ALLEGRO A4938

A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
Features and Benefits
Description
▪ Drives 6 N-channel MOSFETs
▪ Synchronous rectification for low power dissipation
▪ Internal UVLO and thermal shutdown circuitry
▪ Hall element inputs
▪ PWM current limiting
▪ Dead time protection
▪ FG outputs
▪ Standby mode
▪ Lock detect protection
▪ Overvoltage protection
The A4938 is a complete 3-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor
pre-driver, supplying direct, high-current gate drive of an all
N-channel power MOSFET 3-phase bridge. The device has
three Hall-element inputs, a sequencer for commutation control,
fixed off-time pulse width modulation (PWM) current control,
and locked-rotor detection.
Output current is scaled by the capability of the external
MOSFETs. Locked rotor detection delay is set by an external
capacitor on the CLD terminal. The ENABLE, DIR, and
BRAKEZ inputs can be used to control motor speed, position,
and torque. Motor speed can be determined using the FG1
output.
Package: 28-contact QFN (ET package)
The external MOSFETS can be PWMed using an external
signal on the PWM input, or using the internal PWM current
regulator. In either case, the A4938 synchronous rectification
feature reduces power dissipation by turning on the appropriate
MOSFETs during current decay.
The Hall elements can be inexpensive types, when used with
noise filtering to prevent false commutation signals. The
A4938 provides a regulated 5.0 V supply to power the three
Hall elements. Internal circuit protection includes thermal
Approximate Scale 1:1
Continued on the next page…
Typical Application
0.1 μF
0.1 μF
0.1 μF 2 kΩ
CLD HBIAS
CP1
CP2 VCP VBB
VIN
GHA
SA
GLA
M
OVP
VIN
System
Control
Logic
A4938
FG
BRAKEZ
ENABLE
DIR
GHB
SB
GLB
GHC
SC
GLC
SENSE
GND HA+ HA– HB+ HB– HC+ HC–
A4938-DS
0.1 μF
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
Description (continued)
shutdown with hysteresis, undervoltage lockout, and dead time
protection. Special power-up sequencing is not required. Operating
temperature range is –40°C to 85°C.
The A4938 is supplied in a 5 mm × 5 mm, 28-terminal QFN package
with exposed thermal pad. This small footprint package is lead (Pb)
free with 100% matte tin leadframe plating.
Selection Guide
Part Number
A4938EETTR-T
Packing
Package
1500 pieces per reel
5 mm x 5 mm, 0.90 mm nominal height QFN
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Characteristics
Load Supply Voltage
Symbol
Notes
VBB
Motor Phase Output
SX
tw < 500 ns
Hall Input
VHx
DC
Logic Input Voltage Range
VIN
Unit
38
V
–3
V
–0.3 to 7
V
–0.3 to 7
V
Operating Ambient Temperature
TA
–40 to 85
ºC
Maximum Junction Temperature
TJ(max)
150
ºC
Tstg
–40 to 150
ºC
Storage Temperature
Range E
Rating
Thermal Characteristics
Characteristics
Symbol
Package Thermal Resistance, Junction
RθJA
to Ambient
Package Thermal Resistance, Junction
RθJP
to Exposed Pad
*For additional information, refer to the Allegro website.
Test Conditions*
4-layer PCB based on JEDEC standard
Rating
Unit
32
ºC/W
2
ºC/W
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
2
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
Functional Block Diagram
0.1 μF
CLD
Lock
Detect
CP1
CP2
0.1 μF
FG1
VCP
Charge Pump
0.1 μF
HBIAS
2 kΩ
0.1 μF
VBB
VREG
HA+
VIN
HALL
OVP
HA-
HB+
HALL
VCP
Communication
Logic
VREG
GHA
SA
HB-
GHB
SB
GLB
Gate
Drive
HC+
HALL
HCVREG
GHC
SC
GLC
Control
Logic
FG1
GLA
BRAKEZ
System
Logic
VREG
DIR
RSENSE
SENSE
200 mV
ENABLE
OVP
VIN
GND
Terminal List
Number
Name
1
HA+
2
HA -
3
4
5
6
Description
Number
Name
Description
Hall input A
15
GLB
Low side gate drive B
Hall input A
16
GLA
Low side gate drive A
HB+
Hall input B
17
GHC
High side gate drive C
HB -
Hall input B
18
SC
HC+
Hall input C
19
GHB
HC-
Hall input C
20
SB
7
GND
Ground
21
GHA
8
HBIAS
Hall bias power supply output
22
SA
9
CP1
Charge pump capacitor terminal
23
FG1
10
CP2
Charge pump capacitor terminal
24
OVP
Logic input – OVP selection
11
VBB
Supply voltage
25
CLD
Locked rotor detect timing capacitor
12
VCP
Reservoir capacitor terminal
26
DIR
13
SENSE
Sense resistor connection
27
ENABLE
Logic input – external PWM control
14
GLC
Low side gate drive C
28
BRAKEZ
Logic input – motor brake (active low)
High side source connection C
High side gate drive B
High side source connection B
High side gate drive A
High side source connection A
FG 1 output
Logic input – motor direction
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
3
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS* Valid at TA= 25°C, VBB = 24 V, unless noted otherwise
Characteristics
Symbol
Supply Voltage Range
VBB
Motor Supply Current
IBB
Test Conditions
Operating
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
8.5
–
30
V
fPWM < 30 kHz, CLOAD = 1000 pF
–
5
6
mA
Charge pump on, outputs disabled, Standby mode
–
2.4
3.2
mA
HBIAS
VHBIAS
4.7
5.0
5.3
V
HBIAS Current Limit
IHBIASlim
0 mA ≤ IHBIAS ≤ 24 mA
35
–
–
mA
VIN(1)
2
–
–
V
VIN(0)
–
–
0.8
V
OVP pin pull-up to HBIAS
–
100
–
kΩ
ENABLE, BRAKEZ, DIR pins pull-up to HBIAS
–
50
–
kΩ
Control Logic
Logic Input Voltage
Logic Input Pull-Up
RIN(PU)
Input Pin Glitch Reject
tGLITCH
ENABLE Standby Pulse Propagation
Delay
tdENABLE
ENABLE pin
350
500
650
ns
DIR, BRAKEZ pins
700
1000
1300
ns
To outputs off
2.1
3
3.9
ms
tdHBIAS
CHBIAS = 0.1 μF
–
15
25
μs
High-Side Gate Drive Output
VGS(H)
Relative to VBB, IGATE = 2 mA
7
–
–
V
Low-Side Gate Drive Output
VGS(L)
IGATE = 2 mA
4.5
–
–
V
GH = GL = 4 V
20
30
–
mA
HBIAS Wake-up Delay, Standby Mode
Gate Drive
Gate Drive Current (Sourcing)
IGate
Gate Drive Pull Down Resistance
RGate
10
28
40
Ω
Dead Time
tdead
700
1000
1300
ns
Current Limit Input Threshold
VREF
180
200
220
mV
Fixed Off-Time
tOFF
18
25
37
μs
TJTSD
155
170
185
°C
Protection
Thermal Shutdown Temperature
Thermal Shutdown Hysteresis
TJTSDhys
VBB UVLO Enable Threshold
VBBUV
VBB UVLO Hysteresis
VCP UVLO
Lock Detect Duration
–
20
–
°C
6.20
7
7.85
V
0.4
0.75
1
V
Relative to VBB
4.6
–
6
V
C = 0.1 μF
1.5
2
2.5
s
OVP = GND, VBB rising
15.5
16
16.5
V
OVP = open, VBB rising
28.5
29
29.5
V
–
2
–
V
Rising VBB
VBBUVhys
VCPUV
tlock
VBB Overvoltage Threshold
VBBOV
VBB Overvoltage Hysteresis
VOVOhys
Continued on the next page...
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
4
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS* (continued) Valid at TA= 25°C, VBB = 24 V, unless noted otherwise
Characteristics
Symbol
Test Conditions
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Hall Logic
Hall Input Current
IHALL
Common Mode Input Range
VCMR
AC Input Voltage Range
VHALL
Hall Thresholds
Vth
Hall Threshold Hysteresis
VHYS
Pulse Reject Filter
tpulse
VIN = 0.2 to 3.5 V
–1
0
1
μA
0.2
–
2.0
V
60
–
–
mVp-p
Difference between Hall inputs at transitions
–
+10,–10
–
mV
TJ = 25°C
10
20
30
mV
TJ = –40°C to 125°C
5
20
40
mV
–
2
–
μs
FG
FG Output Saturation Voltage
FG Leakage Current
VFG(sat)
IFG = 2 mA
–
–
0.5
V
IFGlkg
VFG = 5 V
–
–
1
μA
*Typical data are for initial design estimations only, and assume optimum manufacturing and application conditions. Performance may vary for
individual units, within the specified maximum and minimum limits.
For input and output current specifications, negative current is defined as coming out of (sourcing) the specified device pin.
Specifications throughout the allowed operating temperature range are guaranteed by design and characterization.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
5
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
Logic States Table (See timing charts, below) X = Don’t Care (can be 1 or 0), Z = high impedance
Inputs
Condition
HA
HB
HC
DIR
BRAKEZ
ENABLE
+
–
+
1
1
0
A
Forward
Reverse
Chop
Resulting Pre-Driver Outputs
GHA GLA GHB GLB GHC GLC
HI
LO
LO
HI
LO
A
B
C
LO
HI
LO
Z
B
+
–
–
1
1
0
HI
LO
LO
LO
LO
HI
HI
Z
LO
C
+
+
–
1
1
0
LO
LO
HI
LO
LO
HI
Z
HI
LO
D
–
+
–
1
1
0
LO
HI
HI
LO
LO
LO
LO
HI
Z
E
–
+
+
1
1
0
LO
HI
LO
LO
HI
LO
LO
Z
HI
F
–
–
+
1
1
0
LO
LO
LO
HI
HI
LO
Z
LO
HI
A
+
–
+
0
1
0
LO
HI
HI
LO
LO
LO
LO
HI
Z
F
+
–
–
0
1
0
LO
HI
LO
LO
HI
LO
LO
Z
HI
E
+
+
–
0
1
0
LO
LO
LO
HI
HI
LO
Z
LO
HI
D
–
+
–
0
1
0
HI
LO
LO
HI
LO
LO
HI
LO
Z
C
–
+
+
0
1
0
HI
LO
LO
LO
LO
HI
HI
Z
LO
B
–
–
+
0
1
0
LO
LO
HI
LO
LO
HI
Z
HI
LO
A
+
–
+
X
1
If 1 for <3 ms
LO
HI
LO
HI
LO
LO
LO
LO
Z
F
+
–
–
X
1
If 1 for <3 ms
LO
HI
LO
LO
LO
HI
LO
Z
LO
E
+
+
–
X
1
If 1 for <3 ms
LO
LO
LO
HI
LO
HI
Z
LO
LO
D
–
+
–
X
1
If 1 for <3 ms
LO
HI
LO
HI
LO
LO
LO
LO
Z
C
–
+
+
X
1
If 1 for <3 ms
LO
HI
LO
LO
LO
HI
LO
Z
LO
B
Fault
–
–
+
X
1
If 1 for <3 ms
LO
LO
LO
HI
LO
HI
Z
LO
LO
–
–
–
X
X
X
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
Z
Z
Z
+
+
+
X
X
X
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
Z
Z
Z
LO
HI
LO
HI
LO
HI
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
LO
Z
Z
Z
Brake
X
X
X
X
0
If 0, or if 1
for < 3 ms
Standby
X
X
X
X
X
If 1 for >3 ms
DIR = 1 = Forward
A
Motor Output
B
C
D
DIR = 0 = Reverse
E
A
F
HA
HA
HB
HB
HC
HC
FG1
FG1
SA
SA
SB
SB
SC
SC
F
E
D
C
B
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
6
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
Power-up and Standby Modes Timing Diagram
VBB
VBBUV
Charge
Pump
HBIAS
Voltage
tdENABLE 3 ms
Standby Mode
Turn off Hall
Bias Supply
ENABLE
Outputs Enabled
Outputs Disabled
Outputs Enabled
Power-up and Standby Modes Timing Diagram
VBB
VBBUV
VBB+7.5 V
VCPUV
Charge
Pump
7.5 V
VHBIAS
HBIAS
Voltage
ENABLE
PWM
Outputs Enabled
Outputs Disabled
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
7
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
Functional Description
Current Regulation Load current is regulated by an internal
fixed off-time PWM control circuit. When the outputs of the full
bridge are turned on, current increases in the motor winding until
it reaches a value, ITRIP , given by:
ITRIP = 200 mV / RSENSE
provide the blanking function. The blanking timer is reset when
ENABLE is chopped or DIR is changed. For external PWM
control, a DIR change or an ENABLE on triggers the blanking
function. The duration is fixed at 1.5 μs.
Synchronous Rectification When a PWM-off cycle is
.
When ITRIP is reached, the sense comparator resets the source
enable latch, turning off the source driver. At this point, load
inductance causes the current to recirculate for the fixed off-time
period.
Enable Logic The ENABLE pin allows external PWM.
ENABLE low turns on the selected sink-source pair. ENABLE
high switches off the appropriate drivers and the load current decays. If ENABLE is held low, the current will rise until
it reaches the level set by the internal current control circuit.
Typically PWM frequency is in the 20 to 30 kHz range. If the
ENABLE high pulse width exceeds 3 ms, the gate outputs are
disabled. The Enable logic is summarized in the following table:
ENABLE Pin
Outputs
Outputs State
0
On
Drive
1
Source chopped
Slow decay with
synchronous
rectification
1 for > 3 ms typical
Off
Disable
Fixed Off-Time The A4938 fixed off-time is set to 25 μs
nominal.
PWM Blank Timer When a source driver turns on, a current
spike occurs due to the reverse recovery currents of the clamp
diodes and/or switching transients related to distributed capacitance in the load. To prevent this current spike from erroneously resetting the source Enable latch, the sense comparator is
blanked. The blanking timer runs after the off-time counter, to
triggered, either by an ENABLE chop command or by an internal
fixed off-time cycle, load current recirculates. The A4938 synchronous rectification feature turns on the appropriate MOSFETs
during the current decay, and effectively shorts out the body
diodes with the low RDS(on) driver. This lowers power dissipation
significantly and can eliminate the need for external Schottky
diodes.
Brake Mode A logic low on the BRAKEZ pin activates Brake
mode. A logic high allows normal operation. Braking turns on all
three sink drivers, effectively shorting out the motor-generated
BEMF. The BRAKEZ input overrides the ENABLE input and
also the Lock Detect function.
It is important to note that the internal PWM current control circuit does not limit the current when braking, because the current
does not flow through the sense resistor. The maximum current
can be approximated by VBEMF / RLOAD. Care should be taken to
insure that the maximum ratings of the A4938 are not exceeded
in the worse case braking situation: high speed and high inertial
load.
HBIAS Function This function provides a power supply of
5.0 V, current-limited to 35 mA. This reference voltage is used
to power the logic sections of the A4938 and also to power the
external Hall elements.
Standby Mode To prevent excessive power dissipation due
to the current draw of the external Hall elements, Standby mode
turns off the HBIAS output voltage. Standby mode is triggered by
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
8
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
holding ENABLE high for longer than 3 ms. Note that the state
Lock Detect Function The IC will evaluate a locked rotor
of BRAKEZ does not affect Standby mode.
condition under either of these two different conditions:
Charge Pump The internal charge pump is used to generate a
• The FG1 signal is not consistently changing.
supply above VBB to drive the high-side MOSFETs. The voltage
• The proper commutation sequence is not being followed. The
motor can be locked in a condition in which it toggles between
two specific Hall device states.
on the VCP pin is internally monitored, and in the case of a fault
condition, the outputs of the device are disabled.
Fault Shutdown In the event of a fault due to excessive
junction temperature, or due to low voltage on VCP or VBB,
the outputs of the device are disabled until the fault condition is
removed. At power-up the UVLO circuit disables the drivers.
Overvoltage Protection VBB is monitored to determine if
a hazardous voltage is present due to the motor generator pumping-up the supply bus. When the voltage exceeds VBBOV , the
synchronous rectification feature is disabled. Connecting OVP to
Both of these fault conditions are allowed to persist for a period
of time, tlock. The value of tlock is set by capacitor connected to
the CLD pin. CLD produces a triangle waveform (1.67 V peak-topeak) with a frequency linearly related to the capacitor value. tlock
is defined as 127 cycles of this triangle waveform, or:
tlock = CLD × 20 s/μF
After the wait time, tlock , has expired, the outputs are disabled,
and the fault is latched.
GND sets VBBOV to 16 V typically, and leaving OVP open sets
These fault conditions are latched and can only be cleared by any
one of the following actions:
VBBOV to 29 V typically.
• Rising or falling edge on the DIR pin
Overtemperature Protection If die temperature exceeds
• VBB UVLO threshold exceeded (during power-up cycle)
approximately 170°C, the Thermal Shutdown function will dis-
• ENABLE pin held high for > tlock / 2
able the outputs until the internal temperature falls below the
threshold hysteresis.
Hall State Reporting The FG1 pin is an open drain output
that changes state at each transition of an external Hall element.
The Lock Detect function can be disabled by connecting CLD to
GND.
When the A4938 is in Brake mode, the Lock Detect counter is
disabled.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
9
A4938
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver
ET Package, 28-Contact QFN
0.30
5.00 ±0.15
1.15
28
1
2
0.50
28
1
A
5.00 ±0.15
3.15
4.80
3.15
29X
D
SEATING
PLANE
0.08 C
C
4.80
C
+0.05
0.25 –0.07
PCB Layout Reference View
0.90 ±0.10
0.50
For Reference Only
(reference JEDEC MO-220VHHD-1)
Dimensions in millimeters
Exact case and lead configuration at supplier discretion within limits shown
+0.20
0.55 –0.10
A Terminal #1 mark area
B
3.15
2
1
28
3.15
B Exposed thermal pad (reference only, terminal #1
identifier appearance at supplier discretion)
C Reference land pattern layout (reference IPC7351
QFN50P500X500X100-29V1M);
All pads a minimum of 0.20 mm from all adjacent pads; adjust as
necessary to meet application process requirements and PCB layout
tolerances; when mounting on a multilayer PCB, thermal vias at the
exposed thermal pad land can improve thermal dissipation (reference
EIA/JEDEC Standard JESD51-5)
D Coplanarity includes exposed thermal pad and terminals
Copyright ©2010, Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. reserves the right to make, from time to time, such departures from the detail specifications as may be required to permit improvements in the performance, reliability, or manufacturability of its products. Before placing an order, the user is cautioned to verify that the
information being relied upon is current.
Allegro’s products are not to be used in life support devices or systems, if a failure of an Allegro product can reasonably be expected to cause the
failure of that life support device or system, or to affect the safety or effectiveness of that device or system.
The information included herein is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. assumes no responsibility for its use;
nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use.
For the latest version of this document, visit our website:
www.allegromicro.com
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
10