Quad Low Side Driver IC Drives Lines, Lamps or Relays

Aimed at both the automotive and industrial markets, the SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics L9338 Quad Low Side Driver IC contains four driver channels each equipped with a logic input and an open-drain output stage.

Each channel includes a DMOS output transistor with an ON resistance of 1.5W at 25ºC and an output clamp for fast recirculation with inductive loads. The output slope is controlled to minimize electromagnetic interference and overtemperature protection is provided. A diagnostic output indicates the status of the protection function and open load conditions. To allow fail safe design the outputs default to a defined state in case of open circuit inputs.

In the standby state the L9338 consumes less than 2uA. Moreover it operates on a supply voltage from 4.5V to 45V and is reverse bias protected up to -24V. The circuit is supplied in an SO-20 surface mounting package.

Typical applications in the automotive sector include relay driving in engine or body control units and lamp driving in dashboard instruments. In the industrial field it is used typically to drive relays in programmable controllers or as a line driver in noisy electrical environments.

The L9338 is fabricated using the bipolar-CMOS-DMOS mixed smart power technology originally innovated by SGS-THOMSON in the mid eighties. This technology unites the high precision of bipolar analog circuits, the high density of CMOS and the high efficiency of power DMOS stages. More than 200 ICs have been developed in this technology.

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