Texas Instruments DRV8425PRGER

Overview

DRV8425PRGER from Texas Instruments is a dual H-bridge motor driver IC designed for bipolar stepper and brushed-DC motor control in industrial motion systems. It delivers 2-A full-scale stepper current or 3.2-A peak brushed-DC current, operates from 4.5 V to 33 V, features integrated current sensing with ±5% accuracy, and supports PHASE/ENABLE control interface - enabling compact printer carriage actuation and robotic joint positioning.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8425PRGER datasheet, DRV8425PRGER pinout, DRV8425PRGER application, or DRV8425PRGER equivalent, key selection considerations include its VQFN-24 package thermal performance (RθJA = 40.7°C/W), Smart Tune Dynamic Decay mode, 550 mΩ total RDS(ON) at 24 V/25°C, configurable 7–32 µs PWM off-time, and fault reporting via open-drain nFAULT.

Technical Context

The DRV8425PRGER integrates two N-channel H-bridges with internal current mirror-based sensing-eliminating external shunt resistors-and uses a charge pump to drive high-side FETs. Its PHASE/ENABLE interface enables simple microcontroller control of bidirectional torque and direction per bridge.

Current regulation employs off-time PWM chopping with four selectable tOFF values (7/16/24/32 µs) and quad-level decay mode configuration (Smart Tune Dynamic Decay, Smart Tune Ripple Control, mixed, or fast decay) per bridge via ADECAY/BDECAY pins-enabling ripple-optimized stepper microstepping or efficient brushed-DC commutation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

VQFN-24 package (4.0 mm × 4.0 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad - optimized for high-power density PCB layouts and enhanced thermal dissipation in space-constrained motor control modules.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar dual H-bridge motor driver applications.

Compared with DRV8425PRGER, DRV8424PRGER offers higher current capacity at identical size, while DRV8425PWPR trades compactness for superior thermal resistance (RθJA = 31.0°C/W vs. 40.7°C/W) - enabling longer continuous duty in thermally constrained enclosures.

Availability

DRV8425PRGER is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for printer carriage positioning, robotic joint actuation, ATM cash dispensing, and home appliance pump control requiring stable component supply across industrial production cycles.

Supply support for DRV8425PRGER 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader delivering analog, embedded processing, and connectivity solutions for industrial, automotive, and personal electronics markets.

DRV8425PRGER belongs to TI's high-efficiency motor driver product line, engineered specifically for compact, thermally constrained motion control systems requiring integrated current sensing and intelligent decay management.

FAQ

What is the maximum full-scale current supported by DRV8425PRGER in stepper motor applications?

The DRV8425PRGER supports up to 2-A full-scale current for bipolar stepper motor windings, set by the voltage applied to VREFA and VREFB pins. This rating assumes proper PCB thermal design and ambient temperature ≤125°C. At 25°C, the device maintains ±5% current accuracy without external sense resistors - enabling precise microstepping in applications like office automation and textile machinery where DRV8425PRGER is commonly deployed.

Does DRV8425PRGER require external current sense resistors?

No, DRV8425PRGER does not require external current sense resistors. It implements an integrated current mirror architecture that senses motor current through internal power MOSFETs, achieving ±5% full-scale accuracy. This eliminates board space, BOM cost, and power loss associated with shunt resistors - a key differentiator in space- and efficiency-sensitive designs using DRV8425PRGER for stepper or brushed-DC control.

What decay modes are supported by DRV8425PRGER and how are they configured?

DRV8425PRGER supports Smart Tune Dynamic Decay, Smart Tune Ripple Control, mixed decay (30% fast), and fast decay - selected independently per bridge via quad-level ADECAY and BDECAY pins. TOFF pin configures off-time (7/16/24/32 µs). Smart Tune Dynamic Decay automatically adjusts decay aggressiveness each PWM cycle to minimize ripple - simplifying tuning in stepper applications where DRV8425PRGER replaces manual decay calibration.

What package type and thermal characteristics apply to DRV8425PRGER?

DRV8425PRGER uses the VQFN-24 package (4.0 mm × 4.0 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Its junction-to-ambient thermal resistance is 40.7°C/W, and junction-to-board is 17.7°C/W - making it suitable for compact motor driver modules with adequate copper pour. This thermal profile supports continuous 2-A stepper operation when mounted on 2 oz. copper with thermal vias, a critical specification for reliable deployment of DRV8425PRGER in factory automation systems.

How does the nFAULT pin function on DRV8425PRGER?

The nFAULT pin on DRV8425PRGER is an open-drain output that pulls low during UVLO, charge pump undervoltage (CPUV), overcurrent (OCP), or thermal shutdown (OTSD). It requires an external pullup resistor and provides system-level fault visibility. A low pulse on nSLEEP clears latched faults - enabling automatic recovery after transient overloads. This behavior is integral to safety-critical motion sequences where DRV8425PRGER drives actuators in ATMs or medical devices.