Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MP6602GV-Z

Overview

MP6602GV-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is a 35V, 4A-per-phase stepper motor driver IC with integrated indexer, internal current sensing, stall detection, and SPI interface. It supports full to 1/32-step microstepping for bipolar/unipolar motors, delivers up to 4A output per phase (dependent on thermal design), operates from 4.5V–35V VIN, and integrates dual full-bridge drivers in QFN-25 (4mm×5mm). It is used in precision motion control systems such as 3D printers and laser copiers.

For engineers reviewing the MP6602GV-Z datasheet, MP6602GV-Z pinout, MP6602GV-Z application, or MP6602GV-Z equivalent, key selection criteria include its stall detection capability, BEMF measurement via SPI, automatic hold current mode, internal current regulation eliminating external sense resistors, and support for both STEP/DIR logic and serial configuration.

Technical Context

The MP6602GV-Z implements a constant-off-time PWM current control architecture with automatic decay mode selection (slow/fast) based on winding current behavior at the end of t_OFF. Its translator generates sine/cosine-modulated DAC outputs to drive two independent H-bridges, enabling precise microstepping resolution up to 1/32-step.

Diagnostic functions are tightly coupled to real-time operation: rotor stall detection uses back-EMF (BEMF) amplitude analysis measured through dedicated analog front-end and 8-bit ADC; open-load detection triggers at 180µA; over-current protection trips at 5–10A with 1µs deglitching; thermal warning activates at 150°C and shutdown at 165°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MP6602GV-Z is housed in a thermally enhanced QFN-25 package (4mm × 5mm, 0.5mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. The package supports high-power dissipation (θ_JA = 29.6°C/W on 4-layer board) and requires soldering of the EPAD to a large copper pour for optimal thermal performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar stepper motor driver applications.

Compared with TMC2209-LA and DRV8825PWPR, MP6602GV-Z uniquely combines 35V operation, internal current sensing, programmable BEMF-based stall detection, and automatic hold current - making it optimal for thermally constrained, high-voltage industrial motion systems requiring autonomous fault awareness.

Availability

MP6602GV-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 3D printer motion control, laser printer paper feed mechanisms, textile machine yarn tensioning, and industrial CNC indexer modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MP6602GV-Z 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 focus on efficiency, integration, and reliability for industrial, computing, and automotive applications.

The MP6602 belongs to MPS's stepper motor driver product line, engineered specifically for intelligent, self-diagnosing motion control in space- and thermal-constrained systems where external sensing and discrete protection circuitry must be minimized.

FAQ

Does MP6602GV-Z require external current-sense resistors?

No. The MP6602GV-Z integrates high-side and low-side current sensing with ±4.5% accuracy at full scale, eliminating the need for external sense resistors. This reduces PCB area, BOM cost, and power loss while improving thermal stability under varying ambient conditions.

How does stall detection work without an encoder?

Stall detection uses on-chip back-EMF (BEMF) measurement: the IC samples motor winding voltage during off-time, amplifies it with programmable gain (0.1–20 V/V), and digitizes it via an 8-bit ADC. A sustained drop in BEMF amplitude below threshold indicates rotor stall, reported via nFAULT and FAULT register.

What is the minimum STEP pulse width required?

The minimum STEP high and low times are both 1 µs, per datasheet timing characteristic t₁₁ and t₁₂. This allows microsecond-level step rates up to 500 kHz in theory, though practical limits are set by motor inductance, supply voltage, and current regulation dynamics.

Can MP6602GV-Z drive unipolar stepper motors?

Yes. Unipolar operation is enabled via the UNI bit in the CTRL2 register. In this mode, only one LS-FET per winding is active, the common terminal connects to VIN, and decay is always slow - no fast decay or BEMF-based stall detection is available in unipolar mode.

Is the QFN-25 package thermally adequate for 4A continuous operation?

Yes - with proper layout: the exposed thermal pad must be soldered to ≥4 cm² of inner/outer copper with ≥6 thermal vias (0.3mm diameter) to internal ground planes. On a 4-layer board per JESD51-7, θ_JA = 29.6°C/W enables 4A at T_A ≤ 65°C; derating is required above that ambient.

What happens during nRESET assertion?

Driving nRESET low resets all internal registers to power-on defaults, disables H-bridge outputs, clears fault flags, and resets the indexer's TSTP register to zero. The pin has an internal pull-up to VCC, so it remains inactive when left floating or pulled high.

How is automatic hold current triggered and exited?

Automatic hold activates after configurable STEP inactivity (15.6ms–1000ms, set by AH2–AH0 bits), reducing winding current to the value set by IL5–IL0 bits. It exits immediately on the next STEP rising edge, restoring full I_PEAK set by IS5–IS0 bits - ensuring zero latency on motion resumption.