In a synchronous buck or other converter where the low-side switch occasionally operates in third-quadrant, the bootstrap supply charges through a path that includes the third-quadrant voltage drop of the low-side LMG342xR050 during the dead time as shown in Figure 11-1. This third-quadrant drop can be large, which can over-charge the bootstrap supply in certain conditions. The V_DD supply of LMG342xR050 must be kept below 18 V.

Figure 11-1 Charging Path for Bootstrap Diode

As shown in Figure 11-2, the recommended bootstrap supply includes a bootstrap diode, a series resistor, and a 16-V TVS or zener diode in parallel with the V_DD bypass capacitor to prevent damaging the high-side LMG342xR050. The series resistor limits the charging current at start-up and when the low-side device is operating in third-quadrant mode. This resistor must be selected to allow sufficient current to power the LMG342xR050 at the desired operating frequency. At 100-kHz operation, TI recommends a value of approximately 2 Ω . At higher frequencies, this resistor value must be reduced or the resistor omitted entirely to ensure sufficient supply current.

Figure 11-2 Suggested Bootstrap Regulation Circuit