Isolated Gate Drivers

Isolated gate drivers transfer control signals across a barrier using transformers, capacitors, or optical links while providing appropriate gate drive power on the floating side. Full-bridge WPT inverters with true floating high-side references and multi-kV safety partitions rely on them.

Propagation delay and CMTI (common-mode transient immunity) must exceed switching node slew in harsh layouts.

01Selection

• CMTI rating above measured dV/dt on the switching node.
• Secondary-side UVLO and fault feedback to primary controller.
• Isolated bias supply or integrated power for secondary side.

02Layout

Keep clearance between primary and secondary per isolation rating. Return path for gate current stays on the secondary side — do not route gate return across the isolation barrier on a single-layer board.

03Dock applications

• Safety-isolated control from operator-accessible service ports to power stage.
• Floating SR drive on receiver when topology requires it.
• Redundant drive channels in high-availability charging lanes.