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High Side and Low Side Drivers: Powering Modern Power Electronics

High Side and Low Side Drivers: Powering Modern Power Electronics

February 13, 2025
Power electronics design requires careful consideration of driver configurations to achieve optimal performance and efficiency. High side and low side drivers are fundamental components that enable precise control of power MOSFETs in various applications.

In the ever-evolving landscape of power electronics, the choice between high side and low side drivers plays a crucial role in determining system performance and reliability. As a leading semiconductor distributor and authorized MOSFET supplier, Olukey understands the critical nature of these components in modern electronic designs.

The Fundamentals of Driver Configurations

Motor-controlled-with-MOSFETDriver circuits serve as intermediaries between control logic and power MOSFETs, ensuring proper switching behavior and protection. The placement of these drivers relative to the load and ground creates two distinct configurations: high side and low side drivers.

Characteristic High Side Driver Low Side Driver
Position Between supply and load Between load and ground
Complexity Higher Lower
Gate Drive Floating reference Ground referenced
Common Applications Motor control, LED drivers Power supplies, buck converters

High Side Driver Architecture

High side drivers face unique challenges due to their floating ground reference. When the MOSFET switches, its source terminal voltage fluctuates, requiring specialized techniques to maintain proper gate drive. This configuration is particularly important in applications where load switching to ground is necessary.

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