Toshiba Unveils Integrated Gate Driver ICs with Onboard Microcontroller for Three-Phase Brushless DC Motor Control
Toshiba Revolutionizes Automotive Motor Control with SmartMCD: The Integrated Gate Driver IC Solution
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation announces volume production of its innovative SmartMCD Series of gate driver ICs with embedded microcontrollers (MCUs). This groundbreaking technology ushers in a new era of automotive motor control with the introduction of the TB9M003FG.
TB9M003FG: Optimizing Sensorless Control for Brushless DC Motors
The TB9M003FG is specifically designed for sensorless control of three-phase brushless DC motors commonly found in automotive applications. These applications include:
- Water Pumps
- Oil Pumps
- Fans
- Blowers
Integrated Design for Streamlined Motor Control Systems
The TB9M003FG integrates a powerful combination of functionalities within a single chip:
- Arm Cortex-M0 Microcontroller: Provides the processing power for advanced motor control algorithms.
- Flash Memory: Stores essential program code and data for efficient operation.
- Power Control Functions: Ensures precise control over motor power delivery.
- Communication Interface Functions: Facilitates seamless communication with other automotive electronic components.
- Gate Driver: Directly controls and drives N-channel power MOSFETs for the three-phase brushless DC motor.
This integrated design offers significant advantages for automotive manufacturers:
- Reduced System Size: By combining multiple functions into a single chip, the TB9M003FG helps minimize the overall size and complexity of the motor control system.
- Lower Component Count: The integration eliminates the need for separate microcontrollers and other discrete components, simplifying system design and manufacturing.
- Advanced Motor Control: The TB9M003FG empowers developers to implement sophisticated motor control algorithms for improved performance and efficiency.
Toshiba's Proprietary Vector Engine for Enhanced Efficiency
The TB9M003FG incorporates Toshiba's proprietary vector engine, a dedicated hardware block specifically designed for sensorless sinewave control. This innovative technology:
- Reduces Load on Microcontroller: By offloading complex control calculations to the vector engine, the TB9M003FG frees up processing power on the microcontroller for other critical tasks.
- Smaller Software Footprint: The vector engine minimizes the amount of software code needed to implement sensorless control, simplifying software development and reducing memory requirements.
Reference Design Available for Simplified Integration
To accelerate development and simplify integration, Toshiba offers a comprehensive reference design for the TB9M003FG titled "Motor Driving Circuit for Automotive Body Electronics Using SmartMCD". This valuable resource provides a practical starting point for engineers working on automotive motor control applications.
Addressing the Needs of the Electric Vehicle (xEV) Market
The ever-evolving electric vehicle (xEV) market demands advancements in electrification, component integration, and quieter motor operation. The TB9M003FG directly addresses these critical needs:
- Electrification: Enables the replacement of mechanically driven components with electrically controlled motors, promoting overall vehicle efficiency.
- Component Integration: Integrates the microcontroller directly into the gate driver, reducing the number of components and shrinking the size of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in xEVs.
- Quieter Motors: The TB9M003FG's vector control capabilities contribute to smoother and quieter motor operation, enhancing passenger comfort within xEVs.
BonChip Electronics - Your Authorized Toshiba Distributor
BonChip Electronics is your trusted distributor for Toshiba products. We offer the complete line of innovative Toshiba solutions, including the revolutionary TB9M003FG SmartMCD gate driver IC. With our commitment to exceptional service, fast delivery, and technical expertise, we can help you select the perfect Toshiba components for your next automotive motor control project.
Contact BonChip Electronics today to explore how the TB9M003FG SmartMCD can empower your next automotive design!