STMicroelectronics VN920B5-E

Overview

VN920B5-E from STMicroelectronics is a single-channel automotive-grade high-side solid state relay (HSR) designed for ground-referenced loads in 12 V/24 V systems. It features 16 mΩ R_DS(on), 30 A continuous output current, CMOS-compatible input logic, and integrated proportional current sense with thermal shutdown, undervoltage/overvoltage protection, and load-disconnect detection. It is used in body control modules for driving lamps, solenoids, and motors.

For engineers reviewing the VN920B5-E datasheet, VN920B5-E pinout, VN920B5-E application, or VN920B5-E equivalent, key selection criteria include its AEC-Q100 qualification, P2PAK thermal performance (R_thj-case = 1.3 °C/W), ISO 7637-2 transient immunity, and analog current sense accuracy (±10% ratio drift over -40 to 150 °C).

Technical Context

The VN920B5-E integrates VIPower™ M0-3 technology to combine power MOSFET switching with intelligent protection logic and analog current sensing. Its internal architecture includes active V_CC clamping for low-energy transients, programmable current limitation (30–75 A depending on V_CC and temperature), and thermal shutdown with 15 °C hysteresis (T_TSD = 150–200 °C, T_R = 135 °C).

It implements GND-disconnect detection via internal monitoring of ground pin continuity, disables current sense output during fault conditions (overtemperature, undervoltage, overvoltage), and delivers a proportional I_SENSE current (K = 3300–6000 A/A) referenced to V_SENSE with 500 µs response delay - enabling real-time load diagnostics without external shunts.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: P2PAK (Power Package with 5 leads, surface-mount, thermally enhanced). Thermal resistance junction-to-case is 1.3 °C/W, enabling >96 W power dissipation at T_C = 25 °C.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with VN920B5-E, BTS724G trades integration for cost and MC33883 trades analog simplicity for digital configurability - making VN920B5-E optimal for standalone, high-reliability, high-current automotive HSD nodes requiring minimal external components and autonomous fault handling.

Availability

VN920B5-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, industrial motor starters, truck chassis electronics, and off-highway equipment lighting requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for VN920B5-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 vertical manufacturing and AEC-Q100 validation infrastructure.

VN920B5-E belongs to ST's VIPower™ high-side driver product line, engineered specifically for robust, intelligent power distribution in automotive electrical architectures - emphasizing fault resilience, diagnostic capability, and thermal efficiency.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable PCB copper area for thermal optimization of VN920B5-E in P2PAK?

The VN920B5-E achieves R_thj-amb = 37 °C/W when mounted on a standard FR-4 board with 6 cm² of ≥35 µm thick copper, per Table 4. This configuration supports 96.1 W power dissipation at T_C = 25 °C. For higher ambient temperatures, thermal simulation using the fitting model in Figure 24 is recommended to validate junction temperature margins.

How does the VN920B5-E handle reverse battery conditions?

VN920B5-E does not tolerate reverse battery directly on V_CC. Protection requires external network design: either a series resistor (RGND ≤ 600 mV/I_S(on)max) or Schottky diode (DGND) in the ground path, as detailed in Section 3.1. The device detects GND disconnection and shuts down, but cannot survive sustained reverse V_CC without external mitigation.

Can the current sense output be used for closed-loop current regulation?

Yes - the proportional I_SENSE output (K = 3300–6000 A/A) provides real-time load current feedback with 500 µs delay. When paired with an op-amp and MCU ADC, it enables analog or digital current regulation. However, the sense signal is disabled during faults (e.g., overtemperature), so regulation loops must incorporate fault-handling logic.

What is the minimum input voltage required to guarantee turn-on at elevated temperature?

V_IH remains 3.25 V across −40 to +150 °C (Table 7), with 0.5 V hysteresis. To ensure reliable turn-on under worst-case conditions, the driving MCU must deliver ≥3.75 V at the INPUT pin - accounting for trace resistance, noise margin, and potential V_CC droop during cranking.