company blog about Infineon BTS5016-1EKB 16mΩ Single Channel Automotive Smart High-Side Switch

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd. supplies the Infineon BTS5016-1EKB 16mΩ single-channel automotive-grade intelligent high-side switch, featuring protection and diagnostic functions.

The BTS5016-1EKB is a single-channel automotive-grade intelligent high-side power switch from Infineon’s PROFET™+ 12V series, specifically designed for 12V automotive electrical systems. With an ultra-low on-resistance of 16mΩ, comprehensive in-vehicle protection mechanisms, precise current diagnostic capabilities, and rigorous automotive-grade reliability certification, this device is the preferred power component for automotive body control and in-vehicle load distribution applications. It is widely compatible with intelligent switching control scenarios for various resistive, inductive and capacitive in-vehicle loads.

I. Core Positioning and Certification Standards of the BTS5016-1EKB

This device belongs to a new generation of intelligent power switches, leveraging the SMART6 core technology that has been market-proven over a decade. With cumulative global shipments exceeding one billion units, it leads the industry in terms of technical maturity and stability. The product strictly adheres to AEC-Q100 automotive-grade certification, meeting the demanding operating conditions of in-vehicle applications, whilst also complying with RoHS environmental standards. It is suitable for a wide range of in-vehicle electrical environments, including those found in passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Compared to traditional mechanical relays and standard MOSFET switches, it integrates the power switch, drive circuit, protection circuit and diagnostic output into a single unit, significantly simplifying the design of in-vehicle power distribution circuits and reducing both system size and failure rates.

II. Key Electrical Parameters of the BTS5016-1EKB

The BTS5016-1EKB offers outstanding electrical performance, with core parameters precisely tailored to 12V automotive system operating conditions. It features high parameter stability and fault tolerance. The specific core parameters are as follows:

- On-resistance: Typical value 16mΩ; maximum on-resistance of just 32mΩ under high-temperature conditions of 150°C. Ultra-low resistance effectively reduces conduction losses and heat generation, making it suitable for high-current continuous operation scenarios

- Load capacity: Rated load current of 8A per channel, meeting the power supply requirements of the vast majority of standard automotive loads

- Operating voltage range: Recommended operating voltage 5V–28V, perfectly covering all operating scenarios including normal 12V vehicle battery operation, low-voltage start-up and high-voltage fluctuations

- Short-circuit protection threshold: Maximum short-circuit current 50A, capable of rapidly responding to extreme short-circuit faults to prevent damage to the load and vehicle circuitry

- Switching response speed: Maximum turn-on and turn-off times are both 250μs; high-speed switching characteristics are suitable for controlling vehicle loads with frequent on/off cycles

- Quiescent power consumption: Maximum standby current of just 0.7μA at 25°C in the off state; extremely low leakage current effectively reduces the vehicle’s static power consumption and prevents battery drain

- Operating temperature range: -40°C to 150°C, covering extreme high and low-temperature operating environments in vehicles, suitable for complex installation areas such as the engine compartment and vehicle chassis

- Maximum power dissipation: Rated maximum power dissipation of 2W, capable of stable and continuous operation even under high-temperature conditions

III. Core Functions and Protection Mechanisms of the BTS5016-1EKB

As an intelligent high-side switch, the BTS5016-1EKB moves beyond the simple switching function of traditional discrete components by integrating multiple intelligent protection and diagnostic features, ensuring the safe and stable operation of automotive circuits. Its core functions are as follows:

1. Comprehensive Fault Protection

The BTS5016-1EKB incorporates comprehensive protection logic specifically designed for automotive applications, enabling it to automatically identify and mitigate various circuit faults without the need for external auxiliary protection circuits. It features short-circuit protection, overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, and overvoltage/undervoltage protection. When a short circuit, load overload, excessive chip temperature or abnormal voltage fluctuations occur, the device rapidly shuts down the power path, locks the fault state, prevents fault propagation, and protects the vehicle wiring harness, loads and the vehicle’s electronic control unit. It also features reverse current protection, making it suitable for scenarios involving reverse electromotive force surges following the de-energisation of inductive automotive loads.

2. Precise Current Diagnostic Function

The BTS5016-1EKB supports high-precision load current detection output, with a typical current sensing ratio of 3500, enabling real-time acquisition of the load’s operating current and feedback to the vehicle’s MCU. Through current monitoring, it enables precise detection of load open-circuit, short-circuit and overload faults, supporting the vehicle’s electronic control system in implementing fault alarms, status monitoring and intelligent operation and maintenance functions, thereby meeting the intelligent and visualised power distribution control requirements of modern vehicles.

3. Advantages of Independent Circuit Design

The BTS5016-1EKB features a design with separate logic ground and load ground, effectively mitigating ground potential interference in complex in-vehicle electromagnetic environments and enhancing the stability of signal acquisition and switching control. Additionally, it incorporates a low-power DMOS power transistor with extremely low leakage current in the off state, completely resolving the issue of excessive static power consumption found in traditional switching devices.

IV. Advantages of Packaging and Hardware Compatibility

The BTS5016-1EKB utilises a PG-DSO-14-47 EP exposed pad package, which is an SMT surface-mount package format. This facilitates automated placement production, thereby reducing mass production costs for vehicle controllers. The exposed heat sink pad design significantly enhances the chip’s thermal dissipation efficiency, effectively resolving heat accumulation issues during high-current operation and ensuring stable internal resistance and consistent performance under high-temperature conditions. The compact package size effectively reduces the space occupied on vehicle PCBs, meeting the design requirements for miniaturised and integrated in-vehicle electronic control modules.

V. Main Application Scenarios for the BTS5016-1EKB

Leveraging its comprehensive advantages of automotive-grade reliability, ultra-low loss, intelligent diagnostics and multiple protection features, the BTS5016-1EKB is widely used in 12V body electrical distribution systems for passenger and commercial vehicles. Key application scenarios include:

- Body lighting loads: Intelligent control of various vehicle lights, including headlights, tail lights, interior ambient lighting and indicators

- In-vehicle motor loads: Drive for small actuator motors such as window motors, sunroof motors, windscreen wiper motors and door lock motors

- Power supply for in-vehicle electronic control modules: Power distribution switches for in-vehicle sensors, central control modules, air conditioning auxiliary modules and in-vehicle entertainment systems

- Other standard in-vehicle loads: Intelligent start-stop and overload protection control for resistive and inductive loads such as in-vehicle heating elements, fans and solenoid valves

VI. BTS5016-1EKB Product Summary

With five core advantages—ultra-low on-resistance of 16 mΩ, stringent automotive-grade certification, integrated protection and diagnostics, low quiescent power consumption, and stable operation across a wide temperature range—the Infineon BTS5016-1EKB perfectly addresses the pain points of traditional automotive switching devices, such as high power loss, rudimentary protection, low reliability and complex commissioning. With its high integration, minimal peripheral circuitry and strong adaptability, this device not only meets the stable control requirements of traditional automotive power distribution but also supports the upgraded intelligent power distribution management needs of new energy vehicles and connected vehicles. It is the leading choice for 12V single-channel intelligent power switches in automotive applications.