STMicroelectronics VNH5180ATR-E

Overview

VNH5180ATR-E from STMicroelectronics is an automotive-grade fully integrated H-bridge motor driver with dual high-side and dual low-side VIPower® M0 switches in PowerSSO-36 TP package. It delivers 8 A continuous output current, supports 20 kHz PWM speed control, and integrates undervoltage/overvoltage/thermal shutdown, cross-conduction protection, and analog current sense (K=710–900 A/A). It drives brushed DC motors in power seat, window lift, and HVAC actuator systems.

For engineers reviewing the VNH5180ATR-E datasheet, VNH5180ATR-E pinout, VNH5180ATR-E application, or VNH5180ATR-E equivalent, key selection criteria include R_DS(on) per leg (max 180 mΩ), CS_DIS-controlled current sense accuracy (±13% drift), fault-diagnostic open-drain ENA/DIAGA & ENB/DIAGB pins, and PowerSSO-36 TP thermal resistance (R_thj-case = 4.6–4.8 °C/W).

Technical Context

The device implements a three-die chipset: two monolithic high-side drivers and one dual low-side switch, all fabricated in ST's VIPower® M0 process for co-integrated power MOSFETs and protection logic. Its truth-table-based logic control accepts CMOS-compatible INA/INB inputs to configure clockwise, counterclockwise, brake-to-GND, or brake-to-VCC states.

Protection architecture includes independent high-side and low-side thermal shutdown (T_SD = 150–200 °C), dynamic cross-conduction current limiting (I_RM = 0.6 A), and active clamp circuits limiting V_CLP to 41–52 V during transients. The CS pin provides proportional analog current sense (I_SENSE = I_OUT/K) only when CS_DIS is low or floating.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: PowerSSO-36 TP - thermally enhanced exposed-pad leadframe package with electrically isolated die pads, optimized for automotive under-hood thermal cycling and board-level manufacturability.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BTN7960B and DRV8872, VNH5180ATR-E uniquely combines AEC-Q100 qualification, integrated current sense with ±13% gain stability, per-leg diagnostic outputs, and 41 V overvoltage clamp-making it the only option qualified for safety-critical automotive body electronics requiring functional diagnostics and robustness.

Availability

VNH5180ATR-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power seat actuation, front window lift, HVAC blend door control, and steering column adjustment requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and lifecycle requirements.

Supply support for VNH5180ATR-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, specializing in automotive, industrial, and power management ICs with broad AEC-Q100-qualified portfolio.

The VNH5180A-E belongs to ST's VIPower® family of intelligent power switches, designed specifically for automotive body electronics demanding high integration, diagnostic capability, and robustness against electrical transients and thermal stress.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current rating for VNH5180ATR-E?

The VNH5180ATR-E is rated for 8 A continuous output current per H-bridge leg under specified thermal conditions (e.g., ≥200 cm² PCB copper area, 1 oz Cu, with PowerSSO-36 TP mounted per ST's recommended footprint). This rating assumes ambient temperature ≤85 °C and proper heatsinking via the exposed VCC and OUTA/OUTB slugs. Peak current capability exceeds 16 A for short durations but triggers current limitation or thermal shutdown if sustained.

How does the current sense function work, and what is its accuracy?

The CS pin delivers a current I_SENSE = I_OUT/K, where K ranges from 710 to 900 A/A depending on output current and temperature. Accuracy is specified as ±13% gain drift over –40 to 150 °C (for I_OUT = 1–4 A). CS_DIS must be low or floating to enable sensing; when high, CS enters high-impedance state. External resistor converts I_SENSE to voltage (e.g., 2 kΩ yields 0–5 V for 0–4 A motor current), supporting analog MCU ADC input.

Can VNH5180ATR-E operate with a 5 V microcontroller interface?

Yes. All logic inputs (INA, INB, PWM, CS_DIS, ENA/DIAGA, ENB/DIAGB) are 3 V CMOS compatible with VIH = 2.1 V min and VIL = 0.9 V max, ensuring reliable interfacing with 5 V or 3.3 V MCUs. Input hysteresis (0.15 V) improves noise immunity. ENA/DIAGA and ENB/DIAGB are open-drain outputs requiring external pull-up resistors (typically 10 kΩ to VCC) to report fault status or enable bridge legs.

What protection features are built into VNH5180ATR-E?

VNH5180ATR-E integrates undervoltage shutdown (3–5 V threshold), overvoltage clamping (41–52 V), thermal shutdown (150–200 °C per leg), cross-conduction prevention, short-to-ground/VCC detection, loss-of-ground and loss-of-VCC monitoring, and current/power limitation. Faults trigger automatic shutdown and pull down the corresponding ENA/DIAGA or ENB/DIAGB pin, providing immediate hardware-level diagnostic signaling without software intervention.