UC1838A
UC2838A
UC3838A
Magnetic Amplifier Controller
FEATURES
DESCRIPTION
• Independent 1% Reference
The UC1838A family of magnetic amplifier controllers contains the circuitry to gen-
erate and amplify a low-level analog error signal along with a high volt-
age-compliant current source. This source will provide the reset current necessary
to enable a magnetic amplifier to regulate and control a power supply output in the
range of 2A to 20A.
• Two Uncommitted, Identical
Operational Amplifiers
• 100mA Reset Current Source
with –120V Capability
By controlling the reset current to a magnetic amplifier, this device will define the
amount of volt-seconds the magnetic amplifier will block before switching to the
conducting state. Magnetic amplifiers are ideal for post-regulators for multi-
ple-output power supplies where each output can be independently controlled with
efficiencies up to 99%. With a square or pulse-width-modulated input voltage, a
magnetic amplifier will block a portion of this input waveform, allowing just enough
to pass to provide a regulated output. With the UC1838A, only the magnetic ampli-
fier coil, three diodes, and an output L-C filter are necessary to implement a com-
plete closed-loop regulator.
• 5V to 40V Analog Operation
• 5W DIL Package
The UC1838A contains a precision 2.5V reference, two uncommitted high-gain op
amps and a high-gain PNP-equivalent current source which can deliver up to
100mA of magnetic amplifier reset current and with –120 volt capability.
These devices are available in a plastic “bat-wing” DIP for operation over a –20°C
to +85°C temperature range and, with reduced power, in a hermetically sealed
cerdip for –55°C to +125°C operation. Surface mount versions are also available.
This improved “A” version replaced the non “A” version formerly introduced.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
VCC 10
2.5V
REFERENCE
VREF
9
11 VM
INV. IN
6
5k
1k
20
3.5V
E/A
N.I. IN
E/A OUT
INV. IN
7
8
3
14 RESET
15 DR 1
16 DR 2
C/L
N.I. IN
2
1
C/L OUT
4
5
12
13
GND GND GND GND
UDG-97174
04/99