motor drivers

A4988

Every spec below is cited to the manufacturer datasheet. Compare the closest alternatives, then ask the assistant what it means for your design.

00 — Overview

What the A4988 does

The A4988 is a DMOS microstepping driver with translator and overcurrent protection for bipolar stepper motors. It supports full, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth-step modes with an output drive capacity of up to 35 V and ±2 A. The device features automatic current decay mode detection, synchronous rectification, and internal thermal shutdown. It operates on 3.3 V or 5 V logic supplies and is available in a 28-contact QFN package. This component simplifies motor control by eliminating the need for complex phase sequence tables or high-frequency control lines, making it ideal for applications where a microprocessor is unavailable or overburdened.

Next step
Start building with A4988 → Every number above is cited straight from the datasheet — ask what they mean for your design, and the assistant answers from the same source documents.
01 — Key specifications

Datasheet parameters

Datasheet parameters for A4988
ParameterMinTypMaxConditionsSource
quiescent current — — 8 mA fPWM< 50 kHz; Output Drivers Allegro MicroSystems datasheet, p. 4 — DMOS Microstepping Driver with Translator And Overcurren…
output current (abs max) — — 2 A Absolute Maximum Ratings Allegro MicroSystems datasheet, p. 2 — Absolute Maximum Ratings
supply voltage range 8 V — 35 V Operating; Output Drivers Allegro MicroSystems datasheet, p. 4 — DMOS Microstepping Driver with Translator And Overcurren…
rds on — 320 mOhm 430 mOhm Source Driver, IOUT = –1.5 A; Output Drivers Allegro MicroSystems datasheet, p. 4 — DMOS Microstepping Driver with Translator And Overcurren…
operating temperature (abs max) -20 °C — 85 °C Absolute Maximum Ratings Allegro MicroSystems datasheet, p. 2 — Absolute Maximum Ratings
driver count — 1 — Allegro MicroSystems datasheet, p. 18 — Terminal List Table
02 — Alternatives

Closest matches to A4988

DRV8825 1.4× lower operating temperature, 1.3× lower rds on, 1.2× higher quiescent current
TB67S109AFNG 10.8× lower supply voltage range, 2.0× higher output current, 1.6× lower quiescent current
AT8236 1.6× lower rds on, 1.4× lower operating temperature, 1.3× lower output current
DRV8803 2.5× lower quiescent current, 2.3× higher rds on, 1.6× higher supply voltage range
DRV8803DW 2.5× lower quiescent current, 2.3× higher rds on, 1.7× higher operating temperature
DRV8803PWPR 2.5× lower quiescent current, 2.3× higher rds on, 1.7× higher operating temperature
DRV8833 3.2× lower supply voltage range, 2.4× lower quiescent current, 1.6× lower rds on
L293D 3.3× lower output current, 2.0× lower quiescent current, 1.7× higher operating temperature
03 — FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the driver count for the A4988?

The driver count is 1.

What is the maximum operating temperature according to the Absolute Maximum Ratings?

The operating temperature is 85 °C under Absolute Maximum Ratings.

What is the absolute maximum output current for the A4988?

The absolute maximum output current is 2 A.

What is the quiescent current when fPWM< 50 kHz and Output Drivers are active?

The quiescent current is 8 mA.

What is the rds on value for the Source Driver and Output Drivers when IOUT = –1.5 A?

The rds on value is 320 mOhm.

What is the supply voltage range for the A4988 during operation with output drivers?

The supply voltage range is 35 V.

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