STMicroelectronics L9960

Overview

L9960 from STMicroelectronics is an AEC-Q100 qualified automotive H-bridge DC motor driver supporting single brushed motor control via SPI configuration and PWM/DIR or IN1/IN2 logic interface. It operates from 4.5 V to 28 V battery supply, delivers R_DS(on) < 400 mΩ (full path, T_j = 150 °C), supports up to 20 kHz switching frequency, and integrates charge pump for 100% duty cycle operation - used in throttle actuators, EGR valves, and turbocharger flap control.

For engineers reviewing the L9960 datasheet, L9960 pinout, L9960 application, or L9960 equivalent, this page provides verified functional identity, validated pin roles, confirmed thermal/current protection thresholds, and real-world automotive use cases with design-meaning context for motor drive selection.

Technical Context

The L9960 implements a dual-channel half-bridge output stage with integrated freewheeling diodes and low-side active freewheeling to minimize conduction loss. Its programmable slew rate control (voltage and current) and four-step SPI-adjustable current limit enable precise torque and EMI management in safety-critical 12 V/24 V automotive systems.

Functional safety is enhanced by bidirectional VDD5 monitoring, SOPC (Switch-off Path Check), hardware self-check (HWSC), and diagnostics including open-load detection in ON-state, over-temperature warning/shutdown, and short-circuit detection on both high- and low-side transistors - all accessible via SPI register reads.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Delivered in PowerSSO-36 package with exposed thermal pad for enhanced power dissipation and automotive-grade mechanical robustness.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB9051FTG and VNH7040ASTR, the L9960 provides superior integration (charge pump, SPI configurability, ASIL-B–ready diagnostics), tighter thermal/current protection granularity, and automotive-specific validation - making it optimal for next-generation engine management and electrified thermal systems requiring field-upgradable behavior and full fault traceability.

Availability

L9960 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for throttle actuators, EGR valves, turbocharger flaps, and electric coolant pumps requiring stable component supply across automotive production lifecycles.

Supply support for L9960 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, Switzerland, specializing in automotive, industrial, and power management ICs with broad AEC-Q100 product coverage.

The L9960 belongs to ST's automotive motor driver portfolio, designed specifically for high-reliability brushed DC motor control in engine management, emission control, and thermal subsystems - emphasizing functional safety, thermal resilience, and EMI robustness.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current supported by the L9960?

The L9960 supports ≥3 A continuous output current per H-bridge leg under typical conditions (T_j ≤ 150 °C, PCB copper area ≥ 200 mm², ambient ≤ 85 °C), based on its R_DS(on) < 400 mΩ and thermal performance in PowerSSO-36. Actual current depends on layout, heatsinking, and ambient temperature - refer to Figure 12 (Thermal Resistance vs. Copper Area) and Table 7 (Bridge Output Drivers) in DS11115 Rev 10.

Does the L9960 support daisy-chained SPI configuration?

Yes, the L9960 supports daisy-chain SPI mode using the NSS pin and internal shift-register architecture, allowing multiple devices to share one SPI bus with individual addressability. This is documented in Section 4.9.6 and Figure 23 of DS11115 Rev 10, enabling scalable multi-motor control without additional GPIO overhead.

How does the L9960 handle open-load detection in the ON state?

The L9960 performs active open-load diagnosis by measuring voltage drop across the low-side MOSFET during conduction; if V_DS exceeds threshold (indicating no current flow), OL_ON bit is asserted in SPI status register. Confirmed in Section 4.8.5 and Table 83 (Open Load in ON-state electrical characteristics) of DS11115 Rev 10.

Is the L9960 pin-compatible with the L9960T variant?

No - while both use PowerSSO-36 packaging, the L9960 (single H-bridge) and L9960T (dual independent H-bridges) have different pin mappings for motor outputs, diagnostics, and control signals. Table 2 (Pin definition) in DS11115 Rev 10 confirms distinct assignments for OUT1A/OUT1B (L9960) versus OUT1A/OUT1B/OUT2A/OUT2B (L9960T), requiring separate PCB layouts.