The DRV8870DDAR is a highly integrated H-bridge motor driver launched by Texas Instruments (TI). Specifically designed for driving DC motors or solenoids, it features core advantages including high current output capability, rich protection functions, and simplified peripheral circuits, making it widely applicable to low-to-medium power motor control scenarios.

1. Core Performance Parameters

Driving Capability: Supports single-channel DC motor driving, with a continuous output current of up to 3.6A (at 25℃ ambient temperature) and a peak current of 10A (duration ≤10ms), capable of driving small-to-medium DC motors (e.g., motors in 12V/24V systems).

Supply Voltage: Wide input voltage range of 6.5V ~ 36V, compatible with common automotive (12V), industrial control (24V), and battery-powered (e.g., lithium battery pack) systems, adapting to multi-scenario power supply designs.

On-Resistance (RDS(on)): As low as 160mΩ (total resistance of high-side + low-side MOSFETs), reducing conduction loss and improving efficiency, especially suitable for devices operating for long periods.

2. Protection Functions and Reliability

As an industrial-grade driver, it integrates multiple protection mechanisms to significantly enhance system safety:

Over-Current Protection (OCP): Automatically turns off the H-bridge when the output current exceeds the threshold (typical value 8.5A) to avoid overload damage to the motor or driver; automatic recovery after fault clearance.

Short-Circuit Protection (SCP): Quickly shuts down the output upon detecting a short circuit at the motor terminals (to ground or power supply), with a response time as short as hundreds of nanoseconds.

Thermal Shutdown (TSD): Triggers thermal shutdown when the chip junction temperature exceeds 150℃, and automatically restarts when the temperature drops to a safe range (approximately 130℃), preventing chip burnout.

Under-Voltage Lockout (UVLO): Inhibits driver output when the supply voltage is lower than 5.2V (typical value), avoiding malfunctions under low voltage.

Reverse Polarity Protection: Supports current limiting during power supply reverse connection (requires external diode configuration), reducing the risk of damage caused by wiring errors.

3. Control Methods and Functional Features

Logic Control Interface: Achieves motor forward rotation, reverse rotation, braking, and stop control through 2 digital input pins (IN1, IN2). Compatible with 3.3V/5V logic levels, it can be directly connected to the GPIO of MCUs (e.g., STM32) without the need for level conversion.

PWM Speed Control Support: Stepless speed regulation of the motor can be realized by inputting PWM signals (recommended frequency range: 10kHz~25kHz) to IN1/IN2, meeting the requirements of speed closed-loop control.

Standby Mode: The chip can be placed in low-power standby mode via an external pin (nSLEEP), with a standby current of only 5μA, suitable for power consumption optimization of battery-powered devices.

4. Package and Peripheral Design

Package Type: SOIC-8 (Small Outline Integrated Circuit package) with a pin pitch of 1.27mm and dimensions of 3.9mm×4.9mm, suitable for miniaturized PCB designs and reducing layout difficulty.

Simplified Peripheral Circuitry: No external power MOSFETs, gate drivers, or protection diodes are required. A complete driving circuit can be formed with only a few filter capacitors, simplifying hardware design and reducing costs.

5. Typical Application Scenarios

With balanced driving capability and protection features, the DRV8870DDAR is widely used in:

Consumer Electronics: Small home appliances (e.g., fans/walking motors of robot vacuum cleaners and air purifiers), paper feed motors of printers/scanners.

Industrial and Automation: PTZ motors of security cameras, small conveyor belt drives, valve actuators.

Automotive and Portable Devices: Automotive fans, auxiliary motors for power liftgates, pump drives in portable medical devices.