® L484

MAGNETIC PICKUP IGNITION CONTROLLER

. DIRECT DRIVING OF THE EXTERNAL DAR- special design which has two input pins from the

. LINGTON
OPERATES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MAG-
pickup ; the first is the zero crossing detector for the
ignition command and the second pin is used to cal-

.. NETIC PICKUP TYPES

CHARGING ANGLE (DWELL) CONTROL
culate the dwell time. Moreover another pin is used
to adapt the L484 to various pickup types.

.. COIL CURRENT PEAK LIMITATION

CONTINUOUS COIL CURRENT PROTECTION
Other features of the device include darlington over-
voltage protection, dump protection, a supply volt-
. TACHOMETER SIGNAL OUTPUT
EXTERNAL DARLINGTON OVERVOLTAGE
age range of 6-28 V.

. PROTECTION
LOAD DUMP AND REVERSE BATTERY PRO-

. TECTION
POSSIBILITY OF SPARK POINT DELAYING
(ANTI KNOCK SYSTEM)

DESCRIPTION
The L484 is an integrated circuit designed for use
with an NPN darlington in breakerless ignition sys- DIP16 SO16
tems with magnetic pickup sensors and high energy ORDERING NUMBERS : L484 (DIP16)
ignition coils. L484D1 (SO16)
A key feature of the L484 is flexibility. It can be used
with a wide variety of magnetic sensors thanks to the

BLOCK DIAGRAM

September 2003 1/11

L484

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

Symbol Parameter Value Unit
VR Reverse Battery Voltage – 14 V
VD Dump Voltage 100 V
Ptot Power Dissipation at Tamb = 90°C 0.75 W
Tj, Tstg Junction and Storage Temperature Range – 55 to 150 °C

PIN CONNECTION

THERMAL DATA
Symbol Parameter Value Unit
Rth j-amb Thermal Resistance Junction-ambient (DIP16) Max 80 °C/W
Rth j-al Thermal Resistance Junction-alumina (SO16) Max 50 °C/W

2/11
 L484

PIN FUNCTIONS (refer to fig. 2)

N° Name Function
1 CURRENT SENSING Connection for Coil Current Limitation. The current is measured on the
INPUT sense resistor RSENS and divided on R1/R2. The current limitation value is
given by :
R1 + R2
ISENS =
RSENS R2
2 PICKUP INPUT Magnetic Pickup Signal Input. This pin sets the dwell time, i.e. the max
negative pickup voltage value starting from which the device can drive the
current into the coil. The real dwell time will be a function of the dwell
control logic. Increasing the resistor R11 the maximum conduction time
increases. The max input current foreseen is 2mA.
3 PERMANENT A capacitor C1 connected between this pin and ground sets the delay of the
CONDUCT. permanent conduction protection in the coil current. Using a 50nF capacitor
PROTECTION TIMER the typical desaturation time delay for the protection is 75ms.
4 PERMANENT CONDUCT. A low level on this input (max 0.7V) disables the protection, irrespective of
PROTECTION INHIBIT the state of pin 3. If the protection is used this pin must be left open.
5 RPM OUTPUT Open collector output signal which is at a low level when the final darlington
is in ON status. The current is internally limited at 10mA.
6 DWELL TIME ADJUST At high motor rotation speeds, i.e. when the peak value of the magnetic
pick-up signal exceedes 6V using R12 = 100KΩ, this pin may be used to
vary the dwell ratio. Adding a resistor in series Ra between this pin and pin
11 the desaturation time is reduced. It is therefore possible to use this pin to
adapt the L484 to various pickup types. The maximum value of the resistor
Ra is 200KΩ.
7 DWELL CONTROL A capacitor C2 connected between this pin and ground sets the timing for
TIMER the dwell control. The recommended value is 100nF. The resistors R b/Rc
provide an hysteresis to confirm ON state and avoid spurious sparks.
8 ZERO CROSSING Zero cross detector input of the magnetic pickup signal for the ignition
INPUT actuation. At high motor rotation speeds, the external resistor R12 may be
used to vary the desaturation time ratio, to adapt the L484 to various
signal waveforms of time magnetic pick-up. Reducing the resistor value the
dwell time increases. Typically the range of values for resistor R12 is from
50KΩ to 150KΩ..
9 POWER-ON INPUT A low level on this pin forces the external darlington into conduction
particularly useful in anti knock system. This function is particularly useful in
antiknock system because provides a spark time delay. Anyway the current
limitation, the permanent conduction protection and the dump protection
are operating even when pin 9 is at a low level. If this function is not used it
must be left open.
10 SIGNAL GROUND This pin must be connected to ground.
11 POWER SUPPLY Supply Voltage Input. A 7V (typ) zener is present at the input. The external
resistor R9 limits the current through the zener for higher supply voltages.
12 DUMP PROTECTION The device is protected against the load dump. In load dump condition an
internal circuit, based on a zener diode and a darlington transistor,
switches off the external darlington and short circuits the supply.
By means of the external divider R8/R9 the protection threshold can be
changed and is given as first approximation by:

 R8 + R9  −4
VDth = 8.5   + 5 ⋅ 10 R8
 R9 

(the resistor R9 value must be higher than 4KΩ).

* this function is particularly useful in antiknock systeme because provides a spark time delay. anyway the current limitation, the pemanent con
duction protection and the dump protection are operating even when pin 9 is at a low level.

3/11
L484

PIN FUNCTIONS (continued)

N° Name Function
14 DRIVER COLLECTOR The collector current for the internal driver which drives the external
INPUT darlington is supplied through this pin. The external resistor R10 limits the
dissipation in the IC. The value this resistor depends on the darlington used
and on the limiting current in the coil.
15 OVERVOLTAGE The external darlington is protected against overvoltage by means of an
LIMITATION internal zener available at this pin. The external divider R5/R6 defines the
limitation value, typically given by :

 30 
Vovp =  + 5 ⋅ 10−3 ⋅ R6 + 30
 R5 

16 DRIVING STAGE Current Driver for the External Darlington. To ensure stability on the current
OUTPUT limitation loop a capacitor C3 (typically 2.2nF, this value depending on the
darlington used) must be connected between this pin and the current
sensing input (pin 1).

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (VS = 14.4V ; TJ = - 40 to 125°C unless otherwise specified ; referred

to the test circuit)
Symbol Parameter Test Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Unit
VS Operating Supply Voltage 6 28 V
VIS Input Stage Voltage (pin 2 with 160 200 240 mV
10KΩ resistor)
VTH On Pick-up Thresh. Voltage at LOW RPM VIS–30 VIS+30 mV
(pin 2)
VSENS Current Limitation Sensing Voltage (pin 1) VS = 6 to 16V 200 320 mV
VZC Zero Crossing Thresh. Voltage (pin 8) 3 20 60 mV
VH Hysteresis Voltage (pin 8) 100 200 mV
I7C CD WELL Charge Current at LOW RPM 0.7 3 µA

I7D CD WELL Discharge Current Vpick-up = 0.5V ; 7 30 µA

or pin 6 not connected
I7D/I7C (*) Note 1 7 15
I7C CD WELL Charge Current at HIGH RPM 8 33 µA

I7D CD WELL Discharge Current Vpick-up = 9V 13 44 µA

I7D/I7C (**) Note 2 0.7 3.2

Vpin3 Threshold Voltage Tamb = 25°C 0.85 4 V
I3 Output Current (***) Note 3 3 µA
VCp Continuous Coil Current Protection Inhibit 0 0.7 V
LOW Voltage (pin 4).
VCEsat Series Darlington Driver Ipin14 = 150mA 0.4 1 V
Saturation Voltage (Vpin 14 - 16) Ipin14 = 50mA 0.6 V
VZ Zener Volt. Pin 11 Ipin11 = 140mA 6.5 8.8 V
VOVZ External Darlington Overvoltage Protection Tamb = 25°C ; 25 35 V
Zener Voltage Ipin15 = 5 to 15mA
I09 Pin 9 Output Current in Low Status V9 = 0V 3 mA
VCH Tachometer Signal Output LOW Voltage. ON Condition 0.7 V
(pin5) Isink = 0.5mA
ICH Output Leakage (pin 5) OFF Condition 10 µA
Vpin5 = 5V

4/11
 L484

DUMP PROTECTION
Symbol Paramater Test Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Unit
VDZ Zener Dump (pin 12) Ipin12 = 2mA 7.5 9.5 V

(*) Note 1 : TD/T is given by the formula :

TD 1
=
T 1 + I7D/I7C

(**) Note 2 :
TD K
=
T 1 + I7D/I7C

K value depends on the pick–up used in the application ; typically K = 0.1

(***) Note 3 : the permanent conduction protection is guaranteed over the full temperature range

CIRCUIT OPERATION
The L484 controls the charging angle (dwell) and CONTROL OF THE DWELL ANGLE
the peak value of the primary current in the coil over The dwell angle control circuit defines the conduc-
the full range of operating conditions. tion time of the output darlington, versus the speed
The coil current is limited to a predetermined level of rotation, the supply voltage and the charac-
by means of a negative feedback circuit including a teristics of the coil.
current sensing resistor, a comparator, the driver In each cycle the time the transistor operates in the
stage and the power switch. active region is compared with a reference time and
The dwell control circuit keeps the output stage in its the error signal amplified to advance or delay the
active region during current limitation. The time the conduction in the next cycle. To limit the power dissi-
output stage is operating in the active region (de- pation the desaturation time is typically fixed
saturation time), is sufficient to compensate for to 10% of the period T.
possible variation in the energy stored due to the ac- At very low frequencies the ON thershold is fixed at
celeration of the motor ; moreover this time is limited 200mV of the input signal and the desaturation time
to avoid excessive power dissipation. is mainly determined by the peak waveform. This
MAGNETIC PICK–UP CHARACTERISTICS positive threshold also prevents permanent conduc-
tion when the motor is stopped. When the input fre-
The typical magnetic pickup waveforms are shown
quency increases the dwell control gradually sets
in fig. 1, the amplitude of the signal being a function
the desaturation time to 10% of the period. At higher
of the frequency. However on the market there are
frequencies the ON threshold becomes negative to
many types of magnetic pickup, of which the wave-
permit a conduction angle of more than 50% always
forms may differ very much. Adjusting the value of
keeping desaturation time to 10% of the period.
the resistor R11 on pin 2 and/or adding a resistor Ra
between the pin 6 (dwell adjust) and pin 11, as CURRENT LIMITING
shown in the application circuit, it is possible to adapt
The current in the coil is measured by means of a
the L484 to a wide range of magnetic pickup wave-
voltage drop across a suitable resistor in the emitter
forms.
lead of the power transistor. When the threshold
Particularly by means of the resistor R11 on pin 2 it voltage (260mV typ) is reached, the coil current is
is possible to define the maximum advance of the kept constant via a feedback loop.
conduction start into the coil . This is very useful at
high pick–up frequency.

5/11
L484

DARLINGTON OVERVOLTAGE LIMITATION "POWER ON" SIGNAL INPUT

The darlington is protected against overvoltage by In the low status this input forces the external dar-
means of an external divider R5 /R6 (pin 15) and an lington into conduction (pin 9). This control input can
internal zener. This zener drives the external dar- be used together with the conduction time informa-
lington in order to limit the collector voltage. tion coming from pin 5 to bypass the normal dwell
time calculation. When an external logic control is
CHARGING ANGLE SIGNAL OUTPUT used to recognize particular engine condition (as in
This signal is intended for tachometer applications anti Knock system).
(pin 5). It consists of an open collector stage with
current internally limited at 10mA

PROTECTION CIRCUITS
PERMANENT CONDUCTION PROTECTION dump is fixed by means of an external divider con-
This function is intended to prevent continuous cur- nected to pin 11.
rent conduction in the final stage when the magnetic OTHER APPLICATION INFORMATION
pickup is open or intermittent. The duration of the in-
tervention is set by means of a capacitor 1 at pin 3. If the supply is voltage disconnected - or the battery
Grounding pins 3 or 4, this protection is eliminated. wire is broken - while the current is flowing through
The inhibit function at pin 4 is particularly useful the coil, the external diode D1 keeps the coil current
when an external logic control is used to disable the from recirculating into the device : in this way both
permanent conduction protection. device and darlington are protected.
The zener diode Dz, connected between pin 14 and
REVERSE BATTERY AND DUMP PROTECTION GND, allows to withstand positive spikes up to 200V.
Due to the external resistors R6, R7, R8, R10 the de- The device - used in the recommended application
vice is protected against reverse battery. The load circuit - satisfies the ISO/DP 7637/1 overvoltage
dump protection withstands up to 100V with a decay standard.
time ≤ 300ms. The intervention threshold for load
Figure 1 : Typical Magnetic Pick–up Waveform and L484 Response at low and high
fequency.

6/11
 L484

Figure 1 : Typical Magnetic Pick-up Waveform and L484 Response at Low and High Frequency
(continued).

7/11
L484

Figure 2 : Application Circuit.

8/11
 L484

mm inch
DIM. OUTLINE AND
MIN. TYP. MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX. MECHANICAL DATA

a1 0.51 0.020

B 0.77 1.65 0.030 0.065

b 0.5 0.020

b1 0.25 0.010

D 20 0.787

E 8.5 0.335

e 2.54 0.100

e3 17.78 0.700

F 7.1 0.280

I 5.1 0.201

L 3.3 0.130
DIP16
Z 1.27 0.050

9/11
L484

mm inch
DIM. OUTLINE AND
MIN. TYP. MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX. MECHANICAL DATA
A 1.75 0.069

a1 0.1 0.25 0.004 0.009

a2 1.6 0.063
Weight: 0.20gr
b 0.35 0.46 0.014 0.018

b1 0.19 0.25 0.007 0.010

C 0.5 0.020

c1 45˚ (typ.)

D (1) 9.8 10 0.386 0.394

E 5.8 6.2 0.228 0.244

e 1.27 0.050

e3 8.89 0.350

F (1) 3.8 4 0.150 0.157

G 4.6 5.3 0.181 0.209

L 0.4 1.27 0.016 0.050

M 0.62 0.024
SO16 Narrow
S 8˚(max.)

(1) D and F do not include mold flash or protrusions. Mold flash or potrusions shall not exceed 0.15mm (.006inch).

0016020

10/11
 L484

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quences of use of such information nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of STMicroelectronics. Specifications mentioned in this
publication are subject to change without notice. This publication supersedes and replaces all information previously supplied. STMi-
croelectronics products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems without express written
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All other names are the property of their respective owners

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