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STMicroelectronics STDES-PTOOL3A Reference Design

STMicroelectronics STDES-PTOOL3A Reference Design is a compact and configurable system that controls a BLDC/PMSM motor in a handheld battery-operated brushless power tool. This reference design board is based on a high-performance STM32G431RB MCU with integrated op-amps and comparators optimized for motor control applications. The MCU offers multiple ADC peripherals, enabling simultaneous sampling of motor phase currents. The STDES-PTOOL3A also features an STDRIVE101 triple half-bridge gate driver that controls six MOSFETs. The board works on a standard set of inputs, such as throttle, to control the motor torque/speed and to deliver power up to 250W. The module can be connected to a suitable 24V/250W power tool motor. For more peak power, a designer can add a heatsink or an arrangement for circulating air to achieve better power dissipation.

STMicroelectronics STDES-PTOOL3A Reference Design is ideal for high-performance motor control applications, including power tools such as drill machines, grinders, disc cutters, circular saws, leaf blowers, and handheld mowers. The board's small form factor and ample computing power also make it suitable for applications such as drones, robotic platforms, home appliances, and wheelchairs.

Features

  • Input voltage from 12VDC to 24VDC (input voltage customizable to 36V with change in resistors, up to 8S batteries)
  • Output RMS current up to 20A
  • Key devices
    • STM32G431RB: High-performance Arm®-based Cortex®-M4 32-bit MCU+FPU with integrated op amps and comparators in LQFP 64 (10mm x 10mm) package
    • STDRIVE101: Triple half-bridge high-voltage gate driver in VFQFPN 4x4 with inbuilt regulator and protection features
    • STL220N6F7: 6 N-channel 60V, 0.014Ω typ., 120A, STripFET F7 power MOSFET in a PowerFLAT 5x6 package
    • L6981: 1.5A synchronous step-down converter in PowerSO-8 package
    • LDL112: 1.2A low quiescent current LDO with reverse current protection in SO8-batwing package
    • ESDALC6V1-1U2: Single-line low capacitance TransilTM for ESD protection is a precision 500mA regulator in DPAK package
    • TSV911A: Single, dual, and quad rail-to-rail input/output 8MHz op-amp
    • TS861: Rail-to-rail micropower Bi-CMOS comparators
    • BAT54: Small signal Schottky diodes
    • BAT30F4: 30V Schottky barrier diodes in 0201 package
  • Hardware features enabling efficient motor control options
    • Sensorless 3-shunt vector (FOC) algorithm (default)
    • Single-shunt vector (FOC) algorithm
    • Digital hall sensors input
    • Back EMF sensing
    • Bus voltage sensing
    • Sensored or sensorless 6-step algorithm
  • Empowered with feature-rich STM32 motor control ecosystem for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), brushless DC motors (BLDC)
    • Wide configurability via motor control library, associated GUI, and profiler
    • Tuning of drive dynamics
    • Selection of operating parameters such as switching frequency
    • Other parameter values for nominal and fault conditions: overcurrent threshold
    • Torque or speed-mode operation
  • Fully protected
    • Overcurrent protection
    • Undervoltage lockout
    • Thermal shutdown
  • Serial wire debug (SWD) port for debugging/programming
  • Option for SPI, UART interface
  • Easy user interface with buttons and trimmer
  • Fault, status LEDs, and interface for external LED for illumination
  • Test land areas on the board for monitoring important signals or DAC outputs for debugging

Applications

  • Power tools
  • Drill machines
  • Grinders
  • Disc cutters
  • Circular saws
  • Leaf blowers
  • Handheld mowers
  • Drones
  • Robotic platforms
  • Home appliances
  • Wheelchairs
Published: 2023-07-10 | Updated: 2023-07-19