No sensor needed for automotive motor driver

The TB9060 controller IC for automotive brushless DC motors combines sensorless operation with hardware-based PWM motor control.

The TB9060 controller IC for automotive brushless DC motors combines sensorless operation with hardware-based PWM motor control.

The result is a highly integrated solution that simplifies the design, reduces the size, minimises the electrical noise, lowers the power consumption, and improves the reliability of three-phase DC brushless motors used in pumps and other automotive applications.

Most brushless motors use Hall sensors to provide feedback on motor position to the control circuitry.

By completely eliminating the need for Hall sensor feedback, the TB9060 facilitates the use of smaller motors and simplifies overall wiring requirements.

In addition, removal of the need for Hall sensors ensures that information on motor position is not adversely affected by the electrical noise encountered in automotive environments.

The TB9060 is a three-phase, full wave sensorless brushless DC motor controller IC offering forward and reverse modes and capable of controlling output voltage from an external PWM input signal.

Two types of PWM output (upper PWM control and lower alternating PWM control) and a lap turn-on function for smooth phase current switching contribute to reduced power consumption and electrical noise.

Toshiba's new device offers configurable lead angle settings of 0, 7.5, 15 and 30 degrees, allowing automotive designers to ensure optimum efficiency depending on speed and load conditions.

The new IC operates across the full automotive temperature range and is supplied in a compact 24-pin package measuring just 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.6mm.

Built-in protection includes an overcurrent function that can be used to switch the drive circuit off when an abnormal motor current signal is detected.

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