What is a Gate Driver IC?

A gate driver IC is the interface between a low-power controller and a power semiconductor switch. It receives a logic-level command from a microcontroller, DSP, FPGA, or power controller and delivers the voltage and source/sink current needed to turn the switch on and off with controlled timing.

The power device may be an IGBT, silicon MOSFET, silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET, or gallium nitride (GaN) HEMT.

In one sentence:  A gate driver is a power amplifier, level translator, and timing/protection element for the gate of a power switch.

Why a controller usually cannot drive a power switch directly?

A controller output is designed for logic signaling, not for repeatedly moving the gate charge of a power transistor. Direct drive can cause slow transitions, excessive switching loss, insufficient gate voltage, poor immunity to fast transients, or operation outside the controller pin rating.

A gate driver supplies the required drive strength while separating control logic from the switching node.

Where the gate driver sits in the power-conversion chain?

The simplified path is controller → gate driver IC → power switch → load.

The driver does not carry the main load current. It controls the switch that modulates the higher-voltage or higher-current power path, so driver selection directly affects switching loss, electromagnetic interference (EMI), fault behavior, and reliability.

Gate drivers by topology

Next step: Compare gate drivers by topology

Browse high-side, low-side, half-bridge, three-phase, and isolated product families.

Gate drivers by switch

IGBT gate drivers

Common selection priorities include adequate gate current, UVLO matched to the bias scheme, isolation where needed, DESAT protection, active Miller clamp, and controlled short-circuit turn-off.

Learn more about IGBT gate drivers

SiC MOSFET gate drivers 

Fast edges and demanding fault behavior make CMTI, isolation, suitable UVLO, bipolar-bias support, DESAT timing, Miller clamp, and controlled turn-off particularly important.

Learn more about SiC MOSFET gate drivers

Si MOSFET gate drivers

Match the supply range, gate voltage, gate charge, switching frequency, topology, and logic interface. Both low-voltage and high-voltage implementations are common.

Learn more about Si MOSFET gate drivers

GaN HEMT gate drivers

Low gate charge and fast switching require tight gate-voltage control, low inductance, short delay, small packages, robust sink behavior, and careful management of ground bounce and reverse current.

Learn more about GaN HEMT gate drivers

Where are gate driver ICs used?

  • Industrial motor drives
  • Robotics and automation
  • Home appliance
  • HVAC
  • Power supplies
  • AI servers and data centers
  • Telecom infrastructure
  • EV charging
  • On-board chargers
  • Vehicle DC-DC converters
  • Traction and auxiliary automotive systems
  • Solar inverters
  • Energy storage
  • UPS systems, lighting
  • Battery-powered equipment
  • Solid-state power conversion

How to start selecting a gate driver?

  • Identify the power-switch technology and recommended turn-on and turn-off voltages. 
  • Define the topology, channel count, and reference for every output
  • Determine whether galvanic isolation is required and identify the applicable insulation standard. 
  • Estimate source and sink current from gate charge and target transition time. 
  • Check voltage class, supply range, propagation delay, delay matching, minimum pulse width, CMTI, UVLO, package, temperature, and qualification. 
  • Add required protection and control features, then verify the design by simulation and hardware testing.

Next step: Gate Driver Finder

Filter and compare EiceDRIVER™ ICs by topology, isolation level, output current, voltage, package, protection features and other parameters

 

Frequently asked questions about selecting Gate Driver ICs

What does a gate driver IC do?

It converts a controller’s logic command into the voltage and source/sink current needed to charge and discharge a power-switch gate with controlled timing.

A small, slow, low-charge MOSFET may sometimes be driven directly, but power-conversion designs normally use a dedicated driver to meet gate-voltage, peak-current, switching-speed, and protection requirements.

It transfers the control signal across a galvanic isolation barrier and drives the power switch from an isolated output-side supply.

A low-side driver controls a ground-referenced switch. A high-side driver controls a switch whose source or emitter moves with the switching node.

No. A transformer driver commonly generates isolated bias power; the gate driver directly controls the switch gate.

They need drivers that match their gate-voltage, speed, layout, transient-immunity, and protection requirements. Compatibility must be verified against both datasheets.