Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MP6526GU-P

Overview

MP6526GU-P from Monolithic Power Systems is a six-half-bridge DMOS motor driver IC with integrated power MOSFETs, serial SPI-compatible interface (up to 3 MHz), 0.9A per channel output current, 1.1Ω typical R_DS(ON) (HS+LS) at 25°C, and full fault diagnostics including short-circuit, open-load, over-temperature pre-warning (120–170°C), and under-voltage protection - deployed in automotive seat/mirror actuators and industrial valve control.

For engineers reviewing the MP6526GU-P datasheet, MP6526GU-P pinout, MP6526GU-P application, or MP6526GU-P equivalent, key selection criteria include serial daisy-chain capability, 6μA standby quiescent current across temperature, QFN-24 (5mm×5mm) thermal performance (θ_JA = 36°C/W), and diagnostic flag reporting via open-drain FAULT and 16-bit status register.

Technical Context

The MP6526GU-P implements six independent half-bridge outputs controlled via a 16-bit serial input register, supporting configurable high-side/low-side switching per channel and hardware/software enable (EN pin + SE bit). Its internal charge pump enables high-side gate drive without external bootstrap components.

Diagnostic architecture includes real-time open-load detection (enabled by OLD bit), programmable short-circuit shutdown delay (SCT bit selects 1.5 ms or 12 ms), and dual thermal thresholds - pre-warning (TP bit set at 120–170°C) and shutdown (all outputs disabled at 150–200°C) - with 15°C hysteresis for both.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MP6526GU-P is packaged in a thermally enhanced QFN-24 (5mm × 5mm) with exposed thermal pad, optimized for PCB heat dissipation (θ_JA = 36°C/W on 4-layer board). Pin numbering follows JEDEC MO-220 standard.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB9057FG and VNQ7E100AJ, MP6526GU-P uniquely combines bidirectional half-bridge operation, SPI daisy-chaining, open-load detection, and sub-6μA standby - making it optimal for space-constrained, diagnostics-intensive multi-actuator systems where firmware flexibility and fault traceability are prioritized over raw voltage headroom or analog sensing.

Availability

MP6526GU-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive seat control, industrial valve positioning, mirror folding systems, and robotics joint actuation requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MP6526GU-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 power management ICs, with design centers in the US, China, and Taiwan, and global manufacturing partnerships.

The MP6526 belongs to MPS's automotive-grade motor driver product line, engineered specifically for intelligent, diagnostics-rich actuation in body electronics and industrial motion control - emphasizing low quiescent power, robust fault handling, and serial configurability.

FAQ

What package type does MP6526GU-P use, and how does its thermal performance compare to other variants?

MP6526GU-P uses a QFN-24 (5mm × 5mm) package with exposed thermal pad, achieving θ_JA = 36°C/W on a 4-layer PCB - 6°C/W better than the QFN-24 (4mm × 4mm) variant and significantly superior to SOIC-28 (60°C/W). This enables higher continuous current in thermally constrained automotive modules without external heatsinking.

How does the open-load detection function work, and what load conditions does it reliably identify?

When the OLD bit is set low, the MP6526GU-P applies a 1.4–2.4 mA pull-down current to each low-side switch. An open load is detected when the corresponding LSx or HSx status bit reads high in the output register while the output is commanded off. It reliably identifies disconnected wires or broken windings in DC motors and solenoids, but not shorted windings - those trigger SCP instead.

Can MP6526GU-P drive an H-bridge configuration directly, or does it require external external FETs?

MP6526GU-P integrates six half-bridge channels with DMOS power MOSFETs - each channel contains matched high-side and low-side switches. To implement a full H-bridge for one motor, two half-bridges (e.g., OUT1/OUT2 for one leg, OUT3/OUT4 for the other) are used in complementary mode. No external FETs are needed for standard 12V/24V DC motor driving up to 0.9A per phase.

What is the role of the discharger circuit, and under what conditions does it activate?

The integrated discharger circuit activates when VS exceeds ~37V, safely bleeding charge from blocking capacitors during long standby periods. This prevents overvoltage damage when inverse-polarity protection diodes isolate the supply - a known failure mode in automotive modules left parked for weeks. It operates autonomously without MCU intervention.

Is the FAULT pin compatible with 3.3V microcontrollers, and how should it be interfaced?

Yes - FAULT is an open-drain output rated for ≤6V, so it can be pulled up to 3.3V with a 10kΩ resistor and directly connected to a 3.3V GPIO interrupt pin. The pin asserts low on any fault (SCP, OTP, UVP), and remains latched until the fault condition clears and the SRR bit is written high in the input register.

Does MP6526GU-P support PWM speed control, and what is the maximum recommended frequency?

Yes - each half-bridge supports PWM input via serial register updates. While not a dedicated PWM controller, it handles typical motor speeds using software-driven duty-cycle changes. For reliable switching with minimal shoot-through risk, keep PWM frequency below 20 kHz; dead time is fixed at 2 μs, and rise/fall times are 2–50 μs depending on load.

How is thermal pre-warning (TP bit) different from thermal shutdown, and can it be used for active thermal management?

TP bit asserts when junction temperature reaches 120–170°C - 30°C below shutdown threshold - and clears when temperature drops 15°C below that. Unlike shutdown, pre-warning does not disable outputs, enabling MCU-initiated actions like reducing PWM duty cycle or activating fans. This provides deterministic thermal margin control without system interruption.