STMicroelectronics VN920SO-E

Overview

VN920SO-E from STMicroelectronics is a single-channel high-side solid-state relay (HSD) designed for automotive and industrial load switching with ground-referenced loads. It features 16 mΩ R_DS(on), 30 A continuous output current, 36 V maximum supply voltage, integrated proportional current sense (K ≈ 4400), and comprehensive protection including thermal shutdown (T_TSD = 150–200 °C), overvoltage clamp (V_clamp = 41–55 V), undervoltage lockout (V_USD = 3–5.5 V), and reverse battery tolerance. It is used in engine control modules for solenoid actuation.

For engineers reviewing the VN920SO-E datasheet, VN920SO-E pinout, VN920SO-E application, or VN920SO-E equivalent, key selection considerations include its SO-16L package thermal resistance (R_thj-amb = 65 °C/W on 0.5 cm² Cu), analog current sense accuracy (±10% ratio drift over −40 to +150 °C), short-circuit current limit (30–75 A), and ISO 7637-1 pulse level IV transient immunity.

Technical Context

The VN920SO-E integrates VIPower M0-3 technology to combine power MOSFET switching with intelligent protection logic. Its active V_CC clamp handles low-energy transients per ISO 7637-1 Pulse 1/2/3a/3b/4/5, while internal current limiting and thermal shutdown operate cooperatively - current foldback initiates at ~30 A, and full shutdown occurs at T_j ≥ 150 °C with 15 °C hysteresis (T_R = 135 °C).

The device implements loss-of-ground detection via automatic turn-off when GND is disconnected, and supports reverse-battery protection using external ground-network components. Its CMOS-compatible input accepts 3.25 V logic high and 1.25 V logic low with 0.5 V hysteresis, and the CSENSE pin delivers a current I_SENSE = I_OUT/K where K ranges from 3300 to 6000 depending on I_OUT and temperature.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SO-16L (16-lead small outline, 0.5 mm pitch, 10.1 × 10.65 mm body). Thermal performance optimized for surface-mount mounting on 0.5 cm² copper area (R_thj-amb = 65 °C/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with VN920SO-E, STSPIN250 trades current capacity and analog sensing for digital control and integration density, while TPS27082L offers lower R_DS(on) at much lower current and no built-in diagnostics - neither matches the VN920SO-E's combination of 30 A capability, ISO-compliant transient immunity, and proportional current sense in SO-16L.

Availability

VN920SO-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ECU design, industrial PLC output stages, commercial vehicle lighting control, and off-highway heater management requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and transient stress conditions.

Supply support for VN920SO-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 application-focused design centers.

The VN920SO-E belongs to ST's VIPower family of intelligent power switches, engineered specifically for replacing electromechanical relays in harsh-environment automotive and industrial control systems with integrated protection and diagnostics.

FAQ

What is the recommended external resistor value for the CSENSE pin?

Use a 3.9 kΩ resistor between CSENSE and GND to convert the proportional current output into a measurable voltage. At 10 A load, this yields ~2.27 V (I_SENSE ≈ 2.27 mA), staying within the specified V_SENSE max of 4 V at I_OUT = 10 A and V_CC > 8 V. Lower values increase power dissipation; higher values reduce signal-to-noise ratio.

Does VN920SO-E require an external flyback diode for inductive loads?

No - the device integrates an active demagnetization clamp that limits V_OUT to V_CC − 41 V during turn-off (e.g., 13.5 V − 41 V = −27.5 V), safely handling energy recovery from inductive loads like solenoids without external diodes. This is confirmed in the "V_demag" parameter (−41 to −55 V) and Figure 2 switching waveforms.

How does the device behave during undervoltage conditions?

When V_CC drops below V_USD (3–5.5 V), the output turns off and remains latched off until V_CC rises above V_USD + V_hyst (≈ 0.5 V). During this state, I_CC drops to ≤10 µA, and the CSENSE pin outputs near-zero current - ensuring fail-safe behavior during battery brownout or ignition cycling.

Can VN920SO-E be paralleled for higher current capacity?

No - the datasheet does not specify matching or paralleling capability. R_DS(on) variation (±20% typical), thermal coupling asymmetry, and lack of current-sharing control make parallel operation unsafe. For >30 A, use a higher-rated single-channel device such as VN920-B5 (P2PAK, 96.1 W P_TOT) or multi-channel alternatives with independent thermal paths.