VNQ500PEPTR-E - 4-Ch High-Side 36V Driver | STMicroelectronics
MPN: VNQ500PEPTR-E ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.3 | $2.30 |
| 10 | $2.05 | $20.50 |
| 100 | $1.79 | $179.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.38 | $1,380.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.22 | $3,660.00 |
VNQ500PEPTR-E Overview
A high-side driver (also known as a high-side switch) is a power-distribution topology in which the load is connected between the switch output and ground, while the switch sits between the positive supply rail and the load. This contrasts with low-side switching, which returns the load to the positive rail and switches the ground return. High-side switching is preferred wherever the load must remain at a defined ground potential (for safety, EMI, or fault-detection reasons) and is the canonical building block of automotive body modules, industrial PLCs, and USB/eFuse power rails.
Key feature highlights include four independently controlled outputs, internal current-limit and thermal-shutdown protection, very low quiescent current in standby, and CMOS/TTL-compatible logic inputs. Each output is protected against overload, short-circuit, and ESD events per AEC-Q100 stress profiles. According to the STMicroelectronics VNQ500 product page, the part is designed for "driving any kind of load with one side connected to ground," which captures the broad applicability of the device across resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads.
Typical applications include automotive body-control modules (lighting, door locks, mirror heaters), industrial PLC and sensor-driver stages, USB port power switching, relay replacement, and any system that requires multiple protected 12 V/24 V loads on one PCB. With 36 V load-dump tolerance, the device is well-suited to 12 V automotive rails that routinely see transient overvoltage events.
When designing with this device, ensure the PCB thermal layout uses the exposed pad (EP) as the primary heat-dissipation path. For >200 mA continuous outputs, a copper-pour area of at least 1 square inch under the EP is recommended, since Ron losses scale with I² and rise rapidly above 300 mA per channel.
Drop-in alternatives for VNQ500PEPTR-E — 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 VNQ500PEPTR-E (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Technology, Output Configuration, Topology, Number of Channels.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
VNQ500N-E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VND5160AJTR-E
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →VNI4140K-32
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →VNQ500PEPTR-E Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Topology | Quad High-Side Power Switch / Driver |
| Number of Outputs | 4 |
| Input Voltage Range | 5.5 V to 36 V |
| Continuous Output Current (per channel) | 400 mA |
| On-Resistance (Ron, typ.) | 0.5 ohm |
| Output Configuration | 1:1 N-Channel high-side |
| Load Type | Any load with one side connected to ground |
| Logic Input Compatibility | CMOS/TTL |
| Protection Features | Current limit, thermal shutdown, ESD |
| Operating Temperature (Tj) | -40C to +150C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package | PowerSSO-12 (PowerLSOP with exposed pad) |
| Automotive Qualification | AEC-Q100 qualified |
| Technology | ST VIPower M0-3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
VNQ500PEPTR-E Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OUT1 — Channel 1 high-side output |
| Pin 2 | OUT2 — Channel 2 high-side output |
| Pin 3 | IN1 — Channel 1 logic input (CMOS/TTL) |
| Pin 4 | IN2 — Channel 2 logic input (CMOS/TTL) |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | VCC — Supply input (5.5 V to 36 V) |
| Pin 7 | IN3 — Channel 3 logic input (CMOS/TTL) |
| Pin 8 | IN4 — Channel 4 logic input (CMOS/TTL) |
| Pin 9 | OUT3 — Channel 3 high-side output |
| Pin 10 | OUT4 — Channel 4 high-side output |
| Pin 11 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 12 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed pad - thermal pad, tie to GND |
Safe Operating Area (per channel)
Typical Applications
VNQ500PEPTR-E is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control Module (BCM), Industrial PLC Discrete Output Module, USB Port Power Switching, Relay and Solenoid Replacement, LED Lighting Driver (12V/24V Architectural), Sensor Power Switching in IoT Edge Nodes.
Automotive Body Control Module (BCM)
The VNQ500PEPTR-E is well-suited to 12 V automotive BCM loads where multiple medium-current resistive or inductive channels must be switched with diagnostic feedback. Its 5.5 V to 36 V input window absorbs 12 V cranking dips and 36 V load-dump transients, while the 0.5 ohm Ron keeps conduction loss below 80 mW per channel at 400 mA. AEC-Q100 qualification removes the need for up-screening in door-lock, mirror-heater, and lighting driver stages, replacing four discrete MOSFETs with one IC.
Recommended
Industrial PLC Discrete Output Module
In a 24 V industrial PLC sink/source output card, the VNQ500PEPTR-E provides four high-side protected switches in a single PowerSSO-12 footprint. Integrated current-limit and thermal-shutdown features eliminate the need for fuses per channel, reducing BOM cost. Compared to discrete MOSFET-plus-resistor designs, VNQ500PEPTR-E saves approximately 60 percent of PCB area per channel while providing built-in fault protection that simplifies IEC 61131-2 compliance testing for industrial control.
Recommended
USB Port Power Switching
The VNQ500PEPTR-E can replace a discrete P-channel MOSFET + polyfuse per USB port by providing a self-protected 5 V high-side switch. With 400 mA per channel and 0.5 ohm Ron, it covers USB 2.0 downstream port current while the integrated thermal shutdown protects against over-current events. Four channels in one package allow a 4-port USB hub to be realized with a single IC, reducing total USB-port protection BOM cost by half compared to discrete solutions.
Recommended
Relay and Solenoid Replacement
For PCB designs that previously used electromagnetic relays, the VNQ500PEPTR-E provides silent, solid-state switching with no moving parts and no contact bounce. Each channel handles up to 400 mA continuous, well within the holding current of small automotive relays and 24 V industrial solenoids. The internal inductive-load clamp removes the need for external flyback diodes, allowing direct drive of coils rated up to 36 V without additional protection components.
Recommended
LED Lighting Driver (12V/24V Architectural)
In architectural LED strips and signage running on 12 V or 24 V rails, the VNQ500PEPTR-E provides per-string PWM dimming control through its CMOS-compatible inputs. Each channel's 400 mA rating covers up to four parallel LED strings, and the 36 V tolerance handles 24 V supply transients. Compared to discrete low-side MOSFETs, the high-side topology keeps the LED cathodes at ground potential, simplifying heatsink design and improving overall system safety.
Recommended
Sensor Power Switching in IoT Edge Nodes
Battery-powered IoT gateways benefit from the VNQ500PEPTR-E's low standby quiescent current, allowing individual sensors to be powered down under MCU control. Each of the four channels can independently gate a sensor module (gas, motion, environmental), reducing total sleep current to the standby floor of one IC. The exposed pad PowerSSO-12 package keeps thermal rise under 30 C/W even with 100 mA continuous loads, suitable for sealed outdoor enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for VNQ500PEPTR-E — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | VNQ500N-E | VND5160AJTR-E | VNI4140K-32 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PowerSSO-12 (PowerLSOP with EP) | PowerSSO-12 (no EP) | PowerSSO-12 | PowerSSO-12 |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Number of Channels | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Input Voltage Range | 5.5 V to 36 V | 5.5 V to 36 V | 4.5 V to 36 V | 4.5 V to 36 V |
| Continuous Current / Channel | 400 mA | 400 mA | 5 A (dual) | 50 mA |
| On-Resistance (Ron) | 0.5 ohm | 0.5 ohm | 0.03 ohm | 1.2 ohm |
| Technology | VIPower M0-3 | VIPower M0-3 | VIPower M0-7 | VIPower M0 |
| Automotive Grade (AEC-Q100) | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified |
Key Differentiators
- Highest channel density per mm^2 in the ST VIPower M0-3 family (vs VND5160AJTR-E)
- Lower Ron than competing 4-channel high-side switches (vs VNI4140K-32)
- AEC-Q100 qualified across the full temperature range (vs Non-automotive discrete MOSFETs)
Design Notes
The PowerSSO-12 exposed pad (EP) is the primary thermal path. Estimated: at VIN=13 V, VOUT=0 V (shorted load), and 400 mA per channel, each output dissipates roughly P = Ron * I^2 = 0.5 * 0.4^2 = 80 mW per channel. With all four channels active, total package dissipation is ~320 mW. A copper-pour area of at least 1 square inch tied to GND is recommended to keep theta_JA below 35 C/W and the junction temperature rise under 15 C at room ambient.
Do not exceed the 36 V absolute-maximum input rating. Although the part is 12 V automotive-rated, load-dump transients can exceed 35 V on the supply pin; add a 36 V TVS such as a SMBJ36CA at the VCC pin if long transients are expected. Also ensure unused INx pins are tied to GND (not left floating) to prevent spurious turn-on of OUTx during MCU reset.
Route VCC and GND with wide traces (at least 0.5 mm or 20 mil wide) to handle peak currents. Place a 100 nF ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to the VCC pin, plus a 10 uF bulk electrolytic or tantalum capacitor on the supply rail. The exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous GND copper pour with thermal vias (at least 5 vias of 0.3 mm diameter) to achieve the rated thermal performance.
The CMOS/TTL-compatible logic inputs draw very low bias current, but capacitive coupling from switching outputs can inject noise onto INx pins. Keep INx traces short and away from OUTx switching nodes; if the MCU is more than 50 mm away, add a 10 kohm pull-down and a 100 pF filter cap at each INx pin to suppress transient glitches.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified per Arrow listing; RoHS and REACH compliant per ST product page; lead-free finish confirmed; halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified data.
