A method and system monitor gate charge characteristics of one or more
field effect transistors in a switching power converter to detect an end
of an inductor flyback time interval. The switching power converter
includes a switch coupled to an inductor to control current flow in the
inductor. When the switch turns OFF, a collapsing magnetic field causes
the inductor current to decrease and the inductor voltage to reverse
polarity. When the magnetic field completely collapses, the inductor
current goes to zero. At the end of the inductor flyback time interval, a
voltage is induced across a Miller capacitance of the switch. The voltage
can be detected as a transient change in the gate voltage of the switch.
A switch gate sensor detects the gate voltage change associated with the
end of the inductor flyback time interval and provides a signal
indicating an end of the inductor flyback time interval.