Release of 2-Circuit Based Subsystem Reference Design

TI Korea (CEO Tan Zwimeng) is launching two circuit-based subsystem reference designs that increase flight time and extend battery life for quadcopters and consumer/industrial drones used for goods delivery, surveillance, or long-distance communication and support.

According to a recent survey by IHS Markit, about 50% of drones on the market have a battery life of less than 30 minutes, 35% can fly for 31 to 60 minutes, and less than 15% can fly for more than an hour.

TI's 2S1P Battery Management System (BMS) reference design transforms a drone's battery pack into a state-of-the-art diagnostic black box recorder, accurately monitoring lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery levels and protecting the battery. Using this drone BMS reference design, developers can add gauging, protection, balancing, and charging capabilities to all existing drone designs, thereby extending flight time. This reference design accurately measures battery levels using the bq4050 multi-cell lithium-ion fuel gauge. It is also equipped with a bq24500 battery charge controller and a high-efficiency DC/DC converter, providing high power conversion efficiency.

Implementing an efficient motor with high-speed performance

Another obstacle to increasing flight time was the inefficient rotation of the propellers used in drones. TI's new reference design for drone electronic speed controllers (ESCs) enables manufacturers to build drones that can fly longer while operating smoothly and stably. The sensorless high-speed FOC (Field Oriented Control) reference design for drone electronic speed controllers enables maximum efficiency by providing speeds of over 12,000 rpm (electrical over 1.2 kHz) in the electronic speed controller. Additionally, it allows for high-speed reverse rotation, providing more stable rotational motion.

This reference design provides the InstaSPIN-FOC™ C2000™ solution, which includes an F28027F microcontroller for precise motor control and a FAST™ field observer software algorithm that measures rotor flux, angle, speed, and torque. Additionally, the current control bandwidth can be tuned using motor parameter information. Unlike other techniques, the FAST sensorless observer algorithm performs complete self-tuning, so no additional adjustments are required for proper operation and propeller control.

It also includes a 60V LMR16006 SIMPLE SWITCHER® DC/DC converter designed to efficiently manage the drone's lithium polymer (LiPo) battery and having a very low standby current.