STMicroelectronics Launches Highly Integrated Intelligent High-Side Drivers for Automotive Applications

The VN9D30Q100F and VN9D5D20FN from STMicroelectronics introduce a new
generation of automotive intelligent switches, the first in the market with
digital current sensing among the fully digital on-chip diagnostic features.
Designed for high-side connection in applications powered from a 12V
battery, the drivers simplify the hardware and software design of electronic
control units (ECUs) and enhance system reliability.

The new devices leverage ST’s latest-generation of VIPower* M0-9 technology
<https://www.st.com/en/automotive-analog-and-power/high-side-switches-with-s
pi-and-asymmetrical-outputs.html?icmp=tt23309_gl_pron_sep2021>  to combine
an efficient 40V trench vertical MOSFET with 3.3V digital logic, and
high-precision analog circuitry in a 6mm x 6mm QFN package. Their compact
dimensions and high integration save up to 40% of PCB area compared to
comparable driver ICs already in the market.

The VN9D30Q100F
<https://www.st.com/en/automotive-analog-and-power/vn9d30q100f.html?icmp=tt2
3309_gl_pron_sep2021>  has two 33mW and two 90mW channels. The VN9D5D20FN
<https://www.st.com/en/automotive-analog-and-power/vn9d5d20fn.html?icmp=tt23
309_gl_pron_sep2021>  has two 7.6mW and two 20mW channels. Each has up to
six output channels and a 4-wire SPI interface, which reduces the number of
microcontroller I/O pins needed to interact with the device. They also
feature an integrated pulse-width modulation (PWM) generator with resolution
of 0.1% that provides a convenient and precise control signal at each output
to handle functions such as lamp dimming.

The diagnostic circuitry has a continuously running analog-to-digital
converter (ADC) with 10-bit resolution and 5% precision to provide digital
readings of the load current and case temperature, which eliminates reliance
on an ADC in the host microcontroller. The ADC task manager is synchronized
with the driver’s PWM engine, ensuring that diagnostics for each output
channel is automatically performed in the appropriate time frame without
microcontroller intervention. There are also two one-time programmable (OTP)
inputs to manage operation in limp-home mode if a system failure causes a
loss of overall host-MCU control.

In addition to cutting hardware costs for customers by minimizing power
dissipation and PCB-design complexity, these new devices simplify AUTOSAR
compliance by providing a complex driver that operates independently from
the application, thereby also easing software development.

The VN9D30Q100F
<https://estore.st.com/en/vn9d30q100ftr-cpn.html?icmp=tt23310_gl_pron_sep202
1>  and VN9D5D20FN
<https://estore.st.com/en/vn9d5d20fntr-cpn.html?icmp=tt23310_gl_pron_sep2021
>  are available now, priced at $1.070 for the VN9D30Q100F and at $1.563 for
the VN9D5D20FN, for orders of 1000 pieces.

For more information please go to www.st.com/m0-9-high-side-drivers
<https://www.st.com/en/automotive-analog-and-power/high-side-switches-with-s
pi-and-asymmetrical-outputs.html?icmp=tt23309_gl_pron_sep2021> .

*Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, VIPower is a registered and/or
unregistered trademark of STMicroelectronics International NV or its
affiliates in the EU and/or elsewhere.