STMicroelectronics EV-VNQ9025AJ

Overview

EV-VNQ9025AJ from STMicroelectronics is a pre-assembled evaluation board for the VNQ9025AJ quad-channel smart high-side driver in PowerSSO-16 package, operating from 4 V to 28 V supply, featuring 25 mΩ on-state resistance per channel, 30 A current limit, and 0.5 µA standby current. It enables rapid integration of automotive-grade load control with analog current sense feedback, thermal shutdown, and fault diagnostics into ADAS sensor supplies or lamp drivers.

For engineers reviewing the EV-VNQ9025AJ datasheet, EV-VNQ9025AJ pinout, EV-VNQ9025AJ application, or EV-VNQ9025AJ equivalent, this board provides validated reference design, plug-and-play connector layout (CN5–CN10), multiplexed diagnostic output (CS), fault reset (FaultRST), and sense enable (S_EN) for system-level validation of high-side driving and protection functions in 12 V automotive environments.

Technical Context

The EV-VNQ9025AJ implements the VNQ9025AJ IC's full functional architecture: four independent high-side switches with integrated VIPower M0-9 technology, each supporting deep cold-crank operation down to 4 V and transient tolerance up to 36 V. It delivers proportional analog current sensing via CS pin, with dedicated pins for SEL0/SEL1 multiplexing, IN0–IN3 digital inputs, and FaultRST latch control.

Board-level design mirrors the IC's protection stack: undervoltage lockout, overvoltage clamp, self-limiting thermal transients, configurable latch-off on overtemperature or power limitation, and detection of open-load (OFF-state), short-to-VCC, and short-to-ground - all accessible through standardized test points and EZ connectors.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV-VNQ9025AJ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ADAS sensor supply validation, P27W lamp control prototyping, and 12 V grounded-load diagnostics development requiring stable component supply and traceable reference hardware.

Supply support for EV-VNQ9025AJ 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and automotive-grade analog devices.

The VNQ9025AJ product line targets automotive high-side power distribution with integrated diagnostics and protection, specifically for radar modules, camera systems, and lighting where reliability under extreme voltage transients is critical.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the CS pin on the EV-VNQ9025AJ board?

The CS (Current Sense) pin delivers a multiplexed analog output proportional to the load current of each channel (IN0–IN3), with ±5% accuracy across temperature. It supports real-time monitoring and fault detection including overload, short-to-ground, and OFF-state open-load when used with external pull-up and SEL0/SEL1 selection. No external op-amp or ADC is required for basic diagnostics.

How does the FaultRST pin function on this evaluation board?

FaultRST is an active-low input that unlatches the VNQ9025AJ output after a thermal shutdown or power-limiting fault. When pulled low, it resets the latch and restores normal operation; when held high, it enables configurable latch-off behavior. The board routes FaultRST to CN9 pin 2 with 10 kΩ pull-up, allowing direct MCU GPIO control without additional circuitry.

Can the EV-VNQ9025AJ drive P27W automotive lamps directly?

Yes - the board hosts the VNQ9025AJ IC rated for 30 A peak current per channel and 25 mΩ R_ON, sufficient for P27W (27 W / 13.5 V ≈ 2 A) incandescent lamps. Its integrated current limiting, thermal shutdown, and short-circuit protection eliminate need for external fusing or discrete protection components during lamp testing.

Is external sense resistor required for current measurement?

No - the VNQ9025AJ integrates a high-precision proportional current mirror; only a single external 10 nF capacitor (Cext) on the CS path is required for noise filtering. The board includes Cext (10 nF) and 15 kΩ pull-up resistors (R23–R27) on INx lines, enabling immediate analog current readout via any 12-bit ADC without calibration or gain adjustment.