Texas Instruments DRV8844PWP

Overview

DRV8844PWP from Texas Instruments is a quad half-bridge motor driver IC designed for precise control of inductive loads including two brushed DC motors, one bipolar stepper motor, or four solenoids. It delivers up to 2.5A peak output current per channel at 24V/25°C, operates from 8V to 60V VM supply, integrates a 3.3V/10mA LDO regulator, and features independent IN/EN digital control with floating logic ground (LGND) for dual-supply compatibility.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8844PWP datasheet, DRV8844PWP pinout, DRV8844PWP application, or DRV8844PWP equivalent, key selection considerations include per-channel R_DS(ON) (0.24Ω HS/LS @ 25°C), thermal shutdown at 150°C, open-drain nFAULT reporting, parallel-output capability for current scaling, and HTSSOP-28 PowerPAD™ package with validated PCB heatsinking requirements.

Technical Context

The DRV8844PWP implements four independent N-channel half-H-bridge output stages, each controlled via dedicated INx (state) and ENx (enable) inputs, supporting both slow-decay (INx-PWM) and fast-decay (ENx-PWM) motor control modes. Its charge pump (CP1/CP2/VCP) generates gate drive voltage above VM to fully enhance high-side FETs without external boost circuitry.

Protection architecture includes cycle-by-cycle overcurrent detection (3A trip level, 5µs deglitch), undervoltage lockout (6.3V–8V threshold), and thermal shutdown (150°C–180°C trip range), all signaled via open-drain nFAULT. Logic inputs and nFAULT are referenced to LGND-separate from power ground VNEG-to enable ±30V split-supply operation while maintaining microcontroller-level signal integrity.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DRV8844PWP is housed in a thermally enhanced 28-pin HTSSOP package (9.70mm × 6.40mm) with exposed PowerPAD™ thermal pad (GND/PPAD, Pin 1) requiring solder connection to PCB ground plane for effective 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 quad half-bridge motor driver applications.

Compared with DRV8844PWP, TB9051FTG adds automotive qualification and diagnostics but removes GPIO simplicity, while MP6550GQ reduces size and cost but sacrifices integrated regulation and dual-supply flexibility-making DRV8844PWP optimal for industrial motion control where robustness, ease of integration, and thermal headroom are prioritized.

Availability

DRV8844PWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for textile machinery actuation, office automation transport systems, and factory automation positioning requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for DRV8844PWP 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 90 years of innovation in industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The DRV8844PWP belongs to TI's high-current motor driver product line, engineered specifically for industrial motion control applications demanding reliability, thermal resilience, and flexible interface options across diverse power architectures.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current per channel for the DRV8844PWP?

The DRV8844PWP supports 1.75A RMS continuous output current per channel when operated at 24V and 25°C ambient temperature with adequate PCB heatsinking. Peak current capability is 2.5A for short durations. Actual sustained current depends on layout thermal performance-R_θJA = 31.6°C/W requires careful copper area and via design to avoid thermal shutdown. Derating is necessary above 25°C ambient.

Does the DRV8844PWP support dual-supply (bipolar) operation, and how is it implemented?

Yes, the DRV8844PWP supports dual-supply operation up to ±30V by referencing logic signals to LGND while powering the motor stage between VM and VNEG. To implement bipolar operation, connect VM to +24V, VNEG to –24V, and LGND to system ground (0V). This configuration isolates logic-level control from high-voltage motor rails-enabling direct interfacing with standard 3.3V/5V microcontrollers without level shifters.

How does the nFAULT pin function, and what fault conditions trigger it on the DRV8844PWP?

The nFAULT pin on the DRV8844PWP is an open-drain output that pulls low during overtemperature (TSD), overcurrent (OCP), or undervoltage lockout (UVLO) events. It remains asserted until the fault condition clears and either VM is cycled or nRESET is pulsed low. External pull-up (typically 4.7kΩ to 3.3V) is required. Each channel's protection operates independently, but nFAULT aggregates all faults-requiring system-level diagnosis to isolate root cause.

Can multiple DRV8844PWP outputs be paralleled to increase current capacity, and what are the constraints?

Yes, DRV8844PWP supports output paralleling: OUT1 and OUT2 share SRC12, while OUT3 and OUT4 share SRC34-allowing paired channels to be connected in parallel for up to 5A total per bridge. Critical constraints include matching PCB trace impedance, using identical external components (capacitors, sense resistors), and ensuring simultaneous enable (EN1=EN2 or EN3=EN4). Paralleling unpaired outputs (e.g., OUT1+OUT3) is not supported due to independent source nodes.

What thermal design practices are mandatory to achieve the rated 2.5A peak current with the DRV8844PWP?

To sustain 2.5A peak current, the DRV8844PWP requires its PowerPAD™ thermal pad (Pin 1/GND) to be soldered to a minimum 120mm² top-layer copper area with ≥12 thermal vias (0.3mm diameter) connecting to a solid inner ground plane. Layout must minimize high-current loop inductance using wide traces (>1.5mm) for VM, VNEG, and OUTx paths. Without this, junction temperature exceeds 150°C triggering thermal shutdown-even with ambient at 25°C.