1 Full ON Step Driver Circuit Analysis - PDF

September 20, 2018 STEP DRIVE CIRCUIT BASIC ANALYSIS / 576PINOY_TECH

Figure‐1
Our target subject is the circuit shown on two dashes lines at figure above. Obviously the circuit is
known to be a “step driver” used for amplifier. There are two common step switches used in
controlling power supply rails. One is through voltage follower like a series pass regulator, and the
other one is through a single fully step switch ON like SSR. Oftentimes these two methods are
being mistakably understood for which they are corresponding to use whether for class G or H.
Whoever claimed and whichever the right belongs to which is which, this is not the objective of
this documentation. For many, the single fully switch ON technique is much efficient, practical, and
economical because it does not required a lot of parallel switching component to use.
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To simplify the analysis of 1 full step switch ON, simply compare the electronic switch to a
mechanical switching version used in controlling the lights of our houses. Nothing so difficult to
imagine the function if we compare it to the ordinary method of turning the bulb ON and OFF, but
since the amplifier requires high speed response and proper timing to sync for accurate ON and
OFF, an electronic switching technique is used to synchronous to amplifier’s function.
In amplifier, one of the objectives of using step driver is to divide the supply voltages of main rail
so that heating of output transistors are set within controllable range. The ideal partition of supply
is commonly divided into half, while the first partition is always feed as initial supply for the output
stage then when all of those initial supplies are fed out towards load, the OPT stage is again ready
to accept for the next bunch of supply which is being manipulated through step driver. In this
scenario, it helps to reduce the stress operation of the output transistors compare to just one
batch high supply rail which really inefficiency due to lots of power losses and sometime ending up
into massive disaster due to abnormal heating condition. Some amplifiers are capable of running
on much higher voltage rails, simply the designers are adapting multiple step driving method to
just subdivide the supply into acceptable range and feed the supply sequentially to the amplifier’s
power transistors so that the same heating effect applies during low and maximum rails. By then,
Vceo issue is also not a big deal.
Looking at the upper corner step at figure‐1, the circuit is responsible for positive rail control
likewise the lower one is for negative rail. They are intentionally not configured identically because
the reference used to activate the main switching components are taken from the output node of
amplifier, in which we
knew from the fact that
the amplifier’s output is
consistently changing
and contains positive
and negative amplitude.
The first 180 degrees as
seen on the waveform
at figure‐2 will be the
reference signal used to
trigger the positive step
while the other half
amplitude which is
negative going cycle is
used for negative step.
Figure‐2
Not the whole period of
time is used to trigger the step, the timing preset is taken something close to 60~120 degrees for
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positive peak, while around 240~300 degrees for negative. These can vary depending on how
designer’s point of view to set the triggering level for the step when it should reacts. But hey, take
a look at the circuit. How the step switching circuit activates on those amplitudes while using
similar N‐channel type MOSFET for both sides? Is that the reason why the circuit is not identical?
Let’s try to teardown each stage and figure out how it works.
Figure‐3 is the full schematic diagram for

controlling positive rail. LED1 is optional
additive to just determine if the circuit is
already undergoing conducting mode. Since
Q4 is just treated as a full mode switch and
when the said switch is close, it provides a
complete path circuit for the led to light. R6
can be calculated by simply looking at the
supply between +LV and +HV. In case of say
50VDC while using led with a knee voltage
drop of say 2.8V, then choosing a bias
current of 5mA for that led, the anticipated
resistor value to prevent led from getting
busted must be R6=(50V‐2.8Vled)/5mA =
9.4kΩ. Select the nearest available value
that we can find in the local store, in this case 10k/1W is worth enough to use for this application.
Figure‐4 shows a simplified replacement version

of mechanical switch instead of MOSFET. Initially,
the 50V supply from +LV is always fed towards
amp’s positive rail via D4 because the diode is
configured in forward mode no hindrance for the
+LV to pass through. Once the switch is close, the
next 50V series voltage will be mixed‐up to the
+rail, thus the total rail voltage increased
dramatically to 100V with respect to ground. By
then, D4 is temporarily floating due to overtaking
action done by the higher potential through
switch. On the other hand, D4 is acting as a
blocking component to prevent the upper series
battery for shorting itself once the switch is being
closed. Additionally, ratings for D4 must be
observed accordingly. Aside from high forward handling capability for diode, reversed breakdown
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ratings must also be checked… Realization; since the mechanical switch has assumed to be no
voltage drop across it during closing of contacts, no heating experience on the switch itself should
occur. Likewise with the MOSFET itself, RDS ON is quite low, as low as matter of milliohms. So
heating phenomena would expect to be negligible.
The MOSFET used in this circuit is N‐channel type
as seen on symbol Q4. In order to switch this
mosfet ON, gate terminal should receive positive
supply voltage. The easiest and practical way is to
take some supplies from available +HV then
simply dropped the voltage down to acceptable
range via R5. In this circuit setup, Q4 should fully
switch ON by any means. By then, +HV is convey
towards amp’s rail, but this is not the exact case
we need to run our step drive because the step
should turn ON only during the required timing
and it should also switch OFF when not needed.
So an additional control should be added to
remote the main switching mosfet. The best idea
is to add components that can mimic the
functions of logic gate switching 1/0.

Additional parts such as Q2, Q3, R2, & R3 are
added to electronically remote the gate of the
mosfet. Q2 & Q3 form a totem pole while R2 &
R3 feed a small amount of bias to the bases of
two small transistors. Since Q2 is NPN while Q3
is PNP, their base electrodes will react
depending on the amount of potential being
feed whether more positive or negative with
respect to their emitters. Transistor Q2 in this
case received more positive, therefore switching
NPN ON via R2 while Q3 turned OFF further. In
this scenario, Q4 is still switched ON. In order to
turn Q4 OFF, its gate potential should be
discharged temporarily and that can be done
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only by simply connecting gate terminal to source level, so turning Q3 ON makes the path for gate
to discharge. To be able to turn Q3 ON, its base electrode should receive negative supply or
something 0.7V lower than its emitter. Since R3 is hooked‐up this time to a positive potential, no
way for Q3 to turn ON yet.
In figure‐7 setup, R3 is falling down to a lower voltage potential via R1, thus Q2 OFF while Q3
turned ON. Likewise, Q4 now turned OFF and interrupting the flow of current from +HV towards
+rail. Resistors R1, 2, 3, & 5 forms a simple voltage dividing network. The amount of voltage drop
across R1 is a bit lower than the sum of
Vdrops across R2, R3, R5, & D3 respectively.
In case of R3, the vdrop across it is clamped
through the sum of Vbe of Q2 & Q3 in which
expected to be closer to 1.4V. Other thing to
observe is that Q3 is PNP and its collector is
hooked‐up to the +LV level. This mean that
its BC junction is acting like a single piece
diode connected as seen with dash
presentation. Through this, R1 is potentially
receiving two different current loops via +LV
& likewise through +HV, this however varies
depending on R1’s value. At quick view, the
voltage dividing circuit forms another
Wheatstone bridge in which R1 could be
selected as the main variable to control the
directions of current flow whether through
lower V or higher V. Calculation is a bit
confusing but through the help of
Kirchhoff's, Norton’s, or Thevenin's
Theorem, everything could be solved
accordingly.
In order to maneuver the functions of Q2 &
Q3, additional stage is added to control the
operations of totem pole. We already know
that when base of Q3 is full down towards
lower potential, Q3 turns ON while Q2 OFF.
Logically, the two transistors are
responding like a logic gates 1/0 or simply a
small signal switches that work inversely.
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An additional transistor express as Q1 is added to act as the logic gate threshold level. We can call
it the main detector, control, sensor, or whatever we call it as long as it serve its purpose as a
reference sensing stage. Instead of using comparator IC, this simple configuration is also
functioning similar to a comparative circuit. The operation is quite simple but could be puzzle to
everyone if not well understood. We already introduced the basic function of simple clipping
circuit indicator via zener diode method, and it was incorporated in our 4n1, 6n1 speaker protect
projects. The values specified in zener determine the equivalent threshold level for the detection.
In case of Q1 as a sensor at figure‐8, ZD1 set the reference voltage. Since ZD1 is directly injecting
positive potential to the base of Q1 while forming a complete loop towards D2 & R1, Q1 is ON.
Then chain reactions are going on at Q2, Q3, & Q4. Logically, Q1 & Q3 are ON while Q2 & Q4 are
OFF. So no extending voltage is feeding from +HV towards amp’s rail going on.
Let’s concentrate on detecting stage

circuit at Figure‐9. Transistor Q1 is used
as the main comparator and set the
threshold via ZD1. Assuming that the
preset zener D value is 10V, this means
that the remaining voltage from ground
to emitter is about positive 39.3V (+LV‐
Vzd‐Vbe = 50‐10‐0.7). Without interfering
from the remote battery or shall we say
the battery is said to be zero volt, Q1’s
emitter will maintain 39.3V as we
assumed. So Q1 is obviously ON. In case
the remote battery voltage rises and
overtaken the zener’s avalanche point,
zener goes OFF, thus Q1 also OFF. In that
case, from ground level up to ZD’s
collapsing point, once the remote battery voltage reach to about 40V and above, Q1 should switch
OFF. Now, the remote battery is just a simplified representation of output node of amplifier. Since
the amplifier’s output magnitude is changing depending on how we adjust the volume control
until the moment that output is getting closer to +LV rail level, and once the output hit the
threshold level then Q1 will be activated and chain reactions on the upper circuit follows. Very
smart operation, isn’t it? Diodes D1, D2, D3, & D4 are just there to makes one directional current
flow to all loops. Additional capacitors are just for extra additive filterings.
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Some individuals say it is
impossible to check the step
driver circuit without using
oscilloscope. Could be true for
the waveform if meant to be
for checking the clean output,
but for just normal operation of
step even an ordinary analog
tester can be used as simple
tool to determine if step driver
circuit is working properly or
not. With the help of ordinary
potentiometer express as VR1
as indicated on figure‐10 while
hooking testers on both points
as seen as “V” symbols, then
adjust VR1 slowly and observe
if there is a sudden changes on +rails. Output must have appropriate load like incandescent bulb
with proper voltage ratings and
suitable wattage. Aside from ordinary
tester, LED1 once you incorporated it
on the circuit, it will serve as indicator
to show the fancy transitions from logic
gate 1/0 and vice‐versa.
As we reviewed from previous

presentations, the circuit is running at
1 fully ON switching condition. This is
totally different from voltage follower
version which is basically working just
like a series pass regulator circuit as
seen on the diagram at the right. The
possible recommended led connection
for that requires additional driver to
instantly turn the led ON brightly once the voltage at +rail increase a little bit above +LV level. LED
sensing however varies depending on ZD3’s value, lowering than the preset +LV level means led
could turn ON continuously all the time. So, ZD3’s value should somewhat within the same level as
of +LV or a bit higher than that.
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Figure‐11 at the right is our
complementary pair circuit and
intended for the negative step
switching. As we noticed, the
ground level now is at the top level
but the switch used is still
remaining N‐channel type MOSFET.
The circuit combination is much
simpler compare to the one used in
positive rail. However, Q1 and Q2
form a similar manner as of the
totem pole configured in positive
step circuit. On this negative step,
when Q1 is said to be ON, it
provides positive voltage to the
gate of Q3, allowing ‐HV to feed towards ‐rail. Hence, negative 100V is available at amp’s negative
rail. Transistor Q2 on the other hand turn OFF further. It will only switch ON via R5 when no
positive voltage is fed by Q1. The main threshold voltage for Q1 is set again via ZD1. The remote
terminal is directly connected to amplifiers output node, and during amp’s idling, output of the
amplifier is at the same equilibrium with the ground
level. Since Q1’s emitter is connected directly to the ‐
LV line, its emitter to base region is treated as a single
diode, while the ZD’s cathode is hooked at similar
ground potential, the concentration of current flow is
through ZD1, D1, and R2. Thus Q1 is OFF because no
current flow from negative to base direction. When the
amp’s output increases until about the negative
amplitude reached the same level of collapsing point
for the ZD, zener then turned OFF. Therefore, R1, D2,
and R2 provide full path action and forcing to switch
Q1 ON. The simplified equivalent circuit for the
threshold is shown at figure‐12. Again the circuit is a
derived version from Wheatstone bridge.
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Note: small transistors used in this PCB is EBC type pinning, use speedy one and bit higher Vceo

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September 20, 2018 STEP DRIVE CIRCUIT BASIC ANALYSIS / 576PINOY_TECH

Figure‐3 is the full schematic diagram for

Figure‐4 shows a simplified replacement version

Let’s concentrate on detecting stage

As we reviewed from previous

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