New Industry Products

Allegro MicroSystems Introduces New Low Voltage, Bi-Directional DC Motor Driver

February 23, 2009 by Jeff Shepard

Allegro MicroSystems Inc. introduced a new low voltage bi-directional dc motor driver with a typical input voltage range of 3.0 to 5.5V and output currents up to 500mA. The unique full-bridge output incorporates source side linear operation to allow a constant voltage supply across the motor coil. This regulated output minimizes motor voltage change due to I Rds(on) variation and battery voltage tolerance. The new motor driver is targeted at the portable and instrumentation markets.

Two logic inputs are provided to control the motor direction of rotation, brake and standby (<500nA supply current) modes and to allow optional PWM of the sink drivers. Internal protection circuitry includes thermal shut down, under voltage lockout, and crossover (shoot through) protection.

Allegro’s A3908 is supplied in a 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.575mm nominal, 8-lead DFN package, with exposed thermal pad (package suffix "EE"). This small footprint package is lead (Pb) free, with 100% matte tin leadframe plating.

The device is priced at $0.45 in quantities of 1,000 and has a 12 week typical lead-time to market.