Renesas Electronics optimizes safe and energy efficient sensorless brushless DC motor control designs

Renesas Electronics announced the launch of two system-level package (SiP) solutions that expand its portfolio of motor control solutions and simplify brushless direct current (BLDC) motor control designs for wireless battery-powered applications such as power tools, drones, pumps, vacuum cleaners, robot cleaners, fans and more. The new RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 motor driver ics combine multiple functions into a single SiP solution for better low or high speed rotation and high torque control while minimizing board area and reducing costs compared to similar solutions. This provides a turnkey solution for simple, efficient and safe BLDC motor control.

The RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 are single-package motor control ics that control three-phase BLDC motors used in a wide range of battery-powered devices. The new IC integrates the RL78/G1F microcontroller (MCU) and front driver into an 8mm x 8mm QFN package. The highly integrated SiP enables customers to streamline more than 30 external components, reducing solution area by 50% and reducing control system costs.

With heat management in mind, the new IC features self-calibrating dead zone time (SADT) to prevent through-through breakdown and offers adjustable front-driver output current capacity (up to 500mA) to drive high-capacity MOSFETs, making heat dissipation design simpler. This allows the IC to drive the MOSFETs at optimal switching timing - reducing the FET switching margin time to about 1/10 compared to conventional systems, reducing heat, and enabling efficient motor drive control.

Chris Stephens, Vice President of Communications and Motor Control at Renesas Electronics Industry and Communications, said: "Wireless devices provide users with a lot of convenience, with the popularity of motor equipment, power tools are gradually getting rid of cable shackles, taking full account of size and cost constraints at the same time, there is a greater demand for motor control solutions that can provide higher output levels, long-term operation and high safety." Compared with brushed DC motors, BLDC motors are smaller, lighter, more reliable and have a longer life span, making them an effective solution to these challenges. We are excited to introduce a new sensorless motor control IC that addresses our customers' needs for enhanced control, high precision and high efficiency in a smaller package."

Renesas' new motor control IC technology has been integrated into its cord-cleaner systems by Domel, a global supplier of motors, vacuum cleaner motors, blowers and components. Peter Korowitz, President and CEO of Domel, said: "By combining Domel with Renesas technology, we are able to build complete, competitive and innovative solutions for our customers. Working together with Renesas enables us to offer our customers complete vacuum motor systems with high performance, high quality and high reliability. For example, our first joint project, a cordon vacuum cleaner with Domel's new BLDC vacuum cleaner motor and Renesas motor drive and battery management solution, has more than 300W of aerodynamic performance and can run at full speed for one hour between charges."

The RAJ306001 or RAJ306010 IC can be used in combination with Renesas analog and power products to develop comprehensive solutions for a wide range of motor control applications. The "Winning portfolio" showcases the unique capabilities of new motor control ics and the breadth and depth of Renesas' product lineup for applications such as 24V wireless stirrers and portable power tools. Adopting the successful product portfolio of the RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 will help customers further optimize their solutions in terms of cost and size that are critical to these applications.

Key features of the RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 motor control ics

● The Renesas MCU and front driver are integrated in a single 8mm x 8mm QFN package and include charge pump, linear regulator, current detection, programmable volte-swing rate control and BEMF detection circuits for sensorless operation

● Highly integrated to optimize board size and reduce BOM cost of control system

● Support 6-30V (RAJ306001) and 6-42V (RAJ306010) voltage operating range

● SADT generator allows MOSFETs to operate efficiently at lower temperatures

● Sensorless motor control enables stable operation from low speed to high speed rotation and eliminates the use of Hall ics
Integrated safety features, including IEC 60730 safety standard support, detect errors and stop motor operation if an error occurs

The new Renesas Solution Starter Kit (RSSK) enables developers to develop motor control solutions using the RAJ306010 IC. The new and easy-to-use RSSK features a complete evaluation environment, including development boards, motors and reference firmware, providing easy motor control commissioning so customers can start evaluating motor control designs immediately, performing real-time analysis and commissioning to accelerate development.