ROHM Microstep Motor Drivers Deliver High Performance and Reliability

SAN DIEGO, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The new high-performance, high-reliability stepper motor drivers from ROHM Semiconductor offer selectable excitation modes—full-step to sixteenth-step with 1.0A or 2.0A output current and full-step to eighth-step with 2.5A output current. These microstep drivers enable designers to optimize motor torque, noise and vibration for a wide range of applications. Selectable current decay pattern (FAST/SLOW/MIXED decay modes) further enhances motor performance. Circuit design is simplified through a combination of features including an internal voltage regulator, control input translator and DMOS output. The built-in regulator permits operation from a single 36V (max.) supply. Instead of parallel control lines, a single clock (CLK) input is converted by the device's internal translator into motor drive signals. Additionally, ROHM's advanced DMOS (Pch + Nch) output topology eliminates the need for external charge pump components.

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The ROHM microstep drivers are the latest addition to the ROHM Stepper Motor Driver Series, which incorporates undervoltage, overvoltage, overcurrent and thermal protection not typically included in motor driver ICs. This series also features ROHM's unique Ghost Supply Prevention (GSP) function that prevents aberrant operation in the off mode.

Field Application Engineer for ROHM Semiconductor, Jeremy Bridges, said, "The combination of ROHM's advanced power semiconductor process technology and enhanced packaging has resulted in exceptional motor driver solutions. Packaging benefits include bottom-side heat sinking to simplify thermal design, adjacent-pin short protection on most models to reduce production and field failures, as well as pin-compatibility among parts with different current ratings."

About ROHM Semiconductor:

ROHM Semiconductor is an industry leader in system LSI, discrete components and module products, utilizing the latest in semiconductor technology. ROHM's proprietary production system, which includes some of the most advanced automation technology, is a major factor in keeping it at the forefront of the electronic component manufacturing industry. In addition to its development of electronic components, ROHM has also developed its own production system so that it can focus on specific aspects of customized product development. ROHM employs highly skilled engineers with expertise in all aspects of design, development and production. This allows ROHM the flexibility to take on a wide range of applications and projects and the capability to serve valuable clients in the automotive, telecommunication and computer sectors as well as consumer OEMs.

SOURCE ROHM Semiconductor