A4983
DMOS Microstepping Driver with Translator
It is critical that the maximum rating (0.5 V) on the SENSE1 and
SENSE2 pins is not exceeded.
Fixed Off-Time. The internal PWM current control circuitry
uses a one-shot circuit to control the duration of time that the
DMOS FETs remain off. The one shot off-time, tOFF, is deter-
mined by the selection of an external resistor connected from the
ROSC timing pin to ground. If the ROSC pin is tied to an external
voltage > 3 V, then tOFF defaults to 30 μs. The ROSC pin can be
safely connected to the VDD pin for this purpose. The value of
tOFF (μs) is approximately
tOFF ≈ ROSC ⁄ 825
Blanking. This function blanks the output of the current sense
comparators when the outputs are switched by the internal current
control circuitry. The comparator outputs are blanked to prevent
false overcurrent detection due to reverse recovery currents of the
clamp diodes, and switching transients related to the capacitance
of the load. The blank time, tBLANK (μs), is approximately
tBLANK ≈ 1 μs
Charge Pump (CP1 and CP2). The charge pump is used to
generate a gate supply greater than that of VBB for driving the
source-side FET gates. A 0.1 μF ceramic capacitor, should be
connected between CP1 and CP2. In addition, a 0.1 μF ceramic
capacitor is required between VCP and VBB, to act as a reservoir
for operating the high-side FET gates.
Shutdown. In the event of a fault, overtemperature (excess TJ)
or an undervoltage (on VCP), the FET outputs of the A4983 are
disabled until the fault condition is removed. At power-on, the
UVLO (undervoltage lockout) circuit disables the FET outputs
and resets the translator to the Home state.
Sleep Mode (SLEEP). To minimize power consumption when
the motor is not in use, this input disables much of the internal
circuitry including the output FETs, current regulator, and charge
pump. A logic low on the SLEEP pin puts the A4983 into Sleep
mode. A logic high allows normal operation, as well as start-up
(at which time the A4983 drives the motor to the Home microstep
position). When emerging from Sleep mode, in order to allow the
charge pump to stabilize, provide a delay of 1 ms before issuing a
Step command.
If the SLEEP pin is pulled up to VDD, it is good practice to use
a high value pull-up resistor in order to limit current to the pin,
should an overvoltage event occur.
Mixed Decay Operation. The bridge can operate in Mixed
Decay mode, depending on the step sequence, as shown in figures
3 through 6. As the trip point is reached, the A4983 initially goes
into a fast decay mode for 31.25% of the off-time. tOFF. After that,
it switches to Slow Decay mode for the remainder of tOFF. A tim-
ing dagram for this feature appears on the next page.
VREG (VREG). This internally-generated voltage is used
to operate the sink-side FET outputs. The VREG pin must be
decoupled with a 0.22 μF ceramic capacitor to ground. VREG
is internally monitored. In the case of a fault condition, the FET
outputs of the A4983 are disabled.
Enable Input (ENABLE). This input turns on or off all of the
FET outputs. When set to a logic high, the outputs are disabled.
When set to a logic low, the internal control enables the outputs as
required. The translator inputs STEP, DIR, MS1, MS2, and MS3,
as well as the internal sequencing logic, all remain active, indepen-
dent of the ENABLE input state.
Synchronous Rectification. When a PWM-off cycle is
triggered by an internal fixed–off-time cycle, load current recir-
culates according to the decay mode selected by the control logic.
This synchronous rectification feature turns on the appropriate
FETs during current decay, and effectively shorts out the body
diodes with the low FET RDS(ON). This reduces power dissipation
significantly, and can eliminate the need for external Schottky
diodes in many applications. Synchronous rectification turns off
when the load current approaches zero (0 A), preventing reversal
of the load current. A timing dagram for this feature appears on
the next page.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
8
115 Northeast Cutoff, Box 15036
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 (508) 853-5000
www.allegromicro.com