STMicroelectronics Launches VN808 Octal High-Side Driver

STMicroelectronics Inc. (ST, Geneva, Switzerland) launched an octal high-side driver with built-in protection systems and diagnostics for use in automation and industrial process control. The VN808 is a monolithic device designed to drive any load that has one side connected to ground. It handles 0.7 A with a 45 V supply, and offers an RDS(ON) of 150 mΩ.

The VN808 has an active current limiter, thermal shutdown and automatic restart circuits. If the part becomes overloaded, one channel turns off and back on automatically to maintain the junction temperature between its shutdown temperature and its reset temperature. If this condition makes the case temperature reach its shutdown limit, the overloaded channel is turned off and will restart only when the case temperature has fallen to the case reset temperature. Channels that have not been overloaded will continue to work normally.

The driver turns off if the ground pin is disconnected. Other built-in safety mechanisms include protection against shorted loads and under-voltage conditions. The part also has a low standby current requirement.

The VN808 is offered in a PowerSO-36 package. Pricing is $3.50 in quantities of 10,000 pieces.