How to Estimate Motor Driver Power Dissipation

When selecting a bridge driver for motor applications or inductive loads, it is crucial to consider the power dissipated due to the load current and output PWM switching. Power dissipation increases the device’s junction temperature above the ambient temperature, which is influenced by thermal impedance. This impedance is determined by device characteristics such as packaging and die size, as well as PCB design — often a key factor in defining the maximum supported current. To accurately calculate the maximum allowable current for a given application, it is essential to estimate the total motor driver power dissipation.

The topics covered in this webinar are:

• Understanding the factors contributing to power dissipation in motor drivers
• Exploring the impact of thermal impedance on device performance
• Learning methodologies to estimate power dissipation for power FETs in motor driver applications

Review Presentation