Avoiding MOSFET Driver overstress

This application note discusses a solution on avoiding MOSFET driver overstress. Several applications employ MOSFET drivers to drive the high input capacitance of a power MOSFETdevice. MOSFET drivers are very reliable when used within their operating specifications. Care must be taken, however, to control supply line transients and power dissipation, and prevent latch-up.

Avoiding Supply Line Transients
During switching transitions, parasitic inductances can create transients on the supply line, and those can create electrical overstress. Proper bypass capacitor selection and PCB layout must be performed to protect the driver from voltage transients during switching transitions. Proper PCBlayout is necessary to minimize parasitic inductance in the supply path, and the ground path.