US Patent 7187226 Anti-cross conduction drive control circuit and method

An anti-cross conduction driver control circuit and method prevent the occurrence of race conditions and avoid cross-conduction between series-connected power devices, typically MOSFETs, controlled in accordance with the present invention. Individual state machines are connected across the inputs and outputs of each power device driver, and are arranged to accurately determine when the driver has completed a task requested of it. Each state machine produces a “lockout” signal based on driver status, which is used to inhibit the operation of the opposite driver under prescribed conditions, and to thereby prevent cross-conduction between the series-connected power devices.