Allegro MicroSystems - Fully integrated DMOS motor driver IC

The new device incorporates two input terminals for controlling the speed and direction of a DC motor with externally applied PWM control signals. Internal synchronous rectification provides low power dissipation during PWM operation, while internal circuit protection features include over-current protection, motor lead short-to-ground or short-to-supply protection, thermal shutdown with hysteresis, under-voltage monitoring of load supply voltage, and crossover current protection.

The internal PWM generator has an adjustable current limit which can be changed by the user using an external sense resistor. Integrated charge pump capacitors are also included to eliminate the need for external charge pump capacitors, reducing the pin count of the driver IC and minimising external component count and cost.

The A4950 is primarily targeted at the office automation market, but it can also act as a good general-purpose brush DC motor driver for any commercial or industrial applications. It is provided in an 8L SOICN package with exposed thermal pad (Suffix LJ) for enhanced thermal dissipation.