Compact Power Stage ICs Use Case: Robotics

USE CASE

Tweet this article

Share this article

Share this article

Get valuable resources straight to your inbox - sent out once per month

Subscribe

We value your privacy

In this use case, we’ll consider the application of compact power stage ICs in Robotics.

Robots are finding new applications every day. Small, specialized robots have much different engineering requirements than large factory floor robots, like those used to assemble cars, that we usually think of.

Some robots are now quite small – small enough to fit on a desk. And others, like those used to assist medical procedures like surgery, may have dozens of small “arms” and other actuators. In both of these cases, the amount of wiring to drive all those motors becomes a problem, and there is not enough space for large electronics packages inside the robot.

One solution is to move the drive electronics from one central location to be positioned right at, or even inside, each motor. Fully integrated three-phase power stage ICs, like the MP6540H, enable the placement of brushless motor drive electronics in tiny spaces that were impossible before.

The MP6540H can drive motors up to 50V and 5A, or 250 watts. Contained in a 5mm x 5mm package, it’s by far the smallest solution of its kind in the marketplace. Internal current measurement (which removes the need for current shunts and sense amps) makes the solution even smaller.

The small size of the MP6540H allows an entire brushless motor drive to fit inside a 25mm circle

The MP6540H can drive motors up to 50V and 5A, or 250 watts. Contained in a 5mm x 5mm package, it’s by far the smallest solution of its kind in the marketplace. Internal current measurement (which removes the need for current shunts and sense amps) makes the solution even smaller.