Toshiba launches stepping motor driver IC with serial interface

TOKYO, JAPAN: Toshiba Corp, announced the launch of the latest addition to its lineup of high voltage and high current stepping motor driver 'TB67S10xA' series, the 'TB67S103A' which can drive motors by signals through a serial interface.

Mass production shipments of devices in QFN48 packages will start, followed by shipments in HTSSOP48 packages scheduled to start in February 2014.

The reduction of power consumption for applications, such as office automation equipment, banking terminals, amusement equipment and home appliances, needs optimized control of motor drives.

This requires independent control signals for torque, rotation speed and rotation direction, for each individual motors, which increases the number of signals for applications with multiple motors and makes the system complicated.

The product adopts a serial interface that allows users to set motor control items and four ID numbers, and integrates an independent motor drive control function based on identification of each ID number. This enables connection of multiple TB67S103A driver ICs to signal lines for one external controller and control of up to four motors.

The reduction of external controllers and number of signals this achieves will contribute to the simplification and downsizing of systems, plus reduction of power consumption.

Key features of the new product:

* Controls multiple motors though serial interface.

* Four IDs can be assigned to the serial interface of the IC.

* Reduces heat generation.

* Low on-resistance 1 reduces heat generation.

* Realizes low vibration and low noise.

* The IC adopts Toshiba original ADMD2 and the high-resolution motor driving technology of 1/32 steps.