Texas Instruments DRV8841PWP

Overview

DRV8841PWP from Texas Instruments is a dual H-bridge motor driver IC designed for precise control of two brushed DC motors or one bipolar stepper motor in automated equipment. It delivers up to 2.5 A peak output per bridge at 24 V, features integrated current regulation with four programmable levels (0–100%), supports fast/slow/mixed decay modes, and includes real-time fault reporting via open-drain nFAULT pin - used in printer paper feed mechanisms, scanner carriage drives, and factory automation actuators.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8841PWP datasheet, DRV8841PWP pinout, DRV8841PWP application, or DRV8841PWP equivalent, key selection considerations include its 8.2–45 V wide supply range, thermally enhanced HTSSOP-28 package with PowerPAD™, dual independent current-sense inputs (ISENA/ISENB), 3.3-V reference output (V3P3OUT), and configurable decay mode control via DECAY pin.

Technical Context

The DRV8841PWP integrates two independent N-channel H-bridge power stages with on-chip gate drivers, charge pump (CP1/CP2/VCP), and analog current regulation circuitry. Each bridge uses fixed-frequency PWM chopping with 3.75 µs blanking time and supports 100% / 71% / 38% / 0% full-scale current scaling via AI1/AI0 and BI1/BI0 pins.

Its protection architecture includes independent overcurrent detection (3 A trip threshold), thermal shutdown (150–180 °C), undervoltage lockout (7.8–8.2 V), and fault status reporting through nFAULT. Control logic accepts direct logic-level inputs (AIN1/AIN2/BIN1/BIN2) with internal 100 kΩ pulldowns and supports sleep mode (10–20 µA quiescent) via nSLEEP.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DRV8841PWP is housed in a thermally enhanced HTSSOP-28 package (9.70 mm × 4.40 mm) with exposed PowerPAD™ for improved PCB heat transfer. The package supports high-power motor drive operation with R_θJA = 31.6 °C/W and R_θJB = 5.6 °C/W.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB6612FNG and DRV8871, the DRV8841PWP uniquely combines dual-bridge integration, 2.5 A per channel at 45 V, per-bridge current scaling, and built-in 3.3 V regulation - making it optimal for space-constrained, multi-motor industrial systems requiring coordinated control and fault resilience.

Availability

DRV8841PWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for printer mechanisms, scanner motion systems, and factory automation actuators requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent parametric performance across temperature and voltage ranges.

Supply support for DRV8841PWP 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 decades of expertise in motor control IC design and industrial-grade reliability validation.

The DRV8841PWP belongs to TI's high-voltage motor driver product line, engineered specifically for precision motion control in office automation, industrial machinery, and robotics - emphasizing thermal robustness, integrated protection, and flexible current regulation.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous motor current supported by the DRV8841PWP?

The DRV8841PWP supports up to 2.5 A peak output current per H-bridge at 24 V and 25 °C ambient, with 1.75 A RMS sustainable under proper heatsinking. Continuous current depends on PCB thermal design - the HTSSOP-28 PowerPAD™ package enables reliable 1.5 A continuous operation in typical 4-layer boards with 2 oz copper and thermal vias.

How does the DRV8841PWP implement current regulation without an external DAC?

The DRV8841PWP uses an internal 2-bit DAC per bridge (controlled by AI1/AI0 and BI1/BI0) to scale a reference voltage (AVREF/BVREF) before comparing it to the amplified sense voltage (5× ISENSE). This generates fixed-frequency PWM current chopping at four discrete levels: 100%, 71%, 38%, or 0%. No external DAC is needed - the DRV8841PWP handles all scaling and comparison internally.

Can the DRV8841PWP drive a unipolar stepper motor?

No, the DRV8841PWP is not suitable for unipolar stepper motors. Its dual H-bridge architecture is optimized for bipolar stepper motors (requiring full H-bridge per winding) or brushed DC motors. Unipolar steppers require five-wire connections with center-tapped windings and single-ended drive - a topology incompatible with the DRV8841PWP's output configuration and current sensing scheme.

What is the function of the CP1 and CP2 pins on the DRV8841PWP?

CP1 and CP2 form the flying capacitor network for the internal charge pump that generates the high-side gate drive voltage (VCP). A 0.01 µF capacitor connects CP1–CP2, while CP2 connects to VCP and a 0.1 µF capacitor + 1 MΩ resistor connect VCP to VM. This ensures robust N-channel MOSFET turn-on across the full 8.2–45 V supply range - eliminating need for external high-side drivers.

Does the DRV8841PWP require external components for basic operation?

Yes, minimal external components are required: two 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors (VMA and VMB bypass), one 0.01 µF CP1–CP2 capacitor, one 0.1 µF VCP–GND capacitor, one 1 MΩ resistor from VCP to VM, and current sense resistors (e.g., 200 mΩ) for ISENA/ISENB. Optional components include bulk capacitance (≥100 µF) and external VREF sources - but V3P3OUT can serve as reference if accuracy permits.