Naxin Micro releases new automotive-grade programmable stepper motor driver NSD8381-Q1

December 15, 2023, Shanghai - With the rapid popularization of intelligent new energy vehicles, a series of high-end configurations such as adaptive headlights, centralized thermal management systems, and HUD head-up displays are gradually becoming industry standards. This trend has also led to a rapid increase in demand for stepper drivers from the automotive supply chain and OEMs. In response to the needs of such applications, Naxinwei has launched the new NSD8381-Q1 automotive-grade programmable stepper motor driver. This product is designed for headlight stepping control, head-up display position adjustment motors, HVAC damper motors, and drive control of various valves, with excellent performance and stability.

Naxin Micro launches new automotive-grade programmable stepper motor driver NSD8381-Q1

NSD8381-Q1 product features:

 Wide operating voltage: 4.5V – 36V (maximum 40V)

 Current up to 1.35A, on-resistance (HS+LS): 1.2 Ω

 Multiple programmable subdivision modes, up to 32 subdivision modes

 Four programmable decay modes

 Programmable input IO port for direct control of step clock/direction/hold, or direct half-bridge control

 Built-in current sensor and PWM controller, 16 levels (4 bits) of motor running current and holding current configuration

 Support PWM frequency jitter for EMC performance optimization

 Support output stage slew rate and dead time configuration

 24-bit, 4Mhz SPI communication

 Ultra-low power sleep mode

 Integrated back EMF detection enables non-sensing stall and stall detection

 Support bus undervoltage lockout (VSUV), overcurrent protection (OCP), temperature alarm (OTW/UTW) and overtemperature protection (OTSD)

 Support open circuit diagnosis and protection of output load

 Operating temperature: -40°C~125°C

 Package: VQFN40, VQFN32

 AEC-Q100 certified

NSD8381-Q1 Functional Block Diagram

The NSD8381-Q1 is an automotive-grade, highly integrated two-phase bipolar stepper motor driver with features such as programmable microstep mode, programmable decay mode, integrated ADC, PWM frequency swing, inductive stall detection, integrated serial peripheral interface (SPI), overtemperature alarm and shutdown.

Fine and smooth stepper motor control

To address the fine and smooth operation and EMC issues of stepper motors, NSD8381-Q1 optimizes the subdivision mode, decay mode, current loop control, PWM frequency adjustment, drive-level switching rate adjustment and other aspects, making the motor run smoothly and positioning accurately while optimizing EMC performance.

NSD8381-Q1 supports programmable multi-stepping mode, up to 32-step micro-stepping mode; supports 4 programmable decay modes (automatic mixed decay mode 1, automatic mixed decay mode 2, slow decay mode, mixed decay mode), and can freely match fast/slow/mixed decay mode in the current rise and fall cycle. Built-in current detection, no need to add external sampling detection resistor. 16-speed (4-bit) current configuration, can control the hold and run time current separately. Support PWM frequency jitter, slew rate adjustment, optimize the EMC performance of the motor.

NSD8381-Q1 motor current waveform in different subdivision modes

Fully independent 4-way half-bridge control

NSD8381-Q1 supports configuration as 4 independent half-bridge drivers, so it can drive general inductive and resistive loads, DC motors or LEDs, and is more flexible to adapt to different load conditions.

NSD8381-Q1 driving stepper motor and 2 DC motors application diagram

Non-inductive stall protection function

When the stepper motor is in operation, there is a specific relationship between the back EMF and the phase current, which can reflect the operation status of the stepper motor. NSD8381-Q1 has a built-in back EMF detection module for the stepper motor, which samples the motor back EMF at the current zero point in each cycle. The motor operation status is determined by comparing the back EMF voltage with the built-in threshold voltage.

When the motor is stalled, the current zero point and back EMF waveform

When the motor is running, the current zero point and back EMF waveform

Comprehensive protection features

NSD8381-Q1 integrates full-function protection support, supports bus undervoltage lockout (VSUV), overcurrent protection (OCP), temperature alarm (OTW/UTW) and overtemperature protection (OTSD), and supports open circuit diagnosis and protection of output load. All protection functions can not only be accurately read through SPI, but NSD8381-Q1 also designs output pins that can map fault outputs, allowing MCU to respond to faults more efficiently.

More compact packaging

NSD8381-Q1 is available in two packages: VQFN40 (6mm x 6mm) and VQFN32 (5mm x 5mm). The smaller size helps customers achieve higher PCBA integration and control BOM costs.

NSD8381-Q1 Series Product Selection Table

Samples of the above products are available. If you need to apply for samples, please email to sales@novosns.com.