STMicroelectronics (ST), a global semiconductor leader, has strengthened its motor control portfolio with the launch of the STDRIVE102H and STDRIVE102BH – advanced, fully integrated 3-phase gate drivers engineered to elevate the performance, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of brushless DC (BLDC) motors in consumer and industrial applications. These next-generation drivers simplify design, enhance reliability, and unlock significant system-level benefits.
STDRIVE102H and STDRIVE102BH Features
As integrated circuits chip, he STDRIVE102H and STDRIVE102BH directly address these challenges with a highly integrated and intelligent solution, while STDRIVE102H is suitable for single-resistor current sampling motor control solutions. The STDRIVE102BH is suitable for three-resistor current sampling motor control designs. The operating voltage range is 6V to 50V. Designers can easily configure the driver through two analog pins and set the gate driver drive current with a simple resistor divider. The gate resistor is not required, and the switching rate can also be limited. The new driver has a low current standby mode that effectively protects battery performance and is suitable for cordless power tools and appliances, electric bicycles, mobile robots, and industrial drive motors.
STDRIVE102BH integrated bootstrap diodes within the package, eliminating the need for six external diodes. This significantly reduces the external bill of materials (BOM) and PCB footprint. The standard 'H' variant requires external diodes.
The new gate driver integrates a charge pump circuit to allow the high-side MOSFET to be turned on for an unlimited amount of time, thus simplifying the design of applications that require a 100% PWM duty cycle. In addition, the charge pump ensures that the gate-source voltage of the upper and lower MOSFETs is the same to balance the behavior of the power stage. In addition, an internal low-dropout regulator (LDO) provides 12V and 3.3V voltages for the driver's lower-side circuitry and analog front end (AFE), and can also power external components.
Other features include comprehensive electrical and over-temperature protection functions. In addition to undervoltage lockout (UVLO) and thermal shutdown functions, the new product also has a high-side and low-side MOSFET drain-source voltage (VDS) monitoring function, adding redundant overcurrent protection functions. When any protection mechanism is triggered, the fault signal pin responds quickly to enhance system safety and reliability.
Meeting Modern Motor Control Demands
BLDC motors are ubiquitous, powering everything from home appliances and power tools to industrial pumps, compressors, fans, and robotics. The drive towards smarter, more efficient, and quieter devices places increasing demands on the motor control electronics. Designers seek solutions that:
Boost Efficiency: Minimize power losses in the drive stage for longer battery life (in portables) and reduced energy bills.
Enhance Performance: Enable smoother operation, faster response, and higher torque density.
Improve Reliability: Offer robust protection against electrical faults and harsh operating conditions.
Simplify Design: Reduce component count, ease PCB layout, and accelerate time-to-market.
Optimize Cost: Provide a compelling total system cost, balancing silicon and external component savings.
Key Benefits Driving Adoption
The integration and features of the STDRIVE102H/102BH translate into tangible advantages for designers and end-users:
Enhanced System Efficiency: Reduced switching losses in the gate drive stage and minimized conduction losses due to optimized drive strength contribute directly to higher overall system efficiency. This is crucial for meeting stringent energy regulations (like ENERGY STAR, EU Ecodesign) and extending battery life.
Superior Performance: Enables precise control of switching transients, supporting advanced control algorithms (e.g., Field-Oriented Control - FOC) for smoother motor operation, reduced audible noise, higher torque at low speeds, and better dynamic response.
Increased Power Density & Compact Design: Significant reduction in external components (especially with the 102BH's integrated diodes) leads to a much smaller PCB footprint – savings of up to 40% compared to discrete solutions. This is vital for space-constrained applications like drones, power tools, and compact appliances.
Improved Reliability & Safety: Comprehensive built-in protections (UVLO, interlock, ESD) guard against common failure modes like undervoltage conditions, shoot-through faults, and ESD events, leading to more robust and safer end products.
Simplified Design & Faster Time-to-Market: The high level of integration drastically reduces design complexity, electronic component sourcing effort, and PCB layout challenges. Engineers can leverage ST's proven reference designs and evaluation boards to accelerate development cycles.
Reduced Total System Cost: Lower BOM count (fewer diodes, resistors, potentially smaller power supplies/heat sinks), reduced PCB size, and faster development time all contribute to a lower overall system cost, improving the product's market competitiveness.
Flexibility: The choice between the STDRIVE102H (needs external diodes) and STDRIVE102BH (fully integrated diodes) allows designers to select the optimal solution based on specific cost and integration requirements.
Target Applications: Powering Innovation
The STDRIVE102H and STDRIVE102BH are ideally suited for driving three-phase BLDC/PMSM motors in a vast array of markets:
Consumer Appliances: Refrigerator compressors, washing machine drums, dishwasher pumps, high-end fans, air conditioner units, range hoods.
Power Tools & Garden Equipment: Drills, saws, grinders, blowers, robotic lawnmowers.
HVAC Systems: Fans, blowers, pumps for residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Industrial Automation: Pumps, compressors, conveyor belts, CNC spindles, small industrial robots.
E-Bikes & Light Electric Vehicles: Auxiliary pumps and fans.
Pumps & Compressors: Across various industrial and domestic settings.
Conclusion
STMicroelectronics' STDRIVE102H and STDRIVE102BH mark a significant advance in integrated gate driver technology. By offering robust 600V driving capacity, essential protection features, and the option for fully integrated bootstrap diodes (102BH), these devices provide a strong mix of performance, efficiency, simple design, and cost benefits. They enable engineers to create next-generation consumer and industrial motor-driven products that are quieter, more powerful, more energy-efficient, and more reliable than ever. Whether optimizing a high-end appliance or designing a compact power tool, the STDRIVE102 family offers a versatile and high-performance foundation for superior three-phase BLDC motor control.