Motor Driver｜Basic

Introduction: Four Features to Seek in a Motor Driver

2021.10.13

Points of this article

・The global demand for motors is strongly trending upward.

・Due to global energy issues, high-efficiency motor driving and control methods are extremely important.

・Four features are demanded of motors: high reliability, low power consumption/high efficiency, quietness/low vibration, and control/convenience.

First, we note four key points required of motor drivers in recent years.

Four Features to Seek in a Motor Driver

①High Reliability

Motor drivers must be provided with functions to protect motor driver ICs from abnormal voltages and currents, functions to prevent malfunctions due to power supply voltage drops, and other protection functions. They are also required to secure safety through current-limiting functions to control motor currents during motor startup or forced shutdown, when being restrained, etc., as well as functions to report fault conditions to an external host processor or other device.

②Low Power Consumption, High Efficiency

In order to reduce power consumption of a motor, power devices and driving technology capable of low power consumption are needed. For example, by using an automatic lead angle adjustment function or the like, high efficiency can be obtained over a broad range of rotation rates, from low- to high-speed rotation.

③Quietness, Low Vibration

Optimization of the driving waveform is important to address noise and vibrations during motor operation. The commutation technology that is optimal for the magnetic circuit of various types of motor must be used according to the field of application, whether this is the optimal commutation technology (120°, 150°, sine wave) for a brushless DC motor driver, or a soft start technique for a fan motor driver, or a current attenuation method (decay technique) for a stepping motor driver.

④Control and Convenience

Digital rotation control technology for motors using FLL (frequency locked loop) and PLL (phase locked loop) control, as well as high-precision positioning control technologies needed for actuators, and other highly efficient driving control algorithms are indispensable to the development of high-performance motor applications. There are demands for high-efficiency driving control algorithms that can easily be utilized by designers, for example by incorporating hard logic for control algorithms in driver ICs. Moreover, compatibility between driver ICs improves convenience of use. Improving convenience is important when specification changes occur during development, for example by enabling substitutions without changing the PCB layout of the motor driving control board.

【Download Documents】 Overview of Motors and Motor Driving

This hand book provides an overview of motor fundamentals and motor driving. In addition to explaining the types and structures of motors, it provides an overview of motor drive systems in various fields.

Introduction: Four Features to Seek in a Motor Driver
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