STMicroelectronics VN5050AJ-E

Overview

VN5050AJ-E from STMicroelectronics is a single-channel automotive high-side driver with integrated analog current sense, designed for driving resistive, inductive, or capacitive loads connected to ground. It features 50 mΩ typical on-state resistance, 16.5 A current limitation (typ), 4.5–36 V operating supply range, and CMOS-compatible 3.0 V logic input - enabling direct MCU interfacing in body control modules and LED lighting systems.

For engineers reviewing the VN5050AJ-E datasheet, VN5050AJ-E pinout, VN5050AJ-E application, or VN5050AJ-E equivalent, key selection criteria include its proportional current sense accuracy across temperature, reverse battery protection capability, thermal shutdown with auto-restart, and ISO 7637-2 transient immunity for 12 V/24 V automotive environments.

Technical Context

The device implements a VIPower M0-3 monolithic high-side switch with active power limitation during inrush, self-limiting fast thermal transients, and an internal VCC clamp protecting against low-energy spikes per ISO 7637. Its diagnostic architecture delivers a proportional analog current sense output (K = 1600–2440 typ) when CS_DIS is low, with <±10% ratio drift over load current and temperature.

Protection functions include undervoltage shutdown (4.5 V threshold), overvoltage clamp (41 V), loss-of-ground/loss-of-VCC detection, and thermal shutdown at 150 °C with 135 °C reset hysteresis. The truth table defines distinct diagnostic states for short-to-GND, short-to-VCC, overtemperature, and undervoltage conditions via the CURRENT SENSE pin.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Delivered in PowerSSO-12™ package (ECOPACK® compliant), featuring exposed thermal pad connected to VCC for enhanced heat dissipation. Pin 1 and Pin 6 are VCC; Pins 7 and 12 are OUTPUT; Pin 3 is INPUT; Pin 4 is CURRENT SENSE; Pin 5 is GND; Pin 11 is CS_DIS. Unused pins (2, 8–10) are No Connect (N.C.) and must be left floating or grounded per Table 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-side driver with current sense applications.

Compared with TPS4H160-Q1 and MC33883, VN5050AJ-E uniquely combines low RON, wide analog current sense range (50 mA–4 A), and automotive-grade transient immunity in a single PowerSSO-12 package - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, analog-feedback-driven body electronics where MCU resources are constrained.

Availability

VN5050AJ-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, LED lighting systems, and solenoid actuation requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and voltage ranges.

Supply support for VN5050AJ-E 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 ICs with broad AEC-Q100 qualification coverage.

VN5050AJ-E belongs to ST's VIPower high-side driver product line, engineered specifically for robust, intelligent load switching in automotive electrical architectures - emphasizing diagnostic integrity, EMC resilience, and long-term reliability under harsh environmental stress.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current rating for VN5050AJ-E?

The device does not specify a fixed continuous current rating due to thermal dependency. Its 16.5 A current limit (typ) applies under short-circuit conditions at VCC = 13 V. Continuous current capability depends on PCB copper area, ambient temperature, and airflow. With 200 cm² double-sided copper and 1 m/s airflow, it supports ≥8 A continuous in PowerSSO-12 package per Figure 29 and Table 5 thermal data.

How does the current sense function behave when CS_DIS is high?

When CS_DIS is driven high (≥2.1 V), the CURRENT SENSE pin enters high-impedance state with leakage ≤1 µA. No proportional current is delivered; the pin floats and must be externally pulled if used in shared analog bus configurations. This mode reduces system power consumption and avoids loading adjacent channels in multi-driver designs.

Can VN5050AJ-E drive inductive loads without external flyback protection?

Yes - the device integrates active demagnetization clamping that limits V_OUT to V_CC−41 V during turn-off (Table 9). Tested up to 104 mJ single-pulse energy (L = 3 mH, V_BAT = 13.5 V), it safely handles typical automotive solenoids and valves without external diodes, provided layout minimizes parasitic inductance in the OUTPUT loop.

Is reverse battery protection built-in or external?

Reverse battery protection is external: the GND pin must be protected using either a series resistor (RGND) or Schottky diode (DGND) as shown in Figure 26. The IC itself tolerates −0.3 V on VCC and −0.7 V on CS_DIS/INPUT but cannot survive reverse battery at GND without this external network - a requirement explicitly stated in the "GND protection network" section (3.1).