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Maxime_MARCHETTO
ST Employee
October 8, 2025

New automotive 8-channel gate driver delivering 48V mild-hybrid efficiency

  • October 8, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 1787 views

Ready for 48V automotive power architectures, the L98GD8 driver from STMicroelectronics has eight fully configurable channels for driving MOSFETs in flexible high-side and low-side configurations. Able to operate from a 58V supply, the L98GD8 provides rich diagnostics and protection for safety and reliability.

The 48V powernet lets car makers increase the capabilities of mild-hybrid systems including integrated starter-generators, extending electric-drive modes and enhancing energy recovery to meet stringent new, globally harmonized vehicle-emission tests. Powering additional large loads at 48V, such as the e-compressor, pumps, fans, and valves further raises overall electrical efficiency and lowers vehicle weight.

ST’s L98GD8 assists the transition, as an integrated solution optimized for driving the gates of NMOS or PMOS FETs in 48V-powered systems. With eight independent, configurable outputs, a single driver IC controls MOSFETs connected as individual power switches or as high-side and low-side switches in up to two H-bridges for DC-motor driving. It can also provide peak-and-hold control for electrically operated valves. The gate current is programmable, helping engineers minimize MOSFET switching noise to meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations.

Automotive-qualified and featured to meet the industry’s high safety and reliability demands, the L98GD8 has per-channel diagnostics for short-circuit to battery, open-load, and short-to-ground faults. Further diagnostic features include logic built in self-test (BIST), over-/under-voltage monitoring with hardware self-check (HWSC), and a configurable communication check (CC) watchdog timer.

In addition, overcurrent sensing allows many flexible configurations while the ability to monitor the drain-source voltage of external MOSFETs and the voltage across an external shunt resistor help further enhance system reliability.  There is also an ultrafast overcurrent shutdown with dual-redundant failsafe pins, battery-undervoltage monitoring, an ADC for battery and die temperature monitoring, and H-bridge current limiting.

The L98GD8 is in production now, in a 10mm x 10mm TQFP64 package. Budgetary pricing starts at $3.94 for orders of 1000 pieces.

Please visit Configurable 8-channel gate driver for 48V automotive applications for more information.

Additional resources

First published on Oct 08, 2025

      This topic has been closed for replies.

      2 replies

      E
      EBAHI.1
      Visitor II
      October 24, 2025

      Hi,

       

      I am loocking the L98GD8 to drive 2 motors (12V 50A) with an stm32F...tbd.

      on the website when I click on "Product Specifications" the link is to th datasheet again...

      Is it possible to have the complete spec to evaluate the software work, befor design the PCB.

       

      Best regards,

      Eric BAHIER

      J
      JudithHaas
      Visitor II
      December 21, 2025

      Great write-up on the new 8-channel gate driver for 48 V mild hybrid systems — this kind of innovation is exactly what’s pushing automotive electrification forward. Efficient gate driving really matters for reducing losses and improving overall system reliability in hybrid and electric powertrains.

      Speaking of automotive tech trends, many users these days also rely on digital tools to manage their vehicle documentation. For example, if you’re tracking registrations or compliance info for your cars, tools like lto tracker plate number let you check vehicle plate and license status online without waiting in line at an LTO office. It’s a simple way to stay up-to-date while working with advanced automotive systems.

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