ST, Toshiba, and Infineon Launch Drivers for Diverse Motor Systems
STMicroelectronics, Toshiba, and Infineon have all introduced new motor driver offerings geared towards supporting electric mobility, an integral component of the automotive sector.
The new driver technologies target various automotive systems: oil pumps, electric sunroofs, engine cooling fans, and beyond.
This industry depends on motor systems that are not only reliable and powerful but also highly efficient. These systems feature cutting-edge motor technologies and integrated circuits designed specifically for motor driving.
ST: DC Motor Pre-Driver
STMicroelectronics has recently introduced the L99H92, a new automotive DC motor gate driver, tailored for driving four external N-channel MOSFET transistors. This product is ideal for different automotive DC-motor applications including sunroofs and power trunk lift gates. The L99H92 driver supports both dual independent half-bridge configurations and single full-bridge configurations.
For automotive use, the L99H92 meets the AEC-Q100 standards and operates across a power supply range from 4.51 V to 28 V. The gate drivers start functioning at a minimum voltage of 5.41 V. Equipped with a dual-stage charge pump, the driver ensures a consistent 100% PWM duty cycle at lower voltages. This setup guarantees that both the high and low sides of the MOSFETs receive a minimum gate-source voltage of 6.2 V at 5.5 V and 8.2 V at voltages exceeding 8 V. The respective charge pump load currents are 5 mA and 10 mA.
Block diagram of the L99H92. Image used courtesy of STMicroelectronics
The device integrates a programmable gate driving current, which can reach up to 170 mA, allowing for controlled output voltage slew rates and effective management of electromagnetic interference (EMI). It also boasts an array of integrated diagnostics and protective features such as overcurrent protection, drain-source voltage monitoring, thermal pre-warning, and shutdown capabilities.
Architecturally, the L99H92 features two independent current sense amplifiers with minimal offset and thermal drift, ideal for high-side, in-line, and low-side current sensing. These amplifiers allow for programmable gains of 10x, 20x, 50x, and 100x, enhancing their versatility and adaptability in various applications.
Toshiba: Gate Driver IC
Toshiba has recently unveiled its new SmartMCD Series TB9M003FG gate driver IC, marking a significant advancement in their product lineup.
The TB9M003FG includes an embedded microcontroller that features an Arm Cortex-M0 core, operating at a frequency of 40 MHz. This allows for quick processing of control algorithms, which is crucial in the dynamic automotive environment where rapid response times are essential. The microcontroller also supports a broad range of communication protocols such as LIN and PWM.
A key highlight of the TB9M003FG is its built-in vector engine, which supports sensorless control strategies, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors. This capability not only simplifies system design but also enhances reliability by reducing parts susceptible to mechanical wear. The vector engine also facilitates various motor control functions, which includes fixed-point calculations and PI control over d-axis and q-axis currents, further enriching its application scope.
A motor driving circuit using SmartMCD. Image used courtesy of Toshiba
The TB9M003FG's adaptability to harsh conditions is underscored by its supply voltage range of 6 V to 18 V and an extensive operational temperature spectrum from -40°C to 150°C, making it exceptionally suited for the rigorous environments typical within the automotive industry. The device comes packaged in a compact P-HTQFP48, measuring only 9.0 mm × 9.0 mm, and is certified with AEC-Q100 Grade 0 qualification, ensuring high standards of reliability and performance.
Infineon: Brushless DC Motor Driver
Infineon continues to broaden its motor driver portfolio with the introduction of the TLE9140EQW, specifically engineered for controlling brushless DC motors in the 24/48-V market segment.
A pivotal feature of the TLE9140EQW is its broad supply voltage range from 8.0 V to 72 V, empowering it to manage substantial transient voltage spikes up to 100 V. This capability ensures the device's resilience and reliability under variable and demanding conditions. Additionally, the motor driver boasts a total gate charge driver capacity of 290 nC at a frequency of 20 kHz, optimizing its switching performance for high-frequency motor control applications, thereby enhancing both efficiency and efficacy in complex automotive systems.
Block diagram of the TLE9140EQW. Image used courtesy of Infineon
Infineon designed the TLE9140EQW's architecture to maximize operational efficiency and reliability. It features a 16-bit serial peripheral interface (SPI) for communication and detailed control and monitoring of the device's operation. The integrated charge pump supports a 100% duty cycle, which is crucial for continuous motor operation without performance degradation. The device includes a variety of protective measures such as undervoltage and overvoltage shutdown, overtemperature protection, and cross-current protection.
The device is also engineered for minimal quiescent current draw, consuming only 26 µA in standby mode.
