Comparator circuit for decreasing shoot-through current on power switches

Abstract

A low power, break before make output circuit includes an output transistor pair 12 and 14, a first control circuit 20, a second control circuit 22, a first comparator 16, and a second comparator 18. First control circuit 20 has a first input coupled to a first digital control input and an output coupled to a control terminal of a first transistor 12 in the output transistor pair. Second control circuit 22 has a first input coupled to a second digital control input and an output coupled to a control terminal of a second transistor 14 in the output transistor pair. First comparator 16 has an input connected to the output of first control circuit 20 and an output connected to the second input of second control circuit 22. First comparator 16 compares a voltage at the control terminal of first transistor 12 to a first predetermined voltage and formulates a voltage at its output in response to the comparison. Second comparator 18 has an input connected to the output of second control circuit 22 and an output connected to the second input of first control circuit 20. Second comparator 18 compares a voltage at the control terminal of second transistor 14 to a second predetermined voltage and formulates a voltage at its output in response to the comparison. The voltages at the output of first comparator 16 and second comparator 18 influence the outputs of first control circuit 20 and second control circuit 22 thereby ensuring that first transistor 12 is not conducting when second transistor 14 is activated.