Smallest all-in-one LIN driver propels relay window lifters

Melexis’ new LIN pre-driver IC for relay DC motors provides a combination of compactness, high power, and attractive pricing. The MLX81160 is the most recent addition to the company’s Gen3 family of compatible embedded motor drivers. Its 48KB of memory (16KB ROM for the included LIN protocol and 32KB Flash for the application software) is ideal for applications like window regulators.

Bolstering its position in motor driving for automotive comfort applications, the company has released the new device by leveraging high-voltage SOI technology. This LIN-based pre-driver displays operational robustness for 12V and 24V applications.

The main uses are window lifters, sunroof regulators with relay DC motors, and small DC motor applications with external PN-MOSFET power regulation.

AEC-Q100 qualified, the device includes all the necessary functional elements for motor driving within a single chip. These comprise a LIN interface, an embedded microcontroller unit, 6x PWM drivers, 3x high-voltage I/Os, and more. Extra I/Os enable connecting a dedicated four-wire latch for motor indexing.

The device is embedded into a compact 4mm x 4mm QFN24 package, and it fits on the smallest PCB when utilised for state-of-the-art mechatronics.

“The price/performance characteristics of the MLX81160 mean that our tier 1 customers are able to develop competitive mechatronic systems for their automotive OEM partners. It brings the benefits of digital interfacing to the price-sensitive DC motors such as mid-range window lifters,” explained Marc Lambrechts, the product line manager Embedded Motor Drivers at Melexis. “Our team of experienced embedded application engineers is available for first-time-right design implementations and quicker project completion”.