Texas Instruments' DRV8304 device is an integrated gate driver for three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor applications on 12v and 24v DC rails. These applications include Field Oriented Control (FOC), sinusoidal current control, and trapezoidal current control of brushless DC motors. The device integrates three current sense amplifiers (CSAs) for sensing the phase currents of brushless DC motors for optimal FOC and current control systems. The auto-calibration function automatically calibrates the CSA offset error for accurate current sensing.
The device is based on a Smart Gate Drive (SGD) architecture that eliminates the need for any external gate components, such as resistors and Zener diodes, while fully protecting external FETs. The SGD architecture optimizes dead time to avoid any shoot-through conditions, provides flexibility to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) through gate slew rate control, and protects against any short gates through V(GS) handshaking and dead time insertion condition. The strong pull-down current also prevents any dv/dt gates from opening.
Various PWM control modes (1x, 3x, 6x, and independent) support a simple interface control circuit that can be powered by a 30 mA, 3.3 V internal regulator. These modes reduce the number of output peripherals of the controller to meet specific motor control requirements and provide flexible control. The unit also features a 1x mode with sensor trapezoidal control of brushless DC motors via an internal block commutation stage. This device can also be configured to drive multiple loads, such as solenoids, in independent mode.
