Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MP6515GL-P

Overview

MP6515GL-P from Monolithic Power Systems is a 35V, 2.8A peak-current H-bridge motor driver IC with PHASE/ENABLE control logic, integrated N-channel MOSFETs (R_DS(on) = 250 mΩ HS/LS), and on-chip current sensing via ISET/VISEN. It drives DC brush motors in industrial actuators, robotic joints, and automated valves requiring bidirectional control, cycle-by-cycle current regulation, and fault reporting without external shunt resistors.

For engineers reviewing the MP6515GL-P datasheet, MP6515GL-P pinout, MP6515GL-P application, or MP6515GL-P equivalent, key selection criteria include its 5.4–35V input range, 1.5A continuous output rating at +25°C, thermal shutdown at 165°C, open-drain nFAULT signaling, and compatibility with 3.3V/5V logic interfaces in compact QFN-20 (3mm × 4mm) packaging.

Technical Context

The MP6515GL-P implements constant off-time PWM current regulation using internal sensing of low-side MOSFET conduction, with VISEN output scaling set by an external resistor on ISET (100 µA/A typical). Trip threshold is fixed at 1.5V on VISEN, enabling precise current limiting independent of supply voltage drift.

Its control architecture accepts four digital inputs-PHASE, ENBL, BRAKE, and BMODE-to configure forward/reverse drive, brake modes (low/high-side sync fast decay), and sleep entry via nSLEEP. Fault detection includes independent over-current (3.2–5A trip), over-voltage (36–40V), UVLO (5.3V rising), and thermal shutdown (165°C), all asserted on open-drain nFAULT.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MP6515GL-P is housed in a thermally enhanced 20-pin QFN package (3mm × 4mm, 0.5mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad requiring solder connection to PCB ground plane for optimal power dissipation (θ_JA = 48°C/W).

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, MP6515GL-P delivers simpler PHASE/ENBL logic, smaller QFN-20 footprint, and self-contained current regulation-making it optimal for cost-sensitive, space-constrained industrial motion control where SPI or dual-half-bridge flexibility is unnecessary.

Availability

MP6515GL-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial valve actuation, robotic joint control, automated door locks, and medical infusion pump drives requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for MP6515GL-P 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

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and power ICs, with emphasis on efficiency, integration, and thermal robustness.

The MP6515 belongs to MPS's motor driver product line, engineered for compact, reliable DC motor control in industrial, medical, and building automation systems where board space, thermal margin, and fault resilience are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current rating for MP6515GL-P under standard PCB conditions?

The MP6515GL-P supports ±1.5A continuous output current at T_A = +25°C with a standard 4-layer PCB layout. This rating decreases with rising ambient temperature or reduced copper area; derating curves in the datasheet show 1.0A at +85°C ambient. Thermal performance depends critically on proper soldering of the exposed pad to a solid ground plane.

How does the ISET resistor value affect current regulation accuracy and response?

The ISET resistor sets VISEN scaling (100 µA/A typical), directly determining the 1.5V trip point for PWM regulation. A 10 kΩ resistor yields 1V/A, so 1.5A triggers regulation. Tighter resistor tolerance (≤1%) improves absolute current accuracy, while parasitic capacitance >500 pF on VISEN can delay fault response and cause instability in fast-decay modes.

Can MP6515GL-P drive a bipolar stepper motor, and what control signals are required?

Yes - MP6515GL-P can drive one phase of a bipolar stepper motor using PHASE/ENBL for direction and enable, combined with external timing logic for step sequencing. It does not integrate microstepping or coil current balancing; two MP6515GL-P units are needed for full 2-phase control with independent current regulation per winding.

What is the purpose of the BMODE pin, and how does it interact with BRAKE?

BMODE selects brake decay mode: BMODE = 0 enables low-side (slow) decay; BMODE = 1 enables high-side (fast) decay. When BRAKE = 0, the selected decay mode activates regardless of PHASE/ENBL state. This allows configurable energy recovery or damping characteristics during motor stopping, critical for minimizing mechanical jerk in precision positioning.

Does nFAULT assert during normal current-limiting operation, or only during fault conditions?

nFAULT remains inactive (high-impedance, pulled up externally) during normal cycle-by-cycle current regulation. It asserts low only during hard faults: over-current (post-deglitch), over-voltage (>36V), under-voltage (<5.3V), or thermal shutdown (>165°C). This separation ensures motor control loops remain uninterrupted during expected current limiting events.

Is the QFN-20 package of MP6515GL-P compatible with reflow soldering per JEDEC J-STD-020?

Yes - the MP6515GL-P QFN-20 package conforms to JEDEC MO-220 and supports standard lead-free reflow profiles (peak 260°C, 20–40 sec above 217°C). The exposed thermal pad must be fully soldered to a minimum 10 mm² copper area with ≥4 thermal vias (0.3mm diameter) to GND for reliable thermal performance and mechanical attachment.