Segmented driver for a transistor device

A bridge system, comprising:

• a transistor device having first and second current terminals coupled between a power link and a phase node, and having a control terminal;
• a turn off driver coupled to said control terminal of said transistor device;
• a comparator that is configured to compare a voltage of said first current terminal of said transistor device with a threshold voltage and to provide a threshold indication when said voltage of said first current terminal reaches said threshold voltage;
• and
• a drive controller that is configured to activate said turn off driver at a first drive level to begin turning off said transistor device in response to an off indication, and to activate said turn off driver at a second drive level which is less than said first drive level in response to said threshold indication.

A method of segmenting drive operation, comprising:

• applying a first drive level between at least one driver node and a reference node to begin a turn off operation;
• comparing a voltage of a sense node with a threshold voltage and providing a threshold indication when the voltage of the sense terminal reaches the threshold voltage;
• and
• applying a second drive level that is less than the first drive level in response to the threshold indication to complete the turn off operation.