The growth of factory automation and robotics has revolutionized modern manufacturing process by increasing speed, precision and volume of consumer goods production. The once labor-intensive tasks are now being automated resulting in more efficient manufacturing techniques. Advanced motor modules are the driving forces being used to drive these robots, delivering high degree of accuracy and power to move loads and perform tasks as needed. Brushless DC (BLDC) motors with quiet operation, high speed and high torque density are the preferred choice for these applications.

TI’s Brushless DC portfolio offers a wide variety of motor drivers that can be used to drive the BLDC motors for robotics and factory automation systems. This application note includes how to correlate motor power to current and how to determine if the motor driver is capable of driving the MOSFETs needed to deliver the motor power. The application note also covers how TI’s smart-gate drive technology offers extensive control in adjusting your switching speeds allowing the motor drivers to drive a larger variety of MOSFETs.