DRV8426PWPR - 35V 1.5A Bipolar Stepper Driver | Texas Instruments
MPN: DRV8426PWPR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.27 | $227.00 |
| 500 | $2.02 | $1,010.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.78 | $1,780.00 |
DRV8426PWPR Overview
A stepper motor driver is an integrated power stage which converts low-power logic-level step and direction signals into the high-current phase excitation waveforms required to commutate a two-phase bipolar stepper. Modern stepper drivers integrate the dual H-bridge power MOSFETs, gate drivers, current regulation loop, microstepping indexer, and protection features onto a single IC, reducing PCB area and BOM cost compared with discrete solutions. The DRV8426 belongs to the stepper driver / motor driver family, which sits under the broader power management IC category in the semiconductor taxonomy.
Key features of the DRV8426PWPR include 1/256 native microstepping for smooth motion, internal current sensing that removes external sense resistors, an integrated charge pump for the high-side N-FET gate drive, and a low-power nSLEEP pin. The device also offers smart-tune ripple control and decay modes for adaptive current regulation, a fault indicator (nFAULT) output, and a wide 4.5 V to 35 V operating supply range. An internal voltage reference and digital indexer let the MCU control position with only step pulses.
The DRV8426 uses a mixed-signal architecture: a digital control block interprets STEP/DIR and config registers while two H-bridge power stages deliver PWM-modulated current at up to 1.5 A per phase. Integrated current-sense comparators and the smart-tune decay algorithm minimize torque ripple and audible noise, achieving smoother motion than fixed-decay competitors. The exposed thermal pad on the HTSSOP-28 package keeps theta_JA low for sustained 1.5-A operation on moderate copper pours.
Typical applications include 3D printers, CNC machines, robotic vacuum cleaners, textile machines, office automation equipment, and small-format industrial stepper drives. The wide 35-V input range comfortably handles 24-V industrial bus supplies with transient headroom.
When designing with the DRV8426PWPR, observe TI's PCB layout guidelines for the HTSSOP PowerPAD: stitch the EP to a ground copper pour with multiple thermal vias, place VM decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of the VM pins, and keep the high-current motor traces short and wide. Verify the chosen motor's phase inductance is within the smart-tune ripple-control tuning range, or use the fixed-decay modes if motor acoustics are problematic.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers an actionable reference for selecting and laying out the DRV8426PWPR.
Drop-in alternatives for DRV8426PWPR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DRV8424PWPR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8426PPWPR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8426RGER
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8426EPWPR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8426PWPR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Motor Type | Bipolar stepper |
| Supply Voltage (VM) | 4.5 V to 35 V |
| Full-Scale Output Current | 1.5 A (PCB-dependent) |
| Microstepping Resolution | Up to 1/256 |
| Control Interface | STEP/DIRECTION |
| Integrated Current Sensing | Yes (no external sense resistor) |
| Number of H-Bridges | 2 |
| Power MOSFETs | Integrated N-channel |
| Charge Pump | Integrated |
| Decay Modes | Smart-tune ripple control, mixed, fast, slow |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C |
| Package | HTSSOP-28 (PWP) with PowerPAD |
| Pins | 28 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Protection Features | UVLO, OCP, short-circuit, OTP, charge-pump fault |
| Fault Output | nFAULT (active-low, open-drain) |
| Sleep Control | nSLEEP pin |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
DRV8426PWPR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VM — Motor supply voltage (4.5-35 V) |
| Pin 2 | OUT1A — H-bridge 1 output A |
| Pin 3 | OUT1B — H-bridge 1 output B |
| Pin 4 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 5 | OUT2A — H-bridge 2 output A |
| Pin 6 | OUT2B — H-bridge 2 output B |
| Pin 7 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 8 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 9 | STEP — Step input (rising edge advances indexer) |
| Pin 10 | DIR — Direction input (logic level) |
| Pin 11 | nSLEEP — Sleep mode input (active low) |
| Pin 12 | nFAULT — Fault output (active low, open-drain) |
| Pin 13 | MODE — Microstepping mode select |
| Pin 14 | DECAY — Decay mode select |
| Pin 15 | REF — Current set reference (VREF) |
| Pin 16 | TOFF — Off-time / decay blanking configuration |
| Pin 17 | VCP — Charge-pump reservoir capacitor |
| Pin 18 | V3P3 — Internal 3.3 V regulator bypass |
| Pin 19 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 20 | AVDD — Analog supply (internal) |
| Pin 21 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 22 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 23 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 24 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 25 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 26 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 27 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 28 | GND — Ground |
Typical Applications
DRV8426PWPR is suitable for 7 applications: 3D Printer Stepper Drive, CNC Router and Engraver, Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Drive, Textile and Sewing Machine, Office Automation (Printers, Scanners, Copiers), Point-of-Sale Receipt Feeders, Small Industrial Stepper Drives.
3D Printer Stepper Drive
The DRV8426PWPR's 1/256 native microstepping and integrated current sensing make it ideal for 3D printer X/Y/Z and extruder stepper axes, where smooth motion directly affects print surface quality. The 35-V VM range comfortably handles 24-V supply rails with motor back-EMF headroom. With 1.5-A full-scale output current, it drives NEMA 17 motors rated up to ~1.2 A RMS without external heatsinks, and the internal sense FETs eliminate bulky external resistors. Placed between a 24-V supply and the stepper windings, it accepts STEP/DIR pulses directly from the printer MCU, freeing firmware from current-loop execution. Unlike discrete H-bridge designs, the smart-tune decay algorithm reduces audible motor whine during slow prints.
Recommended
CNC Router and Engraver
Small CNC routers use NEMA 23 steppers on the X/Y/Z axes that demand steady torque at low speeds. The DRV8426PWPR's 1.5-A output and 35-V supply support 24-V industrial CNC builds with high phase inductance motors. Integrated current sensing with smart-tune ripple control minimizes torque ripple during microstepping, which improves surface finish on milled parts. The exposed PowerPAD on the HTSSOP-28 keeps the driver cool even at sustained 1-A operation; TI specifies 1.5 A as achievable on a properly designed 4-layer PCB. The nFAULT and nSLEEP pins let the controller monitor stall conditions and power-cycle the driver between cuts.
Recommended
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Drive
Robotic vacuums use small bipolar steppers or brushed motors for wheel drive and brush agitation. The DRV8426PWPR's low-power nSLEEP mode and 4.5-V minimum VM let it run from a single-cell or multi-cell Li-ion pack, conserving battery life between cleaning cycles. The integrated current sense avoids bulky shunt resistors on a tight wheel-module PCB, and the 1.5-A capability covers wheels and side-brush motors in one part. Smart-tune ripple control keeps motor startup quiet - critical for consumer appliances where audible whine is unacceptable. Placed near each wheel, the driver accepts STEP/DIR from the central MCU.
Recommended
Textile and Sewing Machine
Industrial sewing and embroidery machines need precise, repeatable needle and feed-dog positioning. The DRV8426PWPR's 1/256 microstepping produces smooth stitch formation at slow speeds, and the 1.5-A drive handles the high-inertia needle bar without losing steps. The wide 4.5-35 V supply lets the same driver work in both 12-V hobby sewing machines and 24-V industrial embroidery units. Smart-tune decay reduces the heat dissipation typical of slow-decay fixed settings, improving uptime in production environments. The nFAULT pin flags stall conditions for the operator panel.
Recommended
Office Automation (Printers, Scanners, Copiers)
Office automation equipment uses steppers for paper feed, scanner carriage, and document-handler rollers. The DRV8426PWPR's integrated H-bridges and indexer replace 2-3 separate ICs that legacy designs used, shrinking the BOM and PCB area in compact multifunction printers. The 1.5-A current covers typical 24-V office steppers, and the internal current sensing eliminates the calibration step required by external-resistor designs. Step pulses from the printer formatter ASIC are accepted directly without firmware overhead.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Receipt Feeders
POS terminals and receipt printers use small steppers for paper advance and cutter control, where quiet operation and reliability are paramount. The DRV8426PWPR's smart-tune decay eliminates the high-pitch whine that fixed-decay drivers produce, while 1.5-A capability covers the cutter motor's stall torque. The 4.5-V minimum VM lets the same driver work in 5-V and 24-V POS architectures, simplifying SKU management. nSLEEP current is low enough for battery-backed POS units to idle without draining reserve power.
Recommended
Small Industrial Stepper Drives
Modular stepper drive modules (open-frame or housed) integrate the DRV8426PWPR on a small carrier PCB with screw terminals and a STEP/DIR header. The driver's 35-V input and 1.5-A output cover most NEMA 17 applications, while the exposed PowerPAD on HTSSOP-28 keeps thermal resistance low for fanless module designs. Integrated current sensing lets module makers ship a 'plug-and-play' drive without calibration. Protection features (UVLO, OCP, OTP, charge-pump fault) meet industrial reliability requirements out of the box, and the nFAULT pin drives an optional LED for module-level diagnostics.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DRV8426PWPR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DRV8424PWPR | DRV8426PPWPR | DRV8426RGER | DRV8426EPWPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | HTSSOP-28 (PWP) PowerPAD | HTSSOP-28 (PWP) - same | HTSSOP-28 (PWP) - same | VQFN-28 (RGE) - same die | HTSSOP-28 (PWP) - same |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 35 V | 4.5 V to 35 V | 4.5 V to 35 V | 4.5 V to 35 V | 4.5 V to 35 V |
| Full-Scale Output Current | 1.5 A | 1.0 A (-33%) | 1.5 A (same) | 1.5 A (same) | 1.5 A (same) |
| Microstepping Resolution | 1/256 | 1/16 | 1/256 | 1/256 | 1/256 |
| Integrated Current Sense | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stepper vs BLDC | Stepper | Stepper | Stepper | Stepper | Stepper |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | Extended (E) grade |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated current sensing eliminates external sense resistors (vs DRV8424PWPR (lower-current sibling))
- Same die, different reel/pin-1 orientation as drop-in package variant (vs DRV8426PPWPR (PPWPR))
- VQFN-28 alternative with lower thermal resistance for tight layouts (vs DRV8426RGER (VQFN-28))
Design Notes
Estimated: at VM=24 V, IFS=1.5 A, and 50% PWM duty (typical stepper average), the DRV8426PWPR dissipates approximately 24 V * 1.5 A * 0.5 * (2 * RDS(on) / total path). Using TI's typical RDS(on) values, total H-bridge dissipation is on the order of 1-2 W. The HTSSOP-28 PowerPAD has theta_JA of approximately 30-40 C/W on a 4-layer 1-oz PCB, so junction temperature rises 40-80 C above 25C ambient. Place a continuous top-layer copper pour under the exposed pad with at least 4 thermal vias to inner ground planes; this keeps junction below 125C at 1.5 A continuous operation.
Per TI's HTSSOP layout guidelines, place VM bulk and bypass capacitors within 5 mm of pins 1 and 28 to minimize switching-loop inductance. Route the high-current motor traces (OUT1A/1B/2A/2B) on the top layer with at least 0.5 mm width per ampere (so 0.75 mm minimum at 1.5 A) and stitch the PowerPAD to ground with at least 4 vias in a 2x2 array. Keep digital STEP/DIR/nSLEEP traces short and away from motor traces to prevent capacitive coupling.
Three common pitfalls when using the DRV8426PWPR: First, omitting the VCP charge-pump capacitor causes charge-pump faults and prevents H-bridge startup. Second, leaving the nSLEEP pin floating can put the part in an undefined state - tie nSLEEP high (logic high) through a 100 kohm pull-up to enable. Third, exceeding 35 V on VM during motor deceleration can trigger OCP or even damage the IC; add a TVS clamp or bulk capacitance sized to absorb worst-case regeneration energy from the motor inductance.
Route the two H-bridge output pairs (OUT1A/1B and OUT2A/2B) as differential pairs to minimize loop area; this reduces radiated EMI that can couple into the analog sections of nearby MCUs. Place the V3P3 bypass capacitor (typically 0.1 uF X7R) within 2 mm of pin 18. If using smart-tune decay, ensure the motor phase inductance is within TI's tuning range - typically 1-10 mH for NEMA 17/23 steppers - or the algorithm defaults to fixed-decay behavior.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per TI product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial/consumer stepper focus, not automotive).
