DRV8836DSSR

Texas Instruments DRV8836DSSR Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver — 11-V, 1.5-A Peak, PHASE/ENABLE, 12‑WSON

The Texas Instruments DRV8836DSSR is a compact, dual H-bridge motor driver designed to power two brushed DC motors or one bipolar stepper motor in space-constrained, battery-powered systems. With a 2 V to 11 V supply range, up to 1.5 A peak output current per H-bridge, and a simple PHASE/ENABLE control scheme, it brings dependable motion control to portable devices, toys, small robots, cameras, and printers. Integrated protection—overcurrent, thermal shutdown, and undervoltage lockout—helps safeguard both the driver and your system. The device comes in a 12-pin WSON (DSS) package for efficient, surface-mount manufacturing.

Quick Highlights

• Brand/Manufacturer: Texas Instruments
• MPN: DRV8836DSSR (DRV88xx series)
• Function: Dual H-bridge motor driver for 2 DC motors or 1 bipolar stepper
• Supply Voltage (VM): 2 V to 11 V
• Peak Output Current: 1.5 A per H-bridge (peak)
• Control: PHASE/ENABLE interface
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
• Protections: Overcurrent (OCP), Thermal Shutdown (TSD), Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO)
• Package: 12-pin WSON (DSS), Surface Mount; Tape & Reel (TR)

What is the Texas Instruments DRV8836DSSR?

The DRV8836DSSR is a member of TI’s DRV88xx family tailored for low-voltage, battery-powered motor control. It integrates two full H-bridges, allowing designers to:

• Drive two independent brushed DC motors, or
• Configure the bridges together to drive a single bipolar stepper motor.

A straightforward PHASE/ENABLE interface reduces MCU I/O complexity, and the small WSON package supports high-density layouts. Built-in protection features simplify design-in and enhance system robustness.

Key Features and Advantages

• Dual H-bridge versatility: One device covers two DC motors or one bipolar stepper, reducing BOM variants across product lines.
• Wide supply range (2 V to 11 V): Ideal for single-cell to multi-cell battery packs and low-voltage rails commonly found in portable products.
• 1.5 A peak per H-bridge: Supports bursts of torque for motor spin-up and mechanical load changes (actual sustainable current depends on thermal design).
• PHASE/ENABLE control: Simple two-pin logic per bridge for direction and enable; reduces firmware and pin count versus full H-bridge input schemes.
• Integrated system protection: OCP, TSD, and UVLO help protect the driver and downstream components.
• Low-power standby: nSLEEP pin enables a low-power mode suited for battery-operated devices.
• Compact, assembly-friendly package: 12-pin WSON (DSS) in Tape & Reel for automated SMT lines.

Specifications

Electrical

• Supply Voltage Range (VM): 2 V to 11 V
• Peak Output Current: 1.5 A per H-bridge (peak)
• Continuous Current: Not specified in datasheet provided
• Logic Supply/Levels: Not specified in datasheet provided
• Switching/PWM Characteristics: Not specified in datasheet provided

Control and Interfaces

• Control Interface: PHASE/ENABLE (per H-bridge)
• Low-Power Control: nSLEEP pin for low-power standby
• Feedback/Current Sense: Not specified in datasheet provided

Protection and Reliability

• Overcurrent Protection (OCP)
• Thermal Shutdown (TSD)
• Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO)

Mechanical and Packaging

• Package: WSON-12 (DSS)
• Pin Count: 12
• Mounting Type: Surface Mount
• Packaging: Tape & Reel (TR)
• Package dimensions and pad layout: Not specified in datasheet provided (refer to TI datasheet)

Environmental

• Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C
• RoHS/Environmental: RoHS Compliant, lead-free

Typical Applications

• Battery-powered devices
• Portable consumer electronics
• Toys and small robots
• Cameras and printers
• Handheld equipment

These application spaces often demand compact layouts, low quiescent current, and efficient torque bursts—all well aligned with the DRV8836DSSR’s capabilities.

How the DRV8836DSSR Simplifies Motion Control

Dual H-Bridge Flexibility

With two integrated H-bridges, the Texas Instruments DRV8836DSSR supports either two independent brushed DC motors or a single bipolar stepper motor. This allows a single design to cover multiple product variants with different motion needs, streamlining design reuse and qualification.

PHASE/ENABLE Interface

The PHASE/ENABLE interface provides straightforward direction (PHASE) and enable (EN) control. For brushed DC motors, a common approach is to apply PWM to the EN pin to regulate speed/torque, while PHASE selects direction. For steppers, both H-bridges are coordinated to achieve the desired micro/macro stepping profiles. Always consult the TI datasheet to confirm timing parameters and recommended control sequences.

Integrated Protections

• Overcurrent Protection (OCP) helps prevent excessive current events from damaging the device or motor.
• Thermal Shutdown (TSD) provides overtemperature protection to safeguard against overheating.
• Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO) keeps the device in a safe state if supply voltage drops below acceptable levels, which is especially useful in battery-operated systems.

Low-Power Standby with nSLEEP

Battery-powered products benefit from the nSLEEP input, which places the device into a low-power standby mode when motion is not required. This enables longer battery life and better overall power budgeting in mobile designs.

Design Considerations and Best Practices

Power Stage and Thermal

• Peak current is 1.5 A per H-bridge; the continuously sustainable current depends on ambient temperature, PCB copper area, thermal vias, and airflow. Use ample copper pour and thermal vias under the WSON thermal pad per the TI layout guidance.
• Ensure your motor’s stall current and worst-case mechanical loads are evaluated against thermal limits. A conservative design margin helps maintain reliability.

PWM and Control Strategy

• For brushed DC motors, PWM on the ENABLE pin is a common technique for speed and torque control; adjust PWM frequency and duty cycle per system needs and EMI considerations.
• For bipolar steppers, coordinate both bridges; current limiting and decay modes are implementation-specific—refer to the TI datasheet and application resources for recommended practices.

Power Integrity

• Place local bulk and high-frequency bypass capacitors close to the VM and ground pins to minimize supply ripple and mitigate transients when motors start/stop.
• Keep high di/dt current loops compact. Route motor traces away from sensitive analog lines and high-impedance nodes.

Protection in the System Context

• While OCP, TSD, and UVLO are integrated, consider system-level safeguards such as fuses or PTCs in battery paths, and ESD protection on external connectors if applicable.
• If your design experiences high-frequency PWM and fast switching edges, review snubbing or EMI filtering approaches appropriate to your product’s regulatory requirements.

Low-Power Operation

• Use the nSLEEP pin to reduce quiescent current when motors are idle. Ensure wake/sleep sequencing aligns with your controller’s firmware and the device’s timing requirements as per the datasheet.

Lifecycle, Supply, and Compliance

• Lifecycle Status: Active (per Texas Instruments)
• Compliance: RoHS compliant, lead-free
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
• Category: Motor Driver ICs

Texas Instruments maintains a robust supply chain for the DRV88xx family; however, availability can vary with demand and region. Check the TI product page or authorized distributors for the latest stock and lead times.

Ordering and Part Identification

• Manufacturer: Texas Instruments
• Series: DRV88xx
• Orderable MPN: DRV8836DSSR
• Package Code: DSS (WSON-12)
• Packaging: Tape & Reel (TR)
• Mounting: Surface Mount

When comparing listings, verify the exact MPN “DRV8836DSSR,” package (WSON-12), and control interface (PHASE/ENABLE). Cross-check against the TI datasheet to avoid ordering similar but incompatible variants.

Comparison and Alternatives

No direct replacements are specified in the provided data. Within TI’s broader motor driver portfolio, neighboring devices may offer different current limits, control modes (e.g., IN/IN, I2C/SPI), voltage ranges, or integrated current regulation for stepper applications. For a like-for-like substitution, consult the TI parametric search and filter by:

• Dual H-bridge
• Operating VM range near 2–11 V
• Peak/continuous current needs
• PHASE/ENABLE control preference
• Package size constraints

Always validate pinout, thermal metrics, and protection behaviors before substitution.

Application Examples

• Portable consumer gadgets: Drive miniature vibration and positioning motors while maintaining low standby power via nSLEEP.
• Toys and small robotics: Control two DC gearmotors for differential drive, or a single stepper for precise positioning in compact platforms.
• Cameras and printers: Operate feed, focus, or shutter actuators within tight space and thermal envelopes.
• Handheld tools and instruments: Provide responsive actuation with simple MCU firmware leveraging PHASE/ENABLE.

In each of these, the DRV8836DSSR’s low-voltage operation, integrated protections, and small footprint make it a practical, design-efficient choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of motors can the DRV8836DSSR drive?

It can drive two brushed DC motors or one bipolar stepper motor using its dual H-bridges.

What is the maximum supply voltage for the DRV8836DSSR?

Up to 11 V on VM.

What is the peak output current?

Up to 1.5 A peak per H-bridge, subject to thermal limits.

What control scheme does it use?

PHASE/ENABLE control inputs for each H-bridge.

Is the Texas Instruments DRV8836DSSR RoHS compliant?

Yes. The device is RoHS compliant and lead-free.

What is the operating temperature range?

-40°C to +85°C.

Resources

• Product Page: https://www.ti.com/product/DRV8836
• Datasheet: https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/drv8836.pdf

For the most accurate and detailed design information—including timing, electrical characteristics, package drawings, and layout recommendations—refer to the official Texas Instruments datasheet and product page for the DRV8836DSSR.