Designers double power density in space-constrained motor drives

By Editorial Team Last updated May 24, 2017

Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced two new device families that help reduce size and weight in motor drive applications. When used together, DRV832x brushless DC (BLDC) gate drivers and CSD88584/99 NexFET Power Blocks require as little as 511mm², half the board space of competing solutions.

The DRV832x BLDC gate drivers feature a smart gate-drive architecture that eliminates up to 24 components traditionally used to set the gate drive current while enabling designers to easily adjust field-effect transistor (FET) switching to optimize power loss and electromagnetic compliance. The CSD88584Q5DC and CSD88599Q5DC power blocks leverage two FETs in a unique stacked-die configuration, which doubles power density and minimizes the FET resistance and parasitic inductances typically found in side-by-side FET configurations.

An 18V compact BLDC motor reference design demonstrates how the DRV8323 gate driver and CSD88584Q5DC power block can drive 11W/cm³ power and enable engineers to jump-start their designs for smaller, lighter-weight power tools, integrated motor modules, drones and more.

Benefits of using a CSD88584/99 and DRV832x device together

Maximum power density: The combined solution delivers 700W of motor power without a heat sink, providing 50% higher current than conventional solutions without increasing the footprint.
High peak current: As demonstrated by the 18V BLDC reference design, the smart gate driver and power block are capable of driving a peak current of up to 160A for more than 1 second.
Optimal system protection: The combination enables shorter trace lengths and actively prevents unintended FET turn-on, while also providing undervoltage, overcurrent and thermal protection.
Superior thermal performance: The CSD88584Q5DC and CSD88599Q5DC power blocks come in TI’s DualCool thermally enhanced package, which enables designers to apply a heat sink to the top of the device to decrease thermal impedance and increase the amount of power dissipated to maintain safe operating temperatures for the board and end application.
Clean switching: The power blocks’ switch-node clip helps eliminate parasitic inductance between high- and low-side FETs. Additionally, the DRV832x gate driver’s passive component integration minimizes board traces.

Tools and support to jump-start design

In addition to the 18V BLDC motor reference design, engineers can search for other motor reference designs that use the power blocks and gate drivers to help solve their system design challenges. The three-phase smart gate-driver evaluation module (EVM) allows designers to drive a 15A, three-phase BLDC motor using the DRV8323R gate driver, CSD88599Q5DC power block and MSP430F5529 microcontroller LaunchPad development kit. The EVM is available from the TI store for $99.00.

Package, availability and pricing

The DRV832x BLDC smart gate drivers offer peripheral and interface options for engineers to select the best device for their design: with or without an integrated buck regulator or three integrated current-shunt amplifiers. Each device option is available in a hardware or serial interface and comes in Quad Flat No-lead (QFN) packaging. The CSD88584/99 power blocks come in DualCool small outline no-lead (SON) packaging, with 40 or 60V Breakdown Voltage (BVDSS) choices. All devices are available now, priced and packaged as listed in the table below.

Source Texas Instruments