New device offers low BOM cost with high motor current and ultra-silent operation

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH has released a further device to its line-up of micro-stepping motor driver ICs. The new TC78H670FTG is a dual-channel high-resolution micro-stepping motor driver IC that is capable of driving motors with a wide range of operating voltages. The new device is designed for a wide assortment of consumer applications including 3D printers, security cameras, cameras, handheld scanners, portable printers, pico-projectors and battery-powered medical devices.

The IC can drive a micro-stepping motor of up to 128 steps and with a voltage covering 2.5V to 16V at currents of up to 2A. The output on-resistance (RDS(ON)) is just 0.48Ohm as the device employs the company's latest CDMOS process, which reduces voltage loss and heat generation inside the driver. Ultra-Low standby current of only 0.1µA increases battery life and the capacity to operate with a 1.8V to 5V interface enables connection to an extensive variety of hosts and microcontrollers. As a result, the device is ideal for employment in USB powered and battery-powered applications as well as with standard 9-12V system devices.

The micro-stepping control enables motors to be operated smoothly and quietly with decreased vibration and enhanced rotation angle accuracy. Safety features such as overcurrent detection, thermal shut down and open-load detection are included. The sophisticated motor driver is housed in a compact QFN16 package with a footprint of only 3mm x 3mm which, together with the removal of the two bulky and expensive current sense resistors by incorporating on-chip current detection, contributes to notable cost and space-saving in designs.