STMicroelectronics EV-VNQ7E100AJ

Overview

EV-VNQ7E100AJ from STMicroelectronics is a pre-assembled evaluation board for the VNQ7E100AJ quad-channel smart high-side driver in PowerSSO-16 package, designed for 12 V automotive load control with analog current feedback, thermal shutdown, and fault reset functionality. It supports deep cold cranking down to 2.85 V and integrates protection against overvoltage (40 V), overload (15 A typ), and reverse battery (with external components).

For engineers reviewing the EV-VNQ7E100AJ datasheet, EV-VNQ7E100AJ pinout, EV-VNQ7E100AJ application, or EV-VNQ7E100AJ equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of protected 12 V automotive loads-such as ADAS sensors, headlamps, and resistive/inductive actuators-with minimal external component design effort and full diagnostic access via CurrentSense, FaultRST, and S_EN pins.

Technical Context

The EV-VNQ7E100AJ implements ST's VIPower M0-7 technology and interfaces directly with 3 V/5 V CMOS microcontrollers. It provides four independent high-side switch channels, each with programmable current limiting (15 A typ), 100 mΩ on-resistance, and integrated diagnostics including proportional current sense, open-load detection, and short-to-VCC identification.

Thermal management is supported by a 2-layer FR4 PCB (25 mm × 41.5 mm) with thermal vias and R_thj-amb = 43 °C/W. The board includes dedicated connectors (J4) for IN0–IN3, FaultRST, S_EN, SEL0–SEL2, and CurrentSense, enabling full functional validation without custom layout.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV-VNQ7E100AJ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ADAS sensor supply, headlamp control, and 12 V resistive/inductive load prototyping requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle continuity.

Supply support for EV-VNQ7E100AJ 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 automotive, industrial, and power management solutions with broad IP in smart power technologies.

The VNQ7E100AJ product line belongs to ST's VIPower M0-7 family-designed specifically for robust, diagnostic-rich high-side driving of 12 V automotive grounded loads under extreme conditions including cold cranking and load dump.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the J4 connector on the EV-VNQ7E100AJ board?

J4 is the primary interface connector providing access to all control and diagnostic signals: IN0–IN3 (channel enable), FaultRST (active-low fault reset), S_EN (sense enable), SEL0–SEL2 (multiplexer address), and CurrentSense (analog proportional output). Its pinout matches the VNQ7E100AJ's functional terminals, enabling direct MCU connection without signal routing.

Does the EV-VNQ7E100AJ include a sense resistor, and how is it configured?

Yes-the board includes a through-hole pad pair (TP1–TP2) for mounting an external RSENSE resistor, plus SMD pads for alternative placement. A default through-hole resistor is supplied but not pre-mounted; users select RSENSE value based on required current-sense gain and accuracy, per VNQ7E100AJ datasheet recommendations.

Can the EV-VNQ7E100AJ operate during automotive cold cranking events?

Yes-it supports minimum VCC of 2.85 V (VUSD_cranking), compliant with LV124 Rev. 2013, enabling reliable operation during deep cold cranking when battery voltage drops below 3 V. This is enabled by the underlying VNQ7E100AJ's ultra-low-voltage architecture and sub-0.5 µA standby current.

How is thermal performance validated on this evaluation board?

Thermal performance is characterized per DB4007 Rev 1, reporting R_thj-amb = 43 °C/W under defined test conditions (2-layer FR4, 35 µm Cu, thermal vias). The board layout includes optimized copper pour and thermal vias beneath the PowerSSO-16 footprint to sustain 15 A per channel with controlled junction temperature rise.