Product category:
Power Supply ICs and Controllers
News Release from: AMI Semiconductor | Subject: AMIS-30521 and AMIS-30522
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 19 June 2007
Driver ICs cut stepper system size and
cost
Single-chip stepper motor drivers eliminate the need for switches, Hall sensors, flyback diodes and many passive components.
Two new single-chip stepper motor driver ICs from AMI Semiconductor reduce component count and bill-of-materials cost in dynamic motion applications The AMIS-30521 and AMIS-30522 allow engineers to eliminate the need for switches, Hall sensors, flyback diodes, and many passive components in applications ranging from headlamp positioning systems and surveillance cameras to automated pick-and-place systems, vending machines, textile machines, stage lights and much more
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 26 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Each of the new mixed-signal ICs features two embedded H-bridges capable of driving two-phase stepper motors with currents up to 1600mA.
Speed and load angle outputs allow a host microcontroller to detect blocked rotor and end-of-run conditions without the need for additional switches, Hall sensors or optical encoders.
In addition to stall detection, these functions allow the designer to program the microcontroller to calculate rotor position, and to dynamically adjust current or speed as required to prevent step loss.
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As a result, noise and vibration at end stops can be eliminated and motion control accuracy and reliability improved without additional components.
Each new device is designed as a companion chip to be used in conjunction with a host microcontroller or DSP.
Each device offers an SPI interface and can take full control of the translation of NXT next-step input pulses to deliver the appropriate PWM outputs to the motor coils.
In addition, the AMIS-30522 incorporates a 50mA voltage regulator and watchdog for the external microcontroller.
Both devices offer microstepping from full step down to 1/32, including compensated and noncompensated half steps.
Embedded current sensing functionality further reduces component count by eliminating requirements for external current sense resistors.
"A growing number of processing, automotive, security, and building automation applications rely on stepper motors to deliver dynamic motion", says Guido Remmerie, Manager, Worldwide Industrial ASSPs at AMIS.
"These new miniature stepper motor drivers allow designers to quickly and easily implement dynamic motion applications with minimum component count and the lowest possible BOM cost".
The new device is currently available in a NQFP package option with exposed pad, offering profiles of under 1mm and footprints of just 7 x 7mm.
Despite their small size, the devices offer a comprehensive set of additional features including diagnostics and protection against overcurrent, under- and overvoltage, open or shorted coils and overtemperature conditions.
In addition to saving board space, the small package size also facilitates direct mounting onto the stepper motor for further space saving and reduced circuit complexity.
Unit pricing for the AMIS-3052x devices is Eur 3.66 in volumes above 1000.
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