Texas Instruments DRV8837DSGT

Overview

DRV8837DSGT from Texas Instruments is a low-voltage H-bridge motor driver IC designed to drive brushed DC motors or solenoids in space-constrained, battery-powered systems. It delivers up to 1.8 A peak output current, features 280 mΩ total HS+LS MOSFET on-resistance, operates with motor supply (VM) from 0–11 V and logic supply (VCC) from 1.8–7 V, and uses PWM (IN1/IN2) interface for precise bidirectional control - commonly deployed in DSLR lens focus mechanisms.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8837DSGT datasheet, DRV8837DSGT pinout, DRV8837DSGT application, or DRV8837DSGT equivalent, key selection criteria include its 2.0 × 2.0 mm WSON package with thermal pad, 120-nA max sleep current, integrated overcurrent/thermal/UVLO protection, and compatibility with 3.3-V or 5-V microcontroller logic levels.

Technical Context

The DRV8837DSGT integrates an N-channel H-bridge output stage with internal charge pump for gate drive, enabling full operation without external high-side drivers. Its PWM (IN1/IN2) control logic supports forward, reverse, brake, and coast states with defined truth table behavior and sub-200 ns propagation delays.

Protection architecture includes analog overcurrent detection per FET with 1-μs deglitch time and automatic retry after 1-ms timeout, VCC undervoltage lockout at 1.7 V (falling) / 1.8 V (rising), and thermal shutdown triggered at ≥150°C junction temperature - all disabling the H-bridge outputs while preserving input logic state.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DRV8837DSGT is housed in an 8-pin WSON (DSG) package with 2.0 × 2.0 mm body and exposed thermal pad for enhanced power dissipation. The package meets JEDEC MO-229 standards and requires solder paste stencil design for thermal pad reflow.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB6612FNG and MP6550GQZ, DRV8837DSGT uniquely balances ultra-low sleep current (95 nA), 1.8-V logic compatibility, and compact 2-mm footprint - making it optimal for battery-constrained, space-limited motion control where standby duration and board area are primary constraints.

Availability

DRV8837DSGT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for camera autofocus modules, medical micro-pumps, consumer robotics actuators, and toy motor control systems requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.

Supply support for DRV8837DSGT 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 company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The DRV883x product line was engineered specifically for low-voltage, battery-powered motion control - delivering integrated H-bridge functionality with minimal external components for compact, energy-efficient motor systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous motor current supported by DRV8837DSGT?

The DRV8837DSGT is rated for 1.8-A peak output current, but continuous current depends on PCB layout, ambient temperature, and thermal management. With proper copper pour and thermal pad soldering, it supports ~1.2 A continuous at 85°C ambient. Derating is required above 25°C ambient per the R_θJA = 60.9°C/W thermal metric - always verify junction temperature using I²R losses and ambient conditions in final design. DRV8837DSGT datasheet Section 6.4 provides full thermal derating curves.

Does DRV8837DSGT require external components for gate driving?

No, DRV8837DSGT integrates a charge pump that generates the necessary gate-drive voltage for its N-channel H-bridge MOSFETs, eliminating the need for external bootstrap capacitors or high-side driver ICs. Only two 0.1-µF ceramic bypass capacitors (one each on VM and VCC pins) are mandatory per TI's layout guidelines. DRV8837DSGT's self-contained gate drive enables single-supply operation down to 1.8 V logic and simplifies PCB routing in tight spaces.

How does the nSLEEP pin function on DRV8837DSGT?

The nSLEEP pin is an active-low enable input with internal pulldown resistance (~100 kΩ). When pulled low, DRV8837DSGT enters ultra-low-power sleep mode drawing ≤95 nA, disabling all H-bridge outputs (Hi-Z state) and powering down internal logic. When pulled high, the device wakes within 30 µs and resumes normal operation. No external pullup is required, though a weak external pullup may improve noise immunity in noisy environments. This behavior is fully specified in DRV8837DSGT Electrical Characteristics Table 6.5.

Can DRV8837DSGT drive two independent loads simultaneously?

Yes - DRV8837DSGT supports independent half-bridge control by repurposing IN1 and IN2 to drive two separate inductive loads (e.g., dual solenoids or small motors) tied between VM and OUT1/OUT2. As documented in Section 7.3.2 of the DRV8837DSGT datasheet, swapping input logic enables independent on/off control with braking modes. This avoids adding discrete drivers while maintaining full current protection and thermal safety - verified in TI's application note SLVA722.

What protection features are built into DRV8837DSGT?

DRV8837DSGT integrates three autonomous hardware protections: VCC undervoltage lockout (1.7 V trip), overcurrent protection (1.9-A min trip with 1-μs deglitch and 1-ms auto-retry), and thermal shutdown (≥150°C). All protections disable the H-bridge outputs without affecting input logic state and recover automatically when fault conditions clear. These are implemented in analog circuitry - no firmware or external monitoring required - ensuring robustness in standalone or resource-constrained systems using DRV8837DSGT.