SLVSAX9G September   2011  – November 2025 DRV8818

PRODUCTION DATA  

  1.   1
  2. 1 Features
  3. 2 Applications
  4. 3 Description
  5. 4 Pin Configuration and Functions
  6. 5 Specifications
    1. 5.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
    2. 5.2 ESD Ratings
    3. 5.3 Recommended Operating Conditions
    4. 5.4 Thermal Information
    5. 5.5 Electrical Characteristics
    6. 5.6 Timing Requirements
    7. 5.7 Motor Driver Timing Switching Characteristics
    8. 5.8 Typical Characteristics
  7. 6 Detailed Description
    1. 6.1 Overview
    2. 6.2 Functional Block Diagram
    3. 6.3 Feature Description
      1. 6.3.1 PWM H-Bridge Drivers
      2. 6.3.2 Current Regulation
      3. 6.3.3 Decay Mode
      4. 6.3.4 Microstepping Indexer
      5. 6.3.5 Protection Circuits
        1. 6.3.5.1 Overcurrent Protection (OCP)
        2. 6.3.5.2 Thermal Shutdown (TSD)
        3. 6.3.5.3 Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO)
    4. 6.4 Device Functional Modes
      1. 6.4.1 Sleep Mode
      2. 6.4.2 Disable Mode
      3. 6.4.3 Active Mode
      4. 6.4.4 Decay Modes
  8. 7 Application and Implementation
    1. 7.1 Application Information
    2. 7.2 Typical Application
      1. 7.2.1 Design Requirements
      2. 7.2.2 Detailed Design Procedure
        1. 7.2.2.1 Stepper Motor Speed
        2. 7.2.2.2 Current Regulation
      3. 7.2.3 Application Curves
    3. 7.3 Power Supply Recommendations
      1. 7.3.1 Bulk Capacitance
    4. 7.4 Layout
      1. 7.4.1 Layout Guidelines
        1. 7.4.1.1 Heatsinking
      2. 7.4.2 Layout Example
      3. 7.4.3 Thermal Considerations
        1. 7.4.3.1 Power Dissipation
  9. 8 Device and Documentation Support
    1. 8.1 Documentation Support
      1. 8.1.1 Related Documentation
    2. 8.2 Receiving Notification of Documentation Updates
    3. 8.3 Support Resources
    4. 8.4 Trademarks
    5. 8.5 Electrostatic Discharge Caution
    6. 8.6 Glossary
  10. 9 Revision History
  11. 10Mechanical, Packaging, and Orderable Information

6.1 Overview

The DRV8818 is a highly configurable, integrated motor driver for bipolar stepper motors. The device integrates two H-bridges, current sense and regulation circuitry, and a microstepping indexer. The DRV8818 can be powered with a supply voltage between 8V and 35V and is capable of providing an output current up to 2.5A full-scale.

A simple STEP/DIR interface allows for easy interfacing to the controller. The internal indexer is able to execute high-accuracy microstepping without requiring the controller to manage the current regulation loop.

The current regulation is highly configurable, with three decay modes of operation that can be selected depending on the application requirements: Fast Decay, Slow Decay, and Mixed Decay. The DRV8818 also provides configurable mixed decay, blanking time, and off time to adjust to a wide range of motors.

A low-power sleep mode is incorporated which allows for minimal power consumption when the system is idle.