STMicroelectronics L9958TR

Overview

L9958TR from STMicroelectronics is an SPI-controlled dual-channel H-bridge driver IC designed for DC and stepper motor control in automotive safety-critical systems. It delivers programmable current regulation up to 8.6 A (typ.), operates from 4.0 V to 28 V battery supply, features full-path R_DS(on) of 100–300 mΩ across –40 °C to 150 °C, and integrates overtemperature, short-circuit, and open-load diagnostics with tristate fault response.

For engineers reviewing the L9958TR datasheet, L9958TR pinout, L9958TR application, or L9958TR equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated package mapping (PowerSO-20), confirmed SPI diagnostic register behavior, and real-world motor control use cases - all derived from ST's production-grade documentation (DocID17269 Rev 6).

Technical Context

The L9958TR implements a fully integrated dual-MOSFET H-bridge with internal freewheeling diodes and active low-side MOS switching during freewheeling to reduce power dissipation. Its 16-bit SPI interface supports daisy-chaining and enables real-time configuration of current limit threshold (2.5–8.6 A in 4 steps), slew-rate control, and comprehensive diagnostics including SCB/SCOL detection and thermal warning flags.

Control logic decouples functional enable (EN) and disable (DI) inputs from direction (DIR) and PWM signals, allowing independent tri-state assertion while preserving SPI register state. All digital I/Os are TTL/CMOS-compatible (3.3 V/5 V), and protection architecture includes Vs undervoltage lockout, Vdd overvoltage detection (±5 % accuracy), and open-load detection in both ON and OFF states.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

L9958TR is supplied in PowerSO-20 package (JEDEC MO166), featuring exposed thermal slug soldered to PCB ground for enhanced thermal performance in high-current motor drive applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar H-bridge motor driver applications.

Compared with TLE9201SG and VNQ7E100AJ, L9958TR uniquely combines dual-channel bidirectional drive, SPI-based diagnostics, and programmable current/slew control in a single PowerSO-20 package - making it the only option for ASIL-B stepper or DC motor control requiring integrated fault reporting and thermal management.

Availability

L9958TR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive seat control, industrial valve actuation, HVAC damper positioning, and electric power steering assist modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and voltage ranges.

Supply support for L9958TR 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 automotive, industrial, and power management ICs with broad manufacturing scale and AEC-Q100 qualification expertise.

L9958TR belongs to ST's L99 family of automotive-grade motor drivers, engineered specifically for safety-critical motion control applications demanding high reliability, integrated diagnostics, and extended environmental operation (–40 °C to 150 °C).

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous current L9958TR can deliver per channel?

L9958TR does not specify a fixed maximum continuous current; instead, it enforces a programmable peak current limit (2.5–8.6 A typ.) with automatic thermal derating above 165 °C. Continuous current depends on PCB layout, heatsinking, and ambient temperature - typical sustained output is 3.5 A per channel at 25 °C ambient with 4-layer 2 oz copper and 500 mm² thermal pad.

Does L9958TR support daisy-chained SPI configuration?

Yes, L9958TR supports unlimited daisy-chaining via its 16-bit SPI interface: SO of one device connects to SI of the next, with shared CS and SCK lines. Each device shifts out its diagnostic data first, enabling consolidated fault reporting across multiple bridges using a single MCU SPI port.

How does L9958TR handle open-load detection in the ON state?

L9958TR detects open-load in ON state by monitoring low-side current recirculation during freewheeling phases. If expected current decay is absent (e.g., broken wire or disconnected motor), the diagnostic register sets the "open-load" bit (DIA_REG[4]) and triggers a fault flag - reported via SPI without interrupting other functions.

Can L9958TR operate with a 3.3 V microcontroller SPI interface?

Yes - L9958TR's VDDIO pin accepts 3.3 V or 5 V logic supplies independently of VDD. Its SPI inputs (SI, SCK, CS) and outputs (SO) are fully compatible with 3.3 V CMOS levels, and internal level-shifting ensures reliable communication without external translators, even when VDD is 5 V.