A dual-channel current source driver for complementary switches

In this paper, a dual-channel current source driver is presented as an efficient means of driving complementary switches. The driver transfers charge between the gates of the power devices through a single magnetic core with a discontinuous current. This promotes lower conduction loss than continuous current resonant gate drivers (RGD), and lower component count or conduction loss than existing discontinuous current RGD applied to complementary switches. In addition, controlled switching speed is achieved through non-zero inductor current resulting in lower current stress, and faster switching compared to some pulse RGD circuits. There is good correlation between the analysis and experimental results of a 1.8MHz prototype.