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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Power Management (PMIC) > Power Distribution Switches, Load Drivers

STMicroelectronics VN21

Name: VN21
Brand: STMicroelectronics
SKU: VN21
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: VN21

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Category:: Power Distribution Switches, Load Drivers

Package:: Pentawatt-5 (Vertical, Bent and Staggered Leads)

Datasheet:: VN21.pdf

Description:: IC PWR DRVR N-CH 1:1 5PENTAWATT

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:4,293

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Product details

Overview

VN21 from STMicroelectronics is a high-side smart power solid-state relay based on VIPower technology, designed for automotive ISO-compliant load switching with one side grounded. It delivers 23 A continuous output current at Tc = 85 °C, features 5 V logic-compatible input, open-drain diagnostic output, thermal shutdown, and –18 V inductive demagnetization voltage-used in engine control modules, lighting drivers, and body electronics.

For engineers reviewing the VN21 datasheet, VN21 pinout, VN21 application, or VN21 equivalent, key selection considerations include its ISO-defined nominal current (7 A), R_DS(on) of 0.05 Ω at 7 A/25 °C, V_BRDSS of 60 V, integrated under-voltage protection (5 V threshold), and diagnostic timing parameters (t_1(on) = 1–10 ms, t_pol = 50–700 µs).

Technical Context

The VN21 integrates a vertical Power MOSFET with embedded protection logic and diagnostics in a monolithic VIPower structure. Its high-side architecture enables direct battery-switching of resistive or inductive loads while maintaining ground-referenced control signals. The device implements ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5 Level II surge immunity without external components and supports reverse-battery protection via Schottky diode integration.

Functional behavior includes fault detection via open-drain STATUS output indicating open load (on/off), overtemperature, short-to-V_CC, and undervoltage conditions-with dedicated filtering (5 ms) and delay timing (t_povl, t_pol). Fast demagnetization uses internal clamp to –18 V, reducing dissipation during inductive turn-off per P_dem = 0.5·L·I²·[(V_CC+V_demag)/V_demag]·f.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_BRDSS	60 V - Maximum drain-source breakdown voltage; ensures safe operation under 46.5 V ISO Pulse 5 Level II load dump.
I_OUT (cont.)	23 A @ T_c = 85 °C - Continuous output current rating defining thermal design margin in automotive under-hood environments.
R_DS(on)	0.05 Ω @ I_OUT = 7 A, T_j = 25 °C - On-resistance directly determines conduction loss (P = I²R) and junction temperature rise.
V_demag	–18 V (typ.) - Negative clamp voltage during inductive turn-off; reduces demagnetization time and power dissipation by ~3× vs. freewheeling diode.
T_TSD	140 °C - Thermal shutdown activation temperature; protects die during sustained overload or poor heatsinking.
t_1(on)	1–10 ms - Minimum open-load duration to assert STATUS; prevents false fault reporting from transient disconnections.
V_USD	5 V - Undervoltage shutdown threshold; disables output below battery voltage critical for ECU stability.

Pinout & Package

PENTAWATT (vertical) package: 5-pin single-in-line power package with isolated tab for heatsinking; case material thermally conductive epoxy; mounting via screw or clip to heatsink.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1 (GND)	Power ground reference	Common return path for load current and internal bias; must be connected to chassis or low-impedance ground plane.
2 (IN)	Logic input	5 V-tolerant digital enable signal; VIH ≥ 2 V, VIL ≤ 0.8 V, internally clamped to ~6 V.
3 (V_CC)	Supply input	Battery connection (5.5–26 V); powers internal circuitry and gate driver; withstands ISO Pulse 5 Level II (46.5 V).
4 (OUT)	High-side power output	Switched load terminal; connects to +12 V loads (e.g., solenoids, lamps); rated for 60 V breakdown and 23 A continuous.
5 (STATUS)	Open-drain diagnostic output	Active-low fault indicator; sinks up to 1.6 mA; pulled high externally; reports open load, overtemp, short-to-V_CC, undervoltage.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5 Level II immunity	No external components required to survive 46.5 V transients-reduces BOM count and PCB area in automotive ECUs.
Integrated fast demagnetization	–18 V clamp enables <1 µs current decay in typical 1 mH inductive loads, minimizing energy dissipation and EMI.
Diagnostic filtering & timing	5 ms open-load filter and µs-scale status delays (t_povl, t_pol) ensure robust fault reporting compliant with ISO 16750-2.
Thermal shutdown with hysteresis	Shuts off at 140 °C and resets at 125 °C-prevents thermal runaway while allowing recovery after transient overload.
Reverse battery protection ready	Supports Schottky diode placement at Pin 1 (GND) to block –26 V reverse polarity without compromising logic thresholds.

Applications

Engine Control Unit (ECU) Solenoid Driver

Automotive Lighting Switching

Use Scenario: Driving fuel injector or idle air control solenoids in gasoline/diesel engines under harsh under-hood conditions.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side switch enabling precise PWM-controlled current delivery with real-time open-load and overtemperature feedback.

Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete MOSFET + protection IC + sense resistor; reduces board space by >40% and improves fault coverage per ISO 26262 ASIL-B requirements.

Use Scenario: Controlling headlamp, fog lamp, or daytime running light (DRL) modules in modern vehicle lighting systems.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Solid-state replacement for electromechanical relays; provides soft-start, inrush limiting, and diagnostic reporting for LED drivers.

Use Value: Enables flicker-free dimming via PWM, extends lamp life by eliminating contact bounce, and supports OEM-level CAN-based diagnostics via STATUS pin.

Body Control Module (BCM) Load Management

Electric Power Steering (EPS) Auxiliary Loads

Use Scenario: Managing power distribution to door locks, window lift motors, and HVAC actuators in centralized BCM architectures.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Protected high-side driver with programmable current limits and load-status feedback for multi-channel load monitoring.

Use Value: Reduces wiring harness complexity by enabling local switching near loads; supports predictive maintenance via cumulative open-load event logging.

Use Scenario: Switching auxiliary EPS subsystems such as torque sensor heaters, motor cooling fans, or fail-safe clutches.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Safety-critical power switch with ASIL-A capable diagnostics and fast (<100 µs) fault response for functional safety compliance.

Use Value: Meets ISO 26262 FMEDA requirements for single-point fault metrics; eliminates need for redundant external supervision circuits.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-side automotive switch applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
STSPIN250	Lower current rating (12 A), integrated current sense, SPI interface, no built-in demag clamp	Targeted at motor control with closed-loop feedback; requires external flyback path for inductive loads	Select when digital control and current monitoring outweigh need for standalone high-current switching.
INFINEON BTS724G	Higher R_DS(on) (10 mΩ typ.), dual-channel, integrated watchdog timer, higher quiescent current	Designed for dual-load redundancy in safety-critical systems; lacks native ISO Pulse 5 Level II immunity	Prefer for dual-output applications where channel independence and watchdog supervision are mandatory.

Compared with STSPIN250 and BTS724G, the VN21 offers superior single-channel current capability (23 A), native –18 V demagnetization, and pulse immunity without external components-making it optimal for cost-sensitive, high-reliability automotive relay replacement where analog diagnostics and minimal BOM are priorities.

Availability

VN21 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for engine control units, automotive lighting systems, body control modules, and electric power steering auxiliary load management requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and lifecycle demands.

Supply support for VN21 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, specializing in automotive, industrial, and power management solutions with vertical manufacturing and broad IP portfolio.

The VN21 belongs to ST's VIPower M0-3 family of high-side drivers, engineered specifically for ISO-compliant automotive power distribution-emphasizing ruggedness, integrated diagnostics, and simplified system-level compliance.

FAQ

What is the maximum inductive load energy the VN21 can safely demagnetize without thermal shutdown?

The VN21 safely demagnetizes inductive loads up to 1 mH at 7 A with V_CC = 13 V, given its –18 V clamp and thermal resistance R_thj-case = 1.35 °C/W. Using P_dem = 0.5·L·I²·[(V_CC+V_demag)/V_demag]·f, maximum safe inductance scales inversely with switching frequency and ambient thermal conditions-validated per Figure 6 and Table 8 test data.

Can the STATUS pin drive an LED directly without an external transistor?

Yes-the STATUS pin is open-drain and rated for 1.6 mA sink current at V_OL ≤ 0.4 V. With a 5 V pull-up and 1 kΩ resistor, it delivers ~4.6 mA, sufficient to illuminate standard indicator LEDs. For higher brightness or multiple loads, an external NPN buffer is recommended to avoid exceeding I_STAT limits.

Does the VN21 require an external freewheeling diode when driving inductive loads?

No-an internal clamp circuit provides –18 V demagnetization voltage, eliminating the need for external freewheeling diodes. This reduces component count, PCB area, and EMI generation. External diodes are only required if higher clamp voltage tolerance or bidirectional protection is needed beyond the device's native specification.

How does the VN21 handle load dump transients per ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5?

The VN21 withstands ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5 Level II (46.5 V, 100 ms) without external components due to internal avalanche-rated structure and optimized layout. For Level III (60.5 V), a 150 Ω resistor between Pin 1 and ground plus 1000 µF capacitor between Pin 3 and ground is required-per Section "PROTECTING THE DEVICE AGAINST LOAD DUMP".

VN21 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Package/Case:: Pentawatt-5 (Vertical, Bent and Staggered Leads)

Series:: -

Packaging:: Tube

Product Status:: Obsolete

Switch Type:: General Purpose

Number of Outputs:: 1

Ratio - Input:Output:: 1:1

Output Configuration:: High Side

Output Type:: N-Channel

Interface:: On/Off

Voltage - Load:: 5.5V ~ 26V

Voltage - Supply (Vcc/Vdd):: Not Required

Current - Output (Max):: 23A

Rds On (Typ):: 50mOhm (Max)

Input Type:: Non-Inverting

Features:: Status Flag

Fault Protection:: Open Load Detect, Over Temperature

Operating Temperature:: -40°C ~ 150°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: 5-PENTAWATT

VN21 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for VN21 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for VN21 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 VN21 reliable?

The price and inventory of VN21 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for VN21 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for VN21?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for VN21 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for VN21?

VN21 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your VN21 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 VN21?

For technical support, including VN21 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your VN21 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that VN21 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All VN21 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 VN21 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of VN21?

All VN21 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with VN21, 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 VN21 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for VN21:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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