STMicroelectronics VNH5050ATR-E

Overview

VNH5050ATR-E from STMicroelectronics is an automotive-grade fully integrated H-bridge motor driver with dual monolithic high-side drivers and two low-side switches built using VIPower® M0 technology. It delivers up to 30 A DC output current, supports 41 V maximum supply voltage, and enables PWM speed control up to 20 kHz for brushed DC motors in powertrain and chassis systems.

For engineers reviewing the VNH5050ATR-E datasheet, VNH5050ATR-E pinout, VNH5050ATR-E application, or VNH5050ATR-E equivalent, key selection criteria include R_DS(on) per leg (50 mΩ max), integrated current sense (K ≈ 5030 A/A typ. at 10 A), thermal shutdown (150–200 °C), cross-conduction protection, and PowerSSO-36 TP package with exposed die pads for automotive thermal reliability.

Technical Context

The device implements a three-die chipset in a single PowerSSO-36 TP package: two high-side drivers (HSA/HSB) and one dual low-side switch (LSA/LSB), all fabricated in ST's VIPower® M0 process. Each half-bridge leg features independent undervoltage/overvoltage shutdown, thermal protection, and current limiting - with fault status reported via open-drain DIAGA/ENA and DIAGB/ENB pins.

Logic inputs (INA, INB, PWM, CS_DIS) are CMOS-compatible with hysteresis; the current sense output (CS) delivers a proportional analog current (e.g., 91 µA at I_OUT = 500 mA, T_j = 25 °C) when CS_DIS is low or floating. PWM modulation directly gates low-side FETs during their on-phase, enabling precise motor speed control without external gate drivers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: PowerSSO-36 TP - thermally enhanced, electrically isolated lead frame with three exposed heat slugs (Slug1: VCC/HS drains; Slug2: OUTA/HS-A drain & LSA source; Slug3: OUTB/HS-B drain & LSB source) for direct PCB copper thermal coupling.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar H-bridge motor driver applications.

Compared with DRV887x-Q1 and BTS71620, the VNH5050ATR-E uniquely combines 30 A bidirectional drive, analog current sense with wide temperature stability, and robust automotive transient protection in a single PowerSSO-36 package - making it the only drop-in solution for EPS column lock and EPB actuator designs requiring ASIL-B compliance and >20 A peak current.

Availability

VNH5050ATR-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for electric power steering (EPS), electronic parking brake (EPB), HVAC blower control, and active suspension damper applications requiring stable component supply, long-term automotive lifecycle support, and traceable ECOPACK® sourcing.

Supply support for VNH5050ATR-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 qualified processes.

The VNH5050ATR-E belongs to ST's VIPower® automotive motor driver family, engineered specifically for high-reliability, high-current brushed DC motor control in safety-critical chassis and powertrain systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable PWM frequency for VNH5050ATR-E?

The device supports PWM operation up to 20 kHz, verified across -40 °C to +150 °C junction temperature and 9–18 V supply range. Operation beyond 20 kHz increases switching losses and may trigger thermal shutdown due to reduced time for heat dissipation per cycle - ST specifies 20 kHz as the absolute maximum for continuous safe operation.

How does the current sense output (CS) scale with motor current?

The CS pin delivers a proportional current: at 10 A motor current, typical output is 91 µA (K ≈ 5030 A/A), with ±13% variation over temperature and supply. Using an 800 Ω external resistor yields ~72.8 mV/A - enabling direct ADC reading without amplification in most microcontrollers.

Can VNH5050ATR-E drive a motor in both directions without external components?

Yes - direction is controlled solely by INA and INB logic states per the truth table (e.g., INA=1/INB=0 = clockwise; INA=0/INB=1 = counterclockwise). No external H-bridge transistors, gate drivers, or level shifters are required; all power switches and protection logic are monolithically integrated.

What thermal performance can be expected in a standard 4-layer PCB layout?

With 200 cm² of 2 oz copper on inner layers connected to all three heat slugs, R_thj-amb is ~25 °C/W (steady-state), allowing 30 A operation at T_amb ≤ 70 °C. Figure 17 in the datasheet provides exact curves versus copper area - insufficient copper (<50 cm²) raises junction temperature above 150 °C within seconds under full load.