According to the global market research firm Market Size and Trends, the global motor control IC market is expected to reach $10.2 billion (about 14 trillion won) by 2030. The high average annual growth rate of 7.8% is attributed to high industrial demand in emerging economies, increased demand for industrial automation, drones and robots, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in motor control systems.

MarketSize&Trends forecasts that the demand for advanced motor control ICs will experience significant growth over the next few years as industries prefer efficient, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.

Meanwhile, traditional analog IC manufacturers are continuously introducing new motor driver products and solutions in line with the motor control trends demanded by the market.

■ ST, DC motor driver launched...BOM cost reduction
STMicroelectronics (ST) has expanded its portfolio of automotive motor solutions with the introduction of the VNH9030AQ integrated full-bridge DC motor driver that supports a wide range of automotive applications, including functional safety applications.

With an RDS(on) of 30mΩ for each half-bridge leg, the chip is suitable for low- to mid-power DC motor drive applications such as door control modules, washer pumps, power lift gates, power trunks, and seat adjusters.

Non-dissipative integrated current sensing circuitry monitors the current flowing through the device to identify each motor phase and reduce the number of external components. It is reported to have the advantage of reducing standby power consumption, and it is emphasized that it is suitable for zone controllers based on low standby power consumption.

The VNH9030AQ integrates high-side and low-side MOSFETs with gate drivers, diagnostic functions, and protection against overvoltage transients, undervoltage, short-circuit conditions, and cross-conduction. The MOSFETs can be flexibly configured in parallel or series, making it suitable for system requirements that include multiple motors.

■ Combination of ADI Trinamic motor control and AI technology
Recent combinations of AI technology and motor control have enabled real-time feedback and analysis data, enabling more efficient control.

The ADI Trinamic TMC2209 driver integrates with AI systems via a UART interface to provide real-time feedback. AI-based systems utilizing this can analyze motor performance data for efficient control.

In semiconductor manufacturing processes, high-performance drivers such as the TMC5160 are used to improve the precision of wafer transfer systems. Trinamic’s microstep technology increases motor resolution to achieve nanometer-level precision control.

In industrial automation, Trinamic's StealthChop technology optimizes PWM chopper algorithms to significantly reduce noise when driving stepper motors, reduce motor vibration, and improve processing precision. Additionally, it improves energy efficiency and minimizes heat generation by supplying only the current required by the motor, which extends the life of the control system and contributes to improved stability.

△Industrial robots △3D printers △Camera gimbals △Smart home devices, etc. In various application fields, Trinamic technology contributes to △maintaining operation precision △reducing power consumption.

■ Infineon Launches Automotive Motor Control IC
Late last year, Infineon launched its new MOTIX™ TLE9189 gate driver IC for automotive 12 V brushless DC (BLDC) motor applications, providing both safety and efficiency in by-wire solutions including braking systems and electric power steering.

It is also AEC Q100 Grade 0 and ISO 26262 (ASIL D) qualified and is available in two packages: TQFP-48 (9x9mm²) and VQFN-48 (7x7mm²). It is designed for 12V vehicle battery systems with a supply voltage range of 4.2V to 36V and offers high flexibility and granularity by applying a motor control concept including PWM input and integrated current sense amplifier, and various monitoring and diagnostic functions are integrated.

“The TLE9189 is the fourth generation of our automotive 3-phase smart gate driver IC, which offers enhanced functionality for intelligent motor control,” said Andreas Dohl, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Infineon’s Smart Power Division. “It delivers high reliability and safety that meet our customers’ demands for by-wire solutions.”

■ Mouser-NXP Publish Advanced Motor Control Technology E-Book
Mouser, in collaboration with NXP, recently released a new eBook highlighting advanced motor control technologies for electric and industrial applications. It contains various perspectives from experts on the acceleration of system electrification and emphasizes the importance of motor control systems, which are essential for maximizing the performance of electric vehicles (EVs).

Titled 11 Experts Discuss Advanced Motor Control for Modern Electric Vehicles, the e-book features contributions from NXP and automotive engineers, introducing how motor control systems impact vehicle performance and how NXP Semiconductors can help.

△S32K3 32-bit MCU optimized for automotive body electrical systems, battery management, and zone controllers △S32M2 12V motor control solution integrating high-voltage analog functions, communication interfaces, and MCU into a single compact SiP were covered.