DRV8231 - 35V 3.7A H-Bridge Motor Driver | Texas Instruments
MPN: DRV8231DDAR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.29 | $129.00 |
| 500 | $1.05 | $525.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.89 | $890.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for DRV8231DDAR β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DRV8231ADSGR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8251ADSGR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8251DDAGR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8231DDAR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Motor Type | Brushed DC |
| Topology | Single H-bridge |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 33 V (35 V absolute max) |
| Peak Output Current | 3.7 A |
| RDS(on) (HS+LS) | 600 mOhm typical |
| MOSFET Type | Integrated N-channel H-bridge |
| Current Regulation | Integrated, programmable via ILIM pin |
| Control Interface | Two logic inputs (PWM on D variant / PH-EN on A variant) |
| Charge Pump | Integrated, supports 100% duty cycle |
| Logic Input Compatibility | 3.3 V and 5 V logic |
| Protection Features | OCP, UVLO, thermal shutdown |
| Package | 8-WSON (DSG) 2x2 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Pins | 8 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Operating Temperature | [DATA_NEEDED: operating temperature range] |
DRV8231DDAR 8-wson (dsg) 2x2 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for DRV8231DDAR (8-wson (dsg) 2x2 mm package) with 8 pins. This power device features gate, drain, and source terminals. For non-polarized packages, refer to the manufacturer datasheet for exact pin 1 orientation and footprint details. Common applications include power supply design, motor driving, and load switching.
No detailed pinout data available for DRV8231DDAR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Estimated pin count: 8 pins (power package)
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this component. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
DRV8231DDAR is suitable for 6 applications: Printer and Office Automation, Small Appliance Actuation, Robotics and Hobby Drives, Industrial Automation Actuators, Battery-Powered Portable Devices, Automotive Body Subsystems.
Printer and Office Automation
Printers use multiple small brushed DC motors for paper feed, carriage, and duplex mechanisms, all supplied from a 24-V rail. The DRV8231 fits these nodes with its 4.5-V to 33-V operating range and 3.7-A peak capability for paper-jam stall events. Integrated current regulation via the ILIM pin caps stall current without a shunt resistor, and the 2x2 mm WSON-8 package fits dense printer PCAs. The two-input control interface connects directly to 3.3-V printer SoC GPIOs, minimizing component count per motor axis.
Recommended
Small Appliance Actuation
Appliances such as coffee machines, dispensers, and locks use brushed DC actuators on 12-V or 24-V rails. The DRV8231 drives these loads with integrated OCP, UVLO, and thermal shutdown, replacing discrete MOSFET bridges and reducing BOM cost. Its charge pump permits 100% duty cycle for continuous actuation, while the programmable current limit protects plastic gear trains during stalls. With only 600 mOhm typical RDS(on), conduction losses remain acceptable for intermittent-duty actuator profiles in thermally constrained enclosures.
Recommended
Robotics and Hobby Drives
Compact robots require small, protected brushed DC drive channels for wheels, grippers, and pumps. The DRV8231 provides bidirectional control from two logic pins with fast PWM support for speed control, and its integrated current regulation protects against stall currents when the robot is blocked. The 2x2 mm WSON-8 footprint suits small drive PCBs, and the pin-to-pin scalable DRV8231/DRV8251 family lets designers raise current capability later without changing the PCB layout, an advantage for product lineups sharing one board.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Actuators
In 24-V factory systems, the DRV8231 drives dampers, valves, and linear actuators. Its 33-V operating ceiling withstands typical industrial supply tolerances, and the integrated current limit handles actuator end-stop stalls without external protection circuitry. UVLO ensures clean behavior during brownouts, and thermal shutdown protects against repeated stall events during commissioning. Placement after a 24-V buck converter gives a compact, fully protected actuator channel suitable for modular I/O cards and distributed motor control nodes.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Devices
Portable battery products such as smart locks, trimmers, and medical dosing devices benefit from the DRV8231 low standby behavior and UVLO that prevents misdriving at low battery voltage. The 2x2 mm package conserves board area, and integrated current regulation replaces external sense resistors, saving cost and space. Operating down to 4.5 V, it covers single-cell-boosted or multi-cell NiMH/Li-ion stacks; designers should size the ILIM limit to protect small gear motors while preserving startup torque under cold conditions.
Recommended
Automotive Body Subsystems
Non-safety automotive actuators such as mirror adjust, flap control, and small pump drives run from 12-V battery rails with load-dump transients. While the standard DRV8231 targets industrial/consumer use, designers evaluating this footprint for automotive should consider AEC-Q100 qualified TI equivalents. The DRV8231 integrated current regulation and protection behavior serve as the reference design pattern; two-pin control and 100% duty cycle support suit simple position-based body actuators driven from a CAN-connected MCU.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DRV8231DDAR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DRV8231ADSGR | DRV8251ADSGR | A4950ELJTR-T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Allegro MicroSystems |
| Package | 8-WSON (DSG) 2x2 mm | 8-WSON (DSG) 2x2 mm - same | 8-WSON (DSG) 2x2 mm - same | 8-pin eSOIC - different, not drop-in |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 33 V | 4.5 V to 33 V | 4.5 V to 33 V | 8 V to 40 V |
| Peak Output Current | 3.7 A | 3.7 A | ~4.1 A class | ~3.5 A |
| Typical RDS(on) | 600 mOhm (HS+LS) | 600 mOhm | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Control Interface | Dual PWM inputs (D variant) | PH/EN interface | PH/EN (A variant) | IN/IN PWM control |
| Integrated Current Regulation | Yes (ILIM pin) | Yes (ILIM pin) | Yes (ILIM pin) | Yes (internal fixed limit) |
| 100% Duty Cycle Support | Yes (integrated charge pump) | Yes | Yes | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Price (1 pc, as of 2026-08-29) | ~1.85 USD | ~1.85 USD | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
Key Differentiators
- Fully integrated N-channel H-bridge with charge pump (vs DRV8870DDAR)
- Programmable current limit without external shunt (vs A4950ELJTR-T)
- Pin-to-pin scalable family (vs DRV8251ADSGR)
Design Notes
The WSON-8 (DSG) 2x2 mm package dissipates bridge conduction heat through its exposed pad. Provide a solid copper pour of at least 25 mm squared connected by an array of thermal vias to inner ground planes. Conduction loss equals I-squared times 600 mOhm total RDS(on); at 2 A continuous this is 2.4 W, which exceeds what a minimal footprint can handle. Follow TI datasheet layout section for via pattern under the exposed pad.
Set the current limit with the ILIM pin resistor per the datasheet equation so stall current is clamped below the motor and connector rating. Place a low-ESR ceramic bulk capacitor (10 uF or more per datasheet recommendation) close to VCC to absorb PWM current ripple; on long motor leads add a small electrolytic because lead inductance can cause supply transients near the 35 V absolute maximum on 24-V systems.
Confirm the interface variant before layout: DRV8231D uses dual PWM inputs while DRV8231A uses PH/EN. Mixing variants on the same PCB without checking the firmware mapping causes reverse or brake behavior. Also avoid floating inputs - tie unused control logic per the datasheet, and account for UVLO behavior so the motor does not glitch during supply ramp.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per TI product page and DigiKey listing. AEC-Q100 qualification not indicated for the standard DRV8231; check TI quality summary for the specific ordering part number.
