Date: 15/04/2012

Low-voltage motor drivers from TI with advanced motor control features

Texas Instruments has expanded its integrated DRV8x motor drivers with three new low-voltage devices for brushed DC and stepper motors. The DRV8834, DRV8835 and DRV8836 motor drivers provide a wide and low-voltage operating range, low RDS(ON) of 305 milliohms and low sleep currents of 10 nA. TI clams these devices slash power consumption as much as 80 percent compared to the nearest competitor to extend battery life, improve thermal performance and increase system reliability. TI also claims these devices reduces board space by 95 percent compared to discrete implementations.

Key features and benefits of the DRV8834, DRV8835 and DRV8836
Ultra-smooth motion profiles: On-chip 32-step microstepping indexer and advanced motion control features on the DRV8834 minimize torque ripple for quiet, ultra-smooth motion in applications such as security video cameras, medical and office automation equipment.
Battery operated applications suggested include toys, e-locks, cameras, point-of-sale printers and smart meters.
Has an on-chip indexer and current control loops.
Package: Tiny 2-mm x 3-mm package option for the DRV8835 and DRV8836.
Advanced on-chip protection: Over-current, over-temperature, shoot-though and under-voltage lock-out increase system reliability and manufacturing yields.


Package, availability and pricing

The new DRV8x devices are all available to sample and purchase today. Package, availability and suggested retail pricing are as follows.
DRV8834 stepper motor driver, 2.5-V to 10.8-V operating range, up to 2.2-A peak output current; on-chip 32 step microstepping indexer:
Package and availability: 8-mm x 6-mm HTSSOP package available today; 4-mm x 4-mm QFN package will be available in 2Q12.
Price: US$1.15* for the HTSSOP or QFN option.
DRV8835 stepper or brushed DC motor driver, 2-V to 11-V operating range, up to 1.5-A output current per bridge; includes separate logic and motor power supplies:
Package and availability: 2-mm x 3-mm WSON package available today.
Price: US$0.70*.
DRV8836 stepper or brushed DC motor driver, 2-V to 7-V operating range, up to 1.5-A output current per bridge; includes dedicated sleep pin:
Package and availability: 2-mm x 3-mm WSON package available today.
Price: US$0.70*.

*All prices quoted are based on 1,000-unit quantities.