Bipolar 2-channel stepping motor with a maximum rating of 40V/2.0A

Toshiba Corporation’s Semiconductor & Storage Products Company announced the release of the 'TC78S122FNG', a bipolar 2-channel stepping motor driver that provides 40V high voltage and 2.0A current. Mass production is scheduled to begin in July 2016.

High-speed, high-performance motor drives are required for printers, surveillance cameras, office automation equipment, banking terminals such as ATMs, banknote detectors, game consoles, and home appliances. Meanwhile, equipment miniaturization is accelerating due to customer demand for space-saving devices with superior design. The importance of heat reduction methods within the equipment and low power consumption of the entire unit is also growing day by day.

Toshiba's new product features a 2-channel drive function on a 2-in-1 chip and can drive two stepping motors simultaneously. By integrating electrical components into the 2-in-1 chip, space on the circuit board can also be saved.

In the case of the previous product, continuous operation could not be achieved when driving a motor in the 2.0A current range, which is applied to many products including office equipment, due to the heat generated by the IC itself. The new product can drive two channels simultaneously by lowering the output resistance to 50% to reduce heat generation*1.

In the case of the previous product, the regulator circuit for the IC's internal logic operates in standby mode, whereas the new product is equipped with a sleep function that can stop the regulator from operating during standby. This reduces IC power consumption.

The new product provides an interface for driving not only stepping motors but also brushed DC motors. This allows for combinations of various stepping motors and brushed DC motors. For example, a 1-channel stepping motor can be combined with a 2-channel brushed motor. By expanding its product lineup, Toshiba plans to offer a wide range of products to meet diverse demands for motor drive products.