Fairchild Semiconductor's China-based Global Power ResourceSM Center (GPRC) has developed a reference design for Brushless DC (BLDC) motor controller applications using SPM® smart power modules, and incorporating Power Factor Correction (PFC), to enable designers to simplify design, reduce Bill of Material (BOM) costs and develop rapid prototypes.
Reference design RD-401 supports inclusion of the FCM8531 3-phase PMSM/BLDC controller, the FSB50550A smart power module, the FAN6961 Boundary Mode PFC Controller, and the FSL306LRN Green Mode Fairchild Buck Switch in design of PMSM motor drive solution up to 200W.
Key features of the solution include:
- Total solution for PMSM motor drive
- High PF Low THD
- Wide Vin range: 90-265VAC
- PFC On/Off selectable
- Each functional block can be evaluated independently
- Demo program pre-programmed
- Rich protection on each circuit block
Reference design RD-401 can be found on the Fairchild website at: http://www.fairchildsemi.com/support/referencedesign/docs/RD-401.pdf
RD-401 successfully addresses these challenges designers face when transitioning to BLDC designs by optimizing the PCB layout, the current sampling circuits, and the current sampling algorithm. The use of the FCM8531 controller in this solution allows a variety of reference designs, together with an integrated development environment - the Motor Control Development System (MCDS) - which incorporates three drive modes. Using these tools, developers and design engineers can quickly implement a motor drive design and promptly assess the results.
Additionally, the new reference design incorporates a Power Factor Correction (PFC) block, with the aim of improving power transmission efficiency. In addition the PFC module acts as the voltage pre-regulator. It is able to convert a broad input voltage range of 90-264VAC to 400VDC and below. This allows the power device and motor to have a small current rating, while outputting at a higher power.
