Texas Instruments' expands its DRV8x motor driver family with new devices supporting up to 5 A for higher-current bipolar stepper and brushed DC motors. The new DRV8x motor drivers provide RDS_on as low as 100 milliohms, more than 60 percent less than the previous generation, enabling higher current and better thermal performance.

Microstepping options within the family include up to 256 microsteps and greater with an external microcontroller or up to 32 microsteps with an on-chip indexer. An evaluation module (EVM), including schematics, gerbers, an easy-to-use graphical user interface for easy setup, and all necessary cabling and software, is available for each of the new motor drivers.

In addition to providing high-voltage and high-current drive, motor drivers also integrate some control circuitry, such as current regulation or digital state machines to operate the motor. Integrated motor drivers from TI also include multiple protection schemes, including short-circuit protection, over current protection, and undervoltage protection, to prevent system failures in the event of electrical or mechanical faults.