Designers of motor control applications are currently shifting from traditional general-purpose or AC motor designs to more sophisticated BLDC (brushless DC) or PMSM (permanent magnet synchronous motor) designs. However, choosing one of these methods can be quite difficult when designers have limited access to advanced complex motor design algorithms. This can lead to the investment of significant research and development resources or prolonged development periods.

To support designers burdened by these costs and software, Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS) has developed the FCM8531, an integrated analog and digital motor controller. The FCM8531 is a customizable, configurable solution complete with user guides, reference designs, and evaluation boards to help motor control designers shorten time-to-market and minimize software design activities.

Parallel/Processor in One-Chip Design

The FCM8531 is a 3-phase hybrid BLDC/PMSM controller that supports an AMC (advanced motor controller), an embedded MCU (microcontroller), and two parallel processors, providing a complete one-chip solution for complex motor control applications. The two core processors operate independently but exchange data jointly through an internal communication interface, thereby preventing system failures and supporting improved hardware protection capabilities. The FCM8531 integrates hardware controller and MCU interface management functions to minimize the burden on software and increase efficiency, thereby achieving a rapid load-response motor system.

Customized design for functional simplification

Because AMC can be applied to various motor designs, it performs powerful algorithms such as sine wave control, FOC (field oriented control), and DQ (direct and quadrature) control using Fairchild’s library, which is configurable and saveable to provide high-performance motor control functions.

Using the MCU interface with AMC, users can easily change register values for various motor operation flows and characteristics. The device is optimized to address noise and low efficiency issues in various fan and pump applications, as well as start-up jerk problems in sensorless fan applications. The FCM8531 includes rich hardware protection features such as overvoltage and overcurrent protection, provides rapid response to all failure modes, and allows for the easy implementation of additional functions through the embedded MCU.

Easy-to-use development tools

Fairchild’s Motor Control Development System (MCDS) consists of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and an MCDS Programming Kit that support engineers in configuring AMCs and developing code for MCUs. Together, these processing cores provide an integrated software engineering platform that supports the rapid development of motor control programs. MCDS-IDE is easy to use, improves the design target timeline, and supports real-time adjustment of motor operation signals by rapidly completing code programming when used with the MCDS programming kit.

Features and Advantages

- AMC with integrated MCU supports flexible design changes while minimizing software burden.
- Parallel processors prevent system failures and improve system reliability.
- A powerful algorithm library minimizes resources by eliminating the need for know-how.
- Provides MCDS development tools, comprehensive design resources, reference designs, training, etc.

Package and pricing information (based on a supply volume of 1,000 units)

Samples are provided upon request, and the delivery time is 8 to 12 weeks after order placement.

FCM8531 is available in LQFP 32L packages, and the price per unit is $2.42.

With the addition of the FCM8531 to Fairchild's motor control portfolio, complete motor control system solutions can now be provided when integrated with Fairchild's auxiliary power supplies, power factor correction (PFC), gate drivers, and smart power module (SPM®) solutions. This type of total solution further strengthens Fairchild's position as a leader in providing highly integrated products that reduce engineering development time and system costs while delivering enhanced power efficiency and system reliability.