STMicroelectronics E-L6258EP

Overview

E-L6258EP from STMicroelectronics is a dual full-bridge PWM-controlled DMOS motor driver IC designed for bipolar stepper and dual DC motor control. It delivers up to 1.3A continuous current per winding, operates from 12V to 40V supply, supports four-quadrant current control, and integrates recirculation diodes and thermal shutdown. It is used in precision motion control systems such as industrial CNC actuators and automated valve positioning.

For engineers reviewing the E-L6258EP datasheet, E-L6258EP pinout, E-L6258EP application, or E-L6258EP equivalent, key selection considerations include its PowerSSO36 package thermal performance, TTL/CMOS-compatible logic inputs, integrated charge pump for high-side gate drive, and programmable current levels via 4-bit DAC inputs (I0–I3) with 16-step resolution.

Technical Context

The L6258EP implements a transconductance-based PWM current control loop using two internal DACs (VREF1/VREF2 referenced), error amplifiers, and triangular waveform generators (TRI_0/TRI_180) to modulate duty cycle across dual H-bridges. Each bridge uses phase-shifted PWM to achieve bidirectional current flow without external recirculation diodes.

Its BCD process power stage sustains 40V VS, features 0.75Ω typical R_DS(on) per DMOS switch, and includes cross-conduction protection, disable control (DISABLE pin), and thermal shutdown at 150°C with 25°C hysteresis. The integrated charge pump (VCP1/VCP2/VBOOT) enables high-side NMOS drive without external bootstrap circuitry.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: PowerSSO36 - thermally enhanced exposed-pad surface-mount package with integrated heat slug (pins 1, 18, 19, 36 serve as PWR_GND and thermal conduction paths).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB6600HG and DRV8825, the E-L6258EP uniquely combines dual-channel integration, on-chip charge pump, and recirculation diodes in a thermally optimized PowerSSO36 package-making it optimal for industrial motion systems demanding reliability, low component count, and stable current regulation across wide supply and temperature ranges.

Availability

E-L6258EP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial CNC positioning, automated HVAC dampers, lab automation pipetting, and medical infusion pump drive requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for E-L6258EP 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, specializing in power management, motion control, and automotive ICs with vertical manufacturing capability.

The L6258EP belongs to ST's high-voltage motor driver product line, engineered specifically for robust, integrated solutions in industrial automation where thermal resilience, current accuracy, and functional safety are critical.

FAQ

What is the minimum sense resistor value recommended for 1.3A continuous operation?

The minimum sense resistor is calculated from the 1.25V maximum sense voltage: R_s(min) = 1.25V / 1.3A ≈ 0.96Ω. ST recommends 1.0Ω ±1% metal-film resistors for stability and thermal coefficient matching. Lower values increase current-sense noise susceptibility and reduce regulation accuracy at low currents.

Can E-L6258EP operate with a 3.3V logic supply instead of 5V?

No - the VDD pin requires 4.75–5.25V per absolute maximum ratings. Input logic thresholds are TTL/CMOS-compatible with 5V systems (V_IN(H) ≥ 2V, V_IN(L) ≤ 0.8V), but 3.3V microcontrollers must use level-shifting buffers or dedicated 5V I/O rails to ensure reliable PH/I0–I3 signal interpretation and avoid metastability.

How does the DISABLE pin interact with thermal shutdown?

The DISABLE pin is asynchronous and overrides all internal logic: when asserted (low), it forces both bridges into high-impedance state regardless of thermal status. During thermal shutdown, outputs are disabled independently, but DISABLE remains functional - allowing external controllers to hold the device in safe state during cooldown or initiate controlled restart sequences.

Is external compensation required for the current control loop?

No - the error amplifier includes internal compensation optimized for standard motor inductances (1–10mH) and sense resistors (0.5–2Ω). External RC networks on EA_OUT/EA_IN pins are only needed for specialized cases like ultra-low-inductance voice coils or high-temperature operation beyond 125°C, per Section 2.7 of the datasheet.