Allegro introduces a new low voltage bipolar stepper or dual DC motor driver IC

     Allegro announced the introduction of a new low voltage bipolar stepper or dual DC motor driver IC. The A3916 device is designed for pulse width modulation (PWM) control of low-voltage stepper motors or dual DC motors, with output current up to 1A per channel and operating voltage range from 2.7 to 15V. Allegro's new motor driver IC is targeted at office and industrial automation, retail locations, 3D printing, medical, closed-circuit television, the toy market, and other applications using single lithium-ion or 3AA batteries.

     The A3916 integrates all motor control functions, including the control of the peak current in the motor winding via PWM fixed turn-off time, which is determined by the resistance value of the external current detection resistor. Single power supply eliminates the need for an external LDO, and the integrated charge pump requires only one external capacitor. The diagnostic output signal output is low effective, and can notify the user of the occurrence of protection events such as overtemperature and overcurrent.

     The A3916 is available in two package options, a flat 3×3mm, 16-pin QFN package (suffix ES) and an alternative pin-compatible flat 4×4mm, 20-pin QFN package (suffix ES, -1), both with exposed PGND pins for enhanced heat dissipation.