A3942 & A3944: Gate Driver ICs for Automotive Applications

The A3942 and A3944 gate drivers are designed to drive N-channel MOSFETS in high-side (3942) and low side (3944) configurations. Designed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions and high reliability standards of automotive applications. 

Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) compatibility makes the device simply integrated into existing applications. The MOSFETs in such applications are typically used to drive gasoline or diesel engine management actuators, transmission actuators, body control actuators and other general-purpose automotive or industrial loads. Detailed fault diagnostics via integrated SPI communication include open load detection as well as short to battery and ground conditions. Each channel provides independently programmable fault thresholds and blanking times.

The A3944 gate driver IC can drive up to six N-Channel MOSFETs in a low-side configuration. Each channel is controllable by a combination of either parallel or serial inputs and provides sufficient gate drive current to allow PWM control up to 10 kHz. The A3942 gate driver IC that can drive up to four N-channel MOSFETs in a high-side configuration. An internal charge pump allows for 100% duty cycle operation of high side MOSFET. 

Digital inputs are compatible with 3.3 and 5 V supplies.

The A3944 is supplied in a 28 lead TSSOP package (suffix LP) with an exposed thermal pad. The package is lead (Pb) free with 100% matte-tin leadframe plating. The A3942 is supplied in a 38 lead TSSOP  package  with  six  fused leads to provide enhanced thermal dissipation (package  LG).  

Both packages are lead  (Pb) free with 100% matte tin leadframe plating.

Typical Applications:

• Automotive ECU
• Braking Systems
• Battery Management Systems
• Urea Dosing
• Glow Plugs
• Diesel Control Units

• 4.5 to 60 V input voltage range
• Charge pump for 100% duty cycle operation (A3942)
• SPI port for control and fault diagnostics
• Device protection features:
• Short-to-ground detection 
• Short-to-battery protection 
• Open load detection
• VDD undervoltage lockout
• VCP undervoltage lockout
• Thermal monitor