STMicroelectronics VN9D30Q100F and VN9D5D20FN high-side drivers

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STMicroelectronics’ VN9D30Q100F and VN9D5D20FN are automotive intelligent switches with digital current sensing among their fully digital on-chip diagnostic features. Suitable for high-side connection in applications powered from a 12 V battery, the drivers should simplify the hardware and software design of electronic control units (ECUs).

The devices leverage ST’s latest generation of VIPower M0-9 technology to combine an efficient, 40 V trench vertical MOSFET with 3.3 V digital logic and high-precision analog circuitry in a 6 x 6 mm QFN package. Their compact dimensions and high integration are said to save up to 40% of PCB area compared to comparable driver ICs already in the market.

The VN9D30Q100F has two 33 and two 90 mΩ channels. The VN9D5D20FN has two 7.6 and two 20 mΩ channels. Each has up to six output channels and a 4-wire SPI interface, which reduces the number of microcontroller I/O pins needed to interact with the device. They also feature an integrated pulse-width modulation (PWM) generator with resolution of 0.1% that provides a convenient control signal at each output to handle functions such as lamp dimming.

The diagnostic circuitry has a continuously running analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 10-bit resolution and 5% precision to provide digital readings of the load current and case temperature, which eliminates reliance on an ADC in the host microcontroller. The ADC task manager is synchronised with the driver’s PWM engine, meaning diagnostics for each output channel are automatically performed in the appropriate time frame without microcontroller intervention. There are also two one-time programmable (OTP) inputs to manage operation in limp-home mode if a system failure causes a loss of overall host-MCU control.

In addition to minimising power dissipation and PCB design complexity, the devices simplify AUTOSAR compliance by providing a complex driver that operates independently from the application, thereby easing software development.

For more information: www.st.com/m0-9-high-side-drivers.