Gate driver circuits and bridge driver circuits for power switches

A gate driver circuit comprising:

• a first terminal configured to receive a pulse width modulated signal having a set logic state and a reset logic state;
• a second terminal configured to receive a first supply voltage;
• a third terminal configured to receive a second supply voltage lower than the first supply voltage;
• a first output switch circuit coupled between the second terminal and a fourth terminal of the gate driver circuit;
• a second output switch circuit coupled between a fifth terminal of the gate driver circuit and the third terminal, wherein the fourth and fifth terminals are adapted to be coupled to a control terminal of a power switch to provide a switch driving signal for controlling ON/OFF switching of the power switch based on the pulse width modulated signal;
• and
• an open detection circuit connected to the fourth terminal, wherein the open detection circuit and the fourth terminal are configured to detect an open connection on the fourth or fifth terminal connected to the control terminal of the power switch, before the ON/OFF switching of the power switch.

A bridge driver circuit comprising:

• a reference terminal;
• a first supply voltage node configured to receive a positive supply voltage relative to a potential of the reference terminal
• a second supply voltage node configured to receive a negative supply voltage relative to the potential of the reference terminal;
• a first output switch circuit coupled between the first supply voltage node and a first output terminal of the bridge driver circuit;
• a second output switch circuit coupled between a second output terminal of the bridge driver circuit and the second supply voltage node, wherein the first and second output terminals are adapted to be coupled to a control terminal of a power switch to provide a switch driving signal for controlling ON/OFF switching of the power switch;
• and
• an open detection circuit connected to the first output terminal, wherein the open detection circuit and the first output terminal are configured to detect an open connection on the first or second output terminal connected to the control terminal of the power switch, before the ON/OFF switching of the power switch.