Infineon Technologies BCX6816E6327HTSA1

Overview

BCX6816E6327HTSA1 from Infineon Technologies is an NPN silicon bipolar junction transistor (BJT) designed for general-purpose audio-frequency amplification and switching. It delivers 1 A continuous collector current, 160–250 DC current gain (h_FE) at IC = 500 mA / V_CE = 1 V, and low 0.5 V collector-emitter saturation voltage (V_CE(sat)) at IC = 1 A / IB = 100 mA - enabling efficient low-voltage switching in automotive lighting drivers and power supply control stages.

For engineers reviewing the BCX6816E6327HTSA1 datasheet, BCX6816E6327HTSA1 pinout, BCX6816E6327HTSA1 application, or BCX6816E6327HTSA1 equivalent, key selection criteria include its SOT-89 package thermal resistance (R_thJS ≤ 12 K/W), AEC-Q101 qualification for automotive use, complementary PNP pairing with BCX69, and guaranteed h_FE minimum of 160 under high-current bias conditions.

Technical Context

This transistor operates as a medium-power NPN switch or linear amplifier with fixed emitter-base and collector-base breakdown voltages of 5 V and 25 V respectively. Its f_T of 100 MHz (typ.) supports stable operation up to mid-frequency AF ranges, while the 3 W total power dissipation (at T_S ≤ 114 °C) enables sustained conduction without external heatsinking in compact PCB layouts.

The device features a defined thermal path from junction to soldering point (R_thJS ≤ 12 K/W), and its pulse-rated I_C reaches 2 A for t_p ≤ 10 ms. Electrical characteristics are fully specified across −65 °C to +150 °C storage and operating temperature ranges, with guaranteed performance at 150 °C junction temperature.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT-89 surface-mount package with molded plastic body, exposed collector tab for thermal and electrical connection, and standard 3-pin configuration (1 = Base, 2 = Collector, 3 = Emitter).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN switching transistor applications.

Compared with BCX6816E6327HTSA1, BCX68-16TA offers identical performance in alternate packaging, while MMBT6427LT1G trades current capability and thermal robustness for smaller footprint - making it viable only in sub-600 mA, non-automotive designs.

Availability

BCX6816E6327HTSA1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting systems, industrial DC-DC converters, and linear regulator designs requiring stable component supply with AEC-Q101 compliance and RoHS certification.

Supply support for BCX6816E6327HTSA1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Infineon Technologies AG is a German semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power management, automotive electronics, and industrial control ICs and discrete devices.

BCX6816E6327HTSA1 belongs to Infineon's BCX68 family of AEC-Q101-qualified general-purpose NPN transistors, engineered for reliability in automotive body electronics and industrial power interfaces.

FAQ

Is BCX6816E6327HTSA1 pin-compatible with BCX69 series?

No - BCX6816E6327HTSA1 is an NPN transistor with pinout Base–Collector–Emitter (1–2–3), while BCX69 is its complementary PNP counterpart with identical SOT-89 mechanical layout but reversed polarity and pin function. They share footprint compatibility but require circuit-level polarity inversion when paired.

What is the maximum allowable PCB copper area for thermal relief with this device?

Infineon specifies R_thJS ≤ 12 K/W to soldering point, assuming ≥ 100 mm² of 2-oz copper connected directly to the collector tab. Increasing copper area beyond 200 mm² yields diminishing returns; thermal simulation shows <2 K/W improvement beyond that threshold under natural convection.

Does BCX6816E6327HTSA1 support pulsed operation above 1 A?

Yes - peak collector current I_CM is rated at 2 A for pulse widths ≤ 10 ms and duty cycle ≤ 2%. This enables short-duration surge handling in motor startup circuits or fault-current limiting, provided average power remains within 3 W and junction temperature stays below 150 °C.

Can this transistor be used in Class AB audio amplifier output stages?

It is not recommended - while BCX6816E6327HTSA1 has sufficient f_T and h_FE, its V_CEO of 20 V and lack of SOA curves for linear operation limit safe use in Class AB output stages above 12 V supply. It is optimized for switching and low-voltage amplification, not high-voltage linear conduction.