[FAQ] What are the best alternate devices for DRV8432?

As DRV8432 moves into the end of its life the next step is to choose an alternative part. This device had a broad application base in medical devices, portable electronics, factory automation, building automation and test equipment. 

One option is to use the lower-current package option of the device, the DRV8412.  This device has all of the same features and parameters as the DRV8432, but its heatsink is on the bottom of the device so it uses the PCB as a heatsink.  This device can drive up to 6A continuous current or 12A peak current.  These current limits can be achieved or surpassed by following our Best Practices for Board Layout of Motor Drivers.  This includes a few tips such as 

• Use a 4-layer PCB instead of a 2-layer board,
• Large Ground planes
• 2-oz copper pours on the outside of the PCB
• Continuous Top-Layer Thermal Pad
  • For more details see PowerPAD Thermally Enhanced Package
• Via layout and placement

You can also add external heat-sinks to the top of the DRV8412 or the bottom of the PCB.  

However, there are several new devices that have many more features than the DRV8432 depending on your application.  These devices collectively should be able to replace the DRV8432 with improved functionality and protection features depending on the target application.  

Summary of new recommended devices:

Note that each of the recommended new devices come in two package options - DDW and DDV.  The DDW package has the PowerPad on the bottom of the device, facing the PCB.  The DDV package has the PowerPad on the top of the device to support an external heat sink, and thus the DDV package is rated for double the current capabilities of the DDW package.  The current specs listed in the table reflect the DDV package. 

Below is a brief explanation of which device is recommended to replace the DRV8432 depending on your specific load or application.  

Brushed DC Motors - The DRV8262 is the best option to replace the DRV8432 to drive a BDC motor.  The DDV package of the DRV8262 can drive 16 A peak current in dual H-bridge mode, and 32 A peak in single (parallel) H-bridge mode.  It features standard braking modes of high-side slow decay and coast (fast decay) mode, along with a low-current sleep mode consuming only 3uA .  It also has integrated current sensing with ±4% sense accuracy at maximum current. The DRV8962 is another great option with similar specs.

Stepper Motors - The DRV8462 is the best option to drive a stepper motor when coming from a DRV8432.  This device has many advanced features including Smart tune and mixed decay regulation options, Silent step decay mode for silent operation at standstill and low speed, Automatic Microstepping mode for step frequency interpolation, Customizable microstepping indexer table, Auto-torque for load dependent current control, Standstill Power Saving mode, Stall Detection, and all of our standard protection features. The DDV package supports up to 10A full-scale current and 7A RMS, making it our highest-current integrated stepper motor driver. The DRV8262 or DRV8962 can also drive stepper motors, but do not have an integrated indexer or any other stepper-specific features. 

Thermoelectric Coolers (TEC) - The DRV8962 or DRV8262 are the best options to drive a TEC.  They support up to 200kHz PWM frequency.  The DRV8262 has a higher current capabilities, able to drive two TECs
bi-directionally with up to 10A current or a single TEC with up to 20A current.  The DRV8962 can drive two TECs bi-directionally with up to 5A current or a single TEC with up to 10A current.  Each of their datasheets has a detailed section (8962 / 8262) on driving a TEC detailing the LC filter design, resonant frequency considerations, ripple voltage/current, and the reduction in maximum temperature differential.  One advantage of these devices is eliminating external current shunt resistors, ad the device has an internal current mirror for each half-bridge.  

Brushless DC Motors (BLDC) - The DRV8962 supports independent control of three phases required to drive the BLDC motor. There are also many better options for controlling a BLDC motor in our Brushless DC Motor Driver Portfolio, such as the DRV8316.

3-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) - The DRV8962 can drive a 3-phase PMSM.