Motor Drive Forum Top FAQs Part 1: How to read a motor driver datasheet

https://e2e.ti.com/blogs_/b/motordrivecontrol/archive/2015/05/12/-motor-drive-forum-top-faqs-part-1_3a00_-how-to-read-a-motor-driver-datasheet

Many of the questions on the forums are resolvable by taking a look at the device datasheet. “Read the manual” goes by many names in different industries, but it’s all the same idea. Although it sounds simple, knowing how to navigate the datasheet allows you to quickly find the information you require.  So let’s review some of the more important sections in a TI motor driver datasheet.

Front page

The front page of the datasheet gives you a big-picture idea of what the device does and whether or not it is applicable to your system. It includes the device name, a description, features, a simple diagram and several other key items:

• Features: highlights of the device’s capabilities. This section often contains information about operating ranges, device integration, protection features and a variety of other items (Figure 1).
• Applications: this is a list of common applications for which the device was designed. It is not a comprehensive list.
• Description: a detailed summary of the device and its capabilities.
• Device information: information about the various packages the device is available in (Figure 2).
• Diagrams: these often show a simplified block diagram of the device or highlight one of its key features (Figure 3).

Figure 1: A typical features section

 

Figure 2: Device information

 

Figure 3: Block diagrams

 

Recommended operating conditions

The recommended operating conditions (Figure 4) are the key limits within which the device can function. Important items to take note of in a motor driver datasheet include the following:

• Power-supply voltage range.
• Low-dropout regulator (LDO) external load current.
• Output current capability.
• Maximum input frequency.

Figure 4: Recommended operating conditions

Electrical characteristics

The electrical characteristics are presented as a table of the device parameters and specifications. This includes information about regulator output voltages, logic voltage levels, timing specifications, current capability, RDS(on) and protection features.

Two important specifications are the metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) RDS(on) and protection-circuit parameters. The RDS(on) is the main limiting factor in a motor driver’s current capability. As current increases through the MOSFET, so will the heat generated (P = I2R). There are generally parameters for several different conditions (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Motor driver outputs

 

The protection circuits section describes the various levels and timings of the integrated protection schemes (Figure 6). System designers often confuse the protection circuits with a device issue. These values can help debug which system issue is causing the motor driver to take a protective action.

Figure 6: Protection circuits

 

Functional block diagram

The functional block diagram is a visual representation of the integrated circuit (Figure 7). It provides a general understanding about the internal workings of the motor driver. You can refer to the block diagram to determine how the power-supply tree is configured, how outputs should be connected, and how the logic input/outputs are set up.

Figure 7: Functional block diagram

 

Layout example

Poor layout and board design is one of the top issues on the TI E2E forums. Layout issues often stem from improper placement of bypass capacitors and poor grounding schemes. The datasheet provides an entire section dedicated to layout tips/guidelines and even provides an example layout to follow (Figure 8). Ensuring proper layout of the motor driver will ensure that it performs to its specifications.

Figure 8: Layout example

 

Packaging information

Packaging information is often buried near the end of the datasheet, but it is just as important. This section describes the physical dimensions and properties of the device package (Figures 9 and 10). It also provides a recommended land pattern to follow for the printed circuit board (PCB) design. Using this information will help ensure that the device is properly affixed to the PCB when it’s time to assemble the board.

Figure 9: Physical dimensions and properties of the device package

 

 

 

Figure 10: Physical dimensions and properties of the device package

 

Just remember, even in this day and age, it still helps to take a glance at the datasheet. If you have any questions, feel free to post in the comments section below.