Apex Three-Phase Brushless Motor Driver Delivers up to 5A

Apex Microtechnology has applyed the company's power analog expertise to developing precision ICs capable of 3-phase operation. The company's first product targeted at the brushless motor market is the new SA305. This IC features pulse width modulation (pwm) operation for thermal efficiency and it offers the designer their choice of digital interface, DSP or MCU.

The SA305 is targeted at brushless motors in the fractional one-third horsepower range. It utilizes three independent half bridges to deliver up to 5A output current, or 10A peak, using industrial voltage supplies of 60V. This independent half-bridge operation provides separate high and low MOSFET control and allows the SA305 to be used wherever three high current outputs are required. All six FETs in the device can be accessed independently to control the pwm and commutation. The SA305 also is well protected. It also features 3-phase current monitoring.

An important design note for the SA305 is the potential for overall savings on system size, weight and design based on the device's pwm efficiency. The use of switching technology minimizes power dissipation issues. As a result, the need for large external heatsinks is reduced. It also means the motor and its operating system will run cooler, increasing long-term reliability. The SA305 also uses smaller filter components because it switches at frequencies of up to 100 kHz. The SA305 is offered in a 23-pin staggered lead IC package.

Sample units for customer evaluation are available now with full-qualified release scheduled for the second quarter of 2006 The SA305 is priced at $13.10 each in lots of 10,000.