Single/Dual, 16ns, High Sink/Source
Current Gate Drivers
Detailed Description
The MAX15024 single gate driver’s internal source and
sink transistor outputs are brought out of the IC to inde-
pendent outputs allowing control of the external
MOSFET’s rise and fall time. The MAX15024 single
gate driver is capable of sinking an 8A peak current
and sourcing a 4A peak current. The MAX15025 dual
gate drivers are capable of sinking a 4A peak current
and sourcing a 2A peak current.
An integrated adjustable low-dropout linear voltage
regulator (LDO) provides gate drive amplitude control
and optimization. The single gate-driver propagation
delay time is minimized and matched between the
inverting and noninverting inputs. The dual gate-driver
propagation delay is matched between channels.
The MAX15024 has a dual input (IN+ and IN-), allows
the use of an inverting or noninverting input, and is
offered in TTL or CMOS-logic standards. The
MAX15025 is offered with configurations of inverting
and noninverting inputs with TTL or CMOS standards
(see the
Selector Guide
).
LDO Voltage Regulator Feedback Control
The MAX15024/MAX15025 include an internal LDO
designed to deliver a stable reference voltage for use
as a supply voltage for the internal MOSFET gate dri-
vers. Connect the LDO feedback FB/SET to GND to set
V
REG
to a stable 10V. Connect FB/SET to a resistor-
divider between V
REG
and GND to set V
REG
:
V
REG
= V
FB/SET
x (1 + R2 / R1) (see Figure 2)
V
CC
Undervoltage Lockout
When V
CC
is below the UVLO threshold, the internal n-
channel transistor is ON and the internal p-channel tran-
sistor is OFF, holding the output at GND independent of
the state of the inputs so that the external MOSFETs
remain OFF in the UVLO condition. The UVLO threshold is
3.5V (typ) with 200mV (typ) hysteresis to avoid chattering.
When the device is operated at very low temperatures
and below the UVLO threshold, the driver output could
go high impedance. In this case, it is recommended
adding a 10kΩ resistor to PGND to discharge the gate
of the external MOSFET (see Figures 4 and 5).
Input Control
The MAX15024 features inverting and noninverting
input terminals. These inputs provide for flexibility of
design and use. Connect IN+ to V
CC
when using IN- as
an inverting input. Connect IN- to GND when using IN+
as a noninverting input.
Shoot-Through Protection
The MAX15024/MAX15025 provide protection that
avoids any cross-conduction between the internal p-
channel and n-channel devices. It also eliminates shoot-
through, thus reducing the quiescent supply current.
Exposed Pad (EP)
The MAX15024/MAX15025 include an exposed pad
allowing greater heat dissipation from the internal die to
the outside environment. Solder the exposed pad care-
fully to GND or thermal pad to enhance the thermal
performance.
Applications Information
Supply Bypassing, Device Grounding,
and Placement
Ample supply bypassing and device grounding are
extremely important because when large external
capacitive loads are driven, the peak current at the
V
DRV
pin can approach 4A, while at the PGND pin, the
peak current can approach 8A. V
DRV
drops and
ground shifts are forms of negative feedback for invert-
ers and, if excessive, can cause multiple switching
when the inverting input is used and the input slew rate
is low. The device driving the input should be refer-
enced to the MAX15024/MAX15025 GND. Ground
shifts due to insufficient device grounding can disturb
other circuits sharing the same AC ground return path.
Any series inductance in the V
DRV
, OUT_, and/or PGND
paths can cause oscillations due to the very high di/dt
that results when the MAX15024/MAX15025 are
switched with any capacitive load. A 0.1µF or larger
value ceramic capacitor is recommended for bypass-
ing V
DRV
to GND and should be placed as close to the
pins as possible. When driving very large loads
(> 10nF) at minimum rise time, 10µF or more of parallel
storage capacitance is recommended. A ground plane
is highly recommended to minimize ground return resis-
tance and series inductance. Care should be taken to
place the MAX15024/MAX15025 as close as possible to
the external MOSFET being driven to further minimize
board inductance and AC path resistance.
