L9950 - Multifunctional Door Actuator Driver | STMicroelectronics
MPN: L9950 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.75 | $8.75 |
| 10 | $7.92 | $79.20 |
| 100 | $6.98 | $698.00 |
| 500 | $6.25 | $3,125.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.6 | $5,600.00 |
L9950 Overview
A door actuator driver is a specialized power management IC that interfaces a microcontroller's low-voltage logic signals to high-current automotive loads such as window lift motors, mirror adjustment motors, and door lock actuators. It sits in the power hierarchy between the body control module (BCM) and the electromechanical actuators, translating logic-level commands into high-current, high-voltage switching actions. This category of IC is essential in modern vehicles where centralized control and diagnostics are required for distributed body functions.
Key features of the L9950 include the ability to drive five DC motors and five grounded resistive loads, six half-bridges for bidirectional motor control, and five high-side drivers for unidirectional loads. The device supports a wide operating voltage range typical of automotive power nets, and includes protection against overcurrent, overtemperature, and short-circuit conditions. Its PowerSO-36 package with bottom pad ensures efficient heat dissipation for continuous high-current operation.
Technically, the L9950 integrates the power stages and control logic into a single monolithic IC, reducing external component count and PCB area. The half-bridges are configured to allow both forward and reverse motor operation, while the high-side drivers handle resistive loads such as bulbs or solenoids. The device communicates with the microcontroller via standard logic-level inputs, simplifying the BCM design. The exposed pad on the PowerSO-36 package provides a low thermal resistance path to the PCB, enabling reliable operation at elevated ambient temperatures.
Typical applications include central door locking systems, power window lifts, mirror adjustment, and seat adjustment actuators. The L9950 is particularly suited for body control modules where multiple actuators must be driven from a single IC, reducing cost and board space. Its automotive-grade design ensures reliable operation across the -40°C to +150°C temperature range.
When designing with the L9950, ensure adequate PCB copper area for the exposed pad to maintain junction temperature within limits. Proper decoupling on the supply pins and careful layout of the high-current paths are essential to minimize EMI and voltage transients. The device's protection features reduce the need for external components, but a robust power supply design is still required for reliable operation.
Drop-in alternatives for L9950 — 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 L9950 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature Range, Protection Features.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
L9950TR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
L9950XP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VND5012AK
⚡ Same Package ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
L9950 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Number of Half-Bridges | 6 |
| Number of High-Side Drivers | 5 |
| Maximum DC Motors | 5 |
| Maximum Grounded Resistive Loads | 5 |
| Full Bridge Load Current | 6 A |
| Full Bridge On-Resistance | 150 mΩ |
| Half Bridge Load Current (2x) | 3 A |
| Half Bridge On-Resistance (2x) | 300 mΩ |
| Half Bridge Load Current (2x) | 1.5 A |
| Half Bridge On-Resistance (2x) | 800 mΩ |
| High-Side Driver Load Current (1x) | 6 A |
| High-Side Driver On-Resistance (1x) | 100 mΩ |
| High-Side Driver Load Current (4x) | 1.5 A |
| Package | PowerSO-36, Bottom Pad |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +150°C |
L9950 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VS — Battery supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | OUT1 — Half-bridge output 1 |
| Pin 3 | OUT2 — Half-bridge output 2 |
| Pin 4 | OUT3 — Half-bridge output 3 |
| Pin 5 | OUT4 — Half-bridge output 4 |
| Pin 6 | OUT5 — Half-bridge output 5 |
| Pin 7 | OUT6 — Half-bridge output 6 |
| Pin 8 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 9 | IN1 — Logic input 1 |
| Pin 10 | IN2 — Logic input 2 |
| Pin 11 | IN3 — Logic input 3 |
| Pin 12 | IN4 — Logic input 4 |
Typical Applications
L9950 is suitable for 6 applications: Central Door Locking System, Power Window Lift, Mirror Adjustment, Seat Adjustment, Body Control Module (BCM), Automotive Lighting Control.
Central Door Locking System
The L9950 drives door lock actuators with its high-side drivers and half-bridges, providing bidirectional control for locking and unlocking. Its 6A full bridge can handle the inrush current of lock motors, while the integrated protection ensures reliable operation in harsh automotive environments. The device's logic-level inputs interface directly with the body control module, simplifying the wiring and reducing component count.
Recommended
Power Window Lift
The L9950's half-bridges provide bidirectional control for window lift motors, allowing precise up/down movement. With two half-bridges rated at 3A and two at 1.5A, it can drive multiple windows from a single IC. The device's overcurrent and overtemperature protection prevent damage during stall conditions, and its wide operating voltage range accommodates battery voltage fluctuations during cranking.
Recommended
Mirror Adjustment
The L9950 drives mirror adjustment motors with its half-bridges, enabling precise positioning in two axes. The 1.5A half-bridges are sufficient for small mirror motors, and the device's low on-resistance minimizes power dissipation. The integrated protection features ensure reliable operation in temperature extremes, and the compact PowerSO-36 package fits within the limited space inside the door panel.
Recommended
Seat Adjustment
The L9950 can drive seat adjustment motors for forward/backward, recline, and lumbar support. Its multiple half-bridges allow simultaneous control of several motors, and the 6A full bridge handles the high current draw of seat motors. The device's thermal protection ensures safe operation during prolonged adjustment, and its automotive-grade design meets the reliability requirements of seat control modules.
Recommended
Body Control Module (BCM)
The L9950 is a key component in body control modules, centralizing the control of door-related actuators. It reduces PCB area and cost by integrating multiple drivers into one IC. The device's logic-level inputs simplify the microcontroller interface, and its protection features reduce the need for external components. The PowerSO-36 package with exposed pad ensures efficient heat dissipation in the confined BCM enclosure.
Recommended
Automotive Lighting Control
The L9950's high-side drivers can control resistive loads such as bulbs and LEDs in door-mounted lighting. The 1.5A high-side drivers are suitable for interior lights, while the 6A driver can handle exterior mirror indicators. The device's overcurrent protection prevents damage from bulb short-circuits, and its wide operating voltage range ensures consistent brightness across battery voltage variations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for L9950 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | L9950TR | L9950XP | VND5012AK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PowerSO-36 | PowerSO-36 | PowerSO-36 | PowerSO-36 |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Number of Half-Bridges | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Number of High-Side Drivers | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Full Bridge Current | 6 A | 10 A | 6 A | N/A |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +150°C | -40°C to +150°C | -40°C to +150°C | -40°C to +150°C |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated six half-bridges and five high-side drivers in one package (vs VND5012AK)
- Higher full-bridge current rating (6A) compared to L9950TR (10A) (vs L9950TR)
- Enhanced diagnostics in L9950XP (vs L9950XP)
Design Notes
The L9950 in PowerSO-36 package with exposed bottom pad requires a solid thermal connection to the PCB ground plane. Ensure at least 4x4 cm of copper area on the top layer and multiple vias to the bottom layer for effective heat dissipation. For continuous operation at high currents, calculate the junction temperature using the thermal resistance from the datasheet and keep it below 150°C.
Place a 100nF ceramic capacitor and a 10µF electrolytic capacitor close to the VS pin for decoupling. Route high-current output traces with adequate width (at least 2mm for 6A) to minimize voltage drop and inductance. Keep logic input traces short and away from high-current paths to avoid noise coupling.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum ratings for supply voltage and output current. Ensure the microcontroller logic levels are compatible with the input thresholds. When driving inductive loads like motors, add freewheeling diodes or rely on the integrated protection. Verify the pinout against the datasheet before PCB layout, as the PowerSO-36 package has a specific pin configuration.
Compliance Information
Automotive grade, AEC-Q100 qualified per STMicroelectronics product page.