EVALUATION KIT AVAILABLE

MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

General Description Benefits and Features

The MAX14871 DC motor driver provides a low-power ●● Drive More Power and Reduce Footprint
and simple solution for driving and controlling brushed • Up to 2.8A Peak Motor-Current Package
motors with voltages between 4.5V and 36V. Very low • Flexible 4.5V–36V Supply Enables Longer Runtime
driver on resistance reduces power during dissipation.
●● Low Power Consumption Runs Cooler and Longer
The MAX14871 features a charge-pump-less design for • 334mΩ (typ) Total Bridge On-Resistance
reduced external components and low supply current. • 1mA (typ) Supply Current at 30kHz/24V
Integrated current regulation allows user-defined peak startup • 10µA (max) Standby Current at 12V
motor currents and requires minimal external components.
●● Simplified Designs Reduces Time to Market
The MAX14871 includes 3 modes of current regulation: • Charge-Pump-Less Architecture
fast decay, slow decay, and 25% current ripple modes.
• Current Regulation Only Requires a Sense Resistor
Current regulation based on 25% ripple simplifies the
design and enables regulation independent of motor • Current-Sense Input Simplifies PCB Layout
characteristics. A separate voltage sense input (SNS) reduc- • Internal/External VREF for Current Regulation
es current-sensing errors due to parasitic trace resistance. • Fast/Slow/25% Ripple Current Regulation Modes
The MAX14871 features shoot-through protection and ●● Integrated Protection Provides Robust Driving Solutions
internal free-wheeling diodes that absorb inductive motor • Short-Circuit-Protected Drivers
currents. Driver outputs are short-circuit-protected from • Thermal Shutdown Undervoltage Lockout
shorts to ground, to the supply, and between M1 and M2. • Diagnostic FAULT Output
An active-low FAULT output signals thermal overload and • -40°C to +85°C Temperature Range
overcurrents during fault conditions.
The MAX14871 is available in a 16-pin TSSOP-EP package
and operates over the -40°C to +85°C temperature range.
Ordering Information appears at end of data sheet.
Applications
●● Printers and Scanners
●● Industrial Automation
●● Vending and Gaming Machines

Typical Application Circuit

24V
M

VDD M1 M2
3.3V
3.3V
MAX14871
FAULT
IRQ
DIR VDD VDD
µC GPO
PWM
PWM
EN DRIVER

3.3V DRIVER

VREF

TCOFF
CURRENT
COFF REGULATION
MODE

SNS COM GND

RSENSE

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Absolute Maximum Ratings

(All voltages referenced to GND) Single-Layer Board (derate at 21.3mW/°C
VDD.........................................................................-0.3V to +40V above +70°C).............................................................1702mW
M1, M2........................................................ -0.3V to (VDD+0.3V) Multiple-Layer Board (derate at 26.1mW/°C
PWM, DIR, FAULT, EN, SNS, VREF, above +70°C).............................................................2088mW
MODE, TCOFF................................................................ -0.3V to +6.0V Operating Temperature Range............................ -40°C to +85°C
COM......................................................................-0.3V to +0.3V Junction Temperature....................................................... +150ºC
Current Into M1, M2 ..............................................................±3A Storage Temperature Range..............................-65ºC to +150°C
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C) Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10s) ................................. +300°C
Solder Temperature (Reflow) ..........................................+260°C
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional operation of the device at these
or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect
device reliability.

Package Thermal Characteristics (Note 1)

Junction-to-Case Thermal Resistance (θJC) Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance (θJA)
TSSOP-EP (Single-Layer Board)...................................3°C/W TSSOP-EP (Single-Layer Board).................................47°C/W
TSSOP-EP (Multiple-Layer Board).................................3°C/W TSSOP-EP (Multiple-Layer Board)............................38.3°C/W

Note 2: Package thermal resistances were obtained using the method described in JEDEC specification JESD51-7, using a four-layer
board. For detailed information on package thermal considerations, refer to www.maximintegrated.com/thermal-tutorial.

Electrical Characteristics
(VDD = 4.5V to 36V, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VDD = 12V, TA = +25°C)(Note 3)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
POWER SUPPLY
Supply Voltage VDD 4.5 36 V

EN = low, M1/M2 fPWM = 50kHz 1

Supply Current IDD mA
not connected No switching 0.5 1.2

EN = high, Driver VDD = 12V 3.7 10

Shutdown Supply Current ISHDN μA
is in shutdown VDD = 36V 10 20
Undervoltage Lockout
VUVLO VDD rising 3.3 3.8 4.3 V
Threshold
Undervoltage Lockout
VUVLO_HYST 400 mV
Threshold Hysteresis
DRIVER (M1, M2)
Driver Output Resistance TJ = 25°C 334 435
RON IM_ = 2.8A mΩ
(High-Side + Low-Side) TJ = 125°C 465 620
Driver Overload Current Limit IM_OL 3 A

M1, M2 Leakage Current IM_LKG EN = High, VM1 = VM2 = 0V or VDD -1 +1 μA

M1, M2 Body Diode Forward- Low-side diode, EN = High, IF = 2.8A 1.5

VBF V
Voltage High-side diode, EN = High, IF = 2.8A 1.5

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Electrical Characteristics (continued)

(VDD = 4.5V to 36V, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VDD = 12V, TA = +25°C)(Note 3)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
CURRENT REGULATION (VREF, SNS, COM, TCOFF, MODE)
Fixed Off-Time, Fast Decay Current
0.2
Regulation
MODE Select Threshold VMODE_TH 25% Ripple Current Regulation 0.5 1 V
Fixed Off-Time, Slow Decay Current
1.5
Regulation
MODE Internal Pulldown
RMODE_PD VMODE = 5V 0.6 1 2.2 MΩ
Resistance
VREF Internal/External Select
VVREF_TH 0.2 0.4 V
Threshold
VREF Voltage Range for Exter- VDD ≥ 5V 0.5 2
VVREF V
nal VREF Current Regulation VDD < 5V 0.5 1.3
VREF Input Leakage IVREF_LKG VREF = 2V -1 +1 μA
VSNS_IVR_ VSNS rising, VVREF < VVREF_TH, All
94 100 110
SNS Threshold for Internal THR current regulation modes
mV
VVREF Current Regulation VSNS falling, 25% Ripple Mode,
VSNS_IVR_THF -82 -75 -69
VVREF < VVREF_TH
VSNS rising, VVREF > VVREF_TH, VVREF
VSNS_ER_THR
All current regulation modes / AV
SNS Threshold for External
0.75 x V
VVREF Current Regulation VSNS falling, 25% Ripple Mode,
VSNS_ER_THF VVREF
VVREF > VVREF_TH
/AV
Current-Sense Amplifier Gain AV VVREF = 1V (Note 4) 9.6 10 10.5 V/V
SNS Input Leakage Current ISNS_LKG VSNS = ±250mV -1 +1 μA
COM Leakage Current ICOM_LKG EN = High, VCOM = ±250mV -1 +1 μA
TCOFF Current ITCOFF TCOFF is connected to GND 6 10 15 μA
TCOFF Threshold VTCOFF 0.92 1 1.08 V
LOGIC SIGNALS (PWM, DIR, EN, FAULT)
Input Logic-High Voltage VIH PWM, DIR 2 V
Input Logic-Low Voltage VIL PWM, DIR 0.8 V
EN Input Logic-High Voltage VEN_IH 1.6 V
EN Input Logic-Low Voltage VEN_IL 0.4 V
Input Leakage Current IIL PWM, DIR, EN, VINPUT = 5.5V or 0V -1 +1 μA
FAULT Output Low Voltage VOL FAULT asserted, ISINK = 5mA 0.5 V
FAULT Off Leakage Current IF_LKG FAULT deasserted, VFAULT = 5.5V -1 +1 μA
PROTECTION
Thermal-Shutdown Threshold TSHDN Temperature rising, FAULT asserted +160 °C
Thermal-Shutdown Hysteresis TSHDN_HYST 10 °C

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

AC Electrical Characteristics
(VDD = 4.5V to 36V, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VDD = 12V, TA = +25°C)(Note 3)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

EN = Low, Switching signal applied
PWM Frequency fSW 50 kHz
at PWM
Dead Time tDEAD 140 ns
M1, M2 Slew Rate SR 200 V/μs
M1, M2 High-Side Propagation RL = 1kΩ, CL = 50pF, PWM/DIR ris-
tPR 620 ns
Delay ing, Figure 1

M1, M2 Low-Side Propagation RL = 1kΩ, CL = 50pF, PWM/DIR fall-

tPF 583 ns
Delay ing, Figure 1

PWM = High, EN = Low, VSNS >

Fixed Off-Time with Internal
tOFF_D VSNS_IVR_THR, VVREF < VVREF_ 7.8 15 22 μs
VREF Current Regulation
TH, TCOFF unconnected
Current Regulation Minimum PWM = High, EN = Low, VSNS >
tCR_BL 2.5 μs
On-Time VSNS_IR_THR or VSNS_ER_THF
M1/M2 is shorted to VDD or GND,
Overcurrent Blanking Time tOC_BL 1 μs
Figure 2
PWM = High, EN = Low, IM or IM2 >
Overcurrent Autoretry Timeout tOC_TO 2 ms
IM_OL, Figure 2
PWM = High, RL = 1kΩ, CL = 50pF,
Enable Turn-on Delay tEN_ON EN falling, M1/M2 rising to 10%, 23 μs
Figure 3
PWM = High, RL = 1kΩ, CL = 50pF,
Enable Turn-off Delay tEN_OFF EN rising, M1/M2 falling to 90%, 50 μs
Figure 3
Note 2: All units are production tested at TA = +25°C. Specifications over temperature are guaranteed by design.
Note 3: AV is the fixed voltage gain of the internal current sense amplifier. It is the factor by which the VSNS voltage is multiplied for
comparison with the external VREF voltage when using external VREF current regulation. See the Applications Information
section for more information.

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Test Circuits/Timing Diagrams

M1/ M2
RL CL

VL
PWM/DIR
0V

VDD
1V
M1/M2
1V
0V

tPR tPF

Figure 1. M1/M2 Propagation Delays

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Test Circuits/Timing Diagrams (continued)

IM_OL
IM1 or IM2
0A
tOC_BL
VL
FAULT
0V
tOC_TO

Figure 2. Overcurrent Autoretry Timeout

M1/ M2
RL CL

VL
EN 1.5V 1.5V
0V
tEN_ON tEN_OFF

VDD
90%
M1/M2
10%
0V

Figure 3. Enable/Disable Delays

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Typical Operating Characteristics

(VDD = 24V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

HIGH-SIDE ON RESISTANCE LOW-SIDE ON RESISTANCE ON-RESISTANCE

vs. LOAD CURRENT vs. LOAD CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE
toc01 toc02 toc03
0.30 0.20 0.40
ILOAD = 1A
0.18
0.35
0.25
0.16 VDD = 4.5V
VDD = 4.5V 0.30
0.14
ON-RESISTANCE (Ω)

0.20 HIGH-SIDE
ON-RESISTANCE (Ω)

ON-RESISTANCE (Ω)
0.12 0.25

0.15 0.10 VDD = 36V 0.20

VDD = 36V 0.08
0.15
0.10
0.06
0.10
0.04 LOW-SIDE
0.05
0.02 0.05

0.00 0.00 0.00

0 1000 2000 3000 0 1000 2000 3000 -45 -20 5 30 55 80 105 130
LOAD CURRENT (mA) LOAD CURRENT (mA) TEMPERATURE (oC)

SHUTDOWN SUPPLY CURRENT SUPPLY CURRENT LOW-SIDE M1/M2 BODY DIODE

vs. TEMPERATURE vs. SWITCHING RATE FORWARD-VOLTAGE vs. LOAD
toc04 toc05
12 1.6 1.2
toc06

VDD = 36V
1.4 VDD = 36V
10 1.0
1.2
8 VDD = 24V 0.8
VDD = 24V 1.0
ICC (mA)

VBF (V)
ISHDN (µA)

6 0.8 0.6 TA = 25°C

TA = -40°C TA = 85°C
0.6
4 0.4
VDD = 4.5V 0.4 VDD = 12V
2 VDD = 5V 0.2
0.2
CL = 10pF on M1/M2
0 0.0 0.0
-45 -30 -15 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 0 1 2 3
TEMPERATURE (oC) DATA RATE (kHz) LOAD CURRENT (A)

HIGH-SIDE M1/M2 BODY DIODE

OFF-TIME vs COFF CAPACITANCE
FORWARD-VOLTAGE vs. LOAD toc07 toc08
1.2 55
50
1.0 45
40
0.8
35
VBF (V)

tOFF (µs)

TA = 25°C 30
0.6
TA = 85°C 25
TA = -40°C
0.4 20
15
0.2 10
5
0.0 0
0 1 2 3 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
LOAD CURRENT (A) COFF (pF)

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Pin Configuration

TOP VIEW
+
COM 1 16 COM
*EP
M1 2 15 M2
M1 3 14 M2
VDD 4 MAX14871 13 VDD
SNS 5 12 VREF
PWM 6 11 EN
DIR 7 10 FAULT

MODE 8 9 TCOFF

TSSOP-EP

* EP = Exposed Pad. Connect to ground plane.

Pin Description
PIN NAME FUNCTION
COM Current Output. Connect a sense resistor, RSENSE, from COM to GND to use internal current
1, 16 COM
regulation and/or external current control. Connect both COM pins together.
2, 3 M1 Motor Driver Output 1. See the Function Tables for more information. Connect both M1 pins together.
Power Supply Input. Bypass VDD to GND with a 1μF ceramic capacitor as close to the device as
4, 13 VDD
possible. Connect both VDD pins together.
Current Sense Input. Connect SNS to COM to enable current regulation. To bypass current regulation,
5 SNS
connect SNS to GND.
PWM Control Logic Input. PWM and DIR control M1 and M2. See the Function Tables for more
6 PWM
information.
Direction Control Logic Input. PWM and DIR control M1 and M2. See the Function Tables for more
7 DIR
information.
Current Regulation Mode Select Input. Connect MODE to GND for fast decay regulation. Connect
8 MODE VMODE > 1.5V for slow decay current regulation. Connect 0.5V ≤ VMODE ≤ 1V for fast decay with 25%
ripple. MODE has a 1MΩ internal pull-down resistor.
Current Regulation Timing Control. For external VREF-based current regulation, connect a capacitor
to TCOFF to set the off-time (tOFF). For internal VREF-based current regulation leave TCOFF uncon-
9 TCOFF
nected when using internal VREF-based current regulation. See the Current Regulation section for more
information.

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Pin Description (continued)

PIN NAME FUNCTION
Open-Drain Active-Low Fault Output. FAULT goes low during an overcurrent condition and thermal
10 FAULT
shutdown.
Active-Low Enable Input. Drive EN low to enable the driver outputs. Drive EN high to tri-state the driver
11 EN
outputs.
EP GND Ground
14, 15 M2 Motor Driver Output 2. See the Function Tables for more information. Connect both M2 pins together.
Reference Voltage Input. The voltage applied to VVREF sets the maximum motor current during external
12 VREF VVREF-based current regulation. Set VVREF<VREF_TH for internal VVREF-based current regulation.
See the Function Tables and the Current Regulation section for more information.
- EP Exposed Pad. Connect to ground.

Function Table
PWM/DIR Control Logic
INPUTS OUTPUTS
OPERATING MODE
EN PWM DIR M1 M2
1 X X High-Impedance High-Impedance Shutdown
0 0 X GND GND Brake
0 1 0 GND VDD Counter-Clockwise/Reverse
0 1 1 VDD GND Clockwise/Forward
X = Don’t care

Current Regulation Logic

INPUTS
OPERATING MODE (SEE TABLE 1)
EN VREF MODE VSNS
0 < 0.2V X < 0.1V Normal PWM Operation. No current regulation.
Current regulation based on 15μs (typ) fixed off-time control
0 < 0.2V VMODE < 0.5V > 0.1V
with fast decay using internal VREF.
Current regulation based on 25% current ripple fast decay
0 < 0.2V 0.5V < VMODE < 1V > 0.1V
using internal VREF.
Current regulation based on 15μs (typ) fixed off-time control
0 < 0.2V VMODE > 1.5V > 0.1V
with slow decay using internal VREF.
0 > 0.4V X < VVREF/10 Normal PWM Operation. No current regulation.
Current regulation based on fixed TOFF-time control with fast
0 > 0.4V VMODE < 0.5V > VVREF/10
decay using external VREF.
Current regulation based on 25% current ripple fast decay
0 > 0.4V 0.5V < VMODE < 1V > VVREF/10
using external VREF.
Current regulation based on fixed TOFF-time control with
0 > 0.4V VMODE > 1.5V > VVREF/10
slow decay using external VREF.
X = Don’t care

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Functional Diagram

VDD M1 M2

MAX14871

EN VDD VDD

PWM
DRIVER
DIR
FAULT
DRIVER

MODE
CURRENT
VREF REGULATION

TCOFF

SNS COM GND

RSENSE

Detailed Description M1 or M2 for longer than 1µs, an overcurrent condition

The MAX14871 DC brushed motor driver provides a is detected and the H-bridge drivers are automatically
low-power and flexible solution for driving and controlling disabled and the FAULT output asserts.
brushed motors with voltages between 4.5V and 36V. If the overcurrent condition continues for longer than the
Peak motor currents of up to 2.8A ensure for large motor overcurrent autoretry timeout (2ms (typ)) the MAX14871
torque that is controllable by an external PWM signal and/ enters autoretry mode. In autoretry mode, the M1 and M2
or by autonomous internal current regulation. outputs are re-enabled for 1µs (typ) and FAULT goes high
Charge-pump-less design ensures for minimal external impedance. The drivers are disabled again and FAULT is
components and low supply current. re-asserted if the overcurrent condition persists.

Integrated current regulation allows limiting peak startup PWM Control

motor currents. Shoot-through protection with a 140ns The PWM input is used for motor speed/torque control.
(typ) dead time ensures low operating current. Internal Increasing or decreasing the duty cycle at PWM sets the
free-wheeling diodes absorb inductive motor currents. The effective (average) voltage across the motor terminals
FAULT output signals thermal overload and overcurrents. and allows first-order speed control.
Overcurrent Protection When PWM is logic-high, the motor is driven in the
The MAX14871 is protected against shorts on M1/M2 to direction defined by DIR. When PWM is logic low, the
any voltages between VDD and GND, including shorts bridge is in brake mode. In brake mode, the motor current
to GND, VDD and between M1 and M2 via overcurrent continues flowing and recirculates through the low-side
limiting. When a current above 6A (typ) flows through transistors of the H-bridge driver, due to its inductive
impedance and back EMF.

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Slope Control Minimize series trace resistance from RSENSE to GND to

The MAX14871 drivers turn-on and turn-off with active minimize voltage sense errors due to parasitic trace inter-
slope control during the M1/M2 transition times. This connect resistance. Use a star ground connection between
integrated slew rate limiting reduces EMC, like conducted the MAX14871 GND pins and the GND-side of RSENSE.
and radiated EMI, associated with high di/dt and dv/dt Connect the SNS trace close to the RSENSE resistor in
rates. order to minimize current-sensing error introduced by IR
voltage created by the trace resistance of the high-current
Thermal Shutdown COM to RSENSE trace. If external current monitoring/
The MAX14871 includes integrated protection against regulation is used, as shown in Figure 5, connect the
thermal overload. When the junction temperature exceeds voltage sense inputs close to the RSENSE resistor. Optionally
160°C (typ), the H-bridge is tri-stated and FAULT asserted. use differential voltage sensing for higher accuracy
M1 and M2 are automatically re-enabled when the sensing. Connect the voltage sense close to the RSENSE
junction temperature falls to 150°C (typ). resistor and/or use differential voltage-sensing. See Figure 4.
Current Sensing Current Regulation
Connect a sense resistor (RSENSE) between COM and The MAX14871 features internal current-regulation to limit
GND to monitor the motor current during operation. Select the stall current. Current regulation is based on the maxi-
RSENSE such that the voltage at COM created by motor mum motor current (set with the RSENSE resistor) and
current flowing through the sense resistor is limited to with- the voltage at VREF. When the motor current exceeds the
in 250mV relative to GND (-250mV ≤ VCOM ≤ +250mV). value, the motor current is automatically reduced, either
by driving both H-bridge outputs low (braking/slow decay),

Table 1. Current Regulation Modes

INPUTS CURRENT REGULATION MODE
MODE VREF Regulation Mode Decay Type VREF TCOFF
0.75V GND 25% Ripple FAST Internal (=1V) -
0.75V > 0.4V 25% Ripple FAST External -
GND GND TCOFF FAST Internal (=1V) 15µs
> 1.5V GND TCOFF SLOW Internal (=1V) 15µs
GND > 0.4V TCOFF FAST External Toff
> 1.5V > 0.4V TCOFF SLOW External Toff

To SNS
M1
COM
GND
RSENSE

GNDEP
GND GND
GND
GND

COM

M2

Figure 4. Star connection between COM, SNS, and GND

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

or by reversing the H-bridge direction (fast decay). The Fast Decay Mode
H-bridge is turned back to normal polarity after a defined Fast decay mode can be used as an alternative to slow
delay time (TOFF mode) or after the motor current has decay during fixed off-time regulation. Fast decay is
reduced by 25% (25% ripple mode). See Table 1. The enabled by setting VMODE < 0.2V. In fast decay, the
MAX14871 Function Tables show how to set the regula- H-bridge polarity is reversed during the tOFF period,
tion mode. which results in faster motor current decay, since –VDD
Regulation Modes is applied across the motor’s terminals. The motor
current decrease is first order with an L/R time constant
The MAX14871 offers two internal current regulation
and proportional to (VDD + VEMF).
modes: Constant off-time (TOFF) and 25% current ripple
regulation. For both modes, regulation is set when the Note that if tOFF is larger than the motor’s L/R electrical
motor current (IM) exceeds the current limit defined by the time constant, the inductive current can reverse direction,
VREF voltage and the sense resistor: causing the motor not to start-up. If fixed off-time regula-
tion with fast decay is used, select TOFF carefully, based
IM_MAX = VVREF/(AV x RSENSE)
on the motor’s electrical characteristics.
VREF During fast decay, the motor’s inductive current recircu-
Either the internal VVREF voltage or an external voltage lates through the external VDD supply, which charges up
on VREF can be used for current regulation. Select inter- the VDD bypass capacitor. Thus the voltage seen across
nal VREF-based regulation by setting VVREF < VREF_TH. RSENSE is negative during the tOFF delay.
The internal VVREF is 1V (typ).
25% Ripple Regulation
When an external voltage is used, the range of VREF is
25% ripple regulation is based on the H-bridge switching
defined by VVREF.
to fast decay period until the motor current falls by 25%.
Fixed Off-Time (TOFF-time) Regulation When IM reaches the regulation limit, the bridge enters
Fixed off-time regulation turns the H-bridge driver off for fast decay until the IM falls to 75% of the current limit. The
a fixed time (tOFF time), as defined by the value of the H-bridge polarity is then turned back to normal drive. Thus
COFF capacitor connected between TCOFF and GND: the motor current ramps up and down between 75% and
100% of the set-point current.
tOFF (µs)= COFF(pF)/10.
25% ripple regulation eliminates tOFF time tuning and the
If VVREF < VVREF_TH and TCOFF is left unconnected, TCOFF capacitor, allowing motors to be exchanged without
then tOFF is 15µs (typ). redesign.
During the fixed TOFF-time regulation, the H-bridge can Since 25% ripple regulation uses fast decay, the voltage
operate in either slow or fast decay mode. See Table 1. seen across RSENSE is negative during the time period
Slow Decay Mode that the H-bridge polarity is reversed.
Slow decay, also called brake mode, is selected by set- Select 25% ripple regulation mode by setting 0.5V <
ting VMODE > 1.5V. In slow decay, both H-bridge low-side VMODE < 1.0V. Leave TCOFF unconnected when 25%
drivers are turned on so that the inductive motor ripple is used.
current recirculates through the low-side transistors and
the motor’s terminals see a differential voltage near
Applications Information
zero (VDIFF = 2 x IM x RON_LS). During the slow-decay Layout Considerations
TOFF period (tOFF) motor current does not flow through Connect duplicate pins (COM pins and VDD pins) togeth-
the external VDD/GND supply and the voltage across er with low-resistance traces. See the Current Sensing
RSENSE is zero. The current decay during tOFF is a section for further layout recommendations.
first-order exponential decay with a time constant equal
to the motor’s electrical time constant (L/R). The rate of Power Considerations
current decay during tOFF is proportional to the motor’s The MAX14871 driver can generate more power than the
back EMF/rotational speed. package for the device can safely dissipate. Total power
dissipation for the device is calculated using the following
equation:
PTOTAL = PDRIVER + PSW + PD

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

The power dissipated inside of the driver is calculated as: Operation with External Current Regulation
PDRIVER = IM_LOAD2 x RON The motor current can be controlled by external PWM
where IM_LOAD is the motor current and RON is the on- regulation using sense-resistor feedback in a control loop.
resistance of the high and low-side FETs. To disable the internal current regulation circuitry of the
MAX14871 and use external regulation, connect SNS
PSW is the power generated by the driver during the rise/ directly to ground. See Figure 5.
fall times in switching, and includes both arms of the bridge.
Calculate PSW using the following equation: Note that, if fast decay control is used, the COM voltage
pulses negatively when the H-bridge direction is inverted.
PSW = IM_LOAD x 2 x VDS
= IM_LOAD x 2 x (1/2 x VDD x fSW x tR) Use of External Capacitors
Maxim does not recommend using external capacitors
where IM_LOAD is the motor current, tR is the 200ns
across the motor terminals. Added capacitance between
(typ) rise or fall time of the driver output, and fSW is the
H-bridge outputs increases the power dissipated in the
switching frequency.
H-bridge by:
The internal diodes dissipate power during switching, as
well. Calculate the power dissipated in the diodes as: PD = VDD2 x C x fSW
PD = IM_LOAD x 2 x VBF x tDEAD x fSW where C is the capacitance across M1/M2 and fSW is
the M1/M2 switching frequency. This power is dissipated
Operation Without Internal Current Regulation without good reason.
To operate the MAX14871 without internal or external Note that conducted EMI on the VDD lines is also
current regulation, connect SNS directly to GND. No worsened due to the high-capacitive current spikes.
sense resistor is required for this configuration. See
Figure 4.

9V
M

3.3V

VDD M1 M2
3.3V
MAX14871
FAULT
IRQ
VDD VDD
DIR
GPO
PWM
PWM DRIVER
EN

µC DRIVER

TCOFF
MODE CURRENT
REGULATION
VREF
ADC

SNS COM GND

RSENSE
A

Figure 5. Operation with External Current Regulation

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Ordering Information Chip Information

PROCESS: BiCMOS
PART TEMP RANGE PIN-PACKAGE
MAX14871EUE+ -40°C to +85°C 16 TSSOP-EP
+Denotes a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
*EP = Exposed pad
Package Information
For the latest package outline information and land patterns (foot-
prints), go to www.maximintegrated.com/packages. Note that
a “+”, “#”, or “-” in the package code indicates RoHS status only.
Package drawings may show a different suffix character, but the
drawing pertains to the package regardless of RoHS status.
PACKAGE PACKAGE OUTLINE LAND
TYPE CODE NO. PATTERN NO.
16 TSSOP-EP U16E+3 21-0108 90-0120

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MAX14871 4.5V to 36V Full-Bridge DC Motor Driver

Revision History
REVISION REVISION PAGES
DESCRIPTION
NUMBER DATE CHANGED
0 9/14 Initial release —

For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at 1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim Integrated’s website at www.maximintegrated.com.

Maxim Integrated cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim Integrated product. No circuit patent licenses
are implied. Maxim Integrated reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time. The parametric values (min and max limits)
shown in the Electrical Characteristics table are guaranteed. Other parametric values quoted in this data sheet are provided for guidance.

Maxim Integrated and the Maxim Integrated logo are trademarks of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. © 2014 Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. │  15