New Industry Products

TI Introduces Low-Voltage Motor Drivers for Battery-Powered Applications

April 12, 2012 by Jeff Shepard

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) expanded its growing portfolio of highly 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, low-voltage operating range, low RDS(ON) and ultra-low sleep currents, slashing power consumption as much as 80 percent compared to the nearest competitor to extend battery life, improve thermal performance and increase system reliability. The devices are also highly integrated in an ultra-small package, reducing board space by as much as 95 percent compared to discrete implementations.

Key features and benefits of the DRV8834, DRV8835 and DRV8836 include:

-- 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.

-- Extended battery life: Low RDS(ON) of 305mΩ and an ultra-low sleep current as low as 10nA improves thermal performance and extends battery life in applications, such as toys, e-locks, cameras, point-of-sale printers and smart meters.

-- Drop in and spin: High level of integration, such as an on-chip indexer and current control loops, provides greater intelligence to reduce design complexity while minimizing microcontroller (MCU) MIPS requirements and software development, speeding time to market compared to discrete solutions.

-- Reduced board space: Tiny 2 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.

More news and information regarding the latest developments in Smart Grid electronics can be found at Darnell’s SmartGridElectronics.Net.