Allegro MicroSystems has announced a new integrated bipolar stepper motor driver IC with built-in translator for easy operation. Allegro's A5984 is designed to operate bipolar stepper motors from full-step up to 1/32 step modes that are selectable by MSx logic inputs. This new device has an output drive capacity of up to 40 V and ±2 A and operates with a single supply. It is targeted at the office and industrial automation markets with key applications to include: automatic teller machines, point of sale and laser printers, 3D printers, copiers, CCTV, cameras, sewing machines, vending, and robotics.
Allegro's A5984 motor driver IC introduces a proprietary Adaptive Percent Fast Decay (APFD) algorithm to optimize the current waveform over a wide range of stepper speeds and stepper motor characteristics. APFD adjusts, on-the-fly, the amount of fast decay with the goal of maintaining current regulation while minimizing current ripple.
This adaptive feature improves performance of the system resulting in reduced audible motor noise, reduced vibration, and increased step accuracy. The translator is the key to the easy implementation of the A5984. Simply inputting one pulse on the STEP input drives the motor one microstep. There are no phase sequence tables, high frequency control lines, or complex interfaces to program. The A5984 interface is an ideal fit for applications where a complex microprocessor is unavailable or is overburdened.