Overview

The DRV8848 (packaged in a 16-pin HTSSOP DRV8848PWP with exposed thermal pad) is a dual full-bridge motor driver IC manufactured by Texas Instruments. Designed for battery-powered or low-voltage robotics, toy motors, and office automation, it drives two brushed DC motors, one bipolar stepper motor, or solenoids from a supply voltage of 4.0 V4.0\text{ V} to 18.0 V18.0\text{ V}.

Each H-bridge output delivers up to 2.0 A2.0\text{ A} peak (1.0 A1.0\text{ A} continuous RMS) current. Bridges can also be connected in parallel to drive a single DC motor at up to 2.0 A2.0\text{ A} RMS continuous current.

Quick reference

Driver TypeDual Full-Bridge PWM Motor Driver
PackageHTSSOP-16 PowerPAD (PWP) / Adafruit Breakout Board
Motor Supply Voltage (VMV_M)4.0 V4.0\text{ V} to 18.0 V18.0\text{ V} DC
Continuous RMS Current1.0 A1.0\text{ A} per bridge (2.0 A2.0\text{ A} in parallel single-motor mode)
Peak Output CurrentUp to 2.0 A2.0\text{ A} peak per bridge
FET On-Resistance (RDS(ON)R_{DS(ON)})0.51 Ω0.51\ \Omega (High-side + Low-side combined at 25∘C25^\circ\text{C})
Current ControlInternal PWM current regulation set by VREF and AISEN/BISEN
Protection FeaturesOvercurrent Protection (OCP), Short-Circuit, Undervoltage (UVLO), Thermal Shutdown

Pinout (HTSSOP-16 Package)

text
        ┌──────────────┐
  AISEN ─│ 1         16 │─ AIN1
  AOUT1 ─│ 2         15 │─ AIN2
     VM ─│ 3   EP    14 │─ GND
  AOUT2 ─│ 4         13 │─ VREF
  BOUT2 ─│ 5         12 │─ ~nSLEEP~
   VINT ─│ 6         11 │─ ~nFAULT~
  BOUT1 ─│ 7         10 │─ BIN2
  BISEN ─│ 8          9 │─ BIN1
        └──────────────┘
PinNameDescription
1AISENBridge A current sense pin (Connect resistor to GND or tie to GND if unused)
2AOUT1Bridge A motor output 1
3VMMotor supply voltage (+4.0V to +18.0V DC)
4AOUT2Bridge A motor output 2
5BOUT2Bridge B motor output 2
6VINTInternal regulator bypass output (Connect 2.2µF ceramic cap to GND)
7BOUT1Bridge B motor output 1
8BISENBridge B current sense pin (Connect resistor to GND or tie to GND if unused)
9BIN1Bridge B logic PWM input 1
10BIN2Bridge B logic PWM input 2
11~nFAULT~Active-LOW open-drain fault indicator output
12~nSLEEP~Sleep mode input (Active-LOW: LOW = Sleep/Low-power, HIGH = Enabled)
13VREFAnalog voltage reference input for current regulation threshold
14GNDGround reference (Solder central Thermal Pad to PCB GND)
15AIN2Bridge A logic PWM input 2
16AIN1Bridge A logic PWM input 1

Bridge Control Logic Truth Table (Each Bridge)

xIN1xIN2xOUT1xOUT2Function / Operating Mode
Low (0)Low (0)High-ZHigh-ZCoast (Outputs disabled)
Low (0)High (1)LowHighReverse
High (1)Low (0)HighLowForward
High (1)High (1)LowLowBrake (Slow decay)

Internal Current Regulation Formula

The internal current regulation trip point (ITRIPI_{TRIP}) for each bridge is set by the reference voltage on Pin 13 (VREF) and the sense resistor (RSENSER_{SENSE}) connected to xISEN:

ITRIP=VREF6.6×RSENSEI_{TRIP} = \frac{V_{REF}}{6.6 \times R_{SENSE}}

Specifications

ParameterSymbolMinTypMaxUnitConditions
Motor Supply VoltageVMV_M4.012.018.0VOperating supply
RMS Output CurrentIRMSI_{RMS}—1.0—APer bridge, VM=12V,TA=25∘CV_M = 12\text{V}, T_A = 25^\circ\text{C}
Peak Output CurrentIPEAKI_{PEAK}—2.0—APer bridge
Sleep CurrentISLEEPI_{SLEEP}—1.55.0μA\mu\text{A}nSLEEP‾=0V\overline{nSLEEP} = 0\text{V}
Total MOSFET On-ResistanceRDS(ON)R_{DS(ON)}—0.510.65Ω\OmegaHigh-side + Low-side

Common mistakes

  • Leaving nSLEEP floating: Pin 12 (nSLEEP‾\overline{nSLEEP}) has an internal pull-down. Leaving it unconnected puts the driver into low-power sleep mode, disabling all outputs. Pull nSLEEP‾\overline{nSLEEP} to 3.3V3.3\text{V} or 5V5\text{V} to enable operation.
  • Omitting 2.2µF cap on VINT pin: Pin 6 (VINT) is the internal bypass rail for internal logic. Operating without a 2.2 μF2.2\ \mu\text{F} decoupling capacitor on VINT causes erratic gate drive switching.

Notes

  • Parallel Mode for High Current: Tie AIN1 to BIN1, AIN2 to BIN2, AOUT1 to BOUT1, and AOUT2 to BOUT2 to drive a single large DC motor at up to 2.0 A2.0\text{ A} continuous RMS current.

Assets & downloads