MIC5842YN - 8-Bit Serial-In Latched Driver, 500mA, 18-DIP | Microchip
MPN: MIC5842YN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.1 | $4.10 |
| 10 | $3.65 | $36.50 |
| 100 | $3.05 | $305.00 |
| 500 | $2.62 | $1,310.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
MIC5842YN Overview
A latched driver is a type of peripheral power driver IC that accepts serial data from a microcontroller or logic controller, latches it for steady-state retention, and uses high-current bipolar outputs to switch inductive, capacitive, or lamp loads. It sits in the family of power management and load driver ICs (PMIC -> Load Driver -> Serial Latched Driver -> Peripheral Driver), bridging low-power CMOS logic and high-current real-world loads.
Key features include a wide 5 V to 15 V supply operating range, output transient capability of 80 V per channel for inductive load turn-off, 500 mA continuous sink current per channel, an active-low STROBE latch-enable input, a serial data output pin for cascading multiple MIC5842 devices, and built-in input pull-up structures. The BiCMOS architecture gives the part its combination of low-power CMOS logic and high-current bipolar drive in a single die.
The MIC5842YN is typically used to drive relays, solenoids, lamps, LED arrays, stepper motor windings, and incandescent displays. By clocking data into the shift register one bit at a time and then latching the parallel outputs simultaneously, designers can control up to eight high-current loads using only three or four microcontroller pins.
When designing with this part, place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor close to VCC (Pin 6) and use flyback diodes on inductive loads or rely on the IC's internal clamp diodes. Output ground returns to GND at Pin 3. Maximum package dissipation must be observed when all eight outputs are fully loaded.
Drop-in alternatives for MIC5842YN — 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:
MIC5841YN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MIC5842BN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MIC5842YV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MIC5844YN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MIC5891YN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MIC5842YN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Topology | 8-bit serial-in latched driver with bipolar Darlington outputs |
| Number of Outputs | 8 |
| Output Configuration | Low-side sink (open-collector Darlington) |
| Continuous Output Current per Channel | 500 mA |
| Load Voltage Rating (min) | 50 V |
| Output Transient Rating | 80 V |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 5 V to 15 V |
| Logic Input Voltage | TTL/CMOS compatible |
| Cascade Serial Data Output | Yes (pin SERIAL OUT) |
| Strobe / Latch Enable | Active-low STROBE input |
| Technology | BiCMOS |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
MIC5842YN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OUT1 — Darlington output 1 (open-collector) |
| Pin 2 | OUT2 — Darlington output 2 (open-collector) |
| Pin 3 | GND — Logic and output ground |
| Pin 4 | OUT3 — Darlington output 3 (open-collector) |
| Pin 5 | OUT4 — Darlington output 4 (open-collector) |
| Pin 6 | VCC — Logic supply (5 V to 15 V) |
| Pin 7 | OUT5 — Darlington output 5 (open-collector) |
| Pin 8 | OUT6 — Darlington output 6 (open-collector) |
| Pin 9 | SERIAL OUT — Cascade serial data output |
| Pin 10 | SERIAL DATA IN — Serial data input |
| Pin 11 | CLOCK — Serial shift clock |
| Pin 12 | STROBE — Active-low latch enable |
| Pin 13 | OUTPUT ENABLE — Active-low output enable |
| Pin 14 | OUT7 — Darlington output 7 (open-collector) |
| Pin 15 | OUT8 — Darlington output 8 (open-collector) |
| Pin 16 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 17 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 18 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
MIC5842YN is suitable for 6 applications: Relay and Solenoid Driver Arrays, LED Matrix and Multiplexed Display Driver, Industrial Lamp and Indicator Banks, Unipolar Stepper Motor and DC Motor Driver, Hobby and Robotics Load Switching, Printer and Dot-Matrix Print Head Driver.
Relay and Solenoid Driver Arrays
The MIC5842YN drives arrays of 5 V, 12 V, and 24 V relays and solenoids from a single 5 V to 15 V logic supply, with each of its 8 Darlington outputs sinking 500 mA continuously and clamping 80 V transients during inductor turn-off. In a typical application, a microcontroller clocks eight bits of data into the shift register using only three pins (CLOCK, DATA IN, STROBE), then latches the pattern to update all eight relay coils simultaneously. The 50 V minimum load-voltage rating comfortably exceeds common 24 V industrial relay coil ratings, while the BiCMOS logic inputs interface directly to 3.3 V or 5 V microcontrollers without level shifters. Use external flyback diodes or rely on the internal clamp diodes for inductive load protection. Recommended companion MPNs include MIC5205 for local 5 V regulation and 1N4007 flyback diodes on each output.
Recommended
LED Matrix and Multiplexed Display Driver
The MIC5842YN drives rows or columns of multiplexed LED matrices and 7-segment displays using its 8-bit latched parallel output and 500 mA per-channel sink capability. A common application multiplexes an 8-digit 7-segment display by clocking digit patterns into the MIC5842YN shift register while a microcontroller scans the digit commons through a separate driver. The active-low STROBE input updates all eight outputs simultaneously without flicker, and the cascade-able SERIAL OUT pin allows expansion to 16, 24, or more bits by daisy-chaining a second MIC5842 device. With a 50 V load-voltage rating, the part can also drive higher-voltage vacuum fluorescent displays. Recommended companion MPNs include MIC5891 for additional channel expansion and a microcontroller such as PIC16F or equivalent for the scanning controller.
Recommended
Industrial Lamp and Indicator Banks
The MIC5842YN sinks 500 mA per channel to drive banks of incandescent indicator lamps, panel-mount LEDs, and panel-indicator bulbs in industrial control equipment. With all eight channels rated for 50 V load voltage and 80 V transient capability, the part handles 12 V and 24 V lamp banks common in factory automation panels. The serial data input allows the indicator state to be driven from a single 3-wire SPI-like bus from a PLC or microcontroller, dramatically reducing wiring harness complexity compared to discrete relay-per-indicator designs. The BiCMOS technology provides clean CMOS logic switching with the high current handling needed for lamp inrush. Recommended companion MPNs include LM7805 for logic supply and opto-isolated digital inputs for industrial noise immunity.
Recommended
Unipolar Stepper Motor and DC Motor Driver
The MIC5842YN drives the four windings of a small unipolar stepper motor using four of its eight outputs in a single-chip solution, with the remaining four channels available for additional motor or load control. The 500 mA per-channel rating suits small stepper motors in the 5 V to 24 V range with per-phase currents up to 400 mA, while the 50 V load-voltage rating provides margin for back-EMF spikes. For bipolar stepper motors, the MIC5842YN can drive the low-side of an H-bridge built from discrete MOSFETs. The serial data input simplifies stepper sequencing from a microcontroller without consuming 4 or 8 GPIO pins. Recommended companion MPNs include LT3473 for stepper motor supply and a microcontroller for sequencing.
Recommended
Hobby and Robotics Load Switching
The MIC5842YN provides 8 high-current switching channels for hobby and educational robotics projects that need to control DC motors, solenoids, LEDs, and buzzers from a microcontroller with minimal pin usage. In a typical robot controller, the part drives 4 DC motors (with each output paired with a flyback diode), 2 servo power switches, and 2 indicator LEDs, all from a 3-wire serial interface to an Arduino or Raspberry Pi Pico. The through-hole 18-pin PDIP package is breadboard-friendly, simplifying prototyping and classroom use. Its 500 mA per-channel current rating covers small DC motors up to about 5 W mechanical output. Recommended companion MPNs include Arduino-compatible microcontrollers and 1N5819 flyback diodes.
Recommended
Printer and Dot-Matrix Print Head Driver
The MIC5842YN drives the print head solenoids of dot-matrix printers, thermal printers, and label printers, where 8 high-current outputs are needed per print head bank. The 500 mA per-channel sink current handles the peak current required to fire print head solenoids, while the 50 V load-voltage rating accommodates 24 V or 36 V print head supplies. The serial data input interfaces directly to the printer's main controller or to a small microcontroller that handles text rasterization. The 18-pin PDIP package suits through-hole assembly common in legacy and industrial printer designs. Recommended companion MPNs include MIC5841YN for additional print head channels and a stepper motor driver for paper advance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MIC5842YN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MIC5841YN | MIC5842BN | MIC5842YV | MIC5844YN | MIC5891YN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18) | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18) - same | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18) - same | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18) - same | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18) - same | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18) - same |
| Output Channels | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Output Configuration | Open-collector Darlington sink | Open-collector Darlington sink | Open-collector Darlington sink | Open-collector Darlington sink | Open-collector Darlington sink | Open-collector Darlington sink |
| Load Voltage Rating | 50 V min / 80 V transient | 50 V min | 50 V min / 80 V transient | 50 V min / 80 V transient | Higher | Higher |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 5 V to 15 V | 5 V to 15 V | 5 V to 15 V | 5 V to 15 V | 5 V to 15 V | 5 V to 15 V |
| Technology | BiCMOS | BiCMOS | BiCMOS | BiCMOS | BiCMOS | BiCMOS |
| Cascade Serial Out | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 8-bit shift register and latch on one die (vs Discrete 74HC595 + ULN2803 solution)
- 80 V transient rating per output (vs ULN2803 (50 V clamp))
- TTL/CMOS compatible logic inputs across full VCC range (vs MIC5891 (logic-input voltage shift with VCC))
Design Notes
Estimated: at VCC=5 V with all 8 outputs active at 500 mA into 50 V loads, total package power dissipation is bounded by the bipolar Darlington VCE(sat) (~1.0 V) and load current. The MIC5842YN's outputs sink to GND, so VCC current is the logic supply only (typically <50 mA). Ensure VCC is decoupled with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of Pin 6 (VCC) and Pin 3 (GND) to suppress logic-noise-induced output jitter.
Do not exceed 50 V on any output's load terminal, or 80 V peak transient during inductive turn-off, as internal clamp diodes will conduct and may overheat. Always include a flyback diode across inductive loads if the internal clamp is insufficient for the load energy. The STROBE pin is active-low; leaving it high prevents outputs from updating, which is useful during power-up to avoid spurious outputs but can confuse firmware if polarity is misinterpreted.
For the 18-pin PDIP package, route ground on Pin 3 as a wide trace or pour to handle the combined return current of all 8 outputs. Keep high-current traces (for PCB) physically separated from the CLOCK, DATA IN, and STROBE logic traces to avoid ground bounce coupling into the shift register. A ground plane on the bottom layer is recommended. For breadboard prototyping, place a 10 uF bulk capacitor across VCC and GND near the IC.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free compliance not stated in the verified distributor data; the original Micrel datasheet predates widespread RoHS documentation. AEC-Q100 is not_applicable for this through-hole industrial peripheral driver. Confirm compliance with Microchip factory or current datasheet before automotive or medical use.
