Motor Driver Boards, Modules

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
2971 Pololu Corporation	DRV8880 STEPPER MTR DRVR CARRIER	36
2517 Pololu Corporation	ARDUINO DUAL G2 MTR DRVR 18V22	58
2986 Pololu Corporation	A4988 STEPPER DRIVER BLACK W/PIN	1000
1367 Pololu Corporation	HIGH-POWER MTR CTRL G2 24V19	129
2519 Pololu Corporation	ARDUINO DUAL MAX14870 MTR DRIVER	163
1366 Pololu Corporation	HIGH-POWER MTR CTRL G2 18V25	119
3132 Pololu Corporation	TIC T834 USB STPR MTR CTRL	65
3284 Pololu Corporation	ROBOCLAW 2X7A MOTOR CTRL (V5C)	0
3753 Pololu Corporation	RAS PI DUAL G2 MTR DRVR 24V14	29
2503 Pololu Corporation	ARDUINO DUAL MC33926 MTR DRVR	39
3148 Pololu Corporation	JRK G2 18V27 USB MOTOR CTRL W/FB	50
3133 Pololu Corporation	TIC T834 USB STPR MTR CTRL	81
3592 Pololu Corporation	MCP2166 DUAL 160A 60VDC MTR CTRL	0
2756 Pololu Corporation	RAS PI DUAL MC33926 MTR DRVR	41
2968 Pololu Corporation	MP6500 STPPR DRVR W/CURRENT CTRL	155
3135 Pololu Corporation	TIC T500 USB STPR MTR CTRL	173
1363 Pololu Corporation	HIGH-POWER MTR CTRL G2 18V15	75
3099 Pololu Corporation	TB67S279FTG STPR MTR DRVR COMPCT	64
3131 Pololu Corporation	TIC T834 USB STPR MTR CTRL	68
3730 Pololu Corporation	HIGH-POWER STEPPER MTR DRVR 36V4	174

Motor Driver Boards, Modules

1. Overview

Motor driver boards/modules are electronic devices that act as intermediaries between control systems (e.g., microcontrollers) and motors. They convert low-power control signals into high-power electrical currents to drive motors efficiently. These components enable precise regulation of motor speed, direction, torque, and position. Their importance spans across automation, robotics, industrial machinery, and consumer electronics, where accurate motion control is critical for system performance.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
H-Bridge Drivers	Bi-directional control using transistor bridges, basic speed regulation	DC motor direction control in robotic arms
Stepper Motor Drivers	Microstepping, position accuracy, torque control	3D printers, CNC machines
Servo Controllers	Feedback loop integration, precise angular positioning	RC vehicles, industrial automation
Brushless DC (BLDC) Drivers	Electronic commutation, high efficiency, variable speed	Drones, HVAC systems
Integrated Smart Modules	Embedded control logic, thermal protection, communication interfaces	Autonomous vehicles, medical pumps

3. Structure & Components

A typical motor driver contains:

Power Transistors: MOSFETs or IGBTs for switching high currents
Control IC: Processes PWM signals and manages commutation
Heat Sink: Aluminum-based PCB or external fins for thermal management
Protection Circuits: Overcurrent, overtemperature, and voltage spike suppression
Connectors: Screw terminals for motor wiring and control interfaces (UART/SPI)

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Max Continuous Current	Determines motor power capacity (e.g., 5A for NEMA 23 stepper)
Voltage Range	Must match motor supply (e.g., 8-45V for industrial BLDC drivers)
Efficiency (Typical >90%)	Impacts thermal performance and energy consumption
Control Resolution	Microstepping levels (e.g., 1/16-step for precision engravers)
Protection Features	Overcurrent/voltage, thermal shutdown (critical for reliability)
Communication Protocols	CAN, Modbus support for industrial IoT integration

5. Application Fields

Industrial: CNC machining centers, conveyor belt systems
Consumer: Smart home appliances, gaming consoles
Medical: MRI scanner positioning, insulin pumps
Automotive: Electric vehicle powertrains, EPS systems
Robotics: Collaborative robot joint control

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Specifications
TI (Texas Instruments)	DRV8825	2.5A RMS, 1/32 microstepping, thermal shutdown
STMicroelectronics	L6470	3.0A peak, SPI interface, stall detection
ON Semiconductor	MC33926	3.0A continuous, bidirectional control
Maxon Motor	EPOS4 Compact	50A peak, EtherCAT interface, encoder feedback

7. Selection Guidelines

Match driver current/voltage ratings to motor specifications
Select control mode (PWM, analog, digital) based on system requirements
Consider environmental factors (temperature, vibration)
Verify required protection features (IP rating for harsh environments)
Evaluate integration needs (footprint, communication protocols)
Balance cost vs. performance for volume production

8. Industry Trends

Emerging trends include:

Integration: System-on-Chip (SoC) drivers combining control and power stages
Smart Diagnostics: Built-in current sensing and predictive maintenance algorithms
Wide Bandgap Semiconductors: SiC/GaN transistors enabling higher switching frequencies
Wireless Control: Bluetooth/Wi-Fi-enabled drivers for IoT applications
Miniaturization: Chip-scale packaging for space-constrained applications