STMicroelectronics TEA3718SP
- Part No.:
- TEA3718SP
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- Motor Drivers, Controllers
- Package:
- Multiwatt-15 (Vertical, Bent and Staggered Leads)
- Datasheet:
-
TEA3718SP.pdf
- Description:
- IC MOTOR DRV BIPOLAR 15MULTIWATT
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,622
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Product details
Overview
TEA3718SP from STMicroelectronics is a bipolar stepper motor driver IC designed to regulate constant current in one winding of a bipolar stepper motor using switch-mode chopper control. It supports full-step and half-step operation, delivers up to 1.5 A output current, operates from 10–45 V motor supply (VS), features built-in thermal alarm output, and integrates H-bridge output stage with protection diodes.
For engineers reviewing the TEA3718SP datasheet, TEA3718SP pinout, TEA3718SP application, or TEA3718SP equivalent, key selection criteria include its TTL-compatible logic interface (IN0/IN1/PHASE), programmable current levels via reference voltage and sense resistor, monostable pulse timing (toff = 0.69·RT·CT), thermal alarm behavior at junction temperature ≥150 °C, and Multiwatt™ 15 package thermal performance (Rth(j-c) = 3 °C/W).
Technical Context
The TEA3718SP implements a current-regulated chopper drive using three selectable comparator thresholds (VCH/VCM/VCL) controlled by IN0 and IN1, enabling discrete current levels (no current, low, medium, max) or analog-adjusted current via variable reference voltage (VR). Its monostable pulse generator triggers on comparator output rising edge to set fixed off-time (toff), ensuring precise current decay control.
The output stage is a fully integrated H-bridge with four Darlington transistors and built-in protection diodes; OUTA and OUTB form complementary switching paths for bidirectional current flow through the motor winding, with PHASE input determining direction and Schmidt-triggered noise immunity preventing shoot-through during transitions.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output current | ±1.5 A maximum - supports high-torque bipolar stepper motors without external current amplification |
| Motor supply range (VS) | 10–45 V - accommodates unstabilized industrial DC bus supplies, eliminating need for regulated motor rail |
| Logic supply (VSS) | 5 V ±5% - compatible with standard TTL/LS-TTL microcontroller I/O without level shifting |
| Junction temp. alarm threshold | ≥150 °C - ALARM pin goes low to signal thermal overload, enabling system-level shutdown or derating |
| Current sense reference | Voltage-controlled via REFERENCE pin (0–5 V typical) - enables fine-grained analog current tuning beyond discrete logic settings |
| Off-time (toff) | 25–35 ms (typ.) - set externally via RT/CT network (toff = 0.69·RT·CT), directly governing chopper frequency and current ripple |
| Saturation voltage (Vsat,total) | 3.2 V max at 1 A - defines conduction loss budget and heatsink sizing requirement in H-bridge output stage |
Pinout & Package
TEA3718SP uses the Multiwatt™ 15 package (12+2+2 lead configuration), featuring thermally enhanced metal tab for direct PCB copper heatsinking (Rth(j-c) = 3 °C/W). The package includes dedicated power pins (VS(A), VS(B), VSS), dual output terminals (OUTA, OUTB), and functional logic/analog inputs with thermal sensing integration.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| OUTA / OUTB | H-bridge output pair | Drive complementary current through motor winding; OUTA sources, OUTB sinks (or vice versa depending on PHASE state) |
| PHASE | Direction control input | TTL-compatible logic input with Schmidt trigger; sets current polarity across winding to control motor step direction |
| IN0 / IN1 | Current level select | Two-bit logic input selecting one of four comparator thresholds (including zero-current state) per truth table |
| REFERENCE | Analog reference voltage input | Defines comparator trip points; scaling RS and VR jointly sets actual motor current (Im = VR / RS) |
| SENSE RESISTOR | Current sense node | Connects to emitter of lower Darlington transistors; feeds voltage drop across external RS to comparator input |
| ALARM | Thermal fault indicator | Open-collector output pulled low when Tj ≥150 °C; used for system-level thermal management or fault latching |
| PULSE TIME | Monostable timing node | RC network here sets fixed off-time (toff); determines chopper frequency and average current regulation stability |
| VS(A) / VS(B) | Motor power supply inputs | Split VS pins reduce internal power dissipation asymmetry; accept 10–45 V unstabilized DC motor supply |
| VSS | Logic supply input | 5 V ±5% supply for internal logic, comparators, and pulse generator; independent of motor rail |
| GND | Common reference | Ground return for logic, sense circuitry, and thermal path; multi-pin GND improves noise immunity and heat conduction |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bipolar chopper drive | Enables high-efficiency constant-current control in one motor winding without external PWM controller or gate drivers |
| Four selectable current levels | Discrete setting (zero, low, medium, max) via IN0/IN1 logic, plus continuous analog adjustment via REFERENCE voltage |
| Integrated H-bridge with diodes | Eliminates need for external flyback diodes or discrete power transistors; reduces BOM count and layout complexity |
| Thermal alarm output | Dedicated ALARM pin asserts low at Tj ≥150 °C, enabling immediate system response before permanent device damage |
| Noise-immune PHASE input | Schmidt-triggered input with internal delay prevents shoot-through during direction reversal, improving reliability in noisy environments |
Applications
| Industrial CNC Positioning | Printer Paper Feed Mechanism |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Precise open-loop positioning of X-Y gantry axes in desktop CNC mills using NEMA 17 stepper motors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TEA3718SP regulates constant current in each motor winding under microcontroller step/direction commands, maintaining torque across speed range via chopper control. Use Value: Delivers stable 1.2 A winding current at 24 V supply with <3.2 V total saturation loss, minimizing thermal rise in compact enclosure while supporting 200-step/rev resolution. |
Use Scenario: Bidirectional paper transport in laser printers, requiring rapid start/stop and accurate sheet registration. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Drives one phase of a bipolar stepper motor controlling feed roller; PHASE and IN0/IN1 manage direction and microstepping-equivalent current profiles. Use Value: Built-in thermal alarm prevents motor stall-induced overheating during paper jams; ALARM signal halts motion and alerts host controller within 100 µs. |
| Lab Automation Stage Control | Valve Actuation in Analytical Instruments |
|
Use Scenario: High-repeatability Z-axis focus adjustment in optical microscopes using 0.9° hybrid stepper motors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Provides smooth half-step operation with adjustable current decay (via PULSE TIME RC network) to minimize vibration and resonance at low speeds. Use Value: 25–35 ms off-time tuning reduces audible noise and positional overshoot; REFERENCE pin allows dynamic current reduction during hold phase to cut power consumption by 60%. |
Use Scenario: Precision reagent dosing in liquid chromatography systems using stepper-driven pinch valves. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Controls single-winding current in a sealed stepper actuator; SENSE RESISTOR connection enables real-time current monitoring for fault detection. Use Value: Integrated protection diodes prevent back-EMF damage during rapid valve closure; GND pins conduct heat to PCB copper, sustaining 1.5 A peak current in 50 mm² thermal pad area. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar bipolar stepper motor driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| L297 + L298N | Two-chip solution: L297 generates logic, L298N provides H-bridge (2.5 A, higher Vsat); no integrated alarm or analog current control | Requires external current sense and thermal monitoring; suitable where higher current or dual-winding drive is needed | Choose when needing >1.5 A per winding or dual-channel capability; adds board space and component count |
| TB6560AHQ | Single-chip microstepping driver (3.5 A, 256-step), integrated oscillator, no separate REFERENCE pin; alarm function not implemented | Designed for smoother motion via microstepping; lacks thermal alarm output and discrete current-level logic interface | Prefer for applications demanding silent, vibration-free motion; avoid if thermal fault signaling is mandatory |
Compared with L297+L298N and TB6560AHQ, TEA3718SP offers unique integration of thermal alarm, analog-adjustable current, and TTL-compatible discrete-level control in a single Multiwatt package-ideal for cost-sensitive, thermally constrained industrial motion systems where reliability and simplicity outweigh microstepping needs.
Availability
TEA3718SP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial CNC positioning, printer paper feed mechanisms, lab automation stage control, and valve actuation in analytical instruments requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence support.
Supply support for TEA3718SP 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
STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing analog, digital, and mixed-signal ICs for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.
The TEA3718SP belongs to ST's legacy motor driver product line, engineered specifically for robust, cost-effective bipolar stepper motor control in industrial equipment where thermal resilience, supply flexibility, and minimal external components are critical.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable motor supply voltage for TEA3718SP?
The absolute maximum rating for VS is 50 V, but the recommended operating range is 10–45 V. Operating above 45 V risks exceeding safe junction temperature under load due to increased power dissipation in the Darlington output stage; sustained use at 50 V requires aggressive heatsinking and derated current.
How does the ALARM output behave during thermal overload?
When junction temperature reaches approximately 150 °C, the ALARM pin switches from high-impedance (open) to active-low (≤0.8 V at 2 mA sink), signaling thermal fault. This action also reduces motor current via internal circuitry-typically to ~50%-to mitigate further heating while maintaining basic functionality until cooling occurs.
Can TEA3718SP drive both windings of a bipolar stepper motor?
No-TEA3718SP controls only one motor winding. A complete two-phase bipolar stepper driver requires two TEA3718SP ICs, one per winding, sharing common logic signals (PHASE, IN0, IN1) and coordinated timing. The datasheet explicitly states "two TEA3718 ICs and a few external components form a complete control and drive unit."
What is the role of the PULSE TIME pin and how is it configured?
The PULSE TIME pin connects to an external RC network that sets the monostable off-time (toff = 0.69·RT·CT), determining how long the lower transistors remain off during chopper regulation. Typical values are RT = 56 kΩ and CT = 820 pF, yielding toff ≈ 30 ms-critical for stabilizing average current and minimizing audible noise in the motor winding.
TEA3718SP Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- Multiwatt-15 (Vertical, Bent and Staggered Leads)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Motor Type - Stepper:
- Bipolar
- Motor Type - AC, DC:
- -
- Function:
- Driver - Fully Integrated, Control and Power Stage
- Output Configuration:
- Half Bridge (2)
- Interface:
- Parallel
- Technology:
- Bipolar
- Step Resolution:
- 1, 1/2
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Current - Output:
- 1.5A
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.75V ~ 5.25V
- Voltage - Load:
- 10V ~ 45V
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- Multiwatt-15
TEA3718SP FAQ
1.How can I place an order for TEA3718SP through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TEA3718SP on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for TEA3718SP reliable?
The price and inventory of TEA3718SP are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TEA3718SP is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for TEA3718SP?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TEA3718SP transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for TEA3718SP?
TEA3718SP orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your TEA3718SP order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for TEA3718SP?
For technical support, including TEA3718SP datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TEA3718SP requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that TEA3718SP is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All TEA3718SP products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that TEA3718SP meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of TEA3718SP?
All TEA3718SP units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TEA3718SP, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The TEA3718SP part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for TEA3718SP:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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