Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has initiated volume shipments of its SmartMCD Series gate driver ICs, featuring an embedded microcontroller (MCU). This launch signals a significant advancement in automotive motor control technology, aimed at enhancing efficiency and performance in various automotive applications.
The flagship product, named “TB9M003FG,” is specifically tailored for sensorless control of three-phase brushless DC motors commonly found in automotive systems such as water pumps, oil pumps, fans, and blowers. By integrating a microcontroller (Arm Cortex-M0), flash memory, power control functions, and communication interface functions into a single gate driver, Toshiba aims to streamline system designs, reduce component counts, and deliver advanced motor control capabilities.
The TB9M003FG gate driver IC incorporates Toshiba’s proprietary vector engine and hardware for sensorless sinewave control, effectively reducing the load on the microcontroller and optimizing software requirements. This integration not only enhances motor control precision but also contributes to overall system efficiency and reliability.
A reference design titled “Motor Driving Circuit for Automotive Body Electronics Using SmartMCD” is now available on Toshiba’s official website, offering practical implementation guidance for engineers and developers seeking to leverage the capabilities of the TB9M003FG in automotive applications.
With the electric vehicle (xEV) market witnessing rapid growth and the increasing demand for quieter and more efficient motors, Toshiba’s SmartMCD Series gate driver ICs come at a crucial juncture. By integrating a microcontroller directly into the gate driver, Toshiba addresses the industry’s need for downsized electronic control units (ECUs) and quieter motor operations, all while delivering advanced motor control capabilities through vector control.
Key features of the TB9M003FG include its sensorless control capability for three-phase brushless DC motors, built-in charge pump circuit, 32-bit MCU operation at 40MHz, and various built-in memories for storage. Additionally, the product is AEC-Q100 (Grade 0) certified, ensuring its reliability and suitability for automotive applications.
Toshiba’s SmartMCD Series gate driver ICs represent a significant step forward in automotive motor control technology. By combining advanced microcontroller capabilities with power control functions, Toshiba aims to empower automotive manufacturers to achieve greater efficiency, reliability, and performance in their vehicles.
