Texas Instruments DRV8873HPWPT

Overview

DRV8873HPWPT from Texas Instruments is a 24-pin HTSSOP H-bridge motor driver IC for industrial brushed DC motors, supporting 4.5 V to 38 V supply, 10-A peak output current, and configurable PH/EN, PWM, or independent half-bridge control modes. It integrates current mirroring (k = 1100 A/A), low-R_DS(ON) (150 mΩ at 25°C), and hardware/SPI interface options for precise motor control in ePOS, ATMs, and factory automation.

For engineers reviewing the DRV8873HPWPT datasheet, DRV8873HPWPT pinout, DRV8873HPWPT application, or DRV8873HPWPT equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, thermal behavior, protection architecture, current-sense design implications, and hardware vs. SPI mode trade-offs - all grounded in TI's production-grade SLVSET1 documentation.

Technical Context

The DRV8873HPWPT implements four N-channel MOSFETs in an H-bridge topology with integrated charge pump (400 kHz switching), spread-spectrum clocking, and slew-rate programmability (2.6–53.2 V/µs) via SR pin or SPI register. Its dual current-mirror outputs (IPROPI1/IPROPI2) provide analog proportional sensing of high-side FET current without external shunt resistors.

Protection logic includes VM UVLO (4.45 V trip), charge-pump undervoltage detection, overcurrent shutdown (10-A threshold), open-load diagnostics (150–450 mV threshold), and thermal shutdown (175°C) with 20°C hysteresis. Fault status is reported both on open-drain nFAULT and via SPI registers for system-level diagnostics.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DRV8873HPWPT uses a 24-pin HTSSOP PowerPAD™ package (7.70 mm × 4.40 mm) with exposed thermal pad for enhanced heat dissipation in high-current operation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with DRV8873HPWPT, DRV8876PWP trades hardware flexibility for SPI-only programmability and reduced current capability, while TB9051FTG adds automotive qualification and CAN at the expense of industrial cost efficiency and peak drive strength.

Availability

DRV8873HPWPT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ePOS systems, ATM mechanisms, and factory automation equipment requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for DRV8873HPWPT 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 and embedded processing technologies, with decades of expertise in motor control ICs and industrial power management solutions.

The DRV8873HPWPT belongs to TI's high-current H-bridge driver product line, engineered for rugged industrial motion control where reliability, thermal performance, and flexible interface options are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous current rating for DRV8873HPWPT?

The DRV8873HPWPT is rated for 10-A peak output current, but continuous current depends on PCB layout, heatsinking, and ambient temperature. With proper thermal design (e.g., 2 oz copper, 400 mm² thermal pad area), it supports up to 5.5 A continuous at 25°C ambient. Derating is required above 25°C per the R_θJA = 27.8°C/W spec - at 85°C ambient, max continuous current drops to ~3.2 A. Always verify junction temperature using measured I²R losses and thermal resistance.

Does DRV8873HPWPT support both hardware and SPI configuration simultaneously?

No - DRV8873HPWPT is a hardware-mode device with a physical MODE pin; it does not include SPI circuitry. The SPI variant is the DRV8873SPWPT. DRV8873HPWPT uses the MODE pin (tied to GND, DVDD, or 200-kΩ resistor) to select PH/EN, PWM, or independent half-bridge mode at power-up. Attempting SPI communication on DRV8873HPWPT will fail as SCLK, SDI, SDO, and nSCS pins are unconnected internally.

How does the current mirror (IPROPI1/IPROPI2) function in DRV8873HPWPT?

The DRV8873HPWPT current mirror replicates high-side FET current at IPROPI1 and IPROPI2 with 1100:1 attenuation (e.g., 1 A motor current → 0.91 mA output). It operates independently of load voltage and requires external sense resistors (R_SENSE-1/R_SENSE-2) to convert mirrored current into measurable voltage. Accuracy is ±5% above 1 A and ±50 mA below 1 A, enabling closed-loop current control without shunt resistor power loss.

What protection features are implemented in DRV8873HPWPT?

DRV8873HPWPT integrates VM undervoltage lockout (4.45 V trip), charge-pump undervoltage detection, overcurrent protection (10-A threshold), open-load detection (150–450 mV threshold), short-to-battery/ground protection, and thermal shutdown (175°C with 20°C hysteresis). Faults trigger nFAULT pin assertion and can be read via dedicated status registers in compatible SPI variants - though DRV8873HPWPT reports only via nFAULT.

Can DRV8873HPWPT drive two independent solenoids?

Yes - in Independent Half-Bridge mode (MODE pin tied to 200-kΩ resistor to GND), DRV8873HPWPT controls OUT1 and OUT2 separately, allowing concurrent actuation of two solenoids. Each half-bridge supports 10-A peak, with independent enable/disable via EN/IN1 and PH/IN2. No shoot-through occurs because internal dead-time logic enforces minimum 500 ns between high-side and low-side switching transitions.