Motor-control reference design project
Würth Elektronik and STMicroelectronics have collaborated on a demonstration project featuring a Würth power tool. This joint effort has resulted in the development of an innovative design specifically tailored for handheld power-tool applications. The design efficiently powers a low-voltage Brushless DC motor and incorporates all the essential user interfaces for controlling the motor’s trigger, speed, and direction.
At the leading international tradeshow PCIM Europe, which took place from 9 to 11 May 2023 in Nuremberg, the power tool demo was exhibited at STMicroelectronics’ and Würth Elektronik’s booths and attracted a significant number of visitors.
The demo is based on the STDES-PTOOL3A reference design, in which the Gerber files, Bill of Materials, schematics and all other reference materials are downloadable from ST.com without charge. It showcases the capabilities of ST’s STM32G4 MCU and STDRIVE101 gate driver in powering six STL220N6F7 MOSFETs that all comply with Würth Elektronik’s Ferrite Bead (WE-CBF SMT EMI Suppression Ferrite Bead 74279271) and Power Inductor (WE-LHMI SMT Power Inductor 74437368330) and the benefits they bring to each application in performance, cost, quality, and ease of implementation. The software code embedded in the STM32G4 was developed using the STM32 Motor Control software development kit (X-CUBE-MCSDK). The design shows real-world usage scenarios in battery-operated handheld power tools.
Over the past few years, STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and the passive components manufacturer Würth Elektronik, an ST Authorized Partner, have established a strong collaboration developing reference designs that leverage the best of each companies’ portfolios. By combining active components from ST with passive components from Würth Elektronik, the companies can offer ready-made turnkey or customizable solutions to customers. The synergies of the collaboration between ST and Würth Elektronik are reflected in the breadth and success of earlier joint projects, including the integration of Würth Elektronik components on a range of ST evaluation boards.
”Working with Würth Elektronik, ST has shown its capability to work with partners to extract the best performance from its product offer and to jointly develop system solutions addressing the most challenging and complex application needs,” said Ricardo De Sa Earp, Executive Vice President, General-Purpose Microcontroller Sub-Group, STMicroelectronics.
“The development of a cost-effective, high-quality reference design that forms the basis for outstanding power tools is another example of the fruitful collaboration we share with STMicroelectronics,” said Alexander Gerfer, CTO, Würth Elektronik eiSos Group.
The demo will be exhibited at other upcoming tradeshows, including the Smart Product Solutions (SPS) in Nuremberg and the SIDO in Lyon and Paris.
