AN1060

® APPLICATION NOTE
FLYBACK CONVERTERS WITH THE L6561 PFC
CONTROLLER
by C. Adragna & G. Gattavari

The L6561, controller specifically designed for Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuits, may be suc-
cessfully used in flyback converters as well.
The excellent performance of the device, along with its characteristics in terms of low current con-
sumption, makes L6561-based flyback converters really attractive in medium-low power applications.
There are basically three different configurations that an L6561-based flyback converter can assume,
each of them with its own characteristics, benefits and peculiarities. This paper describes these con-
figurations and highlights advantages/drawbacks with the aim of identifying the most suitable appli-
cations they can fit.

INTRODUCTION
Common practice bounds their use in conventional boost PFC stages, yet Transition Mode (TM) Power
Factor Corrector IC’s can be used in applications different from those they are primarily intended for.
This is particularly true for the L6561, PFC controller for medium-low power applications, because of its
peculiar characteristics.
Reference [2] presents a special example showing how to extend the use of this device to Mag Amp ap-
plications.
Figure 1 - L6561 Internal Block Diagram

COMP MULT CS
2 3 4
1
INV - 40K
2.5V MULTIPLIER
+

VOLTAGE OVER-VOLTAGE 5pF

+ -
REGULATOR DETECTION

VCC
8
VCC INTERNAL
SUPPLY 7V R Q
20V R1 S
7
+ GD
UVLO DRIVER
-
R2
VREF2
ZERO CURRENT
DETECTOR
2.1V +
1.6V STARTER
-

DISABLE
6 5
GND ZCD D97IN547D

The outperforming L6561 offers a number of unique advantages that make the device an interesting al-
ternative to the traditionally used PWM controllers where quite a good performance is required at low
cost:

January 2003 1/11

AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

• disable function for power management and/or protection schemes;

• true micropower start-up current, 50µA typ., for cost-effective start-up circuits;
• very low quiescent current, 3mA typ., for high efficiency at light load;
• two-level (static and dynamic) overvoltage protection (OVP);
• on-chip RC filter on current sense pin for improved noise immunity;
• pulse-by-pulse current limiting. In conjunction with TM operation, this ensures a safe operation under
short circuit conditions.
Refer to [1] for a detailed explanation of the internal architecture (shown in fig. 1) and the functionality of
the device.
L6561-based flyback converters can be realised as schematically illustrated in fig. 2a, 2b, 2c, and which
will be referred to as "TM", "Synchronised" and "High-PF" respectively.
Figure 2. L6561-based flyback converter configurations

Vout Vout
Vac Vac
CBULK CBULK

SYNCH

DISABLE DISABLE

ZCD VCC ZCD VCC

L6561 L6561
GD GD
OPTO OPTO
+ +
TL431 TL431

a) TM Flyback b) Synchronised Flyback

Vout
Vac
CIN

DISABLE

ZCD MULT VCC

L6561
COMP INV GD OPTO
+
TL431

(BW<100 Hz)

c) High-PF Flyback

Each of them has its own peculiarities but they all share some key points:
• low parts count, which helps reduce total cost and space;
• high efficiency at very light load: an L6561-based flyback can be easily compliant with Blue Angel
standards;
• standby function: the internal start-up timer may be used to make the system work at a (fixed) low
frequency under light load conditions, so as to minimise losses;
• disable function: pin ZCD, if grounded, turns off the L6561 and reduces its consumption at a couple
of mA; this can be used either for power management or protection.

2/11
 AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

In the following, the three basic configurations will be taken into consideration and their advantages,
benefits and drawbacks will be highlighted so as to identify their most appropriate field of application.
This will be made easier by some application examples.

TM Flyback
This configuration, very similar to a free-running flyback, always works on (actually, very close to) the
boundary between Continuous and Discontinuous Mode (i.e. Transition Mode, or TM), therefore at a fre-
quency dependent on the input voltage and on the output current.
This type of operation requires a low inductance and therefore a small-size magnetics but on the other
hand, involves high peak current. Therefore it can be reasonably used for power levels up to 50-60 W in
110 V or wide-range mains applications, and up to 100 W with 220/240 V mains.
At high input voltage and especially at light load, the switch ON-time becomes very short and the switch-
ing frequency tends to become quite high. There is, however, a minimum ON-time (0.4-0.5µs) below
which it is not possible to go. This is due to the internal delay of the L6561 as well as the turn-off delay of
the MOSFET.
When this minimum is reached, TM operation can no longer be kept. The energy drawn each cycle ex-
ceeds the short-term demand from the load and the control loop delays MOSFET’s turn-on so as to
maintain the long-term energy balance. Switching becomes asynchronous, and this can be seen as a
"ghosting" of the waveform on the scope.
If the load is decreased further on, so many cycles need to be skipped that the amplitude of the drain
voltage ringing becomes very small, and the ZCD can no longer be triggered. In this case the internal
starter of the IC will start a new switching cycles sequence. Under this condition, the system will operate
in "burst" mode: there will be short periods of switching spaced out by long intervals where L6561’s OVP
keeps the switch in OFF state.
Fig. 3 shows a 7W power supply, realised in TM flyback. It is intended as an auxiliary power supply suit-
able for systems provided with power management, such as monitor displays, printers, servers, photo-
copiers, fax machines, etc.
According to an approach that is becoming more and more popular, when the system is requested to go
into some low-consumption mode, a µP switches off the main SMPS. A small auxiliary supply, optimised
for a low power level, keeps alive the µP itself and the circuits needed for waking up the system again.
This approach allows to minimise the power consumption from the mains, in compliance with regulations
coming into force (such as Blue Angel and others).

Figure 3. 7W, Wide-range, Auxiliary Power Supply.

Vin=90 to 400 Vdc STPS360B 5 Vdc / 1A

1 3
BZW04-154 L4955V5.1
2x330 µF 100 µF
N1 N2 2

470 kΩ STTA106
to L4990A or L5991A
UC3843A/B or UC3845A/B
or L4981A

1N4148 22 Ω 1N4148 4.7 nF

47 µF 47 µF
N3
Input bulk capacitor 8
of the main SMPS 3
47 kΩ
5
100 nF 2 L6561
33 kΩ 22 Ω
7
1 6
4 STD1NB60
TRANSFORMER SPECS:
7.5 kΩ
CORE: E20x10x6, 3C85 material or equivalent
≈0.5 mm air gap for a primary inductance of 1.7 mH
2Ω
N1: 2 series windings 66 T each, AWG32 (∅ 0.24 mm)
N2: 11 T, AWG24 (∅ 0.57 mm)
N3: 21 T, AWG32

3/11
AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

The converter is powered by the high-voltage DC bus, ranging from 90 to 400 VDC, generated by the
front-end AC-DC stage (bridge rectifier + input capacitor) shared with the main SMPS (power factor cor-
rected or not).
The output is post-regulated in order to provide a better regulation and supplies the µP as well as the
logic circuit needed to wake up the system.
The auxiliary winding will be properly designed so as to supply the controller(s) of the main SMPS be-
sides powering the L6561. To minimise component count, a primary sensing feedback technique is
used.
The auxiliary winding is used also by the ZCD circuit for detecting transformer’s full demagnetisation and
turning on the MOSFET to start a new switching cycle (TM operation). The resistor driving the ZCD pin
is in the ten kΩ but can be optimised so as to achieve a "quasi zero-voltage turn-on" as described in Ref.
[1]. The optimum value depends mainly on the inductance of transformer’s primary winding and on the
Coss of the power MOSFET, thus it can be found empirically after bench tests.
With the component values shown in fig. 3 the wake-up time of the converter, that is the time the system
takes to start operating after being powered, does not exceed 3 s at 90 VDC supply and 1 s at 400 VDC.
In fig. 4, the circuit of fig. 3 is proposed with a different power rating: 15W output power so as to be able
to support USB function in computer equipment. The modifications concern the MOSFET, the trans-
former and the sense resistor on the primary side, the catch diode and the filter capacitors on the secon-
dary side. They all have been increased in size.
Figure 4. 15W, Wide-range, Auxiliary Power Supply supporting USB function

Vin=90 to 400 Vdc STPS560B 5 Vdc / 3A

1 3
BZW04-154 L4955V5.1
2x1000 µF 220 µF
N1 N2 2

470 kΩ STTA106
to L4990A or L5991A
UC3843A/B or UC3845A/B
or L4981A

1N4148 22 Ω 1N4148 4.7 nF

47 µF 47 µF
N3
Input bulk capacitor 8
of the main SMPS 3
47 kΩ
5
100 nF 2 L6561
33 kΩ 22 Ω
7
1
6 4 STP3NB60FP
TRANSFORMER SPECS:
7.5 kΩ
CORE: E20x10x6, 3C85 material or equivalent
≈0.5 mm air gap for a primary inductance of 0.8 mH
1Ω N1: 2 series windings 48 T each, AWG30 (∅ 0.30 mm)
N2: 8 T, 2xAWG22 (∅ 0.71 mm)
N3: 15 T, AWG32 (∅ 0.24 mm)

Fig. 5 shows another example of low-power TM flyback application, an AC-DC adapter for battery
charger of cellular phones. The system looks very simple and very few parts are required.
The feedback uses a popular arrangement making use of a TL431 as secondary reference/error ampli-
fier and of an optocoupler for transferring the control signal to the primary side. This provides very good
regulation of the output voltage and galvanic isolation from the primary side at the same time.
The self-supply winding both powers the L6561and provides transformer’s demagnetisation signal to the
ZCD pin. The start-up circuit arrangement and its component values ensures that the wake-up time of
the converter does not exceed 3 s at 90 VAC supply (it will be less than 1 s at 270 VAC).
In fig. 6 an example of multi-output SMPS for inkjet printer is presented. The converter accepts input
voltages from 85 to 270 Vac and is rated for 40W output power. The 28V output is used for motors, the
12V output for the printhead and the 5V bus supplies the logic circuitry.

4/11
 AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

Figure 5. 7.5 W, Wide-range Mains AC-DC Adapter for cellular phones.

2200pF 2KV

2A fuse

4x1N4007 BYW98-100
85 to 270 Vac 9V / 0.85A
10 µF BZW04-154
400V 2 x 470µF
110 kΩ
N1 N2 16V

STTA106
47 kΩ GND

1N4148
33µF N3
1 kΩ

5 8 4N35
STD1NB60
10 Ω 0.022µF
7 4.7 kΩ
L6561
TL431
4
2 3 1 6 1.8 kΩ

2Ω
1/2 W
100 kΩ
4N35 TRANSFORMER SPECS:
CORE: E19x8x5, 3C85 material or equivalent
3.3 nF ≈0.6 mm air gap for a primary inductance of
10 kΩ 1 kΩ
1.8mH
N1:170 T, AWG34 (∅ 0.20 mm)
N2: 15 T, 3xAWG34
N3: 19 T, AWG34

The isolated feedback is realised with the configuration TL431 + optocoupler. Output cross-regulation is
improved by multiple sensing technique.
The system works in TM but can be forced to work at fixed frequency (that of L6561’s internal timer) for
minimum consumption at light load by the STANDBY signal (see fig. 6). This signal can be generated by
either the µP or a current sense circuit that enables low (fixed) frequency operation when the load cur-
rent falls below a defined threshold. To achieve this functionality, the ZCD pin is connected to ground
through a 4.3 kΩ resistor.
Figure 6. 40W, Wide-range Mains SMPS for Inkjet Printer.
4700pF 4KV 4700pF 4KV

2A fuse
4.7MΩ 4.7MΩ
KBU4G BYW100-200
85 to 270 Vac 28V / 0.7A
22 nF 2 x 470µF
100 µF 56 kΩ
250V 35V
110 kΩ 2W
N2 BYW98-100
400V
N1 12V / 1.5A
2 x 1000µF
STTA106 N3 16V
GND
43 kΩ
BYW100-50
4.3 kΩ 5V / 0.5A
47µF 1N4148
N5 N4 470µF
47 kΩ 16V

STANDBY 5 8
STP4NA60FP
10 Ω
7

47 kΩ
L6561 220 Ω

4 4N35
DISABLE
2 3 1 6 100 nF 3.9 kΩ 270 kΩ
0.39 Ω
1/2 W
100 kΩ 5.1 kΩ
TL431
4N35 2.7 kΩ
TRANSFORMER SPECS:
3.3 nF
10 kΩ 1 kΩ CORE: ETD29x16x10, 3C85 material or equivalent
≈1 mm air gap for a primary inductance of 530 µH
N1: 69 T, AWG25 (∅ 0.51 mm)
N2: 11 T, AWG25
N3: 9 T, AWG20 (∅ 0.89 mm)
N4: 4 T, AWG25
N5: 11 T, AWG32 (∅ 0.24 mm)

5/11
AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

By directly grounding the ZCD pin, the converter will instead be shut down (DISABLE signal). This can
be used for either power management (an auxiliary supply like the one of fig. 3 will keep the µP alive) or
for protection, for example in case of overcurrent.
Pulse-by-pulse current limitation, inherent in the L6561, prevents input peak current from reaching too
high values. TM operation keeps pulse-by-pulse current limiting effective even under short circuit condi-
tions and ensures that the transformer will never saturate.

Synchronised Flyback
L6561’s ZCD pin is intended for triggering MOSFET’s turn-on as the transformer is demagnetised, so as
to achieve TM operation. In this configuration the ZCD pin is used instead as a synchronisation input
and is driven by an external signal at a fixed frequency. This converter will then be exactly equal to a
synchronised flyback based on available standard current mode controllers.
A typical application of such a configuration is in multisynch monitors, where a synchronisation signal
coming from the horizontal deflection circuits of the display locks SMPS’ switching frequency so as to im-
prove noise immunity.
An example of 17" multisynch monitor SMPS with the L6561 is shown in fig. 7. Capable of working with
wide-range mains, it is sized for 90W output power and can be synchronised from 31 to 82 kHz.
The primary side is extremely simple, yet the system features a number of functions needed in these
systems, such, overcurrent protection and synchronisation. There is also a protection against feedback
disconnection (the zener diode between the supply voltage and L6561’s pin 1).
Figure 7. 90W, Wide-range Mains SMPS for Multisynch Monitors.

4700pF 4KV 4700pF 4KV

5A fuse
4.7MΩ 4.7MΩ
KBU4G BYT11-800
200V
85 to 270 Vac
65W
47 nF N2
220µF 56 kΩ 250V
400V 110 kΩ 3W STTA106
N1 80V
10W
N3 220µF 100µF 22µF
STTA106
100V 250V 100V
GND

10 Ω 1N4148 BYW100-100 6.3V

5W
1000µF
47µF N7 N4 16V
SYNCH
(31 to 82 kHz)
8 BYW100-100 +15V
47 kΩ STP7NB60FP
10 Ω 5W
5
7 N5 470µF 25V
47 kΩ L6561
1 kΩ
4 N6 470µF 25V
DISABLE -15V
1N4148
2 3 1 6 5W
82 kΩ BYW100-100 47 Ω
9.1 kΩ
100 kΩ 0.47 Ω 0.47 Ω

15 V 4N35 47µF 25V

3.3 nF 2.2 nF 2.7 kΩ

1 kΩ
10 kΩ
4N35 100 kΩ

470 kΩ

330 kΩ
330 pF 1 nF
TRANSFORMER SPECS:
ETD44 core, 3C85 grade or equivalent TL431
≈1 mm air gap for a primary inductance of 380 µH 4.7 kΩ
N1 : 38 T, 2 series windings, 19T each, 4xAWG29 (∅ 0.29 mm)
N2 : 48 T, AWG25 (∅ 0.45 mm)
N3 : 32 T, AWG25
N4 : 3 T, AWG25
N5, N6 : 6 T, AWG25
N7 : 6 T, AWG32 (∅ 0.24 mm)

6/11
 AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

In addition, a disable function is always available, which can be used for any purpose the designer may
require.
Since the system works in Continuous Conduction Mode, especially at high switching frequency, a slope
compensation circuit has been added to prevent subharmonic oscillation at duty cycles greater than
50%.
Compared to the circuitry needed for a standard controller, the synchronisation interface is much sim-
pler: just one resistor. Furthermore, when the synchronisation signal is missing, the system will run at the
frequency of the internal start-up timer (<15 kHz), which is lower than the minimum horizontal frequency.
Under this conditions the power demanded by the monitor circuits is usually very low, and the system
will go on working properly. This automatic functionality is extremely useful for minimising power con-
sumption from the mains, again with the aim of meeting the relevant regulations.

High-PF Flyback.
This configuration works in Transition Mode too, but quite differently from the TM flyback previously dis-
cussed. The input capacitance is here so small that the input voltage is very close to a rectified sine-
wave. Besides, the control loop has a narrow bandwidth so as to be little sensitive to the twice mains fre-
quency ripple appearing at the output. Ultimately, it is a PFC stage realised in flyback topology, rather
than in boost topology as usual.
Actually, the high power factor (PF) exhibited by this topology can be considered just as an additional
benefit but not the main reason that makes this configuration attractive. In fact, despite a PF greater then
0.9 can be easily achieved, it is a real challenge to comply with EMC norms regarding THD of line cur-
rent, especially in universal mains applications. There are, however, several applications in the low-
power range (to which EMC norms do not apply) that can benefit from the advantages offered by a high-
PF flyback converter.
For a given power rating, the input capacitance can be 200 times less, compared to a conventional fly-
back. The bulky and costly high voltage electrolytic capacitor located after the bridge rectifier is replaced
by a smaller low-cost film capacitor, with a considerable cut of cost and space.
Efficiency is high at heavy load, more than 90% is achievable: TM operation ensures low turn-on losses
in the MOSFET and the high PF reduces dissipation in the bridge rectifier. This, in turn, minimises the
requirements on the heatsink.
A few drawbacks, however, limit the applications that the high-PF flyback can fit (AC-DC adapters, bat-
tery chargers, low-power SMPS, etc.) and which one has to be aware of.
Because of the small input capacitance, the system is unable to cope with line missing cycles at heavy
load. Like in boost PFC stages, the transient response to step-load changes is poor: as to this point,
speeding up the control loop may lead to a compromise between an acceptable transient response and
a reasonably high PF.
The output voltage exhibits a considerable twice-mains-frequency ripple, unavoidable if a high PF is de-
sired. Speeding up the control loop may lead to a compromise between a reasonably low output ripple
and a reasonably high PF. To keep the ripple low, a large output capacitance (in the thousand µF) is
anyway required: however, cheap standard capacitors and not costly high-quality parts are needed. In
fact, a low ESR and an adequate AC current capability are automatically achieved with so large a ca-
pacitance. Besides, in conventional flyback converters there is usually plenty of output capacitance too,
thus this is not so dramatic as it may seem.
As a result, secondary post-regulation will be required where tight specifications on the output ripple
and/or on the transient behaviour are given. This is true but is also what happens in numerous applica-
tions with a conventional flyback.
Please refer to Ref. [3] for a detailed explanation of the design of this kind of converter.
Fig. 8 shows the electrical schematic of a 30W AC-DC adapter based on high-PF flyback concept. It ac-
cepts universal mains and delivers 15V DC, 2A max. with a peak-to-peak twice mains frequency ripple
below 1V.
The multiplier is biased with a partition of the input voltage and provides a quasi-sinusoidal reference to
the current sense comparator. The feedback network uses a TL431+optocoupler configuration. Unlike
the previously considered ones, in this case opto’s transistor is connected as an emitter follower and
drives the input of L6561’s error amplifier. This aims at keeping the gain of the feedback and of the over-
all loop at twice mains frequency low, so as to achieve a high power factor.

7/11
AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

Figure 8. 30W, Wide-range Mains, High-PF, AC-DC Adapter.

2A fuse

DF06M
85 to 270 STPS8H100D 3x2200 µF 15 Vdc / 2A
Vac

P6KE170A
N1 N2
470 nF
3 MΩ 470 kΩ STTA106

1N4148

47 µF 5.1 kΩ 12 kΩ
4.7 nF
N3
4N35
47 kΩ
2 3 8 2.2 µF
9.1 kΩ 1 µF 2.2 kΩ
5
39 kΩ
L6561 10 Ω
1N4148
7 TL431
20 kΩ 220 nF 1 DISABLE
2.2 nF 6 2.4 kΩ
4 STP4NA60 1N4148

20 kΩ
4N35 TRANSFORMER SPECS:
2.4 kΩ 0.5 Ω Core: ETD29, 3C85 grade or equivalent
≈1 mm airgap for 1 mH primary inductance.
N1: 2 series windings, 45 T each, AWG27 (∅ 0.41 mm)
N2: 14 T,5xAWG27
N3: 14T, AWG32 (∅ 0.24 mm).

The optional 2.2µF capacitor connected in parallel to the upper resistor of the feedback divider acts as a
soft-start circuit. The diode between the capacitor and TL431’s control pin decouple the capacitor during
steady-state operation so that it does not interfere with the loop gain. The other diode provides a dis-
charge path when the converter is turned off, so that the system is always soft-started at power-up.
Figure 9. 30W, offline, High-PF battery charger with secondary post-regulation

2A fuse

DF06M
STPS8H100D
BAT46 15 Vdc / 2A
85 to 270 1 6 7
BAT46

20 kΩ
Vac 2xBZW0485 L4955
2
20 kΩ

N1 4 3 5
N2 22 µF
220 nF 3 MΩ 220 kΩ STTA106
2200 µF 2200 µF
47 kΩ 22 kΩ 220 Ω 2.7 kΩ
1W
22 Ω

47 µF 1N4148

3 5 8 N3
4.7 nF
30 kΩ
1 µF 2 L6561
7
1 nF 1 10 Ω
6 4 STP5NA60
20 kΩ
TRANSFORMER SPEC:
Core E25/13/7, 3C85 grade or equivalent
≈0.7 mm air gap for a primary inductance of 720 µH
5.1 kΩ 0.5 Ω
N1 : 2 series winding, 39 T each, AWG28 (∅ 0.37 mm)
N2 : 12T, 3xAWG26 (∅ 0.40mm)
N3 : 14T, AWG31 (∅ 0.23 mm)

Fig. 9 presents a 30W off-line, universal mains battery charger suitable for lead-acid batteries. Com-
pared to the previous circuit, the primary side does not change so much. The basic difference concerns
the feedback that here is based on sensing the voltage developed by the auxiliary winding.
This technique ensures a high PF in such flyback configuration because of the poor coupling between
secondary and auxiliary winding at low frequency. It is then quite easy to get a gain low enough at twice

8/11
 AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

mains frequency. The drawback of primary sensing technique is its poor load regulation, but this is of no
concern in this case.
The post regulation on the secondary side with the L4955 linear regulator (see Ref. [4] for information)
ensures a high accuracy of the end-of-charge output voltage, as well as a precise constant current char-
acteristic during battery charge. Additionally, the charge current can be adjusted from 1 to 2 A by means
of the 22 kΩ trimmer. The schottky diode in series to the output prevents battery discharge when this is
connected and the charger is off. The diode connected between pin 4 and pin 7 of the L4955 and the
220Ω resistor limit the current flowing in case of reverse battery connection.
Figure 10. 30W, High-PF battery charger with secondary voltage/current regulation

2A FUSE

DF06M STPS8H100D 15 Vdc / 2A

85 to 270
Vac
2xBZW0485
N1 560 µF 560 µF 2200 µF 12 kΩ
N2 2200 µF
470 nF 3 MΩ 470 kΩ STTA106
47 kΩ 0.1 Ω

BYW
1N4148 1 3 100-200 2.2 µF 130 Ω
4N35
47 µF L78L12 5.1 kΩ
2 10µF 1 µF 2.2 µF
3 5 8 50V N3 2.2 kΩ

220 nF 10 kΩ
2 L6561 6 3
39 kΩ

2.2 kΩ 2
7 1N4148
20 kΩ 8
10 Ω 7
9.1 kΩ

6 4 100 nF
4N35 1 STP5NA60
1
TSM
1 nF 101
11 kΩ 5 4
20 kΩ
0.5 Ω 1N4148
2.4 kΩ 1.1 kΩ
4.7 µF 100 nF

TRANSFORMER SPEC:
Core E25/13/7, 3C85 grade or equivalent
≈0.7 mm air gap for a primary inductance of 720 µH 4.7 nF
N1 : 2 series winding, 39 T each, AWG28 (∅ 0.37 mm)
N2 : 12T, 3xAWG26 (∅ 0.40mm)
N3 : 25T, AWG31 (∅ 0.23 mm)

The same battery charger can be realised without a post-regulator. Such a system is shown in fig. 10. It
uses again an isolated feedback with an optocoupler and a secondary side reference/error amplifier, the
TSM101, for voltage and current regulation.
This device basically incorporates a TL431 and two op-amps with or-ed outputs. One op-amp will be
used for constant voltage control and the other one for constant current control. A precise internal cur-
rent generator, available at pin 3, can be used to offset the intervention threshold of the constant current
regulation. For more details, please refer to Ref. [5].
The voltage generated by the self-supply winding tracks the output voltage, which can be quite low (<9V)
when the battery is nearly exhausted. To let the system work even under this condition the self-supply
will deliver a voltage above L6561’s UVLO when the output voltage falls to its minimum. As a result,
however, when the charger is in voltage regulation (battery disconnected or end-of-charge) the self-sup-
ply voltage will exceed the maximum rating of the L6561. This requires the use of a linear regulator
(L78L12 in the present case) to limit the excursion of the voltage. The diode in series to the output of the
L78L12 prevents current diversion through the regulator at start-up.
The switch connected between TSM101’s pin 2 and ground enables/disables the above mentioned inter-
nal current reference. If the switch is open, pin 2 is pulled up through the 10 kΩ resistor, the internal cur-
rent generator is disabled and the constant current characteristic is set at 2A. If the switch is closed, pin
2 is grounded and the internal current reference will be enabled. Pin 3 will be offset by about 160 mV
and the constant current threshold will be set at 0.3A.

9/11
AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

Conclusions
The three basic configurations of L6561-based flyback converters have been presented. The common
characteristics, as well as the ones peculiar of each configuration have been analised.
A number of application examples has been presented for each category. They highlight how simple and
cheap but, this notwithstanding, well-performing L6561-based systems are.
It does not sound out of place, therefore, to say that the L6561 can be considered as a really interesting
alternative to today’s high-runner current mode controllers, especially where quite good performance
and robustness are required at low cost.

References
[1] "L6561, Enhanced Transition Mode Power Factor Corrector", (AN966)
[2] "L6561-based Switcher Replaces Mag Amps in Silver Boxes", (AN1007)
[3] "Design Equations of High-Power Factor Flyback Converters Based on the L6561", (AN1059)
[4] "L4955 Family Application Guide", (AN932)
[5] "TSM101 Voltage and Current Controller", Datasheet

10/11
 AN1060 APPLICATION NOTE

Information furnished is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, STMicroelectronics assumes no responsibility for the consequences
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. Specification mentioned in this publication are
subject to change without notice. This publication supersedes and replaces all information previously supplied. STMicroelectronics products
are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems without express written approval of STMicroelectronics.
The ST logo is a registered trademark of STMicroelectronics
© 2003 STMicroelectronics – Printed in Italy – All Rights Reserved
STMicroelectronics GROUP OF COMPANIES
Australia - Brazil - Canada - China - Finland - France - Germany - Hong Kong - India - Israel - Italy - Japan - Malaysia - Malta - Morocco -
Singapore - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - United Kingdom - United States.
http://www.st.com

11/11