STMicroelectronics L6258E
- Part No.:
- L6258E
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- Motor Drivers, Controllers
- Package:
- 36-PowerBSSOP (0.433", 11.00mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
L6258E.pdf
- Description:
- IC MOTOR DRIVER BIPLR 36POWERSO
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
L6258E from STMicroelectronics is a dual full-bridge DMOS motor driver IC designed for bipolar stepper and dual DC motor control, featuring 1.2A continuous output current per bridge, 12–40V supply range, four-quadrant PWM current control, integrated recirculation diodes, and thermal shutdown protection - deployed in industrial motion control and precision positioning systems.
For engineers reviewing the L6258E datasheet, L6258E pinout, L6258E application, or L6258E equivalent, this page delivers verified functional context, validated pin roles, confirmed microstepping capability (up to 4-bit), exact current control resolution (9.5–100% of IMAX in 16 steps), and real-world design constraints including bootstrap capacitor requirements (Cboot = 100 nF) and charge pump operation.
Technical Context
The L6258E implements two independent transconductance-based PWM current control loops, each driven by an internal 12.5–18.5 kHz triangular oscillator (set via TRI_CAP capacitor) and a 3-bit DAC (I0–I2) plus phase-select input (PH) to define amplitude and direction. Each loop compares DAC-set reference voltage against sensed voltage across external Rs resistors using error amplifiers with 70 dB open-loop gain and 400 kHz GBW.
Its PowerSO36 package integrates dual high-side/low-side DMOS bridges capable of sustaining 40V, with built-in flyback diodes (VF = 1.0–1.4 V at 1 A), cross-conduction protection, and TTL/CMOS-compatible logic inputs (VIH = 2 VDD, VIL ≤ 0.8 V). The charge pump (VCP1/VCP2/VBOOT) enables high-side gate drive up to VS + 12 V without external boost circuitry.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Current | 1.2 A continuous per bridge (1.5 A peak); defines max sustained torque in stepper windings or DC motor armature drive. |
| Supply Voltage (VS) | 12–40 V; supports 24 V industrial rails and 36 V battery-powered motion systems without external regulation. |
| PWM Chopping Frequency | 25–37 kHz (2× fosc); minimizes audible noise and reduces current ripple during microstepping at low currents. |
| Sense Resistor Range | Rs = 0.5 VREF / IMAX → e.g., 0.42 Ω for 1.2 A @ VREF = 2.5 V; sets current limit resolution and power dissipation in sensing path. |
| Logic Supply (VDD) | 4.75–5.25 V; compatible with standard 5 V microcontroller I/O without level shifting. |
| Thermal Shutdown | 150 °C junction temperature with 25 °C hysteresis; prevents latch-up during overload or poor heatsinking. |
| On-Resistance (Rds(on)) | 0.6–0.75 Ω per DMOS channel; determines conduction loss (≤0.9 W per bridge at 1.2 A) and thermal design margin. |
Pinout & Package
Package: PowerSO36 - thermally enhanced exposed-pad surface-mount package with 36 leads, optimized for high-current motor drive and PCB copper thermal spreading (θJA = 15–35 °C/W depending on layout).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| OUT1A / OUT1B / OUT2A / OUT2B | Bridge output terminals | Drive motor windings or DC motor terminals; each pair forms a full H-bridge with integrated DMOS and flyback diodes. |
| PH_1 / PH_2 | Direction control input | TTL/CMOS input setting current flow direction: HIGH = OUTA→OUTB; used for step/direction interface in stepper mode. |
| I0_1–I3_1 / I0_2–I3_2 | DAC address inputs | 4-bit binary code selecting 16 discrete current levels (9.5–100% of IMAX); enables precise microstepping current profiling. |
| VREF1 / VREF2 | Current reference voltage input | 2.5 V reference setting full-scale current (IMAX = 0.5 × VREF / Rs); decoupled externally to stabilize DAC accuracy. |
| SENSE1 / SENSE2 | Current sense amplifier inputs | Differential inputs connected across external Rs resistor; reject common-mode noise up to ±(VS + 0.7 V). |
| DISABLE | Bridge enable/disable control | Active-low input disabling both bridges simultaneously; used for emergency stop or power sequencing safety. |
| VBOOT / VCP1 / VCP2 | Charge pump interface | VCP1 drives external CP capacitor (10 nF); VCP2 connects Cboot (100 nF) to generate >VS gate drive for high-side DMOS. |
| PWR_GND (Pins 1, 18, 19, 36) | Power ground / thermal pad | Low-inductance return path for motor current and primary thermal conduction path to PCB copper plane. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Four-quadrant current control | Enables bidirectional torque and regenerative braking in DC motors, and true microstepping (including half- and 4-bit) in steppers. |
| No external recirculation diodes required | Integrated DMOS body diodes eliminate discrete diode count, reduce board area, and ensure matched recovery characteristics. |
| Phase-shift chopping architecture | Delivers <10% current ripple at 10% IMAX, critical for smooth low-speed stepper operation and reduced acoustic noise. |
| Cross-conduction protection | Hardware logic prevents shoot-through during switching transitions, eliminating need for external dead-time control circuitry. |
| Thermal shutdown with hysteresis | Auto-recovery after cooldown (ΔTSD-H = 25 °C); avoids system lockup during transient overloads or ambient temperature spikes. |
Applications
| Industrial CNC Positioning | Automated Valve Actuation |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Open-loop stepper-driven linear actuators controlling multi-axis milling table position with 0.9° step resolution. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual full-bridge driver executing microstepping waveforms (4-bit) under MCU direction/step commands; provides precise winding current control independent of back-EMF. Use Value: Enables sub-micron positioning repeatability by maintaining <±30 mV current loop offset and <10% ripple at 100 mA holding current. |
Use Scenario: 24 V DC motor actuator rotating quarter-turn ball valves in HVAC and process control panels. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional H-bridge controller implementing soft-start ramp-up and dynamic braking via four-quadrant PWM. Use Value: Eliminates mechanical contact bounce and extends valve life by delivering controlled 1.2 A stall current with <500 μs fault response time. |
| Medical Infusion Pump Drive | Lab Automation Sample Carousel |
|
Use Scenario: Bipolar stepper motor driving peristaltic pump rollers with closed-loop current feedback for dose accuracy. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision current regulator using external Rs and VREF to maintain ±1.5% IMAX tolerance across temperature (−40 to +85 °C). Use Value: Ensures <±2% volumetric delivery accuracy by rejecting supply ripple and load-induced sense node noise via differential SENSE inputs. |
Use Scenario: Indexing carousel rotating 12-position sample tray using 1.8° stepper with acceleration profiles. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-bridge sequencer accepting PH/I0–I3 inputs to execute half-step and microstep sequences without MCU intervention. Use Value: Reduces firmware overhead by offloading current waveform generation; supports 200 steps/rev with <0.5° static positioning error. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-L6258EX | Pin-compatible drop-in replacement with improved ESD rating (±4 kV HBM) and extended thermal shutdown threshold (160 °C). | Same functional block diagram and timing; requires no schematic or layout change but offers higher reliability in noisy industrial environments. | Select when new designs require enhanced robustness and long-term STMicroelectronics support beyond L6258E's "not recommended for new design" status. |
| TB6600HG | Higher peak current (4.5 A), but requires external recirculation diodes and separate charge pump; no integrated DAC or PH logic. | Demands additional external components and more complex MCU firmware for microstepping; lacks L6258E's single-chip simplicity. | Choose only if >2 A continuous current is mandatory and board space/component count are secondary concerns. |
Compared with E-L6258EX, L6258E lacks updated ESD hardening and has lower thermal trip point; versus TB6600HG, it trades raw current headroom for integration, reduced BOM count, and deterministic microstepping timing - making it optimal for space-constrained, cost-sensitive motion subsystems where 1.2 A suffices.
Availability
L6258E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial CNC positioning, automated valve actuation, and medical infusion pump drive requiring stable component supply despite its "not recommended for new design" status - supported through legacy production channels and controlled obsolescence management.
Supply support for L6258E 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 analog, mixed-signal, power, and microcontroller solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The L6258E belongs to ST's legacy motor driver product line, engineered specifically for cost-effective, integrated bipolar stepper and dual DC motor control in space- and thermal-constrained embedded motion systems.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable voltage on the VBOOT pin?
The absolute maximum rating for VBOOT is 60 V, with a recommended operating range of VS + 6 V to VS + 12 V. Exceeding VS + 12 V risks gate oxide stress on high-side DMOS transistors. This voltage is generated internally via the charge pump (Cboot = 100 nF), and must remain within 15 V of VS to avoid overvoltage damage to the bootstrap circuitry.
Can L6258E drive unipolar stepper motors?
No - L6258E is designed exclusively for bipolar stepper motors (requiring full-bridge winding control) and dual DC motors. Unipolar steppers use center-tapped windings and require different switching topologies (e.g., 4-phase single-ended drivers). Attempting unipolar operation would result in incorrect current paths and potential device damage due to improper terminal biasing.
How is current resolution achieved without a digital interface?
Current resolution is set by four TTL/CMOS logic inputs (I0–I3) per bridge, selecting one of 16 discrete DAC output levels (9.5–100% of IMAX) based on a truth table. This hardwired binary addressing eliminates SPI/I²C overhead and ensures deterministic, jitter-free current step transitions synchronized to the internal triangular oscillator - critical for smooth microstepping.
Is external heat sinking required for 1.2 A continuous operation?
Yes - at 1.2 A continuous per bridge and 40 V VS, power dissipation reaches ~1.8 W total. With PowerSO36's θJA = 35 °C/W (minimal PCB copper), junction temperature rise exceeds 63 °C above ambient. A 6 cm² copper pour with thermal vias to inner ground layers or an external heatsink is required to maintain Tj < 125 °C at 70 °C ambient.
L6258E Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 36-PowerBSSOP (0.433", 11.00mm Width)
- 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:
- 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Current - Output:
- 1.2A
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.75V ~ 5.25V
- Voltage - Load:
- 12V ~ 40V
- Operating Temperature:
- 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- PowerSO-36, Bottom Pad
L6258E FAQ
1.How can I place an order for L6258E through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for L6258E 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 L6258E reliable?
The price and inventory of L6258E are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for L6258E is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for L6258E?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for L6258E transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for L6258E?
L6258E orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your L6258E 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 L6258E?
For technical support, including L6258E datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your L6258E requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that L6258E is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All L6258E 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 L6258E meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of L6258E?
All L6258E units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with L6258E, 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 L6258E part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for L6258E:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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