AND9674/D

AN-6076 Design and

Application Guide of
Bootstrap Circuit for
High-Voltage Gate-Drive IC
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INTRODUCTION
APPLICATION NOTE
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a systematic considered. This method is utilized as a gate drive and
approach to design high−performance bootstrap gate drive accompanying bias circuit, both referenced to the source of
circuits for high−frequency, high−power, and the main switching device. Both the driver and bias circuit
high−efficiency switching applications using a power swing between the two input voltage rails together with the
MOSFET and IGBT. It should be of interest to power source of the device. However, the driver and its floating
electronics engineers at all levels of experience. In the most bias can be implemented by low−voltage circuit elements
of switching applications, efficiency focuses on switching since the input voltage is never applied across their
losses that are mainly dependent on switching speed. components. The driver and the ground referenced control
Therefore, the switching characteristics are very important signal are linked by a level shift circuit that must tolerate the
in most of the high−power switching applications presented high−voltage difference and considerable capacitive
in this paper. One of the most widely used methods to supply switching currents between the floating high−side and
power to the high−side gate drive circuitry of the ground−referenced low−side circuits. The high−voltage
high−voltage gate−drive IC is the bootstrap power supply. gate−drive ICs are differentiated by unique level−shift
This bootstrap power supply technique has the advantage of design. To maintain high efficiency and manageable power
being simple and low cost. However, it has some limitations, dissipation, the level−shifters should not draw any current
on time of duty−cycle is limited by the requirement to during the on−time of the main switch. A widely used
refresh the charge in the bootstrap capacitor and serious technique for these applications is called pulsed latch level
problems occur when the negative voltage is presented at the translators, shown in Figure 1.
source of the switching device. The most popular bootstrap
circuit solutions are analyzed; including the effects of Bootstrap Drive Circuit Operation
parasitic elements, the bootstrap resistor, and capacitor; on The bootstrap circuit is useful in a high-voltage gate driver
the charge of the floating supply application. and operates as follows. When the VS goes below the IC
supply voltage VDD or is pulled down to ground (the
HIGH−SPEED GATE−DRIVER CIRCUITRY low-side switch is turned on and the high-side switch is
turned off), the bootstrap capacitor, CBOOT, charges through
Bootstrap Gate−Drive Technique
the bootstrap resistor, RBOOT, and bootstrap diode, DBOOT,
The focus of this topic is the bootstrap gate−drive circuit
from the VDD power supply, as shown in Figure 2. This is
requirements of the power MOSFET and IGBT in various
provided by VBS when VS is pulled to a higher voltage by the
switching−mode power−conversion applications. Where
high-side switch, the VBS supply floats and the bootstrap
input voltage levels prohibit the use of direct−gate drive
diode reverses bias and blocks the rail voltage (the low-side
circuits for high−side N−channel power MOSFET or IGBT,
switch is turned off and high-side switch is turned on) from
the principle of bootstrap gate−drive technique can be
the IC supply voltage, VDD.

VB
current compensated

UVLO
Shoot−through

gate driver

PULSE GENERATOR
IN HO
R
NOISE R
CANCELLER S Q

VS

Figure 1. Level−Shifter in High−Side Drive IC

© Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, 2017 1 Publication Order Number:

January, 2018 − Rev. 2 AND9674/D
 AND9674/D

RBOOT DBOOT
DC SUPPLY

HIN
VB t

RG1
VDD HO Q1
ILOAD V S −COM
CBOOT
VDD

VS
t
LOAD
RG2 Q2 −V S Freewheeling
COM LO

Figure 4. VS Waveforms During Turn−off

Bootstrap charge current path Cause of Negative Voltage on VS Pin

Bootstrap discharge current path A well−known event that triggers VS go below COM
(ground) is the forward biasing of the low−side freewheeling
Figure 2. Bootstrap Power Supply Circuit diode, as shown in Figure 5.
Major issues may appear during commutation, just before
Drawback of Bootstrap Circuitry the freewheeling diode starts clamping.
The bootstrap circuit has the advantage of being simple In this case, the inductive parasitic elements, LS1 and
and low cost, but has some limitations. LS2, may push VS below COM, more than as described
Duty−cycle and on time is limited by the requirement to above or normal steady−state condition.
refresh the charge in the bootstrap capacitor, CBOOT. The amplitude of negative voltage is proportional to the
The biggest difficulty with this circuit is that the negative parasitic inductances and the turn−off speed, di/dt, of the
voltage present at the source of the switching device during switching device; as determined by the gate drive resistor,
turn−off causes load current to suddenly flow in the RGATE, and input capacitance, Ciss, of switching device.
low−side freewheeling diode, as shown in Figure 3. It is sum of Cgs and Cgd, called Miller capacitance.
This negative voltage can be trouble for the gate driver’s
output stage because it directly affects the source VS pin of VCC
DBOOT
the driver or PWM control IC and might pull some of the
internal circuitry significantly below ground, as shown in
Figure 4. The other problem caused by the negative voltage VDC
IN VB
transient is the possibility to develop an over−voltage
HVIC
INPUT

condition across the bootstrap capacitor. CBOOT Q1

The bootstrap capacitor, CBOOT, is peak charged by the VDD HO A B
bootstrap diode, DBOOT, from VDD the power source. RGATE
LS1 iLOAD
Since the VDD power source is referenced to ground, the GND VS C C
maximum voltage that can build on the bootstrap capacitor
CDRV

LS2 iFree

VOUT
is the sum of VDD and the amplitude of the negative voltage GND COUT
−VS
at the source terminal. D1

DC SUPPLY
Figure 5. Step−Down Converter Applications
High Side OFF

RBOOT DBOOT

VB
RG1
VDD HO Q1
CBOOT

iLoad
Ls1

HIN HIN
LIN VS
Freewheeling Path

LIN
ifree
Ls2

CIN
RG2
COM LO Q2

Figure 3. Half−Bridge Application Circuits

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 AND9674/D

Figure 6 shows the waveforms of the high−side, Figure 8 shows Missing case that the high−side output
N−channel MOSFET during turn−off. does not responded to input transition. In this case, the level
shifter of the high−side gate driver suffers form a lack of the
operation voltage headroom. This should be noted, but
proves trivial in most applications, as the high−side in not
A−Point VBS usually required to change state immediately following a
switching event.

VDC + VGS, Miller

B−Point

INPUT
C−Point VDC

Recovery Time

OUTPUT
VGS = B−C Point

Figure 6. Waveforms During Turn−off

Figure 8. Waveforms in Case of Signal Missing

Effects in the Undershoot Spike on VS Pin

Consideration of Latch−up Problem
If undershoot exceeds the absolute maximum rating
specified in the datasheet, the gate drive IC suffers damage The most integrated high−voltage gate−drive ICs have
or the high−side output is temporarily unresponsive to input parasitic diodes, which, in forward or reverse break−down,
transition as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8. may cause parasitic SCR latch−up. The ultimate outcome of
Figure 7 shows Latch−up case that the high−side output latch−up often defies prediction and can range from
does not changed by input signal. In this case, short−circuit temporary erratic operation to total device failure. The
condition occur on external, main, high−side and low−side gate−drive IC may also be damaged indirectly by a chain of
switches in half−bridge topology. events following initial overstress. For example, latch−up
could conceivably result in both output drivers assuming a
HIGH state, causing cross−conduction followed by switch
failure and, finally, catastrophic damage to the gate−drive
IC. This failure mode should be considered a possible
root−cause, if power transistors and/or gate−drive IC are
INPUT

destroyed in the application. The following theoretical

extremes can be used to help explain the relationships
between excessive VS undershoot and the resulting latch−up
mechanism.
In the first case, an “ideal bootstrap circuit” is used in
which VDD is driven from a zero−ohm supply with an ideal
diode feed VB, as shown in Figure 9. When the high current
OUTPUT

flowing through freewheeling diode, VS voltage is below

ground level by high di/dt. This time, latch−up risk appears
since internal parasitic diode, DBS of the gate driver
ultimately enters conduction from VS to VB, causing the
undershoot voltage to sum with VDD, causing the bootstrap
capacitor to overcharge, as shown Figure 10.
Figure 7. Waveforms in Case of Latch−up

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 AND9674/D

For example, if VDD = 15 V, then VS undershoot in excess VB

of 10 V forces the floating supply above 25 V, risking VS
breakdown in diode DBS and subsequent latch−up.
VB below COM

GND

VDD VB

DBS
Figure 12. VB and VS Waveforms of Case 2
COM VS
Gate Driver A practical circuit is likely to fall somewhere between
these two extremes, resulting in both a small increase of VBS
and some VB droop below VDD, as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 9. Case 1: Ideal Bootstrap Circuits
VB

VS
VB

VS

VB close to COM
HIGH VBS GND GND

Increased VBS

Figure 13. Typical Response of VB and VS

Figure 10. VB and VS Waveforms of Case 1

Exactly which of the two extremes is prevalent can be

Suppose that the bootstrap supply is replaced with the
checked as follows. If the VS pins undershoot spike has a
ideal floating supply, as shown in Figure 11, such that VBS
time length that is on order of tenths of nanoseconds; the
is fixed under all circumstances. Note that using a low
bootstrap capacitor, CBOOT, can become overcharged and
impedance auxiliary supply in place of a bootstrap circuit
the high−side gate−driver circuit has damage by
can approach this situation. This time, latch−up risk appears
over−voltage stress because it exceeds an absolute
if VS undershoot exceeds the VBS maximum specified in
maximum voltage (VBSMAX) specified in datasheet. Design
datasheet, since parasitic diode DBCOM ultimately enters
to a bootstrap circuit, that does not exceed the absolute
conduction from COM to VB, as shown in Figure 12.
maximum rating of high−side gate driver.

Effect of Parasitic Inductances

The amplitude of negative voltage is:
dI
V S * COM + V FD1 * L S2 (eq. 1)
dt
VCC VB
To reduce the slope of current flowing in the parasitic
VCC inductances to minimize the derivative terms in Equation 1.
DBCOM For example, if L/S MOSFET is FCP20N60, the negative
voltage spike between VS and ground is about −21 V in given
COM VS
condition such as 0.2 A/ns dI/dt, 100 nH Parasitic inductance
(LS2) and 10 A peak current of freewheeling. Actually,
Gate Driver 0.7~0.9 V forward drop (VFD1) at 10 A forward current of
body diode in FCP20N60 is negligeable.

Figure 11. Case 2: Ideal Floating Supply

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 AND9674/D

DESIGN PROCEDURE OF BOOTSTRAP COMPONENTS

Select the Bootstrap Capacitor

The bootstrap capacitor (CBOOT) is charged every time • QLS = 3 nC
the low−side driver is on and the output pin is below the • TON = 25 μs (Duty = 50% at fs = 20 KHz)
supply voltage (VDD) of the gate driver. The bootstrap
capacitor is discharged only when the high−side switch is • ILKDIODE = 10 μA
turned on. This bootstrap capacitor is the supply voltage
(VBS) for the high circuit section. The first parameter to take If the maximum allowable voltage drop on the bootstrap
into account is the maximum voltage drop that we have to capacitor is 1.0 V during the high side switch on state, the
guarantee when the high−side switch is in on state. The minimum capacitor value is calculated by Equation 3.
maximum allowable voltage drop (VBOOT) depends on the Q Total + (98x10 *9) ) (100x10 *9 ) 120x10 *6 ) 50x10 *6
minimum gate drive voltage (for the high−side switch) to ) 10x10 *6) (25x10 *6) ) (3x10 *9)
maintain. If VGSMIN is the minimum gate−source voltage, + 105.5x10 *9[C] (eq. 5)
the capacitor drop must be:
V BOOT + V DD * V F * V GSMIN (eq. 2) The value of bootstrap capacitor is calculated as follows:
where: Q TOTAL 105.5x10 *9
C BOOT + + ` 106[nF] (eq. 6)
ΔV BOOT 1
VDD = Supply voltage of gate driver [V]; and
VF = Bootstrap diode forward voltage drop [V] The voltage drop due to the external diode is nearly 0.7 V.
Assume the capacitor charging time is equal to the high−side
The value of bootstrap capacitor is calculated by: on−time (duty cycle 50%). According to different bootstrap
Q TOTAL capacitor values, the following equation applies:
C BOOT + (eq. 3) Q TOTAL
ΔV BOOT
DV BOOT +
C BOOT
where QTOTAL is the total amount of the charge supplied
by the capacitor. 100 nF å DV BOOT + 1.06[V]
150 nF å DV BOOT + 0.7[V] (eq. 7)
The total charge supplied by the bootstrap capacitor is
calculated by equation 4.: 220 nF å DV BOOT + 0.48[V]

Q TOTAL + Q GATE ) (I LKCAP ) I LKGS ) I QBS ) I LK ) I LKDIODE) 570 nF å DV BOOT + 0.19[V]

t ON ) Q LS (eq. 4)
Suggested values are within the range of 100 nF ~ 570 nF,
where: but the right value must be selected according to the
QGATE = Total gate charge; application in which the device is used. When the capacitor
ILKGS = Switch gate−source leakage current; value is too large, the bootstrap charging time slows and the
ILKCAP = Bootstrap capacitor leakage current; low−side on time might be not long enough to reach the
IQBS = Bootstrap circuit quiescent current; bootstrap voltage.
ILK = Bootstrap circuit leakage current;
QLS = Charge required by the internal level shifter, which Select the Bootstrap Resistor
is set to 3 nC for all HV gate drivers; When the external bootstrap resistor is used, the
tON = High−side switch on time; and ILKDIODED = resistance, RBOOT, introduces an additional voltage drop:
Bootstrap diode leakage current.
I CHARGE R BOOT
The capacitor leakage current is important only if an V RBOOT + (eq. 8)
electrolytic capacitor is used; otherwise, this can be t CHARGE
neglected. where:
For example: Evaluate the bootstrap capacitor value when ICHARGE = Bootstrap capacitor charging current;
the external bootstrap diode used. RBOOT = Bootstrap resistance; and
• Gate Drive IC = FAN7382 (ON Semiconductor) tCHARGE = Bootstrap capacitor charging time (the low−side
• Switching Device = FCP20N60 (ON Semiconductor) turn−on time).
• Bootstrap Diode = UF4007 Do not exceed the ohms (typically 5~10 Ω) that increase
• VDD = 15 V the VBS time constant. This voltage drop of bootstrap diode
must be taken into account when the maximum allowable
• QGATE = 98 nC (Maximum) voltage drop (VBOOT) is calculated. If this drop is too high
• ILKGS = 100 nA (Maximum) or the circuit topology does not allow a sufficient charging
• ILKCAP = 0 (Ceramic Capacitor) time, a fast recovery or ultra−fast recovery diode can be
• IQBS = 120 μA (Maximum) used.
• ILK = 50 μA (Maximum)

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 AND9674/D

CONSIDERATION OF BOOTSTRAP APPLICATION CIRCUITS

Bootstrap Startup Circuit

The bootstrap circuit is useful in high−voltage gate driver, bootstrap capacitor, CBOOT, charge through the bootstrap
as shown in Figure 1. However, it has a initial startup and resistor, RBOOT, and diode, DBOOT, from the VCC power
limited charging a bootstrap capacitor problem when the supply. The bootstrap diode must have a break−down
source of the main MOSFET (Q1) and the negative bias voltage (BV) larger than VDC and a fast recovery time to
node of bootstrap capacitor (CBOOT) are sitting at the output minimize the amount charge feedback from the bootstrap
voltage. Bootstrap diode (DBOOT) might be reverse biased capacitor to VCC power supply.
at startup and main MOSFET (Q1) has a insufficient
turn−off time for the bootstrap capacitor to maintain a
VCC VDC
required charge, as shown in Figure 1.
In certain applications, like in battery chargers, the output RBOOT DBOOT
voltage might be present before input power is applied to the
converter. Delivering the initial charge to the bootstrap
capacitor (CBOOT) might not be possible, depending on the VCC VB
R1 Q1
potential difference between the supply voltage (VDD) and HIN HIN HO
output voltage (VOUT) levels. Assuming there is enough CBOOT R2
LIN LIN VS
voltage differential between input voltage (VDC) and output C1 R3
Q2
voltage (VOUT), a circuit comprised of startup resistor COM LO Load
(RSTART), startup diode (DSTART), and Zener diode (DZ) can R4
solve the problem, as shown in Figure 14. In this startup
circuit, startup diode DSTART serves as a second bootstrap
diode used for charging the bootstrap capacitor (CBOOT) at
power up. Bootstrap capacitor (CBOOT) is charged to the
Zener diode of DZ, which is supposed to be higher than the Figure 15. Adding a Series Resistor with DBOOT
driver’s supply voltage (VDD) during normal operation. The
charge current of the bootstrap capacitor and the Zener This method has the advantage of being simple for
current are limited by the startup resistor. For best efficiency, limiting the current when the bootstrap capacitor is initially
the value of startup resistor should be selected to limit the charged, but it has some limitations. Duty−cycle is limited
current to a low value, since the bootstrap path through the by the requirement to refresh the charge in the bootstrap
startup diode is permanently in the circuit. capacitor, CBOOT, and there are startup problems. Do not
exceed the ohms (typically 5∼10 Ω) that would increase the
VBS time constant. The minimum on−time for charging the
DSTART

RSTART

VDD VDC bootstrap capacitor or for refreshing its charge must be

RBOOT DBOOT
verified against this time constant. The time constant
depends on the values of bootstrap resistance, capacitance,
and duty cycle of switching device calculated in following
CBOOT

VDD VB
DZ equation:
INPUT

HIN HO Q1
RGATE R BOOT C BOOT
L t+ [s] (eq. 9)
COM D
VS
where RBOOT is the bootstrap resistor; CBOOT is the
VOUT
COUT

D
bootstrap capacitor; and D is the duty cycle.
R BOOT C BOOT 10x1 *6
t+ + + 100 [ms] (eq. 10)
D 0.1
Even with a reasonably large bootstrap capacitor and
Figure 14. Simple Bootstrap Startup Circuit
resistor, the time constant may be large. This method can
Resistor in Series with Bootstrap Diode mitigate the problem. Unfortunately, the series resistor does
In the first option, the bootstrap circuit includes a small not provide a foolproof solution against an over voltage and
resistor, RBOOT, in series with bootstrap diode, as shown in it slows down the recharge process of the bootstrap
Figure 15. The bootstrap resistor, RBOOT, provides current capacitor.
limit only during a bootstrap charging period which
represents when the VS goes below the IC supply voltage,
VCC, or is pulled down to ground (the low−side switch is
turned on and the high−side switch is turned off). The

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 AND9674/D

Resistor Between VS and VOUT VCC VDC

In the second option, the bootstrap circuit includes a small DBOOT
resistor, RVS, between VS and VOUT, as shown in Figure 16.
Suggested values for RVS are in the range of some ohms. IN IN VB

HVIC
CBOOT Q1
VCC VCC
VCC HO
RBOOT DBOOT VOUT
RGATE
CDRV GND VS
L1
IN IN VB DSCHT D1 COUT
HVIC

CBOOT Q1
VCC HO
RGATE VOUT
CDRV
GND VS
RVS L1 Figure 18. Clamping Structure
D1 COUT

Relocated Gate Resistor; Double Purpose

The gate resistor sets the turn−on and turn−off speeds in
Figure 16. Adding RVS in Bootstrap Circuit the MOSFET and provides current limiting for the Schottky
diode during the negative voltage transient of the source
The RVS works as, not only bootstrap resistor, but also terminal of the main switch. In additional, the bootstrap
turn−on and turn−off resistors, as shown in Figure 17. The capacitor is protected against over voltage by the two diodes
bootstrap resistor, turn−on, and turn−off resistors are connected to the ends of CBOOT. The only potential hazard
calculated by the following equations: by this circuit is that the charging current of the bootstrap
R BOOT *+ R BOOT ) R VS (eq. 11) capacitor must go through gate resistor. The time constant of
CBOOT and RGATE slows the recharge process, which might
R ON *+ R GATE ) R VS (eq. 12)
be a limiting factor as the PWM duty cycle.
R OFF *+ R GATE ) R VS (eq. 13) The fourth options includes relocating a gate resistor
between VS and VOUT and a clamp device should be
VCC positioned between ground and VS, as shown in Figure 19,
RBOOT DBOOT where a Zener diode and a 600 V diode are placed. The Zener
IBCHG voltage must be sized according to the following rule:
VB V B * V S t V BS, ABSMAX (eq. 15)
IN IN ITURN−ON
Q1
HO
VCC VCC VDC
CDRV VOUT DBOOT
VS
GND
RVS L1
D1 IN
ITURN−OFF COUT IN VB
HVIC

CBOOT Q1
VDD HO
CDRV

VOUT
Figure 17. Current Paths of Turn−on and Turn−off RGATE
GND VS
DZ L1
D1 COUT
Clamping Diode for VS and Relocation Gate Resistor D2
In the third option, the bootstrap relocates a gate resistor
between VS and VOUT and adds a low forward−voltage drop
Schottky diode from ground to VS, as shown in Figure 18. Figure 19. Clamping Structure with Zener Diode
The difference between VB and VS should be kept inside the
absolute maximum specification in the datasheet and must
be satisfied by the following equation:
V B * V S t V BS_abs max
(eq. 14)

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 AND9674/D

CHOOSE CURRENT CAPABILITY HVIC

The approximate maximum gate charge QG that can be 3. tSW_ON/OFF is how fast the MOSFET should be
switched in the indicated time for each driver current rating switched. If unknown, start with 2% of the
is calculated in Table 1: switching period tSW:
0.02 (eq. 17)
Table 1. EXAMPLE HVIC CURRENT−DRIVE t SWON, OFF + 0.02 t SW +
f SW
CAPABILITY
If channel (V−I) switching loss is dominated by one
Switching Time (tSW_ON/OFF) switching transition (turn−on or turn−off), size the driver for
Needed
Current 100 ns 50 ns that transition. For clamped inductive switching (the usual
Rating
Maximum Gate Charge (QG,MAX) case), channel switching loss for each transition is estimated
as:
2A 133 nC 67 nC
E SW + 0.5 V DS ID t SW [Joules] (eq. 18)
4A 267 nC 133 nC
9A 600 nC 300 nC
where VDS and ID are maximum values during the
switching interval.
1. For a single 4 A, parallel the two channels of a dual 2 A!
4. The approximate current drive capability of gate
For example, a switching time of 100 ns is: driver may be calculated like below
1 % of the converter switching period at 100 KHz; a. Sourcing Current Capability (Turn−on):
3 % of the converter switching period at 300 KHz; etc. QG
I SOURCE w 1.5 (eq. 19)
t SW, ON
1. Needed gate driver current ratings depend on what
gate charge QG must be moved in switching time b. Sinking Current Capability (Turn−off)
tSW−ON/OFF (because average gate current during QG
(eq. 20)
I SINK w 1.5
switching is IG): t SW, OFF
QG where:
I G.AV.SW + (eq. 16)
T sw_on ń off QG = MOSFET gate charge at VGS = VDD;
2. The maximum gate charge, QG, is read from the tSW_ON/OFF = MOSFET switch turn−on / turn−off time;
MOSFET datasheet and 1.5 = empirically determined factor (influenced by
delay through the driver input stages and parasitic elements).
If the actual gate−drive voltage VGS is different from the
test condition in the specifications table, use the VGS vs. QG
curve instead. Multiply the datasheet value by the number
of MOSFETs in parallel.

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 AND9674/D

GATE RESISTOR DESIGN PROCEDURE

The switching speed of the output transistor can be Sizing the Turn−On Gate Resistor
controlled by values of turn−on and turn−off gate resistors Turn−on gate resistor, Rg(ON), can be chosen to obtain the
controlling the turn−on and turn−off current of gate driver. desired switching time by using switching time, tsw. To
This section describes basic rules for values of the gate determine a value of resistor using the switching time,
resistors to obtain the desired switching time and speed by supply voltage, VDD (or VBS), equivalent on resistance
introducing the equivalent output resistor of the gate driver. (RDRV(ON)) of the gate driver, and switching device
Figure 20 shows the equivalent circuit of gate driver and parameters (Qgs, Qgd, and Vgs(th)) are needed.
current flow paths during the turn−on and turn−off, The switching time is defined as the time spent to reach the
including a gate driver and switching devices. end of the plateau voltage (a total Qgd + Qgd has been
provided to the MOSFET gate), as shown in Figure 21.
VDC The turn−on gate resistor calculated as follows:
Q gs ) Q gd
HVIC I g(avr) + (eq. 21)
t SW
VB Turn−On V DD ) V gs
R TOTAL + R g(ON) ) T DRV(ON) + (eq. 22)
RDRV(ON) Cgd Ig(avr)
ON
VBS

RGATE 2 where Rg(ON) is the gate on resistance and RDRV(ON) is the

DRIVER

HO driver equivalent on resistance.

1
OFF dVOUT
Cgs Output Voltage Slope
dt
VS
Turn−on gate resistor Rg(ON) can be determined by control
VOUT
output slope (dVOUT/dt). While the output voltage has a
VDD
non−linear behavior, the maximum output slope can be
Turn−Off dVOUT approximated by:
Cgd dt I g(avr)
OFF dV OUT
VDD

1 + (eq. 23)
RG(ON) dt C gd(off)
DRIVER

LO Cds
Inserting the expression yielding Ig(avr) and rearranging:
2
ON RDRV(OFF) Cgs
RG(OFF) V DD * V gs(th)
GND R TOTAL + (eq. 24)
dV OUT
C gd(off)
dt
where Cgd(off) is the Miller effect capacitor, specified as
Figure 20. Gate Driver Equivalent Circuit
Crss in the datasheet.
Figure 21 shows the gate−charge transfer characteristics Sizing the Turn−Off Gate Resistor
of switching device during turn−on and turn−off. The worst case in sizing the turn−off resistor is when the
drain of the MOSFET in turn−off state is forced to
commutate by external events.
VDS − Drain−Source Voltage [V]

VGS − Gate−Source Voltage [V]

TON_Charge TOFF_Discharge In this case, dV/dt of the output node induces a parasitic
VDS ID
TSW 90%
current through Cgd flowing in RG(OFF) and RDRV(OFF), as
90% shown in Figure 22.
VGG The following describes how to size the turn−off resistor
when the output dv/dt is caused by the companion MOSFET
VGS Vg1
turning−on, as shown in Figure 22.
Vg2 Vg2 For this reason, the off−resistance must be sized according
Vg1 10% 10% to the application worst case. The following equation relates
the MOSFET gate threshold voltage to the drain dv/dt:
TD(ON) tR TD(OFF) tF Q[nC]
Figure 21. Gate Charge Transfer Characteristics

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 AND9674/D

VDC Q gs + 13.5 nC, Q gd + 36 nC, C gd + 95pF,

(eq. 27)
HVIC V GS(th) + 5 V, V GS(th)MIN + 3 V

VB Turn−On Turn−On Gate Resistance

ON RDRV(ON)
Cgd 1. If the desired switching time is 500 ns at
VBS

RGATE 2 VDD = 15 V, the average gate charge current is

DRIVER

HO calculated as:
1
OFF Cgs dVOUT Q gs ) Q gd 36 nC ) 13.5 nC
dt I g(avr) + + ns + 99 [mA] (eq. 28)

Load
t SW 500
VS
ILOAD
V DD ) V gs(th) 15 * 5
VDD R Total + + + 101 [W] (eq. 29)
Turn−Off I g(avr) 99 mA
OFF Cgd
V DD
VDD

15 V
RG(ON)
DRIVER

R DRV(ON) + + + 43 [W] (eq. 30)

LO Cds I SOURCE 350 mA
The turn−on resistance value is about 58 Ω.
ON RDRV(OFF) Cgs
RG(OFF) 2. If dVout/dt = 1 V/ns at VDD = 15 V, the total gate
resistor is as calculated as:
GND
V DD * V GS(th) 15 * 5
R Total + + (eq. 31)
dV out 95x10 *12x10 9
Figure 22. Current Paths: Low−Side Switch C gd(off)
dt
Turned Off, High−Side Switch Turned On
V DD 15 V
NJ
V gs(th) w (R g(OFF) ) R DRV(OFF)) ig Nj R DRV(ON) +
I SOURCE
+
350 mA
+ 43 [W] (eq. 32)

NJ
+ (R g(OFF) ) R (drv) C gd
dV out
dt
Nj (eq. 25) The turn−on resistance value is about 62 Ω.
Turn−Off Gate Resistance
If dVout/dt=1 V/ns, the turn−off gate resistor is calculated
Rearranging the equation yields: as:
V gs(th) V DD 15 V
R g(off) v * R (drv) (eq. 26) R DRV(OFF) + + [ 23[W] (eq. 33)
dV out I SINK 650 mA
C gd
dt
V gs(th)min 3
R g(off) v * R (drv) + * 23 + 8.6
Design Example dV out 95x10 *12x10 9
C gd
Determine the turn−on and off gate resistors using the ON dt (eq. 34)
Semiconductor MOSFET with FCP20N60 and gate driver
with FAN7382. The power MOSFET of FCP20N60
parameters are as follows:

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 AND9674/D

POWER DISSIPATION CONSIDERATIONS

Gate Driver Power Dissipation

The total power dissipation is the sum of the gate driver The bootstrap circuit power dissipation is the sum of the
losses and the bootstrap diode losses. The gate driver losses bootstrap diode losses and the bootstrap resistor losses if any
are comprised of the static and dynamic losses related to the exist. The bootstrap diode loss is the sum of the forward bias
switching frequency, output load capacitance on high− and power loss that occurs while charging the bootstrap
low−side drivers, and supply voltage, VDD. capacitor and the reverse bias power loss that occurs during
The static losses are due to the quiescent currents from the reverse recovery. Since each of these events happens once
voltage supplies VDD and ground in low−side driver and the per cycle, the diode power loss is proportional to switching
leakage current in the level shifting stage in high−side driver, frequency. Larger capacitive loads require more current to
which are dependent on the voltage supplied on the VS pin recharge the bootstrap capacitor, resulting in more losses.
and proportional to the duty cycle when only the high−side Higher input voltages (VDC) to the half−bridge result in
power device is turned on. higher reverse recovery losses. The total IC power
The dynamic losses are defined as follows: In the dissipation can be estimated by summing the gate driver
low−side driver, the dynamic losses are due to two different losses with the bootstrap diode losses, except bootstrap
sources. One is due to whenever a load capacitor is charged resistor losses.
or discharged through a gate resistor, half of energy that goes If the bootstrap diode is within the gate driver, add an
into the capacitance is dissipated in the resistor. The losses external diode in parallel with the internal bootstrap diode
in the gate drive resistance, internal and external to the gate because the diode losses can be significant. The external
driver, and the switching loss of the internal CMOS diode must be placed close to the gate driver to reduce
circuitry. Also, the dynamic losses of the high−side driver parasitic series inductance and significantly lower forward
have two different sources. One is due to the level−shifting voltage drop.
circuit and one due to the charging and discharging of the
capacitance of the high side. The static losses are neglected Package Thermal Resistance
here because the total IC power dissipation is mainly The circuit designer must provide:
dynamic losses of gate drive IC and can be estimated as: • Estimate power dissipation of gate driver package
P DGATE + 2 CL fs
2
V DD [W] (eq. 35)
• The maximum operating junction temperature TJ,
MAX,OPR, e.g., 120 °C for these drivers if derated to 80
Figure 23 shows the calculated gate driver power % of TJ, MAX =150 °C
dissipation versus frequency and load capacitance at VDD =
• Maximum operating lead temperature TL, MAX, OPR,
15 V. This plot can be used to approximate the power losses
approximately equal to the maximum PCB temperature
due to thegate driver
underneath the driver, e.g., 100 °C
1 • Maximum allowable junction−to−lead thermal
resistance is calculated by:
C LOAD =4400PF T J, max ) T L, max
q JL, max + (eq. 36)
R PKG
C LOAD =2200PF
Power [W]

0.1 C LOAD =1000PF

C LOAD =470PF

0.01

0.1 1 10 100 1000

Switching frequency [kHz]

Figure 23. Gate Driver Total Power Dissipation

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 AND9674/D

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Printed Circuit Board Layout Bootstrap Components

The layout for minimized parasitic inductances is as The bootstrap resistor (RBOOT) must be considered in
follows: sizing the bootstrap resistance and the current developed
• Direct tracks between switches with no loops or during initial bootstrap charge. If the resistor is needed in
deviation series with the bootstrap diode, verify that VB does not fall
• Avoid interconnect links. These can add significant below COM (ground), especially during startup and
inductance extremes of frequency and duty cycle.
The bootstrap capacitor (CBOOT) uses a low−ESR
• Reduce the effect of lead−inductance by lowering capacitor, such as ceramic capacitor. The capacitor from
package height above the PCB
VDD to COM supports both the low−side driver and
• Consider co−locating both power switches to reduce bootstrap recharge. A value at least ten times higher than the
track length bootstrap capacitor is recommended.
• Placement and routing for decoupling capacitor and The bootstrap diode must use a lower forward voltage
gate resistors as close as possible to gate drive IC drop and switching time as soon as possible for fast recovery,
• The bootstrap diode as close as possible to bootstrap such as ultra−fast.
capacitor

Table 2. SUMMARY OF HIGH−SIDE GATE DRIVE CIRCUITRY

Method Basic Circuit Advantages & Limitations
HIGH−SIDE GATE DRIVERS FOR P−CHANNEL
VCC
Direct Drive Can be implemented if the maximum input voltage is
RGATE
VCC less than the gate−to−source break down voltage of
Controller

Q1 the device
PWM

OUT
VOUT

GND L1
COUT

D1 VOUT

VCC VDC
Open Collector Simple method, but is not suitable for driving
RPULL

VCC
MOSFET directly in a high−speed application
Controller

Q1
OUT
PWM

RGATE

VOUT
GND L1
COUT

D1 VOUT

VDC
Level−Shifted Drive Suitable for high−speed application and works
seamlessly with regular PWM controller
RBASE

VCC R1

VCC R2 VOUT
Controller

COUT

OUT L1
PWM

D1 VOUT

GND

HIGH−SIDE GATE DRIVERS FOR N−CHANNEL

VCC VDC
Direct Drive Easiest high−side application the MOSFEF and can
be driven directly by the PWM controller or by a
RGATE

VCC
Q1 ground referenced driver, but it must meet two
Controller

OUT
PWM

VOUT
conditions, as follows:
DSCHT

GND L1 V CC t V GS, MAX and V DC t V CC * V GS, Miller

COUT

D1 VOUT

VCC VDC
Floating Supply Gate Cost impact of isolated supply is significant.
RGATE

Drive VCC
Floating
Q1
Opto−coupler tends to be relatively expensive,
HO Opto
Supply
limited in bandwidth, and noise sensitive
VOUT
Controller
PWM

L1
RGATE
COUT

LO Q2 VOUT

GND

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 AND9674/D

Table 2. SUMMARY OF HIGH−SIDE GATE DRIVE CIRCUITRY (continued)

Method Basic Circuit Advantages & Limitations
HIGH−SIDE GATE DRIVERS FOR N−CHANNEL
VCC VDC
Transformer Coupled Gives full gate control for an indefinite period of time,

CBLOCK
Drive VCC T1 RGATE
Q1 but is somewhat limited in switching performance.
VOUT This can be improved with added complexity

Controller
PWM
OUT1 RGATE L1

COUT
OUT2
VOUT

GND

VCC VDC
Charge Pump Drive The turn−on times tend to be long for switching
VCC
applications. Inefficiencies in the voltage
multiplication circuit may require more than low
Controller

OUT Q1
PWM

VOUT stages of pumping

L1

COUT
GND
D1 VOUT

VCC VDC
Bootstrap Drive DBOOT
Simple and inexpensive with limitations; such as, the
duty cycle and on−time are both constrained by the
CBOOT

IN IN
VB need to refresh the bootstrap capacitor.
HVIC

Q1
VCC HO
Requires level shift, with the associated difficulties
CDRV RGATE L1
VS
GND

D1 COUT VOUT

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 AND9674/D

Consideration Points of Bootstrap Circuit Problem

A−Point VBS
VCC
DBOOT

B−Point VDC + VGS, Miller

VDC

INPUT IN VB C−Point VDC

CBOOT
HVIC VBS = (VCC + VFBD) − (−VS) Recovery Time
Q1
VCC HO A B VGS = B − C
RGATE Point
CDRV
LS1 i LOAD
GND VS C C

LS2 i Free
GND
COUT
−VS D1

Negative voltage transient

at high−side switch turn−off
Latch−up,
propagation signal
missing and over−
If Vs goes significantly below
voltage across the
ground, the gate driver can
bootstrap
have serious troubles
capactor

The amplitude of the negative voltage is proportional

parasitic inductances and the turn−off speed (di/dt) of
the switching device, Q1, which is determined by gate
resistor, RGATE, and input capacitance, CISS

Figure 24.

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 AND9674/D

Remedies of Bootstrap Circuit Problem

Figure 25.

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