Stepper Motor Controllers and Drives
Microstepping Motor Driver has built-in translator.
Press Release Summary:
With output drive capability of 35 V and ±2.5 A, A3979 operates bipolar stepper motors in full-, half-, quarter- and sixteenth-step modes. Its 2-input STEP and DIRECTION interface makes unit suited for applications with multiple motors. By inputting one pulse on STEP input, motor will take one microstep. Features include internal synchronous rectification control circuitry, dual-mode fixed off-time current regulator, and internal circuit protection.
Original Press Release:
Allegro Microsystems, Inc. Announces Microstepping Motor Driver with Built-in Translator
Worcester, MA -Aug. 31, 2005 - Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. announces the release of the A3979, a complete microstepping motor driver with built-in translator for easy operation. It is designed to operate bipolar stepper motors in full-, half-, quarter- and sixteenth-step modes, with output drive capability of 35 V and ± 2.5 A, and is a drop-in replacement for Allegro's A3977SLP with 16 microstep/step resolution.
The translator is key to the easy implementation of the A3979. By simply inputting one pulse on the STEP input, the motor will take one microstep. There are no phase sequence tables, high-frequency control lines or complex interfaces to program. The simple, two-input STEP and DIRECTION interface of the A3979 makes it ideal for applications with multiple motors that would normally push the I/O capability of most µP controllers. Internal synchronous rectification control circuitry is included in the A3979 to improve power dissipation during PWM operation. The power dissipation savings (typically greater than 20 percent) will result in lower temperature rise and eliminate the need for external Schottky diodes. Competitive devices with bipolar outputs cannot implement synchronous rectification.
The A3979 includes a fixed off-time current regulator that has the ability to operate in slow- or mixed-decay modes. This patented current decay scheme results in reduced audible noise, increased step accuracy and reduced power dissipation. Internal circuit protection includes thermal shutdown with hysteresis, undervoltage lockout and crossover-current protection. Special power-up sequencing is not required.
Targeted at the office automation and industrial markets, the A3979 is offered in an industry-standard low-profile (less than 1.2 mm), 28-lead TSSOP with an exposed thermal pad (suffix LP; PB-free suffix LP-T). Pricing is $3.01 per part for quantities of 10,000.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. is a supplier of advanced mixed-signal power semiconductors and Hall-effect sensors targeted toward the automotive, communications, computer/office automation, consumer and industrial markets. It maintains a leadership position in the integrated magnetic sensor and integrated motor driver product segments. With more than 2,000 employees, Allegro is headquartered in Worcester, MA. Further information about Allegro, as well as free samples; on our products, can be found at www.allegromicro.com.
