November 26, 2012, Seoul - STMicroelectronics (hereinafter ST), a global semiconductor company providing diverse electronic applications and the world's largest supplier of standard ICs for industrial applications, has launched cSPIN, the world's first advanced single-chip digital motion controller. This product enables precision motion and positioning systems used in manufacturing automation and pharmaceutical production to operate more quietly, compactly, and lightly, as well as more efficiently.

ST is already applying this cSPIN controller with several major customers in precision equipment design. These include robot systems and industrial automation, stage lighting, security cameras, camera focus devices, sewing machines, general positioning and rotation equipment, among others. cSPIN is lightweight and compact, enabling cost-effective and highly responsive product implementation compared to conventional multi-chip drive solutions. By eliminating shunt resistors, it reduces unnecessary power loss and thereby improves overall system efficiency.

cSPIN provides precise control of rotational speed, which is particularly important for applications such as repeatedly and accurately mixing liquids when handling medical samples. Because it operates smoothly and quietly in all applications, it is ideal for use in quiet environments such as laboratories or hospitals.

The cSPIN microstepping controller for two-phase stepper motors offers several technical advantages over existing products. Communication with the main system uses high-level commands through the standard Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) for peripherals. For the motor's power stage, the on-chip gate-driver circuit operates between 8V and 85V, enabling smooth application operation across a wide current range of up to 300W. ST's digital motion engine is optimized to address common issues such as resonance avoidance for smooth and quiet motor operation.

ST's cSPIN product family does not require motor control software and simplifies system design by performing all calculation, control, and interfacing functions on a single chip. Competing products require software and multiple discrete chips, so design engineers must first integrate software and discrete chips before application development. With cSPIN, projects can be started immediately using ST's evaluation board with the control IC, directly connecting to the stepper motor and enabling rapid prototyping.

Key Features of cSPIN Controller
• Single-chip integration of digital motion engine, gate driver, and SPI interface• Programmable speed control and positioning
• Built-in protection against temperature, low bus voltage, current, and motor stall
• 5 Mbit/s SPI interface
• Fully programmable gate drive
• Innovative voltage mode control through internal back-EMF (BEMF) compensation (L6480)
• Advanced predictive current control with automatic damping mode adjustment (L6482)
• Low standby current

The two cSPIN ICs launched this time are the L6480, which supports micro-stepping operation up to a maximum 1/128 step resolution, and the L6482, featuring predictive control algorithm and automatic damping mode adjustment function.

These devices are ready for mass production and are priced at $3 for orders in quantities of 1,000 units.