Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P

Overview

MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P from Monolithic Power Systems is a triple half-bridge motor driver IC with integrated DMOS power MOSFETs, AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified for automotive use. It delivers up to 0.9A per channel, features R_DS(ON) (HS+LS) ≤2Ω at 150°C, supports serial interface clock up to 3MHz, and provides open-load, short-circuit, over-temperature, and under-voltage diagnostics. It drives DC motors in body control modules and HVAC actuators.

For engineers reviewing the MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P datasheet, MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P pinout, MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P application, or MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P equivalent, key selection criteria include serial daisy-chaining capability, fault flag reporting via open-drain FAULT pin, quiescent current <6μA in standby, and wettable flank QFN-24 package compatibility with automated optical inspection.

Technical Context

The MPQ6523 implements three independent half-bridge output stages, each with high-side and low-side DMOS switches controlled via a 16-bit SPI-compatible serial interface. Control logic includes programmable short-circuit timer (SCT bit), software enable (SE bit), and open-load detection (OLD bit), enabling per-channel configuration without external logic.

Thermal management integrates dual-threshold monitoring: pre-warning at 120–170°C and shutdown at 150–200°C, both with 15°C hysteresis. Fault handling routes over-current, thermal, and UVLO events to a shared open-drain FAULT pin and a 16-bit status register readable via DO pin during CS transitions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P is housed in a wettable flank QFN-24 (4mm × 4mm) package with exposed thermal pad. Pin 1 is marked by a corner chamfer or dot; the package supports automated optical solder-joint inspection.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TB9051FTG and DRV8876N, MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P uniquely combines triple half-bridge integration, daisy-chain capability, AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification, and sub-6μA standby current - making it optimal for space-constrained, safety-aware automotive body electronics.

Availability

MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, HVAC actuator assemblies, industrial valve positioners, and medical infusion pump designs requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and AEC-Q100-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for MPQ6523GR-AEC1-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 MPQ6523 belongs to MPS's automotive-grade motor driver product line, engineered specifically for reliable, low-pin-count control of multiple resistive and inductive loads in harsh-temperature environments.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the FAULT pin, and how should it be interfaced?

The FAULT pin is an open-drain, active-low output that asserts low on any detected over-current, thermal shutdown, or under-voltage condition. It must be pulled up to VCC (3.15–5.25V) with a 4.7kΩ resistor. The pin shares fault status across all three half-bridges - a single low signal indicates at least one channel has failed, requiring status register readback via DO to identify root cause.

How does open-load detection work, and what load conditions trigger it?

When OLD bit = low, the IC injects a 1.4–2.4mA pull-down current into 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 disabled. This occurs because the pull-down current cannot develop voltage across an open circuit, causing the internal comparator to flag the condition - confirmed in both unpowered and powered states per datasheet Figure 3 procedure.

Can MPQ6523GR-AEC1-P drive bipolar stepper motors?

No. The MPQ6523 provides three independent half-bridges, not full H-bridges per phase. It lacks complementary gate drive and cross-conduction prevention logic required for bipolar stepper control. It is designed for unidirectional DC motors, solenoids, and generic inductive loads - not microstepping or phase-commutated topologies.

What is the function of the discharge circuit, and when does it activate?

The discharge circuit activates when VS exceeds ~37V, discharging external blocking capacitors through an internal resistor to prevent overvoltage damage during long-term inhibit mode. It operates independently of EN or SE state and is essential in systems with reverse-polarity protection diodes where leakage currents could otherwise charge the supply rail beyond the 40V absolute maximum rating.

Is daisy-chaining supported, and what are the timing constraints?

Yes - daisy-chaining is enabled by connecting DO of one MPQ6523 to DI of the next, with shared CLK and CS lines. Total chain delay is cumulative: each device adds ≤200ns DO enable/disable latency (T1/T2). For N devices, maximum CS-to-DO valid time is N×200ns; clock period must remain ≥333ns (≤3MHz) to meet setup/hold timing across the chain.

How is thermal pre-warning used in system-level fault handling?

Thermal pre-warning (TP bit) asserts before shutdown, allowing the host MCU to reduce load current or throttle operation proactively. TP is readable without full 16-bit transfer: assert CS low-to-high, then sample DO within 200ns - if TP=high, the junction is approaching 120–170°C. This enables graceful degradation rather than abrupt shutdown in thermally constrained enclosures.

Does the part support 3.3V-only logic interfaces, and what are the voltage thresholds?

Yes - the serial interface is fully 3.3V compatible. Input low threshold is 0.3×VCC (min 0.95V at VCC=3.15V); input high threshold is 0.7×VCC (min 2.2V at VCC=3.15V). DO output high level is VCC−0.7V (≥2.45V at VCC=3.15V), ensuring clean logic levels with standard 3.3V MCUs without level shifting.