The DRV8871 is a single H-bridge for one brushed DC motor: it runs from 6.5 to 45 V, handles up to 3.6 A peak, and has a typical high-side plus low-side on-resistance of 565 mΩ. It is the step up when a TB6612FNG or DRV8833 runs out of current or voltage. It drives one motor only, so a two-wheel robot needs two of them. Figures are from the Texas Instruments datasheet for the DRV8871.
Key specifications
| Motor supply | 6.5–45 V |
|---|---|
| Peak output current | 3.6 A |
| On-resistance (HS+LS) | 565 mΩ typical |
| PWM input frequency | 0–200 kHz |
| Overcurrent trip | 3.7–6.4 A |
| Protection | UVLO, overcurrent, thermal shutdown |
| Package | 8-pin HSOP |
What the datasheet promises
| Item | Datasheet value |
|---|---|
| Motor supply (VM) | 6.5 to 45 V |
| Peak output current | 3.6 A |
| On-resistance (high side plus low side), typical | 565 mΩ |
| PWM frequency on the inputs | 0 to 200 kHz |
| Overcurrent trip | 3.7 A minimum, 4.5 A typical, 6.4 A maximum |
| Thermal shutdown | 150 to 175 °C die temperature |
| Sleep | Entered about 1 ms after both inputs go low; VM sleep current about 10 µA at 12 V at most |
| Package | 8-pin HSOP with PowerPAD |
The datasheet notes that the usable duty-cycle range shrinks at very high PWM frequencies (for example 16 to 84 percent at 200 kHz), and that the real continuous current depends on the board’s heat sinking. Do not run it at 3.6 A continuously on a bare module.
Pins and control
- VM: motor supply. The datasheet asks for a 0.1 µF ceramic bypass capacitor plus enough bulk capacitance rated for the supply voltage.
- IN1, IN2: logic inputs that set the output state (forward, reverse, coast, brake) and accept PWM. Both have internal pulldowns.
- OUT1, OUT2: the motor connections.
- ILIM: sets the current-regulation level through a resistor to ground, so no separate sense resistor is needed.
- PGND and PAD: ground; the thermal pad must go to board ground for heat to leave the chip.
With both inputs low the outputs are high-impedance (coast), and after about a millisecond the chip goes to sleep. To brake, drive both inputs high. For speed control, PWM one input while holding the other low.
When to choose it
Pick the DRV8871 for a single larger motor at 12 V or 24 V, such as a drive wheel or a winch. For two small motors at battery voltage the TB6612FNG is simpler. If the supply is below 6.5 V this chip will not run, so use a low-voltage driver such as the DRV8833. Troubleshooting for motor drivers starts at board resets when the motors start.
Sources and further reading
- Texas Instruments DRV8871 datasheet — every figure in the table above.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Limits are from the Texas Instruments datasheet; module markings and parts vary between clones. No price is quoted because it has not been checked.
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