Texas Instruments' 38v, three-phase, smart gate driver features three current shunt amplifiers

     The Texas Instruments DRV8304 device is an integrated grid driver for three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor applications on 12v and 24v DC tracks. These applications include field oriented control (FOC), sinusoidal current control, and trapezoidal current control brushless DC motors. The device integrates three electrofluidometer amplifiers (Csas) for sensing phase current from brushless DC motors for optimal FOC and current control systems. Automatic calibration function automatically calibrates CSA offset errors for accurate current induction.

     The device is based on an intelligent gate driven (SGD) architecture that eliminates the need for any external gate components, such as resistors and Zener diodes, while fully protecting the external field effect tube. The SGD architecture optimizes dead-time to avoid any exit conditions, provides flexibility to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) through gate turn-rate control, and protects any gate short conditions through V(GS) handshaking and dead-time insertion. The strong pull-down current also prevents any dv/dt gates from opening.

     Various PWM control modes (1x, 3x, 6x, and independent) support simple interface control circuits that can be powered by a 30 mA, 3.3V internal regulator. These modes reduce the number of output peripherals of the controller to meet specific motor control requirements and provide flexible control. The device also has 1x mode for sensor trapezoidal control of the brushless DC motor through an internal block reversing table. This device can also be configured to drive multiple loads, such as solenoids, in standalone mode.