The STMicroelectronics L298P013TR is a bipolar-technology half-bridge driver IC built for driving inductive loads — DC motors, stepper motors, relays, and solenoids. It integrates four half bridges, each rated for a peak output current of 2A, with a load supply range from 4.8V up to 46V. The logic supply runs on 4.5V to 7V, making it compatible with 5V microcontroller I/O directly. Fault protection includes current limiting and over-temperature shutdown, which saves adding external sense resistors or thermal watchdogs in many designs.
The 2A peak per bridge is the headline number, but it is a peak rating, not continuous. For continuous DC motor drive, derate based on the package's thermal impedance and ambient temperature. The exposed pad on the PowerSO-20 helps pull heat into the PCB copper — without a good thermal land and via array, the driver will hit the 130°C junction limit well before 2A sustained. If you are driving a stepper motor, each winding sees one bridge, so a 1A-per-phase stepper is a comfortable fit with margin.