Gate driver IC with MCU offers wide range of features and capabilities

Toshiba's gate driver IC with MCU, the SmartMCD TB9M003FG, is now available from Rutronik. It delivers a wide range of features and capabilities for more efficient control of three-phase BLDC and PMSM. The device includes Toshiba's Vector Engine (VE), which simplifies motor vector control and decreases the load on the CPU. This is especially beneficial for BLDC motors in automotive applications.

The device is built on the company's mixed-signal process technology and combines a Cortex-M0 type CPU with a VE coprocessor and preamplifiers to control external B6 N-channel MOSFETs. This level of integration of the device allows smaller, simpler and more cost-effective BLDC motor systems with 30-1000W.

The device is connected directly to the battery and the LIN bus. The integrated wake-up function provides energy-efficient operation and communication.

Applications needing precise positioning, torque or speed control benefit from accurate field-oriented control thanks to the integrated VE coprocessor. It speeds up the necessary mathematical operations and decreases the load on the CPU. The fast PWM frequency and advanced control algorithms contribute to smooth and quiet operation and reduce vibrations and noise. Features such as sensorless measurement with a shunt, a reduced number of components and a smaller program code size help to lower overall system costs.

Another advantage is that the gate driver IC has various detection circuits, such as current limiting, overcurrent, VBAT overvoltage, and overtemperature protection circuits, as well as error detection in the event of undervoltage, open/short-circuited external power MOSFET, and overheating. This lowers system costs and greatly decreases development effort by eradicating the necessity for several external circuits.

Application examples automotive industry, water pumps, oil pumps, fans, and blowers.