austriamicrosystems AG (Graz, Austria) announced a fully programmable IC designed for high-current, electric motor (automotive) applications to implement programmable pulse-width modulated (PWM) motor control without external EMC filters. Designated the AS8444 PWM dc motor driver/controller, the IC is for electric motors from 200 W to 700 W, with low RF emissions over its entire frequency range.
Designed to interface with a simple microprocessor and a high-side, n-channel, power FET, the AS8444 can be programmed for dc motor current, voltage or speed regulation, with fast over-current detection and protection, over-voltage/under-voltage detection and protection, battery voltage monitoring, and both external and on-chip temperature detection functions. To facilitate the application of the AS8444 in complex automotive electronic systems, the IC’s bus interface circuitry complies with current LIN bus standard.
For applications that require the device to have different sleep/wake-up modes, a variation of the IC, designated the AS8446, is available with different startup values for various motor settings. The AS8444/46 is available in a 28-pin SOIC package.
