Brushed DC motor driver is first to integrate FETs

2nd November 2015

Nat Bowers

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Texas Instruments has introduced three brushed DC gate drivers, one of which is the industry's first device with integrated current sensing. This integration allows designers to avoid the power loss, heat generation and cost associated with using external sense resistors, as well as to save up to 25% board space and simplify board layout.

Compared to competitive devices, the DRV8871 family helps reduce design complexity, power consumption and board space in end equipment such as multifunction printers, appliances and industrial machines. The devices offer a wide 6.5 to 45V motor-supply voltage to support industry-standard 12 and 24V supplies.

Expanding TI's brushed DC motor driver portfolio, the DRV8871 is one of three new brushed DC drivers with integrated Field-Effect Transistors (FETs), developed for space-constrained designs. The DRV8870 features integrated regulation to limit current to an external current-sense resistor. The DRV8872 provides fault monitoring to increase system reliability.

The DRV8870 family uses standard low-cost, low-power resistors to set the current threshold, limiting startup and stall inrush currents. The ability to limit current to a known level can significantly reduce the system power requirements and bulk capacitance needed to maintain a stable voltage, especially for motor startup and stall conditions.

The DRV8870EVM, DRV8871EVM and DRV8872EVM evaluation modules demonstrate the capabilities and performance of their respective brushed DC motor drivers. The EVMs also incorporate the TPS7A16 LDO regulator and the TLC555 low-power timer. They are available for purchase for $49.

The 8-pin DRV8871 family is available now in a 4.9x6.0mm thermally enhanced small outline package. Pricing in 1,000 unit quantities starts at $1.40 for the DRV8871 and $1.28 for the DRV8870 and DRV8872.