STMicroelectronics has announced the VNQ9050LAJ, a 4-channel automotive high-side driver designed to enhance reliability and user experience in vehicle electrical systems. Released on , the driver addresses the challenges of increasingly complex automotive electronics, particularly those related to voltage transients and harsh operating conditions.
Addressing Automotive Electrical Challenges
The VNQ9050LAJ is specifically engineered to operate with a minimum supply voltage of 4V and crucially, maintains functionality even during cold cranking scenarios when voltage can drop as low as 2.7V. This resilience is particularly important for modern vehicles with numerous electronic control units (ECUs) and power-hungry features. The driver’s ability to withstand these disturbances is a key factor in boosting vehicle reliability, according to STMicroelectronics.
The device meets the latest version of LV124, the automotive industry’s stringent quality standard for electrical and electronic components. This certification underscores STMicroelectronics’ commitment to delivering products that meet the demanding requirements of the automotive sector.
Technical Specifications and Features
Designed to power 12V ground-connected loads, the VNQ9050LAJ is compatible with both 3V and 5V logic signals, offering flexibility in system integration. It’s built using ST’s latest-generation VIPower-M09 technology, which contributes to its high efficiency and energy savings. The driver boasts a typical on-resistance as low as 50Ω, minimizing power loss during operation.
Beyond basic switching functionality, the VNQ9050LAJ functions as an intelligent power switch, incorporating advanced protection mechanisms for resistive, capacitive, and inductive loads. A key innovation is its high-precision load-current sensing capability. This is achieved through an on-chip current-mirror circuit featuring a sense-FET that closely tracks the parameters of the main power-FET. This allows for accurate monitoring of load current and the detection of abnormal conditions.
Advanced Diagnostics and Protection
The current mirror connects to an external pin, enabling the use of a resistor to convert the sensed current into a voltage. This voltage signal provides continuous load monitoring and facilitates the detection of a wide range of faults. The VNQ9050LAJ offers a comprehensive suite of diagnostic functions, including:
- Analog feedback of load current
- Overload and short-to-ground alerts
- Power-limitation alerts
- Thermal-shutdown indication
- Output short-to-VCC detection
- OFF-state open-load detection
To further optimize system cost, the driver includes a sense-enable pin. This feature allows multiple VNQ9050LAJ devices to share a single external sense resistor, reducing the overall bill of materials (BOM).
The VNQ9050LAJ also incorporates robust protection features to handle exceptional voltages and temperatures. These include an overvoltage clamp, thermal-transient limiting, and a configurable latch-off mechanism triggered by overtemperature or power limitation, complete with a dedicated fault reset pin. Additional protection features encompass electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, loss of ground and VCC protection, and reverse-battery protection.
Packaging and Availability
The VNQ9050LAJ is currently in production and is available in a thermally enhanced Power-SSO16 package. Pricing starts at $1.09 for orders of 1000 pieces, making it a competitively priced solution for automotive manufacturers.
This new high-side driver from STMicroelectronics represents a significant step forward in automotive power management, offering a combination of robustness, efficiency, and advanced diagnostic capabilities. Its ability to operate reliably under challenging conditions and provide detailed fault information will be crucial for ensuring the safety and performance of next-generation vehicles.
