Texas Instruments DRV8842PWP

Overview

DRV8842PWP from Texas Instruments is a single H-bridge motor driver IC designed for brushed DC and unipolar stepper motor control in automated equipment. It operates from 8.2 V to 45 V, delivers up to 5 A peak output current at 24 V/25°C, features five-bit programmable current regulation (32 levels), integrated 3.3-V reference output, and real-time fault reporting via open-drain nFAULT pin. Used in printer paper feed mechanisms and scanner carriage drives.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8842PWP datasheet, DRV8842PWP pinout, DRV8842PWP application, or DRV8842PWP equivalent, key selection considerations include its 28-pin HTSSOP PowerPAD™ package, independent IN1/IN2 logic-level control, adjustable decay mode (slow/mixed/fast), internal overcurrent/thermal/UVLO protection, and compatibility with external PWM speed control.

Technical Context

The DRV8842PWP integrates an NMOS H-bridge with charge pump gate drive, fixed-frequency (50 kHz) current chopping, and 5-bit DAC-based current scaling. Its current regulation compares amplified ISEN voltage (×5 gain) against a user-programmed VREF input, enabling precise winding current control from 0% to 100% in sinusoidal steps.

Control logic accepts direct logic-level inputs on IN1/IN2 for forward/reverse/brake/coast states, while DECAY pin selects decay behavior-low for slow decay, high for fast decay, open for mixed decay. Fault conditions (overcurrent, thermal shutdown, UVLO) assert nFAULT low and disable outputs until nRESET or VM cycle.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DRV8842PWP is housed in a thermally enhanced 28-pin HTSSOP package (9.70 mm × 4.40 mm) with exposed PowerPAD™ for improved heat dissipation. The package is RoHS-compliant and halogen-free.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with DRV8871PWPR and TB6612FNG, the DRV8842PWP offers higher current drive (5 A), integrated 3.3-V reference, and granular 32-level current control-making it uniquely suited for mid-power industrial motion systems requiring torque consistency and fault resilience.

Availability

DRV8842PWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for printer mechanisms, scanner carriage drives, and factory automation conveyors requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for DRV8842PWP 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 specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in motor control, power management, and industrial interface solutions.

The DRV8842PWP belongs to TI's high-voltage H-bridge motor driver product line, engineered for reliability in office automation, gaming, and factory equipment where precise current control and integrated protection are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current specification for the DRV8842PWP?

The DRV8842PWP supports up to 5 A continuous output current at 24 V and 25°C with adequate heatsinking. This rating assumes proper PCB layout with the PowerPAD™ thermally connected to a large copper area. At elevated ambient temperatures or reduced airflow, derating is required per the R_θJA = 31.6°C/W thermal metric in the datasheet. The DRV8842PWP maintains this performance across its full 8.2–45 V operating range.

How does the DRV8842PWP implement current regulation, and what external components are required?

The DRV8842PWP uses fixed-frequency (50 kHz) PWM current chopping based on a comparator that monitors the voltage across an external sense resistor (connected to ISEN pins), amplified 5× internally, versus a user-set VREF voltage. Required external components include a precision shunt resistor (e.g., 100 mΩ), a VREF-setting network (often a resistor divider from V3P3OUT), and bypass capacitors on V3P3OUT and CP1/CP2. No external oscillator or timing components are needed.

Can the DRV8842PWP operate without an external current sense resistor?

Yes-the DRV8842PWP current regulation can be disabled by connecting the ISEN pins directly to GND and the VREF pins to V3P3OUT (3.3 V), effectively setting the current limit to zero. In this configuration, the device functions as a basic H-bridge with IN1/IN2 logic control and full protection features (OCP, TSD, UVLO), but without active current limiting. Speed control must then be handled entirely via external PWM applied to IN1 or IN2.

What is the function of the DECAY pin on the DRV8842PWP, and how does it affect motor performance?

The DECAY pin on the DRV8842PWP selects the H-bridge's current recirculation path during PWM off-time: logic low enables slow decay (braking), high enables fast decay (coasting), and open (or undriven) enables mixed decay (75% fast + 25% slow). This directly impacts torque ripple, acoustic noise, and motor responsiveness-slow decay increases holding torque but causes more heating; fast decay improves direction reversal speed but may induce voltage spikes; mixed decay balances both.

Does the DRV8842PWP require external bootstrap capacitors for high-side gate drive?

No-the DRV8842PWP integrates a charge pump (using CP1 and CP2 pins) to generate the high-side gate drive voltage (VCP), eliminating the need for external bootstrap diodes or capacitors. A 0.01-μF capacitor between CP1 and CP2 and a 0.1-μF capacitor with 1-MΩ resistor from VCP to VM are required per the datasheet. This architecture enables 100% duty-cycle operation and simplifies layout compared to bootstrap-based drivers.