Texas Instruments DRV8824PWP

Overview

DRV8824PWP from Texas Instruments is a 28-pin HTSSOP integrated stepper motor controller IC with dual H-bridge drivers, built-in microstepping indexer, and PWM current regulation. It delivers up to 1.6 A per phase at 24 V/25°C, supports 1/32 microstepping, operates from 8.2 V to 45 V, and features mixed/slow/fast decay modes - used in precision motion control for office automation scanners and security camera pan-tilt mechanisms.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8824PWP datasheet, DRV8824PWP pinout, DRV8824PWP application, or DRV8824PWP equivalent, key selection considerations include its STEP/DIR interface simplicity, thermal shutdown (150°C), nFAULT open-drain fault reporting, internal 3.3-V reference output, and configurable decay mode via DECAY pin logic state.

Technical Context

The DRV8824PWP integrates two N-channel H-bridge drivers with current-sense amplifiers (5× gain), fixed-frequency PWM chopping (50 kHz), and a digital microstepping indexer controlled by MODE0–MODE2 pins. Its charge-pump gate drive enables high-side NMOS operation without external bootstrap circuitry.

Current regulation uses xVREF input (1–3.5 V) and xISENSE voltage feedback with 3.75-μs blanking time; decay mode selection (slow/fast/mixed) is determined by DECAY pin voltage level and internal 130-kΩ pullup/80-kΩ pulldown resistors - enabling precise torque and noise optimization in bipolar stepper systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DRV8824PWP uses the 28-pin HTSSOP (PWP) package, 9.70 mm × 6.40 mm body size, with exposed thermal pad (PPAD) on underside for enhanced heat dissipation. Pin 14 and Pin 28 are GND; Pin 14 is electrically connected to PPAD.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar stepper motor driver applications.

Compared with TB6600HG and LV8729V, the DRV8824PWP uniquely combines indexer, regulator, fault reporting, and thermal robustness in a single HTSSOP package - simplifying design for mid-power industrial motion where reliability and integration outweigh raw current headroom.

Availability

DRV8824PWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for office automation scanners, security camera pan-tilt mechanisms, and ATM cash dispensers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for DRV8824PWP 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 specializing in analog, embedded processing, and power management technologies with over 50 years of innovation in industrial and automotive electronics.

The DRV8824PWP belongs to TI's Precision Motor Drivers product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, high-reliability stepper motion control in commercial and light-industrial equipment - emphasizing integration, thermal resilience, and ease of system-level validation.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current of the DRV8824PWP?

The DRV8824PWP delivers up to 1.6 A of continuous current per phase at 24 V and 25°C ambient temperature with adequate heatsinking. This rating assumes proper PCB thermal design using the exposed PPAD and adheres to the device's thermal limits - exceeding this current risks triggering thermal shutdown at 150°C junction temperature. Derating is required above 25°C ambient per the RθJA value of 38.9°C/W.

How does the DRV8824PWP implement microstepping without external controller intervention?

The DRV8824PWP contains a fully integrated digital microstepping indexer that generates precise current waveforms internally. When STEP pulses are applied and DIR sets direction, the onboard logic sequences through pre-programmed winding current ratios (e.g., 1/32-step sine table) - eliminating the need for the host MCU to compute or output PWM signals. Mode pins (MODE0–MODE2) configure resolution, and decay mode is selected independently via the DECAY pin.

What protection features are built into the DRV8824PWP?

The DRV8824PWP includes hardware-based overcurrent protection (OCP) with deglitching, thermal shutdown (TSD) at 150°C, VMx undervoltage lockout (UVLO) at 7.8–8.2 V, and fault reporting via the open-drain nFAULT pin. These operate autonomously without software - for example, OCP triggers within 3 µs of overcurrent detection, and TSD forces immediate H-bridge disablement until junction temperature drops below hysteresis threshold.

Can the DRV8824PWP operate from a 45-V supply?

Yes, the DRV8824PWP supports motor supply voltages from 8.2 V to 45 V on VMA and VMB pins, which must be tied together and bypassed with 0.1-µF ceramic capacitors to GND. At 45 V, RDS(ON) increases slightly (to ~0.9 Ω per FET at 85°C), so thermal design must accommodate higher conduction losses - verified in Figure 6-4 of the datasheet. Absolute maximum rating is 47 V, but operation above 45 V is not recommended.

What is the function of the V3P3OUT pin on the DRV8824PWP?

V3P3OUT is an internally regulated 3.3-V output capable of sourcing up to 1 mA, intended primarily to supply the AVREF and BVREF pins for current setting. It must be bypassed with a 0.47-μF ceramic capacitor to GND. While usable for other low-current logic, it is not designed to power external regulators or high-speed interfaces - doing so may cause regulation instability or exceed current limits, affecting motor current accuracy.