Gate driver circuit with charge pump current control

A method, comprising:

• providing a current from a charge pump, to a bootstrap capacitor, through a charge pump switch;
• receiving a control signal that indicates a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation;
• responsive to the control signal indicating the first mode, allowing a first value of current to the charge pump switch;
• and
• responsive to the control signal indicating the second mode, limiting the current to the charge pump switch to a second value, wherein the second value is less than the first value.

A system operable to drive an electric motor, the system comprising:

• a transistor pair, including a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor, the transistor pair coupled to the electric motor;
• and
• a gate driver circuit coupled to the transistor pair, the gate driver circuit including:
• a charge pump coupled to a bootstrap capacitor and operable to supply a current having a first value to the bootstrap capacitor;
• a charge pump switch coupled between the charge pump and the bootstrap capacitor;
• and
• a current limiter coupled between the charge pump switch and the charge pump, the current limiter is operable to limit current through the charge pump switch to a value less than the first value responsive to a control signal.

A device comprising:

• a charge pump having an output;
• a current limit circuit having first and second terminals, the first terminal coupled to the output of the charge pump;
• a switch having first and second terminals, the first terminal of the switch coupled to the second terminal of the current limit circuit;
• a first gate driver circuit configured to provide a gate voltage for a high-side transistor and having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the switch;
• and
• a second gate driver circuit configured to provide a gate voltage for a low-side transistor.

A system comprising:

• a high-side transistor having a gate and a terminal;
• a low-side transistor having a gate and a terminal, the terminal of the low-side transistor coupled to the terminal of the high-side transistor;
• a charge pump having an output;
• a current limit circuit having first and second terminals, the first terminal coupled to the output of the charge pump;
• a switch having first and second terminals, the first terminal of the switch coupled to the second terminal of the current limit circuit;
• a first gate driver circuit having a terminal and an output, the terminal of the first gate driver circuit coupled to the second terminal of the switch, the output of the first gate driver circuit coupled to the gate of the high-side transistor;
• and
• a second gate driver circuit having an output coupled to the gate of the low-side transistor.