1. Overview

Full and Half-Bridge Drivers are critical components in power management integrated circuits (PMICs), designed to control power transistors in high-side and low-side configurations. These drivers enable precise switching of MOSFETs or IGBTs in power conversion systems, playing a pivotal role in motor control, DC-DC converters, and motorized industrial equipment. Their ability to manage high-voltage/current loads with minimal switching losses makes them indispensable in modern electrification and automation systems.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

3. Structure and Composition

Typical physical construction includes:

• Multi-layer QFN/TSSOP packaging with thermal pad
• Internal level shifters for high-side gate driving
• Dead-time control logic to prevent shoot-through
• Integrated protection circuits (OCP, OTP, UVLO)
• Bootstrap circuitry for high-side power supply

Technical composition combines CMOS control logic with high-voltage DMOS output stages.

4. Key Technical Specifications

5. Application Areas

• Industrial automation (servo drives, robotic arms)
• Electric vehicles (on-board chargers, DC-DC converters)
• Consumer electronics (BLDC motor drives in appliances)
• Medical equipment (precision actuator control)
• Renewable energy systems (solar inverters, energy storage)

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

• Match voltage rating with system bus voltage (1.5x safety margin)
• Calculate RMS current requirements vs. package thermal capability
• Evaluate dead-time adjustability for specific switching frequency
• Select appropriate protection features for operating environment
• Consider package size vs. cooling requirements

Example: For 48V motor drives, select drivers with 80V rating, >1A peak current, and thermal shutdown.

Industry Trend Analysis

Future development focuses on:

• Integration with current sensing and protection circuits
• Adoption of wide-bandgap device drivers (SiC/GaN compatibility)
• Intelligent drivers with digital interfaces (PWM/PWM with feedback)
• Reduced on-resistance (<50m ) for high-current applications
• AEC-Q100 automotive qualification becoming standard

The market is shifting towards higher integration and smarter power management solutions driven by EV and IoT applications.