Texas Instruments DRV8843PWP

Overview

DRV8843PWP from Texas Instruments is a dual H-bridge motor driver IC designed for precise control of brushed DC or bipolar stepper motors in automated equipment. It delivers up to 2.5-A peak output current per bridge, operates from 8.2 V to 45 V, integrates fixed-frequency PWM current regulation with four programmable current levels (0%, 38%, 71%, 100%), and features dedicated nFAULT and nSLEEP pins for system-level fault reporting and power management - used in printer paper feed mechanisms and scanner carriage drives.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8843PWP datasheet, DRV8843PWP pinout, DRV8843PWP application, or DRV8843PWP equivalent, key selection considerations include its HTSSOP-28 PowerPAD™ package thermal performance, dual independent current control via AI[1:0]/BI[1:0], decay mode selection (slow/fast/mixed) via DECAY pin, and integrated 3.3-V LDO regulator output (V3P3OUT) for auxiliary logic supply.

Technical Context

The DRV8843PWP implements two independent N-channel H-bridge output stages with integrated gate drivers, charge pump (CP1/CP2/VCP), and current-sense amplifiers (ISENA/ISENB). Each bridge supports IN/IN logic control or PWM speed modulation, with configurable decay modes determined by a single DECAY pin input.

Current regulation uses a 5-V/V gain amplifier comparing sensed voltage across external sense resistors against user-programmable reference voltages (AVREF/BVREF), scaled by 2-bit DACs (AI1/AI0 and BI1/BI0) to set four discrete current thresholds. Protection includes overcurrent (OCP), thermal shutdown (TSD), and undervoltage lockout (UVLO), all signaled via open-drain nFAULT.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DRV8843PWP is housed in a thermally enhanced HTSSOP-28 package (9.70 mm × 4.40 mm) with exposed PowerPAD™ for optimal heat dissipation to PCB ground plane.

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 DRV8825, the DRV8843PWP uniquely combines dual H-bridge integration, 45-V operation, programmable decay, and on-chip 3.3-V regulation - making it the only single-package solution for compact, high-voltage dual-motor or stepper systems requiring coordinated control and fault-aware operation.

Availability

DRV8843PWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for printer paper feed systems, scanner carriage drives, and factory automation conveyors requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent parametric performance across production batches.

Supply support for DRV8843PWP 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 connectivity technologies, with decades of expertise in motor control IC design and industrial-grade reliability validation.

The DRV8843PWP belongs to TI's high-voltage motor driver product line, engineered specifically for space-constrained, thermally demanding applications in office automation, gaming, and factory equipment where dual-axis motion control and robust fault handling are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current rating for DRV8843PWP?

The DRV8843PWP supports 1.75-A RMS continuous output current per H-bridge at TA = 25°C with adequate heatsinking. At TA = 85°C, derating applies per thermal data: R_θJA = 31.6°C/W limits practical continuous current to ~1.2 A per bridge on standard 2-layer PCBs without forced airflow. Peak current remains 2.5 A for short durations (t < 1 µs).

How does the DRV8843PWP implement current regulation without an external oscillator?

The DRV8843PWP uses an internal 50-kHz fixed-frequency PWM generator for current chopping. When motor winding current reaches the threshold set by VREF and sense resistor voltage (amplified 5×), the H-bridge disables for the remainder of that cycle. This autonomous regulation requires no external clock source and maintains consistent timing across temperature and supply variations.

Can DRV8843PWP drive a unipolar stepper motor?

No, the DRV8843PWP is designed exclusively for bipolar stepper motors or brushed DC motors. Its dual H-bridge topology provides full four-quadrant control (forward/reverse/brake/coast) necessary for bipolar phase excitation. Unipolar steppers require five-wire connections and center-tapped windings incompatible with DRV8843PWP's output configuration.

What is the function of the CP1 and CP2 pins on DRV8843PWP?

CP1 and CP2 form the flying capacitor terminals of an integrated charge pump circuit that generates gate-drive voltage above VM for the high-side N-channel MOSFETs. A 0.01-μF 50-V capacitor must be connected between CP1 and CP2; this enables 100% duty-cycle operation without external high-side drivers or P-channel FETs.

Does DRV8843PWP require external current sense resistors, and where are they placed?

Yes, DRV8843PWP requires two external low-value sense resistors (typically 100–500 mΩ) placed between ISENA/ISENB pins and GND. These resistors measure motor phase current; the internal 5-V/V amplifier converts their voltage drop into a precise trip signal referenced to AVREF/BVREF. Placement must be adjacent to the IC with short, low-inductance traces.