STMicroelectronics VN7050ASTR-E

Overview

VN7050ASTR-E from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board pre-assembled with the VN7050AS single-channel smart high-side driver in SO-8 package, designed for 12 V automotive load control. It supports 4–28 V operating voltage, delivers 30 A current limiting, features 50 mΩ on-state resistance, and provides proportional analog current sense (MultiSense) with diagnostic enable/disable via S_EN pin - used for rapid prototyping of automotive lighting and motor control circuits.

For engineers reviewing the VN7050ASTR-E datasheet, VN7050ASTR-E pinout, VN7050ASTR-E application, or VN7050ASTR-E equivalent, this board enables immediate validation of VIPower® M0-7 high-side driver behavior - including open-load detection, short-to-VCC/ground fault reporting, thermal shutdown signaling, and CMOS-compatible 3 V/5 V interface timing under real load transients.

Technical Context

The EV-VN7050AS board implements the VN7050AS IC in a minimal, production-representative layout: SO-8 mounted with thermal vias (0.5 mm diameter, 1.1 mm spacing), FR4 double-layer PCB (25 × 41.5 mm), and integrated decoupling (C1 = 100 nF, C2 = 10 nF). It routes all critical signals - IN, S_EN, MultiSense, OUTPUT - to accessible headers (J1–J4) with defined pull-up options for OFF-state diagnostics.

Thermal performance is validated per R_thj-amb = 64 °C/W under natural convection; the board includes TP1/TP2 test points for through-hole sense resistor mounting and dedicated SMD pads for Rsense customization. Load current sensing uses external Rsense to scale MultiSense output (1:2000 typical ratio), while IN hysteresis ensures noise-immune switching at 3 V/5 V logic levels.

Key Specifications

Availability

VN7050ASTR-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting control, engine management subsystems, and body electronics development requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and rapid functional validation of high-side driver behavior under real-world load conditions.

Supply support for VN7050ASTR-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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and automotive-grade analog devices.

The VN7050AS product line belongs to ST's VIPower® family - engineered specifically for robust, protected high-side switching in 12 V automotive applications, integrating diagnostics, current sensing, and fail-safe protection without external components.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the S_EN pin on the VN7050ASTR-E board?

The S_EN pin is an active-high digital input compatible with 3 V and 5 V CMOS logic that enables or disables the MultiSense current-sense function. When low, it disables analog current feedback to reduce system power during sleep modes; when high, it activates proportional load current reporting - allowing shared sense resistors across multiple VN7050AS devices in modular designs.

Can the VN7050ASTR-E board drive inductive loads like fuel pumps or radiator fans?

Yes - the board hosts the VN7050AS IC, which is qualified for automotive inductive loads. Its integrated protections include overload active management via power limitation, thermal shutdown, loss-of-ground/VCC detection, and reverse-battery resilience (with external components). The SO-8 layout and thermal vias support sustained 30 A peak current handling under controlled duty cycles.

How is open-load detection implemented in OFF-state on this evaluation board?

OFF-state open-load detection uses the IN_PullUP connection (J3 pin 5) to bias the input node externally. When the load is disconnected and IN is pulled high, the VN7050AS detects absence of leakage current path and reports open-circuit via diagnostic flags. This requires no additional circuitry beyond the optional pull-up resistor mounted on J3.

Does the VN7050ASTR-E include ESD protection for user interface connections?

Yes - the VN7050AS IC itself integrates IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 ESD protection (±8 kV contact, ±15 kV air) on all pins, including IN, S_EN, and MultiSense. The evaluation board preserves this rating through direct routing to headers (J1–J4) without added series impedance or filtering that would degrade transient immunity.