STMicroelectronics VN920SP13TR

Overview

VN920SP13TR 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 15 mΩ R_DS(on), 30 A continuous output current, 36 V V_CC rating, CMOS-compatible input logic, and integrated proportional current sense (K ≈ 4400). It is used in body control modules to drive solenoids, lamps, and actuators while providing real-time load monitoring and fault diagnostics.

For engineers reviewing the VN920SP13TR datasheet, VN920SP13TR pinout, VN920SP13TR application, or VN920SP13TR equivalent, key selection criteria include thermal shutdown behavior at 150°C, over-voltage clamp at 41–55 V, reverse battery protection capability, and analog current sense accuracy across -40°C to 150°C junction temperature.

Technical Context

The VN920SP13TR integrates VIPower M0-3 technology to combine power MOSFET switching with intelligent protection circuitry. Its active current limitation (30–75 A depending on V_CC and T_case) works in tandem with thermal shutdown (T_TSD = 150–200°C) and automatic restart to sustain operation under overload or short-circuit conditions.

It implements dual-level protection logic: under-voltage shutdown triggers at 3–5.5 V, over-voltage shutdown at ≥36 V, and over-voltage clamp limits V_OUT to V_CC − 41 V during inductive turn-off. The current sense output delivers I_SENSE = I_OUT/K (K = 4200–6000), with <±10% drift over full temperature range and 500 µs response delay.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Delivered in PowerSO-10 package: thermally enhanced surface-mount housing with exposed die pad for PCB copper area heat sinking (R_thj-amb = 37°C/W with 6 cm² Cu).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with VN920SP13TR, STVN7016AJTR trades current sense and peak current for lower cost and smaller footprint, while INFINEON BTS716G adds digital configurability at the expense of analog sensing fidelity and requires different PCB layout and firmware integration.

Availability

VN920SP13TR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, industrial PLC output stages, truck lighting systems, and off-highway equipment actuation requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for VN920SP13TR 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 qualification expertise.

VN920SP13TR belongs to ST's VIPower high-side driver product line, engineered specifically for robust, protected switching of resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads in harsh automotive and industrial environments.

FAQ

What is the maximum inductive load energy the VN920SP13TR can safely demagnetize?

The VN920SP13TR supports up to 362 mJ of switching energy (EMAX) with L = 0.25 mH, RL = 0 Ω, V_bat = 13.5 V, and T_jstart = 150°C. This value is validated per Figure 20 and Table 4, and applies to turn-off clamping into the internal V_CC clamp diode - no external snubber required for loads within this limit.

How does the current sense output behave during thermal shutdown?

During thermal shutdown (T_j ≥ 150°C), the VN920SP13TR disables the output and drives the current sense pin to V_SENSEH = 5.5 V (with R_SENSE = 3.9 kΩ), indicating over-temperature fault. This is defined in Table 11 (Truth Table) and Figure 13, and remains active until junction temperature falls below 135°C reset threshold.

Can the VN920SP13TR drive a load with one side connected to V_CC instead of ground?

No. The VN920SP13TR is a high-side driver intended exclusively for loads with one side grounded. Its architecture requires the load to be placed between OUTPUT and GND. Driving a V_CC-referenced load would violate its functional topology and cause improper operation or damage, as confirmed in the "Description" section (page 1) and block diagram (Figure 1).

Is external reverse-battery protection required when using the VN920SP13TR?

No external reverse-battery protection is required for the VN920SP13TR itself - it withstands −0.3 V on V_CC. However, system-level reverse-battery survival requires either a series resistor (RGND ≤ 600 mV/I_S(on)max) or diode (DGND) in the ground path per Figure 19 and Section 3.1. This protects downstream components like MCUs and sense resistors, not the VN920SP13TR alone.