8.3.17.2 Low-Side MOSFET Overcurrent Protection

While the low-side MOSFET is turned on its conduction current is monitored by the internal circuitry. During normal operation the low-side MOSFET sources current to the load. At the end of every clock cycle, the low-side MOSFET sourcing current is compared to the internally set low-side sourcing current limit. If the low-side sourcing current is exceeded, the high-side MOSFET is not turned on and the low-side MOSFET stays on for the next cycle. The high-side MOSFET is turned on again when the low-side current is below the low-side sourcing current limit at the start of a cycle.

The low-side MOSFET may also sink current from the load. If the low-side sinking current limit is exceeded, the low-side MOSFET is turned off immediately for the rest of that clock cycle. In this scenario, both MOSFETs are off until the start of the next cycle.

When the low-side MOSFET turns off, the switch node increases and forward biases the high-side MOSFET parallel diode (the high-side MOSFET is still off at this stage).