DRV8806PWPR - 40V 3A Quad Low-Side Motor Driver | TI
MPN: DRV8806PWPR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.65 | $5.65 |
| 10 | $5.12 | $51.20 |
| 100 | $4.55 | $455.00 |
| 500 | $4.05 | $2,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.58 | $3,580.00 |
| 2,500 | $3.2 | $8,000.00 |
DRV8806PWPR Overview
A low-side motor driver is a topology where each output transistor pulls the load terminal to ground, while the opposite end of the load remains tied to the supply. In the broader power-management taxonomy, the DRV8806 sits within motor drivers and gate drivers, which themselves belong to the power-management IC family. Compared with full H-bridge drivers, low-side drivers are simpler, cheaper, and easier to parallel, but they require the load to be tied to the supply externally and cannot actively brake by sourcing current into the rail.
Key features include four independent DMOS outputs with 200 mOhm RDS(on) typical, integrated freewheeling clamp diodes for inductive loads, configurable overcurrent protection per channel, open-load detection through the SPI interface, thermal shutdown, and undervoltage lockout. The SPI port exposes fault status, control bits, and PWM duty-cycle registers, allowing a host MCU to manage current limiting and diagnose wiring faults without extra analog circuitry.
The device operates from 8.2 V to 38 V on VM and is controlled through a 3.3 V-compatible SPI bus. Internal charge-pump-derived gate drive keeps the low-side FETs fully enhanced across the full supply range, while the on-chip current-sense comparator supports PWM current chopping for stepper or solenoid actuation. A fault output pin flags overtemperature, overcurrent, and open-load events to the host.
Typical applications include unipolar stepper motor indexing, inkjet and label printer carriage control, solenoid and valve drivers, relay arrays, and low-voltage DC brush motor actuation. The wide 8.2 V to 38 V supply range covers 12 V and 24 V industrial buses, making the part attractive for factory automation boards.
When laying out the PCB, solder the exposed PowerPAD to a continuous ground copper pour to keep junction temperature within ratings; without this thermal path the package cannot dissipate the full 3 A per channel. Bypass VM with a 100 nF ceramic plus a 47 uF or larger bulk capacitor placed within 5 mm of the supply pin to suppress the high di/dt transients that occur during PWM chopping.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to help engineers shorten their selection and qualification cycle.
Drop-in alternatives for DRV8806PWPR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with DRV8806PWPR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Control Interface, Package, MSL Level, Protection Features, Supply Voltage (VM).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DRV8806PWP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8805PWPR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8804PWPR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →DRV8800PWPR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8844PWPR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DRV8806PWPR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Number of Channels | 4 (quad low-side) |
| Output Configuration | Low-side DMOS, open drain |
| Supply Voltage (VM) | 8.2 V to 38 V |
| Continuous Output Current per Channel | 2 A |
| Peak Output Current per Channel | 3 A |
| RDS(on) per Channel | 200 mOhm (typical) |
| Interface | SPI (serial, 3.3 V logic) |
| Open-Load Detection | Yes, via SPI |
| Overcurrent Protection | Yes, per channel |
| Thermal Shutdown | Yes |
| Undervoltage Lockout | Yes |
| Built-in Clamp Diodes | Yes (freewheeling) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Package | HTSSOP-16 (PWP) with PowerPAD |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 2 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
DRV8806PWPR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OUT1 — Low-side output 1 |
| Pin 2 | OUT2 — Low-side output 2 |
| Pin 3 | OUT3 — Low-side output 3 |
| Pin 4 | OUT4 — Low-side output 4 |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | SDO — SPI serial data output |
| Pin 7 | SDI — SPI serial data input |
| Pin 8 | SCLK — SPI serial clock |
| Pin 9 | nSCS — SPI chip select (active low) |
| Pin 10 | nFAULT — Fault indicator (active low, open drain) |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Logic supply (3.3 V) |
| Pin 12 | nRESET — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 13 | STEP — Step input or PWM input |
| Pin 14 | DIR — Direction input or mode select |
| Pin 15 | VM — Motor supply voltage |
| Pin 16 | VCP — Charge pump reservoir |
| Pin 17 | PowerPAD — Thermal pad, must be soldered to GND copper |
Typical Applications
DRV8806PWPR is suitable for 6 applications: Unipolar Stepper Motor Driver, Solenoid and Valve Array Driver, Printhead and Carriage Control in Printers, DC Brushed Motor Array Control, Industrial Relay Matrix Driver, LED Display and Sign Matrix Driving.
Unipolar Stepper Motor Driver
The DRV8806PWPR is purpose-built for unipolar stepper motors that have a center-tapped winding. With 2 A continuous per channel, four low-side outputs directly drive each phase winding while the center tap ties to VM. The integrated clamp diodes handle inductive kickback during PWM chopping. Compared with discrete MOSFET designs, the DRV8806PWPR cuts BOM count by removing gate drivers, sense resistors, and protection circuitry. SPI control allows current profiling and stall detection not possible with simple Darlington drivers. According to the TI datasheet, the 38 V maximum supply comfortably supports 24 V industrial stepper rails with margin for back-EMF transients.
Recommended
Solenoid and Valve Array Driver
The four independent low-side outputs of the DRV8806PWPR make it an excellent driver for arrays of solenoids, valves, and relays commonly found in industrial automation. Each channel's 2 A continuous rating handles most small to medium DC solenoid coils, while the per-channel overcurrent protection prevents coil short faults from cascading. The SPI fault register provides individual channel diagnostics, simplifying system-level fault handling. Compared with discrete transistor drivers, the integrated clamp diodes and thermal shutdown significantly improve reliability. Per the TI datasheet, the wide 8.2 V to 38 V supply range covers both 12 V and 24 V valve systems.
Recommended
Printhead and Carriage Control in Printers
The DRV8806PWPR suits printer and plotter designs that need to control paper feed, carriage motors, and solenoid actuators. The four-channel output drives a paper-feed stepper and several solenoid valves for ink or paper handling from a single IC. The HTSSOP-16 PowerPAD footprint keeps the board compact while the integrated open-load detection catches broken head cables that would otherwise cause print quality defects. The SPI bus allows the printer MCU to query motor status without extra GPIO pins. The TI datasheet typical application circuit shows direct connection to unipolar stepper phases, simplifying layout for compact printer electronics.
Recommended
DC Brushed Motor Array Control
Low-voltage brushed DC motors up to 2 A continuous can be driven by tying one motor terminal to VM and switching the other through a DRV8806PWPR low-side channel. Four channels allow a single IC to manage multiple small motors used in robotics, vending machines, or HVAC damper actuators. The integrated freewheeling diode protects the FET during PWM off-time, while SPI current-limit registers prevent stall-current damage. Compared with discrete MOSFET designs, this approach eliminates gate-drive circuitry and provides per-motor fault diagnostics. The TI datasheet specifies 200 mOhm RDS(on), keeping conduction loss manageable at typical 1 A to 2 A motor currents.
Recommended
Industrial Relay Matrix Driver
The DRV8806PWPR's quad low-side topology makes it well suited to drive 4-pole relay arrays or contactor coils in industrial control panels. Each channel sinks up to 2 A continuous, easily handling 12 V or 24 V relay coils at typical 50 mA to 500 mA pull-in currents. Per-channel overcurrent protection prevents catastrophic PCB damage if a relay coil shorts. The SPI interface allows the host PLC or MCU to read back open-load and fault status, simplifying system diagnostics. Compared with discrete transistor arrays, the integrated thermal shutdown protects the IC if multiple relays are energized simultaneously.
Recommended
LED Display and Sign Matrix Driving
Large LED matrix displays often use low-side row drivers that sink current through LED rows while columns are switched high. The DRV8806PWPR's four low-side outputs can drive four rows of a multiplexed LED matrix with 2 A per row, supporting bright outdoor signage. The wide 8.2 V to 38 V supply range accommodates long LED strings at higher forward voltages. SPI-controlled PWM duty cycle allows per-row brightness modulation for color mixing or grayscale effects. The TI datasheet specifies a thermal resistance that supports continuous operation when the PowerPAD is properly soldered to PCB copper.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DRV8806PWPR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DRV8806PWP | DRV8805PWPR | DRV8804PWPR | DRV8800PWPR | DRV8844PWPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | HTSSOP-16 (PWP) with PowerPAD | HTSSOP-16 (PWP) - same | HTSSOP-16 (PWP) - same | HTSSOP-16 (PWP) - same | HTSSOP-16 (PWP) - same | HTSSOP-16 (PWP) - same |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Channels / Topology | 4-channel low-side | 4-channel low-side - same | 4-channel low-side - same | 4-channel low-side - same | 4-channel low-side - same | Dual H-bridge |
| Interface | SPI | SPI - same | Parallel | Parallel | Step/Direction parallel | Parallel/PWM |
| Open-Load Detection | Yes (SPI-based) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Continuous Current per Channel | 2 A | 2 A - same | 1.5 A | 1.5 A | 1 A | 1.5 A per H-bridge |
| Supply Voltage (VM) | 8.2 V to 38 V | 8.2 V to 38 V - same | 8.2 V to 38 V | 8.2 V to 38 V | 8.2 V to 38 V | 8.2 V to 38 V |
| RDS(on) | 200 mOhm (typ) | 200 mOhm - same | 300 mOhm | 300 mOhm | 500 mOhm | 300 mOhm |
| Automotive Grade Available | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated SPI with open-load detection (vs DRV8804PWPR)
- Lower RDS(on) for higher efficiency (vs DRV8800PWPR)
- Higher continuous current per channel (vs DRV8805PWPR)
Design Notes
Estimated: At 2 A continuous on each of four channels, the DRV8806PWPR can dissipate up to 3.2 W total (4 channels x 0.8 W/channel at 200 mOhm). The HTSSOP-16 PowerPAD thermal resistance with at least 1 square inch of top-layer copper ground pour keeps junction rise to roughly 25C to 35C above ambient. Without proper PowerPAD soldering, junction temperatures can exceed 150C shutdown at moderate loads, so always solder the thermal pad to ground copper with multiple thermal vias.
Place a 100 nF ceramic bypass capacitor directly at the VM pin, plus a 47 uF or larger bulk electrolytic within 5 mm of the IC. The DRV8806PWPR PWM chopping creates high di/dt transients that the bulk cap must absorb. Insufficient decoupling causes VM rail ringing and can trigger false overcurrent faults. Also add a 100 nF cap on the VDD logic supply pin to keep SPI communication stable.
Do not float the nSCS pin - tie it to VDD through a pull-up if the host MCU does not actively drive it, or the SPI state machine may latch spurious data into the fault registers. Also ensure the nRESET pin is pulled high after supply stabilization; leaving it low disables outputs. Always enable the charge pump by populating the VCP reservoir capacitor (typically 100 nF) to guarantee full DMOS gate enhancement.
Route motor output traces (OUT1-OUT4) with short, wide copper to handle the 2 A continuous current without significant voltage drop. Keep SPI logic traces (SDI, SDO, SCLK, nSCS) away from motor outputs to avoid noise coupling, and place a ground guard ring around the SPI bus. The exposed PowerPAD should have at least 9 thermal vias to the bottom ground plane for optimal heat spreading.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per TI product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications contact TI for the DRV8806-Q1 variant.
