Low-side driver for N-channel MOSFETs — what it does and where it fits
The MAX17604ATA+T from Analog Devices is a dual low-side gate driver designed for driving N-channel MOSFETs. Each of the two independent, non-inverting channels delivers a peak 4A source and 4A sink current, with typical rise and fall times of 40 ns and 25 ns respectively. The supply range of 4V to 14V covers common gate-drive rails from 5V logic supplies up to 12V industrial buses. The 8-TDFN (3x3 mm) exposed-pad package keeps the thermal path short for high-frequency switching — mount the pad to a copper plane for heat spreading.
4A peak current — what it means for switching speed
A 4A peak source and sink current charges and discharges the MOSFET gate capacitance. The 40 ns rise and 25 ns fall times are typical at a given load.
Supply voltage and logic compatibility
The driver operates from 4V to 14V. The logic input thresholds are 2V (VIL) and 4.25V (VIH).
Temperature grade and deployment environment
Rated for a junction temperature range of -40°C to 150°C, this driver suits equipment that sees high ambient heat — engine-bay electronics, industrial motor drives, or outdoor telecom enclosures. The 150°C TJ max gives headroom for self-heating under continuous 4A pulses at high duty cycles.
Sourcing and lifecycle
The MAX17604ATA+T is listed as Active in production, with ROHS3 compliance.