Motor drivers feature high integration

Microchip Technology Inc. has announced a new family of  dsPIC digital signal controller (DSC)-based integrated motor drivers. These devices combine a dsPIC33 DSC, a three-phase MOSFET gate driver and an optional LIN or CAN FD transceiver in one package. This integration enables a reduction in component count of motor control system designs, smaller printed circuit board (PCB) dimensions and reduced complexity. The devices are supported by development boards, reference designs, application notes and the company’s field oriented control (FOC) software development suite, motorBench Development Suite V2.45.

The integrated motor driver devices are powered by a single power supply up to 29 V (operation) and 40 V (transient). An internal 3.3-V low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator powers the dsPIC DSC, which eliminates the need for an external LDO to power the device, Microchip said.

dsPIC DSC-based integrated motor driver block diagram (Source: Microchip Technology Inc.)

In addition, the dsPIC DSC-based integrated motor drivers, operating between 70 to 100 MHz, provide high CPU performance and can support efficient deployment of FOC and other advanced motor control algorithms, the company added.

(Source: Microchip Technology Inc.)

For faster development, Microchip offers the dsPIC33CK Motor Control Starter Kit (MCSK) and the MCLV-48V-300W development boards. The MCSK includes a dsPIC33CK low-voltage motor control development board, a 24-V three-phase BLDC motor, an AC/DC adapter, a USB cable and other accessories, and supports fast prototyping of motor control applications that operate between 12 and 48 VDC with up to 10 A of continuous current.

The MCLV-48V-300W development board targets three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motors that are rated between 12 and 48 VDC and capable of delivering up to 25-A RMS continuous current per phase. Microchip said this inverter board introduces a new modular concept where a separate dual-in-line module (DIM) is inserted into the board to configure it for a particular dsPIC DSC or microcontroller.

Other tools available include the motorBench Development Suite, a free GUI-based software development tool for FOC. The latest version, v2.45, includes a new feature called zero-speed/maximum torque (ZS/MT), which enables designers to eliminate Hall or magnetic sensors while maximizing the torque output from the motor, from start-up and at low speeds. Applications include pumps, power tools and e-Mobility.

In addition, Microchip’s MPLAB Discover now contains many dsPIC DSC-based MATLAB Simulink models and the dsPIC DSC-based motor control reference designs now include an automotive cooling fan, low-voltage ceiling fan and a drone propeller controller. The integrated motor driver, along with other products, including the 3.3-kV XIFM plug-and-play mSiC gate driver, will be showcased at APEC 2024, booth #1853 .