Infineon BTN8960: A High-Current Half Bridge Motor Driver IC

In the realm of motor control for automotive and industrial applications, efficiency, reliability, and integration are paramount. The Infineon BTN8960 stands out as a robust and highly integrated half-bridge driver IC engineered to meet these demanding requirements. As part of Infineon's NovalithIC™ family, it combines a P-channel high-side MOSFET and an N-channel low-side MOSFET in a single, compact package, alongside a smart driver IC. This integration simplifies design, reduces board space, and enhances overall system performance.

A key strength of the BTN8960 is its ability to handle high output currents, with a maximum of up to 20A continuous current and even higher peak currents. This makes it an ideal solution for driving DC motors, actuators, and solenoid valves in applications such as power seat adjusters, throttle control, HVAC systems, and fuel pumps. The device operates over a wide supply voltage range, typically from 5.5V to 28V, making it suitable for both 12V and 24V automotive battery systems.

The IC incorporates a suite of advanced protection features that ensure safe and reliable operation under various fault conditions. These include overtemperature shutdown, which prevents thermal damage, and overcurrent protection that limits current during a short circuit. Furthermore, it features undervoltage lockout (UVLO) to disable the outputs when the supply voltage is too low, preventing malfunction. The diagnostic feedback pin provides crucial information on fault status, such as overtemperature and open-load detection, enabling the microcontroller to take appropriate action.

Another significant advantage is its low electromagnetic interference (EMI) generation. The driver utilizes a sophisticated slew rate control mechanism for the MOSFETs, which helps minimize voltage transients and reduces conducted and radiated emissions. This is critical for automotive environments, where strict EMC standards must be met.

From a design perspective, the BTN8960 significantly reduces component count. The integrated charge pump for the high-side driver eliminates the need for an external bootstrap diode and capacitor, streamlining the bill of materials and simplifying PCB layout. Its exposed chip pad allows for excellent thermal dissipation, directly transferring heat to the PCB to handle high power levels.

ICGOOODFIND: The Infineon BTN8960 is a superior, highly integrated solution for high-current DC motor driving. Its combination of high performance, robust protective features, and design simplicity makes it an excellent choice for engineers developing reliable and compact motion control systems in automotive and industrial settings.

Keywords: High-Current Motor Driver, Half-Bridge IC, Automotive Applications, Integrated Protection, Low EMI Generation