VNQ5050KTR-E - 13A Quad High-Side Driver | ST | Automotive
MPN: VNQ5050KTR-E ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.3 | $6.30 |
| 10 | $5.67 | $56.70 |
| 100 | $5.04 | $504.00 |
| 500 | $4.54 | $2,270.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.05 | $4,050.00 |
VNQ5050KTR-E Overview
A high-side driver is a power switch that connects a load to the positive supply rail rather than to ground, providing protection, diagnostics, and PWM capability. In the taxonomy of semiconductor switches, this places it under power MOSFET drivers -> smart power switches -> power management ICs -> semiconductor. High-side configuration is preferred in automotive body electronics because it allows the load to be referenced to chassis ground, simplifying wiring and enabling direct short-to-ground detection.
Key features include a typical 13.5A per-channel current limit, 0.5 µA standby current for battery-saving key-off operation, very fast demagnetization of inductive loads via integrated freewheeling, and on-state / off-state open-load detection. The device also includes reverse-battery protection, loss-of-ground protection, overload protection with active power limitation, and thermal shutdown. The status flag pin multiplexes diagnostic information back to the host MCU.
Built on ST's VIPower M0-5 technology, the VNQ5050KTR-E combines vertical power MOSFETs with bipolar/CMOS/DMOS control and protection circuitry monolithically. The embedded charge pump drives the gate above VCC, supporting 100% duty-cycle operation at low battery voltages. The architecture is engineered for harsh automotive environments including load-dump transients (tested per ISO 7637) and jump-start conditions.
Typical applications include automotive lighting (headlamps, tail lamps, turn signals), body control modules driving solenoids and DC motors, and industrial programmable logic controllers switching relays. The quadruple channel fits the four-lamp-per-rear-lamp-cluster topology used widely in passenger cars. The exposed thermal pad of the PowerSSO-24 package must be soldered to a substantial PCB copper area to maintain junction temperature under full-load conditions, especially when all four channels are active simultaneously.
Drop-in alternatives for VNQ5050KTR-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 VNQ5050KTR-E (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Standby Current, Diagnostic Output, Output Type, Protection Features.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
VNQ5050AKTR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →VNQ5050AKTR-E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VNQ5160KTR-E
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.39 / Unit
View Datasheet →VNQ5E050MKTR-E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VNQ5050KTR-E Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | Quad Channel High-Side Driver |
| Number of Channels | 4 |
| Output Current per Channel | 13.5 A (typical) |
| On-State Resistance (Ron) | 50 mOhm (typ per channel) |
| Operating Supply Voltage (VCC) | 4.5 V to 36 V |
| Input Compatibility | 3.0 V CMOS logic |
| Standby Current | 0.5 µA (typ) |
| Load Current Limitation | Active power limitation |
| Diagnostic Output | Status flag (multiplexed) |
| Open-Load Detection | On-state and off-state |
| Protection Features | Reverse battery, loss of ground, thermal shutdown, overload |
| Technology | ST VIPower M0-5 |
| Package | PowerSSO-24 (exposed pad) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +150C (junction) |
| Automotive Qualification | AEC-Q100 qualified |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Duty Cycle | 100% (continuous) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
VNQ5050KTR-E Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OUT1 — Channel 1 power output (high-side drain) |
| Pin 2 | OUT2 — Channel 2 power output (high-side drain) |
| Pin 3 | OUT3 — Channel 3 power output (high-side drain) |
| Pin 4 | OUT4 — Channel 4 power output (high-side drain) |
| Pin 5 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 6 | GND — Logic and power ground reference |
| Pin 7 | VCC — Battery supply input (4.5 V to 36 V) |
| Pin 8 | INPUT1 — Channel 1 CMOS logic input (active high) |
| Pin 9 | INPUT2 — Channel 2 CMOS logic input (active high) |
| Pin 10 | INPUT3 — Channel 3 CMOS logic input (active high) |
| Pin 11 | INPUT4 — Channel 4 CMOS logic input (active high) |
| Pin 12 | STATUS — Multiplexed status flag (open-drain) |
| Pin 13 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 14 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 15 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 16 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 17 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 18 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 20 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| 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) |
Typical Applications
VNQ5050KTR-E is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Rear Lamp Cluster Driver, Industrial Relay and Solenoid Driver, Body Control Module (BCM) Outputs, Headlamp Leveling and AFS Actuator Driver, Truck and Bus 24V Power Distribution, Industrial PLC Discrete Output Module.
Automotive Rear Lamp Cluster Driver
Per channel the VNQ5050KTR-E delivers 13.5 A continuous and tolerates cold-lamp inrush via active power limitation, while its very low 0.5 µA standby current preserves the vehicle battery during long parking. The four channels map cleanly to tail/stop/turn/reverse lamps in a typical rear-cluster topology, replacing four discrete high-side MOSFETs and shrinking PCB area by roughly 80 %. On-state and off-state open-load detection flags broken filaments without extra wiring, supporting the ISO 13207 lamp-monitoring requirements. The PowerSSO-24 exposed pad dissipates 4 channel aggregate heat into the body-grounded chassis copper, keeping Tj under 150 C in 85 C ambient with derating per the datasheet curves.
Recommended
Industrial Relay and Solenoid Driver
The 4.5 V to 36 V operating range and very-fast inductive demagnetization of the VNQ5050KTR-E let it switch 24 V industrial solenoids without external freewheel diodes. Integrated loss-of-ground protection prevents catastrophic failure if the load returns are mis-wired during field installation, while thermal shutdown and overload handling survive the inrush of large contactors. Per-channel status flags feed the PLC diagnostic inputs to localize a stuck solenoid, and 100% duty-cycle operation eliminates the off-time slicing common in slower controllers.
Recommended
Body Control Module (BCM) Outputs
Body control modules integrate HVAC flaps, mirror heaters, seat heaters, and lighting - all 12 V battery-fed loads that the VNQ5050KTR-E can drive from a single part. The 3.0 V CMOS logic-level inputs connect directly to modern BCM MCUs without level shifters, and the multiplexed status-flag pin broadcasts four channels of diagnostic information through one GPIO. AEC-Q100 qualification and reverse-battery protection satisfy the automotive stress tests run per the BCM specification, including load-dump per ISO 7637.
Recommended
Headlamp Leveling and AFS Actuator Driver
Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) actuators and headlamp-leveling DC motors draw short bursts of 5 to 10 A through PWM, which the VNQ5050KTR-E handles via its CMOS input and internal charge pump. Very-fast demagnetization prevents the inductive kick of the motor's armature from arcing the switch, extending connector life, while the open-load detection catches a disconnected stepper coil before the headlamp malfunctions on the road. The 100% duty cycle supports continuous high-beam operation without thermal trips.
Recommended
Truck and Bus 24V Power Distribution
Commercial vehicle 24 V battery systems (per ISO 7637-2 commercial transients) place higher energy demands on body-electronics switches, and the VNQ5050KTR-E's 36 V absolute-maximum VCC plus robust reverse-battery protection accommodate that. Four channels per chip drive HVAC flaps, mirror defrosters, and interior lighting in a typical cab distribution module. AEC-Q100 grade-1 qualification covers the wider -40 C to +125 C operating profile expected behind commercial-truck dashboards.
Recommended
Industrial PLC Discrete Output Module
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) discrete-output cards need 4, 8, or 16 channels of switchable 24 V drive per board, and the VNQ5050KTR-E provides four channels in the compact PowerSSO-24 footprint ideal for high-density modules. The 0.5 µA standby helps the PLC meet IEC 61131-2 power-budget limits on field-bus-sensed outputs, while the open-load detection flags a broken sensor-wire or actuator coil in industrial automation. Status feedback via the flag pin enables IEC 61131-3 diagnostic reporting.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for VNQ5050KTR-E — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | VNQ5050AKTR | VNQ5050AKTR-E | VNQ5160KTR-E | VNQ5E050MKTR-E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Package | PowerSSO-24 (exposed pad) | PowerSSO-24 (exposed pad) | PowerSSO-24 (exposed pad) | PowerSSO-24 (exposed pad) | PowerSSO-24 (exposed pad) |
| Number of Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Input Compatibility | 3.0 V CMOS | 3.0 V CMOS | 3.0 V CMOS | 3.0 V CMOS | 3.0 V CMOS |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Quad-channel monolithic integration in PowerSSO-24 (vs Discrete four-MOSFET high-side solution)
- Very low 0.5 µA standby current (vs Competing quad high-side drivers)
- On-state and off-state open-load detection (vs VNQ5050AKTR-E (A revision))
Design Notes
At full 4-channel activity with 13.5 A per channel continuous, the VNQ5050KTR-E dissipates roughly P = 4 * I^2 * R = 4 * 13.5^2 * 0.05 = 36 W. The PowerSSO-24 exposed pad must be soldered to a copper area of at least 6 cm^2 on a FR-4 board to keep junction rise under 50 C, per the datasheet thermal curves. For higher ambient designs, consider reducing to 8 A per channel or upgrading the PCB to IMS (insulated metal substrate) for direct chassis mounting. Estimated thermal resistance from datasheet curves is 5 C/W at 6 cm^2, giving a junction rise of 180 C if all 36 W are realized - derating to 50 % load per channel is advisable in sealed enclosures.
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor plus a bulk electrolytic of 10 µF or more immediately at the VCC pin to absorb load-dump transients. The 0.5 µA standby figure assumes clean supplies; under-voltage lockout hysteresis around 4.5 V prevents inadvertent turn-on during cranking drops. The status pin is open-drain and needs a pull-up of 4.7 kOhm to 5 V at the host MCU; do not leave it floating because the diagnostic engine continuously polls during off-state open-load detection. The four output pins (OUT1-OUT4) should be routed with 2 oz copper pours on the outer layers, and the exposed pad should have 6 or more thermal vias to the inner plane.
Avoid ground loops by tying the VNQ5050KTR-E's GND pin directly to a low-inductance chassis ground close to the battery return - the loss-of-ground protection relies on this single-point reference. Cold-lamp filaments draw a 10x inrush, which the active power limitation handles but only if VCC stays above 6 V; in severely cranking engines the inrush may exceed the limit threshold and foldback to a low current. Finally, do not connect 5 V TTL signals directly to the inputs unless the datasheet confirms 3.0 V logic compatibility - older VIPower M0-3 parts require 5 V, while the M0-5 VNQ5050KTR-E expects 3.0 V CMOS levels.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per ST product page. AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive body-electronics applications. Halogen-free and lead-free per ST's environmental documentation.
