Toshiba sampling new high-definition microstepping motor driver

Toshiba Electronics Europe (“Toshiba”) has announced a new 50V / 5A rated bipolar stepping motor driver that supports 1/128 microstepping. The new TB67S128FTG meets the often conflicting requirements of high speed, high performance and reduced power consumption making it ideal for a variety of modern applications including 3D printers, office equipment, cash dispensers, amusement machines and home appliances.

At the heart of the new device is Toshiba’s Active Gain Control (AGC) that optimizes the drive current to suit the required torque, thereby preventing stalling and realizing power savings. Popular in office applications where high accuracy and quiet operation are critical, the TB67S128FTG reduces noise and vibration by delivering 128 microstepping, compared to the 32 steps of other drive ICs. It also incorporates Selectable Mixed Delay (SMD) – a current adjustment function that selects the best SMD configuration and optimizes the drive current to suit the motor.

Toshiba’s original current detection technology, Advanced Current Detection System (ACDS) allows the control of motor current without requiring an external current detection resistor, thereby reducing the space required for layout, and the BoM cost.

Higher torque operation is enabled by the high current drive (50V / 5A) while the low on-resistance (0.25Ω) reduces heat generation. The device also incorporates a number of protection functions including thermal shutdown, overcurrent protection and an open detection function that detects motor disconnection. In the event of a fault being detected, error flags are set, ensuring equipment safety.