40V/2A Stepping Motor Driver IC with Advanced Micro-stepping Technology, Enabling High-Efficiency, Low-Vibration, and Low-Noise Motor Operation

40V/2A Stepping Motor Driver IC with Advanced Micro-stepping Technology, Enabling High-Efficiency, Low-Vibration, and Low-Noise Motor Operation

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation ("Toshiba") has launched a next-generation stepping motor driver IC, the "TB67S579FTG", featuring Advanced Micro-stepping Technology to deliver high-efficiency, low-vibration, and low-noise motor operation for both consumer and industrial applications. The TB67S579FTG is a two-phase bipolar stepping motor driver IC that adopts a constant current control method, supporting a motor output voltage rating of 40V and a motor output current rating of 2.0A[1].

In recent years, battery-powered motor-driven devices such as label printers have required high efficiency to reduce power consumption. Equipment that uses motors for position control, such as 3D printers and surveillance cameras, is also required to reduce vibration and noise. To meet these market demands, the new product incorporates Advanced Micro-stepping Technology, which includes three key functions: "second-generation Active Gain Control (AGC2)", "Automatic Wave Generation System (AWGS)", and "Continuous Micro-stepping".

AGC2 is a function that controls a stepping motor by adjusting motor drive current according to the load. Generally, a stepping motor is continuously driven at the maximum current required under peak load conditions. However, by using this function, the motor can operate with the minimum necessary drive current under low-load conditions. As a result, this enables highly efficient motor operation and contributes to lower power consumption in equipment.

AWGS is a function that enables driving a stepping motor in micro-stepping mode using a CLK signal[2] originally intended for Full step rotation control. By using this function, even in typical applications where a stepping motor is initially driven in Full step mode to quickly generate torque and then switched to micro-stepping for lower vibration and noise, smooth transition can be achieved without the need to adjust control signals. As a result, the processing load on control devices such as microcontroller units (MCUs) can be significantly reduced.

Continuous Micro-stepping is a function that enables motor drive current to more closely approximate a sine wave compared to existing micro-stepping methods. This contributes to low vibration and noise in stepping motors.

The new product adopts a small VQFN48 package. In addition, the function that eliminates the need for external resistors for motor output current detection and the built-in capacitor for charge pump can reduce external components, contributing to saving space on the mounting board.

Toshiba will continue to develop products for a wide range of applications, aiming to simplify user design, reduce board space, and offer comprehensive solutions.

Notes:
[1] The actual motor drive current varies depending on the operating environment, including factors such as ambient temperature and power supply voltage.
[2] The CLK signal is a timing signal used to control the step motion of the motor in a stepping motor driver. The rotational speed of the motor varies depending on the frequency of the CLK signal.

特点

  1. Second-generation Active Gain Control (AGC2) to improve motor drive efficiency.
  2. Automatic Wave Generation System (AWGS) to reduce the processing load on the MCU and other control ICs.
  3. Continuous Micro-stepping for low vibration and low noise operation.

Explanation of Features

1. Second-generation Active Gain Control (AGC2) to improve motor drive efficiency.

Figure 1. Control waveform of Active Gain Control
Figure 1. Control waveform of Active Gain Control

Active Gain Control (AGC) is a function that detects the induced voltage during motor operation to determine the load, and automatically adjusts the motor drive current according to the external load. When the load is heavy, the motor drive current is increased; when the load is light, it is decreased. This mechanism allows the motor to operate with the minimum required current, enabling more efficient motor drive compared to conventional methods.

Figure 2. Comparison of current waveforms between AGC and AGC2 during Full step operation
Figure 2. Comparison of current waveforms between AGC and AGC2 during Full step operation

The first-generation AGC detects the induced voltage during the OFF period (when the output current is 0%), which requires a brief 0% interval even during Full step operation. As a result, the rotational speed is limited compared to the intended current waveform. The second-generation AGC2 enables high-speed rotation[3] while maintaining the intended Full step waveform by predicting the timing of the 0% interval and detecting the induced voltage accordingly. It also features a terminal that allows monitoring of the actual motor drive current as a voltage signal.

2. Automatic Wave Generation System (AWGS) to reduce the processing load on the MCU and other control ICs.

Figure 3. Comparison between existing micro-stepping control and micro-stepping control with AWGS
Figure 3. Comparison between existing micro-stepping control and micro-stepping control with AWGS

The Automatic Wave Generation System (AWGS) is a function that enables micro-stepping control at the same CLK frequency as Full step control. Previously, it was necessary to increase the input CLK frequency in proportion to the number of CLK steps. With AWGS, micro-stepping control can be used without changing the CLK frequency, which simplifies control from the MCU. 

3. Continuous Micro-stepping for low vibration and low noise operation.

Figure 4. Comparison between micro-stepping control waveform and Continuous Micro-stepping control waveform
Figure 4. Comparison between micro-stepping control waveform and Continuous Micro-stepping control waveform

Continuous Micro-stepping achieves a drive waveform closer to a sine wave by allowing the IC to automatically complement the Step CLK and continuously adjust the motor drive current. This helps further reduce vibration and noise during low-speed rotation[4].

Notes:
[3] The rotational speed at which Active Gain Control (AGC) operates varies depending on the specific motor used and the condition of the external load.
[4] The level of vibration and noise may vary depending on the motor and the actual driving conditions.

应用

  • Multi-function printers (MFPs)
  • Inkjet printers
  • Label printers
  • 3D printers
  • Surveillance cameras
  • Projectors
  • Sewing machines

Main Specifications

(Unless otherwise specified, Ta=-40 to 85°C)

Part number TB67S579FTG
Supported motors 2-phase bipolar stepping motor
Absolute
maximum
ratings
Motor output voltage
VOUT (V)
Ta=25°C 40
Motor output current
IOUT (A)
Ta=25°C 2.0
Operating ranges Motor power supply VM (V) 4.5 to 34
Operating temperature Topr (°C) -40 to 85
Electrical
characteristics
Output transistor
Drain-to-source
On-resistance
(vertical sum)
RON(D-S) (Ω)
IOUT=2.0A,
Tj=25°C
Typ. 0.6
Current
consumption
IM1 (μA)
Output: Open,
in sleep mode
Max 1
Interface CLK input control
Current detection method No external resistor
Capacitor for charge pump Not required
Step mode Full step to 1/32 step modes
Advanced Micro-stepping Technology Second-generation Active Gain Control (AGC2)
Automatic Wave Generation System (AWGS),
Continuous Micro-stepping
Abnormality detection function Over-current detection,
over-temperature detection,
under-supply voltage detection,
stall detection, and open-load detection
Package Name P-VQFN48-0707-0.50-006
Size (mm) Typ. 7.0×7.0
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