The DRV3946QPWPRQ1 is a highly integrated solution for driving two solenoids in automotive applications, such as contactor relays in electric vehicle battery management systems. It includes power supply, current sensing and regulation, configurable peak and hold currents and associated timing, as well as diagnostics and protection functions. It also integrates several unique features that offer superior performance compared to traditional discrete solenoid drivers. These features include integrated redundant clamping circuitry for rapid discharge of load current, addressable SPI, and an improved half-bridge driver stage with low on-resistance switches.

The device controls the solenoid load via a single-wire low-side connection and can be paired with an external high-side switch (which can be shared) for redundant shutdown functionality. Integrated switches perform charging, recirculation, and clamping. The device supports both internal and external current control modes. The PWM frequency is configurable, and low-frequency jitter is added using automatic pseudo-random frequency generation and waveform shaping. The internal PWM current control loop reduces software development effort because it eliminates the need for an MCU current control loop. The DRV3946-Q1 supports flexible current control parameters to support various solenoid types. Configurable peak and holding currents, along with corresponding timing parameters, enable system-level energy savings.

The DRV3946QPWPRQ1 is designed to meet functional safety standards, achieving ASIL-C level functional safety goals for relay control and preventing unintended operation. This device supports comprehensive protection and diagnostic functions, such as continuous load monitoring for open and short circuit detection, on and off state diagnostics, voltage monitoring, short-circuit protection, and high-rated voltage I/O.

Addressable SPI allows control of multiple devices on a shared SPI bus. In addition to reducing the required MCU resources, addressable SPI integrates a broadcast command structure, enabling all devices on the shared address bus to perform certain operations simultaneously. This SPI features several robust features, including CRC, address readback capability, and various bus fault detection mechanisms.

Applications：

• EV Contactor Relays

• Peak and Holding Solenoids

• On/Off Relays

• Proportional Solenoids

• Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU)

• Battery Junction Box (BJB)

• Power Distribution Box (PDB)

• Active Suspension Systems

• Vehicle Control Unit (VCU)