Differences in delays of dead time and propagation delay can cause mismatch in the output timings of PWMs, which can lead to duty cycle distortion. In order to accommodate differences in propagation delay between various input conditions, the DRV8316 integrates a Delay Compensation feature.

Delay Compensation is used to match delay times for currents going into and out of phase by adding a variable delay time (t_var) to match a preset target delay time. This delay time is configurable in SPI devices, and it is recommended in the datasheets to choose a target delay time that is equal to the propagation delay time plus the driver dead time (t_pd + t_dead).

For an example of Delay Compensation implementation, please visit the Delay and Dead Time in Integrated MOSFET Drivers application note.