Motor Driver IC targets windshield wiper systems.
Press Release Summary:
Designed using high-voltage BCDMOS process, Model ATA6026 drives continuous-current motors in full H-bridge configurations, and supports PWM and direction-controlled driving of 4 power MOSFETs. Differential SCI transceiver minimizes radiation emission for efficient EMC performance, while external transistor helps minimize power dissipation. Gate driver IC integrates 5 V/100 mA voltage regulator plus window watchdog and motion control into Pb-free QFN32 package.
Original Press Release:
Atmel Launches Highly-Integrated MotorDriver IC for Smaller Designs with Improved EMC Performance
Industry's First Wiper IC for Dual Front Wiper Systems Without Mechanical Link
HEILBRONN, Germany, May 2 / / -- Atmel(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:ATML), a global leader in the development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced today the availability of its highly- integrated ATA6026 motor driver IC, the first member of a new, upcoming motor driver family. The ATA6026 is designed using Atmel's high-voltage BCDMOS process and is ideal for applications in harsh environments. Due to an optimized communication interface, the IC is well suited for high-volume DC motor applications such as windshield wiper systems, door locks, or seat position adjusters. It is used to drive continuous-current motors in full H-bridge configurations, and supports PWM and direction-controlled driving of four power MOSFETs.
The ATA6026 includes a differential SCI transceiver to reduce radiation emission for improved EMC performance which is very important since the device is usually located close to the car radio. In a dual front wiper system, one ATA6026 motor driver is used for the left wiper and a second for the right wiper. Since the SCI interface handles the synchronization between the left and right wiper, no mechanical link between the wipers is necessary as with conventional wiper systems, achieving considerable noise reduction and less space consumption. The SCI transceiver is a differential device which can also operate in single-ended mode for systems with only one wiper. The SCI functionality makes the ATA6026 very similar to LIN devices; compared to standard LIN interfaces, however, a faster data transfer of up to 100 Kbaud is possible.
The gate driver IC is highly integrated and includes a 5V/100 mA voltage regulator plus a window watchdog resulting in fewer external components for smaller designs requiring less PCB area -- a critical issue with automotive applications. The motion control is carried out by the IC so this function does not need additional memory in the microcontroller. Due to the monolithic integration of the voltage regulator, motion control, and the watchdog in one small QFN32 package, overall system costs can be reduced while maintaining the flexibility of the output stages for plug-and-play use in almost any kind of motor driver application without needing adaptation.
The low-power and low-drop on-chip regulator is used for both the internal and external voltage supply. An external transistor helps to reduce power dissipation. When inactive, the device's sleep mode guarantees a low quiescent current of typically 35 microamps. The fully integrated charge pump supplies the gates of the external power MOSFETs of the high-side drivers in case of a permanent ON state (100% PWM, the bootstrap function is not available). In addition, the gate of the external power NMOS used for reverse battery protection is supplied by the charge pump output.
"With this new motor driver it is now possible to create dual wiper systems without mechanical linkage between the windshield wipers. More space in the motor compartment and reduced mechanical noises are the obvious benefits of this solution," said Hartmut Fischer, Director of Business Center Automotive at Atmel.
The ATA6026 provides several protective features such as over-temperature shutdown, overload, overvoltage and undervoltage protection, as well as full protection against short circuits. The device also meets strict automotive qualification demands (protection against conducted interference, EMC and ESD protection) and can withstand transients as specified in ISO/TR 7637/1.
Samples of the ATA6026 gate driver IC are available now in Pb-free QFN32 packages with pricing starting at US $1.99 for 10k piece quantities. Additional family members, including devices for high-temperature applications of up to 150 degree Celsius ambient temperatures, will be introduced in Q3 2006.
About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).
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Information
Product information on Atmel's new motor-driver ATA6026 may be retrieved at: www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?family_id=606&family_name=A utomotive+Control&part_id=3865
CONTACT: Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com
