Deck building 101highlander: the card game. Play learn to fly 2. Hi there,

The MAX1614 drives high-side, n-channel power MOSFETs to provide battery power-switching functions in portable equipment. The n-channel power MOSFETs typically have one-third the on-resistance of p-channel MOSFETs of similar size and cost.

I'm used to using N channel MOSFETs in a normal low side driving application - however, I've need to switch a load on or off (not switching as in PWM, but just an on or off switch), but on the high side of the load.

1. TPS274160 is a 40-V, 160-mΩ, 4-ch smart high-side switch with adjustable current limit that offers robust protection and diagnostic features to drive various inductive, capacitive and resistive loads.
2. Describes why N-Channel devices are typically used in a low-side switching configuration.

High Side Fet Power Switch

I'm reading multiple app notes etc as we speak, but I'm somewhat lost - it seems I must use a P channel FET, but these need a negative gate voltage? - whereas I only have a single supply, +12V.

High Side Fet Driver Circuit

I've also seen arrangements with a BJT driving the FET? I suppose really one of my main questions, why can I not simply use an N channel FET in the high side position?

High Side Fet Switch

How to take your pastime to full time. Any comments as to driving P channels?