSFET and internal bypass capacitors in an air cavity flangeless package. The flangeless package was designed to optimize reliability, provide increased flexibility while still providing a low cost solution. A reference design board (DRF1200/CLASS-E) is available for purchase to facilitate the immediate evaluation of the principles of this application note. To optimize efficiency performance, a CLASS-E RF generator was chosen. It is essential that care is taken to use adequate circuitry, clean PCB layout and good ground connections on the PCB to ensure proper output waveforms. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS The following issues were considered in the design of a high efficiency, high power RF generator. a. CLASS-E operation for high-efficiency. b. Adequate output matching circuit. Matching tools were used to achieve the required power and efficiency. c. Parts that are capable of handling RF output of 1KW. This includes the bypass capacitor in the DC circuit and selecting a toroidal inductor and capacitors for output matching circuit. d. PCB designed for good ground connections, especially for the output matching circuit. e. PCB layout optimizing the isolation between power output and input signal generation circuit. Table 1 shows the output achieved for this RF Power Generator. Freq Output Power Voltage Current Efficiency 13.56Mhz 1KW 320V 3.7A 86% Table 1. Key Specification OVERALL CONCEPT This high efficiency RF power generator uses a DRF1200 to minimize layout parasitics and optimize efficiency for CLASS-D and CLASS-E operation. a. RF pulse generator circuit The pulse oscillator and pulse control circuit is designed to create an ISM frequency of 13.56MHz and adjust the pulse width and phase according to circuit power requirements. b. RF output matching circuit The matching circuit was calculated with a RF matching software tool to maximize power transfer to 50 Ohm load. The circuit was then tuned using the inductor, capacitor and RF choke coil (RFC). CIRCUIT DESCRIPTIONS a. RF Pulse Generation The Pulse generation circuit employs 13.56MHz TCXO and Flip Flop IC to adjust Pulse Width from 14nS to 35nS at the signal input of DRF1200. For this application, the pulse width is set at 15nS. To minimize conductive EMI, it is crucial to use a good ground plane layout with respect to the signal lines. b. RF Output Matching The DRF1200 has a switching speed of 3~4nS, BVds of 1KV and Ids of 13A max. To achieve high- efficiency operation, the RF generator uses CLASS-E operation. At full power, the efficiency is approximately 86% at 13.56MHz. The MOSFET output capacitance was considered when tuning the external shunt capacitance to get the desired performance. See DRF1200 data sheet for output capacitance. The RF output matching circuit was designed using a RF matching tool and was optimized to achieve maximize power transfer to 50 Ohm Load. The output matching circuit is a series resistive circuit combined with a reactive circuit consisting of an L match Toroidal Inductor and Capacitors in series and shunt to ground. c. DC Supply The PS HV DC supply input circuit utilizes a RFC and by-pass capacitors to minimize interference with AC signal. The RFC was calculated to be approximately 1K Ohm impedance at 13.56MHz using 30 turns of 20AWG wire. The bypass capacitor should have a minimum 1KV rating. www.microsemi.com 2/10