STMicroelectronics L6226N
- Part No.:
- L6226N
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- Motor Drivers, Controllers
- Package:
- 24-PowerDIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Datasheet:
-
L6226N.pdf
- Description:
- IC MTR DRVR BIPLR 8-52V 24PWRDIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,709
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Product details
Overview
L6226N from STMicroelectronics is a DMOS dual full-bridge motor driver IC designed for bipolar stepper and dual/quad DC motor control, featuring 8–52 V supply range, 2.8 A peak output current per bridge, 0.73 Ω typical RDS(on) at 25 °C, programmable high-side overcurrent detection, and integrated fast freewheeling diodes.
For engineers reviewing the L6226N datasheet, L6226N pinout, L6226N application, or L6226N equivalent, this device supports precise current-limited H-bridge operation in industrial motion control, robotics, and automated equipment where thermal shutdown, cross-conduction protection, and diagnostic feedback are critical.
Technical Context
The L6226N integrates two independent DMOS full bridges with matched RDS(on) (1.47 Ω typ. total per bridge at 25 °C), driven by TTL/CMOS-compatible logic inputs and protected by non-dissipative high-side current sensing. Each bridge includes dedicated EN, IN1/IN2, SENSE, OCD, and PROGCL pins for independent configuration.
Its charge pump (VCP output, 600 kHz typ.) generates bootstrap voltage (VBOOT) to drive N-channel high-side MOSFETs, while dead time (~1 µs) prevents shoot-through. Thermal shutdown activates at 165 °C (15 °C hysteresis), and overcurrent threshold is set via external resistors (e.g., 5 kΩ → 2.21 A ±10% at −25 to 125 °C).
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply voltage | 8–52 V - supports wide-range industrial DC bus and battery-powered systems without external regulation. |
| Peak output current | 2.8 A per bridge - enables driving 1.4 A RMS bipolar stepper coils or dual 2.8 A DC motors in pulse mode. |
| RDS(on) (HS + LS) | 1.47 Ω typ. at 25 °C - limits conduction loss to ~2.9 W per bridge at 1.4 A DC, easing thermal design. |
| Switching frequency | Up to 100 kHz - allows high-resolution PWM speed control and low audible noise in motor applications. |
| OCD threshold accuracy | ±10% with 5 kΩ PROGCL resistor - provides repeatable current limiting without external sense resistor power loss. |
| Thermal shutdown | 165 °C junction temperature with 15 °C hysteresis - prevents permanent damage during overload or poor heatsinking. |
| Diagnostic output | Open-drain OCD pins (OCDA/OCDB) - directly interface with microcontroller GPIO for fault logging and auto-recovery. |
Pinout & Package
Available in PowerSO36 (exposed slug, Rth-j-case = 2 °C/W) and SO24 (20+2+2 pin count) packages. Both use multipower-BCD technology and share identical pin functions with different physical numbering.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| IN1A / IN1B | Bridge A/B logic input 1 | Controls direction of OUT1A/OUT1B relative to OUT2A/OUT2B per truth table; TTL/CMOS compatible. |
| ENA / ENB | Bridge A/B enable | Active-high; pulls all MOSFETs OFF when low; commonly tied to OCDA/OCDB for auto-shutdown on fault. |
| SENSEA / SENSEB | Bridge A/B source return | Must connect directly to power ground or low-value sense resistor; internal current mirror references this node. |
| OCDA / OCDB | Bridge A/B fault indicator | Open-drain output pulled low during overcurrent or thermal shutdown; drives external pull-up or MCU interrupt. |
| PROGCLA / PROGCLB | Bridge A/B current limit set | Resistor-to-ground sets OCD threshold (e.g., 0 Ω → 2.8 A ±30%; 5 kΩ → 2.21 A ±10%). |
| VSA / VSB | Bridge A/B power supply | High-current inputs (each rated 1.4 A RMS); must be decoupled with ≥100 nF ceramic + bulk capacitor. |
| VBOOT | Bootstrap supply | Drives high-side gates above VS; requires external 220 nF boot capacitor and 1N4148 diode per bridge. |
| GND (pins 1,18,19,36 in PowerSO36) | Signal & thermal ground | Slug-connected pins provide primary PCB heat path; must be soldered to large copper pour for Rth-j-amb ≤16 °C/W. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Non-dissipative high-side overcurrent detection | Eliminates external shunt resistor and its associated 1–2 W power loss at 1.4 A, reducing board area and thermal load. |
| Programmable current limit per bridge | Two independent PROGCL pins allow asymmetric motor drive (e.g., 2.21 A on Bridge A, 0.29 A on Bridge B) using discrete resistors. |
| Cross-conduction protection | Integrated 1 µs dead-time generator prevents shoot-through during PWM transitions, ensuring safe switching without external timing circuits. |
| Diagnostic feedback with open-drain outputs | OCDA/OCDB pins provide hardware-level fault signaling that works independently of MCU firmware, enabling fail-safe system response. |
| Charge pump for N-channel high-side drivers | Internal 600 kHz oscillator (VCP pin) and external components generate stable VBOOT, removing need for isolated gate drivers or P-channel MOSFETs. |
Applications
| Industrial CNC Positioning | Bipolar Stepper Motor Control |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Precision open-loop positioning of X/Y axes in desktop CNC mills using 1.8° step motors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual full-bridge driver executing microstepping waveforms via IN1/IN2 sequencing; EN pins synchronized to step clock for torque modulation. Use Value: Integrated freewheeling diodes and 100 kHz switching enable smooth 1/16-step motion without external flyback components or audible resonance. |
Use Scenario: Driving NEMA 17 bipolar stepper in automated lab equipment requiring stall detection and thermal resilience. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Current-regulated H-bridge delivering 1.4 A phase current; PROGCL resistors set 1.2 A hold current and 2.2 A active current. Use Value: Non-dissipative OCD eliminates sense resistor heating, maintaining consistent torque across ambient temperatures from −25 to 85 °C. |
| Dual DC Motor Actuation | Robotic Joint Driver Module |
|
Use Scenario: Independent forward/reverse control of two 24 V DC gearmotors in warehouse sorting conveyor subsystems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bridge A drives left motor, Bridge B drives right motor; OCD pins feed PLC inputs for real-time jam detection. Use Value: Paralleled half-bridges (OUT1A+OUT1B) deliver 2.8 A continuous to high-inertia loads while sharing RDS(on) mismatch <±5%. |
Use Scenario: Compact joint actuator in collaborative robot arm with space-constrained PCB and forced-air cooling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Full-bridge driver operating at 48 V supply; thermal shutdown (165 °C) and diagnostic outputs ensure safe torque-limiting during payload changes. Use Value: PowerSO36 package's 2 °C/W junction-to-case resistance enables 3.5 W dissipation with only 7 °C rise above heatsink, avoiding derating. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar dual full-bridge motor driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB6600HG | Higher 4.5 A peak current but fixed 24–42 V supply range; no programmable OCD; requires external sense resistors. | Best for high-torque stepper applications where supply voltage is stable and current sensing precision is secondary to raw output capability. | Select TB6600HG only if >3 A peak is required and board space allows for 4× external 0.1 Ω shunts and associated op-amps. |
| DRV8876PWPR | Lower 3.6 A peak, integrated current regulation loop (not OCD), 4.5–37 V supply, smaller HTSSOP-28 package. | Suited for battery-powered portable devices needing closed-loop current control and minimal footprint, not industrial thermal robustness. | Choose DRV8876PWPR when system-level current accuracy matters more than single-event fault immunity or 52 V bus compatibility. |
Compared with TB6600HG and DRV8876PWPR, the L6226N uniquely combines wide 8–52 V operation, programmable non-dissipative OCD per bridge, and PowerSO36 thermal performance-making it optimal for industrial motor control where supply variation, fault resilience, and heatsink-limited enclosures coexist.
Availability
L6226N is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial CNC positioning, bipolar stepper motor control, dual DC motor actuation requiring stable component supply, long-term production continuity, and RoHS-compliant manufacturing.
Supply support for L6226N 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, motor control, and automotive-grade ICs with vertical manufacturing and AEC-Q100 qualification capabilities.
The L6226N belongs to ST's Power Transistor Drivers product line, engineered specifically for ruggedized industrial motion systems demanding integrated protection, wide supply range, and high-current capability without external complexity.
FAQ
What is the maximum continuous output current per bridge?
The L6226N delivers 1.4 A RMS continuous output current per bridge under recommended operating conditions (TA ≤ 85 °C, proper PCB copper area, and Rth-j-amb ≤ 16 °C/W). This is limited by thermal design-not electrical rating-as peak current reaches 2.8 A for short pulses (<1 ms) before thermal shutdown intervenes.
Can the L6226N drive unipolar stepper motors?
No-the L6226N is designed exclusively for bipolar stepper motors and dual/quad DC motors. Its dual full-bridge topology lacks the center-tap drive capability required for unipolar steppers; attempting unipolar connection would result in incomplete phase energization and loss of torque.
How is the overcurrent threshold set without an external sense resistor?
The L6226N uses an internal current mirror on each high-side DMOS transistor to sample a precise fraction of load current. This mirrored current is compared against a reference set by the PROGCL resistor value (e.g., 5 kΩ yields 2.21 A ±10%), eliminating external shunt power loss and PCB layout sensitivity.
Is paralleling OUT1A and OUT1B recommended for higher current?
No-paralleling outputs from different bridges (e.g., OUT1A + OUT1B) is supported per ST's application note AN2422, but paralleling OUT1A + OUT2A is not. The latter forces total current through a single bond wire and does not increase OCD threshold, risking localized overheating and premature shutdown.
L6226N Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- STSPIN L62
- Package/Case:
- 24-PowerDIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Motor Type - Stepper:
- Bipolar
- Motor Type - AC, DC:
- Brushed DC
- Function:
- Driver - Fully Integrated, Control and Power Stage
- Output Configuration:
- Half Bridge (4)
- Interface:
- Parallel
- Technology:
- DMOS
- Step Resolution:
- -
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Current - Output:
- 1.4A
- Voltage - Supply:
- 8V ~ 52V
- Voltage - Load:
- 8V ~ 52V
- Operating Temperature:
- -25°C ~ 125°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- 24-PowerDIP
L6226N FAQ
1.How can I place an order for L6226N through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for L6226N on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for L6226N reliable?
The price and inventory of L6226N are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for L6226N is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for L6226N?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for L6226N transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for L6226N?
L6226N orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your L6226N order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for L6226N?
For technical support, including L6226N datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your L6226N requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that L6226N is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All L6226N products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that L6226N meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of L6226N?
All L6226N units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with L6226N, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The L6226N part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for L6226N:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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