Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MP6516GF-P

Overview

MP6516GF-P from Monolithic Power Systems is a 35V, 2.8A peak-current H-bridge motor driver with independent ½-H control logic (IN1/EN1/IN2/EN2), integrated N-channel MOSFETs (R_DS(on) = 250 mΩ HS/LS), internal current sensing via ISET/VISEN, and cycle-by-cycle current regulation - used to drive DC brush motors in industrial actuators and automated valves.

For engineers reviewing the MP6516GF-P datasheet, MP6516GF-P pinout, MP6516GF-P application, or MP6516GF-P equivalent, key selection criteria include its 5.4–35V input range, fault-indicating open-drain nFAULT output, thermal shutdown at 165°C, UVLO at 5V, and compatibility with 3.3V/5V logic interfaces without external shunt resistors.

Technical Context

The MP6516GF-P implements a fully integrated dual-N-channel H-bridge with charge-pump gate drive (680 kHz) enabling high-side switching without external bootstrap components. Its current regulation uses constant-off-time PWM triggered when V_ITRIP reaches 1.5V at ISET, with 500 ns blanking time to suppress turn-on spikes.

Protection architecture includes independent OCP on both high- and low-side devices (3.2–5.3A trip), input OVP (36–40V), UVLO (4.7–5.3V with 310 mV hysteresis), and thermal shutdown (165°C with 30°C hysteresis), all asserting an open-drain nFAULT signal.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP-16 EP (5.0 mm × 6.4 mm) with exposed thermal pad (EP) requiring solder connection to PCB ground plane for thermal management and electrical stability.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB6612FNG and DRV8876N, the MP6516GF-P uniquely balances 35V operation, integrated charge pump, VISEN-based current monitoring, and single-pin fault reporting in a compact TSSOP-16 EP - making it optimal for space-constrained 24V industrial motor control where protection integrity and layout simplicity are critical.

Availability

MP6516GF-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial valve actuation, automated conveyor control, and robotic joint actuation requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for MP6516GF-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 design centers in the US, China, and Taiwan.

The MP6516 belongs to MPS's motor driver product line, engineered for robust, thermally efficient control of brushed DC and bipolar stepper loads in harsh industrial environments - emphasizing integrated protection, minimal external components, and reliable operation across wide temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current supported by the MP6516GF-P?

The MP6516GF-P supports ±1.5A continuous output current per channel under recommended operating conditions (T_A = +25°C, proper PCB thermal design). This rating assumes use of the exposed thermal pad soldered to a ≥250 mm² copper area and accounts for power dissipation limits (2.77W max at 25°C ambient). Peak current capability remains 2.8A for short-duration pulses.

How does the ISET pin configure current limiting and VISEN scaling?

The ISET pin sources 100 µA per ampere of load current into an external resistor to ground. With R_ISET = 10 kΩ, V_ISET rises at 1V/A; current limiting triggers when V_ISET reaches 1.5V (i.e., 1.5A trip point). VISEN output voltage mirrors this scaling (e.g., 1V/A), enabling direct current monitoring without amplification.

Can the MP6516GF-P drive a unidirectional load without using full H-bridge functionality?

Yes - the MP6516GF-P supports half-bridge or high-side/low-side switch configurations by controlling individual ENx/INx signals. For example, setting EN1=high, IN1=high, EN2=low configures OUT1 as a high-side switch while OUT2 remains high-impedance. However, current sensing and regulation require current flow through both low-side FETs and thus function only in full-bridge or active-low-side modes.

What is the purpose of the CPA and CPB pins, and what capacitor value is required?

CPA and CPB form the flying capacitor node for the internal charge pump that generates the gate-drive voltage for high-side N-channel MOSFETs. A 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor must be placed directly between CPA and CPB, with low-ESR and short trace lengths, to ensure stable high-side switching at 680 kHz. This eliminates external bootstrap components required by many competing drivers.

Does the nFAULT pin require an external pull-up resistor, and what voltage levels are compatible?

Yes - nFAULT is an open-drain output and requires an external pull-up resistor to a logic supply (3.3V or 5V). The pin sinks up to 5 mA when active low (V_OL ≤ 0.5V), and leakage current is ≤1 µA when inactive. Compatible pull-up values range from 2.2 kΩ (for fast rise time) to 10 kΩ (for low power), depending on system noise immunity and response speed requirements.

How does the MP6516GF-P handle motor stall or short-circuit conditions?

During stall or short, the internal OCP circuit detects current exceeding 3.2–5.3A (depending on device variation) within 500 ns, disables all MOSFETs, and asserts nFAULT low. After a fixed 0.9 ms retry delay, the H-bridge automatically recovers - repeating until the fault clears. This cycle-by-cycle action prevents thermal runaway while maintaining system visibility via nFAULT.

Is the MP6516GF-P RoHS-compliant and halogen-free?

Yes - the MP6516GF-P is lead-free, halogen-free, and fully compliant with the EU RoHS directive. Monolithic Power Systems confirms green status for this part on its official Quality Assurance webpage, with material declarations available upon request for automotive or medical-grade qualification.