Motor Driver Boards, Modules

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
2990 Pololu Corporation	DRV8838 DC MOTOR DRIVER CARRIER	280
1354 Pololu Corporation	MAESTRO 18CHNL USB SERVO CTRL	53
1357 Pololu Corporation	MAESTRO 24CHNL USB SERVO CTRL	13
3586 Pololu Corporation	MCP236 DUAL 30A 60VDC MTR CTRL	3
2966 Pololu Corporation	MP6500 STPPR DRVR W/CURRENT CTRL	141
2961 Pololu Corporation	MAX14870 BRUSHED DC MTR DRVR	434
2755 Pololu Corporation	RAS PI DUAL MC33926 MTR DRVR KIT	37
3585 Pololu Corporation	MCP233 DUAL 30A 34VDC MTR CTRL	5
2980 Pololu Corporation	A4988 STEPPER DRIVER W/PINS	173
2976 Pololu Corporation	A4988 STEPPER DRVR BLACK NO PIN	1000
2985 Pololu Corporation	A4988 STEPPER DRIVER BULK W/PINS	1000
2877 Pololu Corporation	STSPIN220 LOW-VOLT STPR MTR DRVR	176
3285 Pololu Corporation	ROBOCLAW 2X15A MOTOR CTRL (V5E)	0
3130 Pololu Corporation	TIC T825 USB STPR MTR CTRL	116
1213 Pololu Corporation	DUAL MC33926 MTR DRVR CARRIER	174
3140 Pololu Corporation	TIC 36V4 USB MULTI-INTERFACE HIG	80
3751 Pololu Corporation	RAS PI DUAL G2 MTR DRVR 18V18	11
2960 Pololu Corporation	BD65496MUV SINGLE MOTOR DRIVER	267
1182 Pololu Corporation	A4988 STEPPER DRIVER	374
1355 Pololu Corporation	MAESTRO 18CHNL USB SERVO CTRL	13

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