Stepper Motor Driver – SparkFun ProDriver – (TC78H670FTG)
The SparkFun ProDriver makes it easy to start developing with the TC78H670FTG bipolar stepper motor driver from Toshiba! Latch terminals provide instant solder-less connections to every feature offered. This a great option for any project requiring precision motor control.
In addition to high-resolution control (down to 1/128th of a step), the ProDriver can be controlled via traditional clock-in stepping or serial commands. Both methods are demonstrated in the Arduino Library. The serial command method is especially unique in that it allows the user to precisely control the phase, torque, current limit, and mixed decay ratio of each coil immediately during stepping. Most stepper motor driver ICs require using an external trimpot to set the current limit, but with the ProDriver, you can precisely adjust this via serial commands!
ProDriver Features:
Toshiba TC78H670FTG Clock-in and Serial controlled Bipolar Stepping Motor Driver
Latch terminals for plug and play access (no soldering required!)
Power – You’ll need a power supply that has an output of 3.3 – 16VÂ and can source at least 2A. We have provided three different methods for users to connect their power supply to the ProDriver:
A 5.5 x 2.1 mm DC barrel jack, which is simple and the easiest to use.
A latch pin terminal that is similar to a screw terminal, except toolless.
A set of PTH points (VM and GND) for users who wish to, more permanently, solder their power connections.
Power Note:Â Do not connect or disconnect the motor while the ProDriver is powered; as it may damage the ProDriver.
Input Control Pins – The input control pins are used to interface directly with the TC78H670FTG motor driver. The ProDriver was designed with clever latch pins to provide a completely solderless connection to get users up and running faster. The same connections are also available via Plated Through Holes for any more permanent installations.
Pin Name
Label
Description
Operating Something
Ground Reference
GND
Ground (i.e. the 0V reference)
0V
Standby
STBY
This pin is used to either place the motor driver in standby or initiate one of the control methods.
Low:Â Motor driver is in standby; and the motor is released from any of the control methods.
High: On the up edge, the motor driver is configured for clock-in stepping or serial communication control based on the input state of the MODE0, MODE1, MODE2, and MODE3 pins.
0 to 3.3V (Default: Low or 0V)
Enable
EN
When the motor driver is configured for clock-in stepping, this pin is used to enable the motor output ON or OFF.
Low:Â Motor is off; all of the H-Bridge MOSFETs turn off and become high impedance (Hi-Z).
High:Â Motor is on; after the VM reaches the target voltage and becomes stable.
0 to 3.3V (Default: Low or 0V)
Error Detection Flag Output
ERR
If a thermal shutdown (TSD), over current (ISD), or motor load open (OPD) error, is triggerd, the pin output is pulled low. Under a normal operating status, the level of ERR pin is equal to the EN control voltage from outside. The error flag can be released by reconnecting the VM power or by setting the device to standby.
Low:Â An error has been detected/triggered.
High:Â Operation status is normal.
0 to 3.3V
MODE0
UP-DW (Clock-in)
S_DATA (Serial)
MODE0
MODE0: Utilized to configure the conrol method of the motor driver, when the standby pin is released. Based upon that control method, the pin will then function as one of the following inputs:
Serial Communication: Serial Data Input (S_DATA)
In serial mode, this line contains the serial data commands in a 32-bit format. After the serial setting is configured, the output is updated with the timing of the LATCH signal.
MODE1: Utilized to configure the conrol method of the motor driver, when the standby pin is released. Based upon that control method, the pin will then function as one of the following inputs:
Serial Communication: Latch Enable Pin (LATCH)
In serial mode, this line indicates the end of a data command.
Low:Â Voids changes to the step size resolution setting.
High:Â Allow changes to the step size resolution setting. (Only available for Variable Mode)
0 to 3.3V (Default: High or 3.3V)
MODE2
CLK (Clock-in)
S_CLK (Serial)
MODE2
MODE2: Utilized to configure the conrol method of the motor driver, when the standby pin is released. Based upon that control method, the pin will then function as one of the following inputs:
Serial Communication: Serial Clock Input Pin (S_CLK)
In serial mode, this line contains the clock signal for serial data commands.
Clock-in Stepping: Step Clock Input Pin (CLK)
Up-Edge:Â Shifts the electrical angle by a single step (size).
Down-Edge:Â N/A
0 to 3.3V (Default: High or 3.3V)
MODE3
CW-CCW (Clock-in)
MODE3
MODE3: Utilized to configure the conrol method of the motor driver, when the standby pin is released. The pin will then, only function as an input for clock-in stepping:
Clock-in Stepping: Current Direction Setup Pin (CW-CCW)
Low:Â Counter-clockwise operation (CCW)
High:Â Clockwise operation (CCW)
0 to 3.3V (Default: High or 3.3V)
3.3V Reference
3V3
Connected to the 3.3V output of the LM117 voltage regulator, which is powered by the motor power supply input.
Output Channel Pins –Â The output channel pins are used to drive the coils of the stepper motor. The paired outputs are connected to the two H-Bridges of the motor driver.
Pin Name
Label
Description
Positive “A” Channel Output
A+
The “A” channel motor output (+) pin
Negative “A” Channel Output
A-
The “A” channel motor output (-) pin
Positive “B” Channel Output
B+
The “B” channel motor output (+) pin
Negative “B” Channel Output
B-
The “B” channel motor output (-) pin
H-Bridge Power Control – The EN pin controls the ON/OFF operation of the H-Bridges to the motor outputs. When the EN pin is low, all of the H-Bridge MOSFETs turn off and become high impedance (Hi-Z). Likewise, when the EN pin is set high, the motor channel outputs will be driven normally, based on the stepping controls.
EN Pin Input
Function
Positive “A” Channel Output
OFF(Hi-Z)
Negative “A” Channel Output
ON (Normal Operation Mode
Heat Sink – There is a thermal ground plane on the bottom of the board available for users to attach a heat sink(s) with some thermal tape, if necessary. However, after several tests by the engineer for this product, we have determined that for most use cases, a heat sink probably won’t be necessary. The thermal ground planes on the bottom of the ProDriver as seen below:
Sparkfun ProDriver Video Introduction:
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Be the first to review “Stepper Motor Driver – SparkFun ProDriver – (TC78H670FTG)” Cancel reply
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.