STMicroelectronics EV-VNQ5E050AK

Overview

EV-VNQ5E050AK from STMicroelectronics is a pre-assembled evaluation board for the VNQ5E050AK-E quad-channel high-side driver IC, designed for automotive 12 V grounded-load control. It integrates PowerSSO-24 mounted VIPower® M0-5 technology, supports 4.5–28 V operation, delivers ≤50 mΩ R_ON, features per-channel analog current sense, and provides thermal heat-sinking and standardized connectors for rapid prototyping.

For engineers reviewing the EV-VNQ5E050AK datasheet, EV-VNQ5E050AK pinout, EV-VNQ5E050AK application, or EV-VNQ5E050AK equivalent, this board enables fast validation of high-side switching behavior, diagnostic feedback timing, load protection response, and microcontroller interface compatibility in automotive body electronics designs.

Technical Context

The EV-VNQ5E050AK implements a dedicated hardware interface to the VNQ5E050AK-E device, exposing all four high-side output channels (OUTPUT1–OUTPUT4), individual current sense pins (CURRENT SENSE1–4), independent input controls (INPUT1–4), CS_DIS enable, and dual VCC/GND power rails via two 12-pin headers (J1/J2). It uses FR4 PCB with 2 copper layers, 70 µm Cu thickness, and thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter, 1.2 mm spacing) to support junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of 29.5 °C/W.

This board does not include external components required for full system operation-such as reverse-battery protection diodes, flyback clamps, or external sense resistors-but provides mechanical mounting, signal routing, and thermal relief optimized for bench-level functional verification of the underlying VIPower® driver under real automotive supply conditions (4.5–28 V).

Key Specifications

Availability

EV-VNQ5E050AK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, smart junction boxes, seat/mirror actuator drivers, and lighting control systems requiring stable component supply during design validation and pre-production testing phases.

Supply support for EV-VNQ5E050AK 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and automotive-grade analog devices since 1987.

The EV-VNQ5E050AK belongs to ST's VIPower® evaluation board family, developed specifically to accelerate adoption of high-reliability, protected high-side drivers in 12 V automotive applications with stringent diagnostics and thermal constraints.

FAQ

Does EV-VNQ5E050AK include the VNQ5E050AK-E IC?

Yes. The board ships fully assembled with one VNQ5E050AK-E quad high-side driver in PowerSSO-24 package soldered to the PCB. No additional assembly or component placement is required to begin functional evaluation.

What external components are needed to operate the board?

The board requires external 12 V automotive supply, microcontroller GPIOs for INPUT1–4 and CS_DIS, optional external sense resistor for shared current sensing, and reverse-battery protection diodes (not included) per AN4212 design recommendations.

Can EV-VNQ5E050AK be used for thermal performance measurement?

Yes. Its documented R_thj-amb = 29.5 °C/W, FR4 construction with thermal vias, and exposed PowerSSO-24 pad layout allow accurate junction temperature estimation during load cycling tests up to 27 A peak per channel.

Is the board compliant with automotive EMC standards?

No. EV-VNQ5E050AK is an evaluation tool-not a certified end-product. It lacks shielding, filtering, and layout optimizations required for ISO 11452 or CISPR 25 compliance; system-level EMC validation must occur in final application hardware.