STMicroelectronics L6235PD

Overview

L6235PD from STMicroelectronics is a fully integrated DMOS 3-phase brushless DC motor driver IC with embedded PWM current control, hall-effect sensor decoding logic (60°/120°), non-dissipative overcurrent protection, tachometer output, and brake function. It operates from 8–52 V supply, delivers 5.6 A peak (2.8 A DC) output current per phase, features 0.34 Ω typical high-side R_DS(ON) at 25 °C, and supports up to 100 kHz switching frequency - used in closed-loop BLDC motor control for industrial fans, power tools, and HVAC blowers.

For engineers reviewing the L6235PD datasheet, L6235PD pinout, L6235PD application, or L6235PD equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated package mapping (PowerSO-36), confirmed pin functions including SENSEA/SENSEB current sensing, DIAG fault reporting, TACHO speed feedback, and real-world selection guidance against functional alternatives.

Technical Context

The L6235PD integrates six DMOS power transistors in a 3-phase bridge with intrinsic fast freewheeling diodes and implements constant off-time (t_OFF) PWM current regulation using external RC networks on RCOFF (13–61 µs adjustable) and RCPULSE (12–60 µs). Its decoding logic accepts single-ended Hall sensor inputs (H1–H3) and generates commutation sequences for both 60° and 120° electrical spacing configurations.

It employs non-dissipative overcurrent detection on high-side MOSFETs via internal sense comparators with 1 µs blanking time, thermal shutdown at 165 °C, cross-conduction protection with 1 µs deadtime, and synchronous rectification during slow-decay recirculation. The charge pump (VCP oscillator @ 600 kHz) enables N-channel high-side gate driving via VBOOT.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Available in PowerSO-36 package with exposed thermal slug (internally connected to pins 1, 18, 19, 36 - all GND). Pin count: 36. Thermal resistance: R_th(j-case) = 1 °C/W, enabling high-power dissipation with minimal heatsink.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 3-phase BLDC gate driver applications.

Compared with DRV8305PWP and MP6532GQ-Z, the L6235PD uniquely combines Hall decoding, tachometer, brake, and non-dissipative OCP in a single chip - reducing component count and firmware complexity for fixed-function BLDC systems.

Availability

L6235PD is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial fan control, power tool motor drives, automotive coolant pumps, and medical ventilator blowers requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for L6235PD 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 specializing in power management, motor control, and automotive-grade ICs - with over 30 years of expertise in high-voltage DMOS process technology.

The L6235PD belongs to ST's L62xx family of intelligent motor drivers, designed specifically for cost-effective, high-reliability 3-phase BLDC applications where integration of gate driving, protection, and feedback is critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable supply voltage for L6235PD?

The absolute maximum supply voltage (V_S) is 60 V, but the recommended operating range is 12–52 V per datasheet Table 2. Operation above 52 V risks exceeding safe SOA limits during transients, especially with inductive kickback. The undervoltage lockout activates below 6.4 V (typical turn-off threshold), ensuring clean startup behavior.

How does the non-dissipative overcurrent protection work without a shunt resistor?

It monitors voltage drop across the high-side MOSFET's intrinsic R_DS(ON) using internal sense FETs - detecting overcurrent by comparing sensed voltage to a reference. This avoids external shunt losses and PCB layout sensitivity while maintaining ±15% trip accuracy across temperature (4.0–7.1 A range).

Can L6235PD drive motors with 240° or 300° Hall sensor spacing?

No - the decoding logic is hardwired for 60° and 120° electrical spacing only, as confirmed in Section 8 of the datasheet. Inputs outside these patterns result in incorrect commutation or stalled operation. For 240°/300° layouts, an external logic translator or MCU-based decoding is required.

What thermal management is required for 2.8 A DC operation in PowerSO-36?

With the recommended 6 cm² copper pour (35 µm thick) and 16 thermal vias to inner ground plane, junction-to-ambient R_th is 15 °C/W. At 2.8 A DC and 48 V, power dissipation is ~2.3 W - resulting in ~35 °C rise above ambient. No external heatsink is needed if ambient stays ≤85 °C.