AN-034: Double Motor Current with TMC5062

The TMC5062 supports driving a single 2 phase of three phase stepper motor with double motor current. This application note describes the additional register setting and the required schematics.

A sample board layout plus performance data will be added later on.

Double Current Motor Operation

The TMC5062 is prepared to drive a motor with double current. It requires setting a flag in GCONF as well as modifying the board layout to match the single motor configuration. As the TMC5062 offers up to 1.5A peak per motor, this way it can drive up to three Amperes into each motor coil (i.e. up to 2A RMS) while offering the same feature set as for a single motor.


Register Setting


In order to drive higher current motors, a parallel mode allows double current for a single driver, by paralleling both output power stages. This is especially useful for higher current three phase motors. The TMC5062 supports double motor current for a single driver by paralleling both power stages. In order to operate in this mode, activate the flag single_driver in the global configuration register GCONF. This register can be locked for subsequent write accesses to prevent reverting to a wrong configuration.

Table 1. General Configuration Registers (0X00…0X1F)
R/W Addr n Register Description/bit names
  Bit GCONF – Global configuration flags
RW 0x00 11 GCONF 0 single_driver

0: Two motors can be operated.

1: Single motor, double current operation - driver 2 outputs are identical to driver 1, all driver 2 related controls are unused in this mode.

Attention: Set correctly before driver enable!

Schematic


In a parallel connection setup, where the TMC5062 drives one motor with double current, take into account that driver 1 takes over the complete control. Thus, the driver 1 layout should be optimized concerning sense resistor placement, etc. Connect driver 2 bridge outputs and BR pins in parallel to the corresponding driver 1 pins. Especially for the BR pins of driver 2, it is important to use low-inductivity interconnection lines to the driver 1 pin BR pins. A straight routing should be preferred. As the output pins Oxxx are also paralleled, the PCB routing can access the outputs from one or the other side of the driver, or even mixed.

Pay special attention to provide enough cooling area and vias to transfer heat into the GND plane. A 70µm GND plane will bring additional enhancements, leading to a higher motor current capability.

Figure 1. Driving a single motor with high current.

Figure 1. Driving a single motor with high current.

Disclaimer

ADI TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG does not authorize or warrant any of its products for use in life support systems, without the specific written consent of ADI TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG. Life support systems are equipment intended to support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform, when properly used in accordance with instructions provided, can be reasonably expected to result in personal injury or death.

Information given in this application note is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for the consequences of its use nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

All trademarks used are property of their respective owners.

References

TMC5062 datasheet, www.analog.com

Appnote spreadCycle, www.analog.com



Author

Bernhard_Dwersteg_blue

Bernhard Dwersteg

Following his study of computer science with a focus on digital IC design, Bernhard started his career in electronics in 1996. In 1998, he founded Trinamic together with colleagues as a company dedicated to innovative motion control ICs and modules. Holding more than 15 patents, he today focusses on extending our motor and motion control technology towards even more energy efficiency and intelligent control algorithms.