STMicroelectronics E-L6204D

Overview

L6204D from STMicroelectronics is a dual full-bridge DMOS motor driver IC in MultiPower BCD technology, designed for bidirectional control of DC and stepper motors. It supports up to 48 V supply, delivers 0.5 A continuous DC current per bridge, features R_DS(ON) = 1.2 Ω at 25°C, integrated cross-conduction protection, thermal shutdown at 150°C, and TTL/CMOS-compatible logic inputs. Used in industrial motion control systems requiring independent half-bridge switching.

For engineers reviewing the L6204D datasheet, L6204D pinout, L6204D application, or L6204D equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-bridge enable control, external sense-resistor current regulation, bootstrap high-side drive architecture, dead-time protection, and SO24+2+2 package thermal performance without external heatsink.

Technical Context

The L6204D integrates two independent full H-bridges, each with four DMOS power transistors and dedicated current-sense inputs (SENSE1/SENSE2) for chopper-mode current limiting. Control logic accepts TTL/CMOS-level IN1–IN4 and ENABLE1/ENABLE2 signals, with internal dead time (500 ns) preventing shoot-through.

It employs an internal charge-pump oscillator (pin 11, VCP) to generate bootstrap voltage (up to 60 V on VBOOT) for high-side gate drive, enabling efficient PWM operation without external high-voltage supplies. Thermal shutdown disables both bridges when junction temperature reaches 150°C and auto-recovers upon cooling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The L6204D is packaged in a 24-pin SOIC with two additional exposed thermal pads (SO24+2+2), where pins 4, 5, 10, 11, 18, 19, 24, and 25 are not connected. The two center thermal pads (pins 26 and 27) provide low-thermal-resistance path to PCB copper for passive heat dissipation (R_{th j-pins} = 16°C/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB6612FNG and VN5E050AKH-E, the L6204D uniquely supports dual independent 48 V full bridges with external sense-based current regulation, making it suitable for industrial motion systems where voltage headroom, thermal autonomy, and discrete control granularity are essential.

Availability

L6204D is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial CNC axis drivers, bipolar stepper motor controllers, DC brush motor actuators, and automated valve positioners requiring stable component supply and long-term design continuity.

Supply support for L6204D 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in power management, motor control, and automotive-grade ICs with vertical manufacturing capabilities.

The L6204D belongs to ST's legacy MultiPower BCD motor driver product line, engineered for robust industrial motion control where high-voltage tolerance, thermal resilience, and discrete bridge configurability are prioritized over integrated digital interfaces.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating voltage for L6204D?

The L6204D supports a supply voltage range of 12 V to 48 V, with an absolute maximum rating of 50 V on the VS pins. Operation above 48 V risks exceeding safe R_DS(ON) derating and thermal limits, especially at elevated ambient temperatures or reduced PCB copper area.

Does L6204D require external bootstrap components?

Yes - the L6204D requires two external capacitors and two diodes connected to VCP (pin 11) and VBOOT (pin 20) to generate the high-side gate drive voltage. This charge-pump configuration is mandatory for proper operation of the upper DMOS transistors in each bridge.

Can L6204D drive a unipolar stepper motor?

No - the L6204D is designed exclusively for dual full-bridge operation and supports only bipolar stepper motors (4-wire) or two independent DC motors. Unipolar steppers (5/6-wire) require center-tapped winding configurations incompatible with its H-bridge topology.

How does thermal shutdown behave during sustained overload?

When junction temperature reaches 150°C, the L6204D disables both bridges immediately. It remains latched off until temperature drops below ~135°C hysteresis, then resumes normal operation under existing IN/ENABLE states - no external reset is needed.