Driving simplicity with new motor drivers

Melexis has introduced the MLX81339, a new embedded motor driver with PWM/Serial interface. This IC is designed for compact three-phase BLDC and stepper motor control up to 40W in industrial applications such as fans, pumps, and positioning systems. Its programmable flash memory enables full application customisation.

Across the industrial sectors, there is an increasing demand for smarter, more efficient motors that provide quiet, reliable operation in compact designs. Applications such as server cooling, domestic appliances, HVAC flaps, and automated valve control are increasingly constrained by size, development time, and budget. In this landscape, conventional motor driver solutions can present barriers to entry, especially when software complexity or hardware footprint becomes a limiting factor.

For applications that demand flexibility in configuration, the device offers Flash programmability while maintaining a compact footprint. Designed for three-phase BLDC or bipolar stepper motor deployments, these advanced drivers use silent, efficient FOC and ensure reliable startup, stopping, and precise speed control from low to maximum speed.

To support the motor configuration, the company's StartToRun web tool significantly expedites motor driver prototyping, eliminating substantial engineering tasks by generating configuration files based on simple user inputs. In addition to motor and electrical parameters, the tool includes prefilled mechanical values, enabling engineers to accelerate their time to market while reducing their dependency on software expertise.

The device supports control up to 20W at 12V and 40W at 24V, integrating a three-phase driver with a configurable current limit of up to 3A, as well as under/overvoltage, overcurrent, and over-temperature protection to ensure reliable operation. The compact QFN24 and SO8-EP packages enable tight PCB layouts, supporting the trend toward smaller, more integrated systems. The wide supply voltage range of 6V to 26V and operating temperature of -40C to 125C (junction temperature up to 150C) further eases system integration concerns.

Offering broad output compatibility, the devices include eight-times general-purpose IOs and feature PWM, FG, I²C, UART, and SPI interfaces for easy integration into both legacy and smart systems. With support for both sensor-based and sensorless control, the IC ensures quiet, robust motor operation, running reliably through load transients and fault recovery, avoiding the unexpected resets common in less sophisticated drivers. Applications encompass smart industrial and consumer sectors, including positioning motors, thermal valves, robotic actuators, residential and industrial ventilation systems, and dishwashing pumps. Automotive fans and blowers are also supported thanks to the MLX81339's automotive qualification.

"With the MLX81339, we're enabling smarter motor control in applications that demand space-efficiency, ease of use, and robust performance," said Marc Lambrechts, product line director at Melexis. "These devices deliver the performance demanded by modern applications, while removing development overhead and costs. By enabling sensorless FOC control in a compact format, with a highly configurable version available and a plug-and-play code-free variant to come, we're helping engineers bring smart motor applications to life faster and more efficiently."