Summary of Melexis motor driver has on chip EEPROM
The MLX83203 is a compact automotive-qualified 3-phase pre-driver IC that drives six high-current N‑FETs using combined bootstrap and charge pump circuitry, with on-chip EEPROM for extensive configuration, fast low-noise current sensing, and multiple protections for reliable BLDC motor control.
Parts used in the MLX83203 Pre-driver Project:
- MLX83203 pre-driver IC (QFN32 5×5mm)
- Six external N-type power FETs (up to 250 nC gate charge each)
- Bootstrap capacitors for high-side gate drive
- Charge pump components (internal charge pump; optional external components as required by configuration)
- Current shunt resistor for current sensing
- Microcontroller (3V or 5V compatible) for PWM input and serial communication
- Supply decoupling capacitors (for 4.5–28V supply range)
- PCB with appropriate thermal layout and 32-pin footprint
- Optional external diagnostics/communication wiring to microcontroller (fast serial interface)
MLX83203 General Description
The MLX83203 pre-driver is designed to drive high-current N-type FET 3-phase motor control applications.
A combination of bootstrap and charge pump enables driving 6 NFETs, with gate charges up to 400nC/NFET with a minimum of device self-heating.
The IC reset level below 4.5V allows for low-voltage operation.
Each of the 6 external FETs can be controlled directly via the 6 digital inputs. Alternatively the 6 external FETs can be controlled via 3 digital inputs by applying an internal dead time.
The built-in EEPROM allows extensive configurability of the pre-driver without the need for external resistors and SPI interface programming. This reduces the package pin count to only 32.
All output voltages are monitored for failure conditions. The microcontroller is informed of the failure condition via a fast serial interface.
The device comprises a current shunt amplifier, with a high gain bandwidth (GBW), offering a fast settling time with low noise. This makes the pre-drivers ideal for precise torque control applications like e.g. electrical power steering and brake by wire.
For applications requiring lower current, see also the pin compatible MLX83202 pre-driver. For DC applications the MLX83100 pre-driver can be used.
For sensorless BLDC applications see also our integrated BLDC controllers MLX80251 and MLX81200, MLX81205, …
MLX83203 Features and Benefits
- Optional charge pump for low supply voltage operation
- Alternative charge pump configuration provides NFET reverse polarity drive
- Compatible with 3V and 5V microcontrollers
- Converts 6 (or 3) PWM inputs from a micro-controller to drive 6 external N-FETs
- High side NFET driver with bootstraps and trickle charge pump for 100% PWM operation
- Low offset, low drift, fast current sense amplifier
- Fault interrupt & feedback to microcontroller
- Under & overvoltage protection
- Overtemperature protection
- VDS & VGS external FET monitoring
- Very small footprint: QFN32 5x5mm (25mm2)
- Extensive configurability in EEPROM
- – Programmable dead time: 0 to 6us
- – Programmable gain: 8 to 48
- – Hardware protection settings (auto-shutdown)
- – Diagnostics settings (VDS level, masking time, …)
- – Charge pump configuration
- Automotive qualified:
- -Wide supply voltage operating range: [4.5, 28]V
- -45V load dump
- -2000Hrs HTOL 150C
- -Sleep mode with low quiescent current (<30uA)
Three phase brush-less DC (BLDC) motor applications are the design targets for a pre-driver IC from Melexis which uses EEPROM memory and combined bootstrap and charge pump blocks.
The MLX83203 pre-driver is designed for small size and is offered in a standard, QFN32 5×5 package.
The IC drives six 250nC NFETS up to 25kHz, while keeping 10V gate voltage down to 7V battery voltage.
For fail safe torque control applications, the pre-driver features diagnostics and a low noise amplifier. Rather than configuring the pre-driver by applying external resistors, 6 bytes of on-chip EEPROM offer configuration options while minimising pin count.
The operating voltage range from 4.5V to 28V, plus bootstrap topology complemented with a charge pump stage, allows the power stage to be operated via standard level NFETs without loss of performance during stop/start conditions, as well as enabling control even during engine cranking.
The charge pump can be configured for applying a high side NFET reverse polarity protection.
In sleep mode the IC consumes less than 30µA standby current. A 10MHz gain bandwidth product (GBW) delivers shunt amplifier settling times of less than 1µs for fast current feedback.
Its gain can be programmed in a wide range from 8 up to 48, and the input range can be configured from fully symmetric to full scale.
For more read: Melexis motor driver has on chip EEPROM
- Can the MLX83203 drive six N-FETs?
Yes. It converts 6 (or 3) PWM inputs to drive six external N-FETs using bootstrap and charge pump circuitry. - What supply voltage range does the MLX83203 support?
The operating supply voltage range is 4.5 to 28 V. - Does the MLX83203 support low-voltage operation during engine cranking?
Yes. The device can keep 10 V gate voltage down to 7 V battery voltage and supports operation during stop/start and engine cranking. - How is the MLX83203 configured without external resistors?
Configuration is done via six bytes of on-chip EEPROM, allowing extensive programmability. - Can the MLX83203 work with 3V microcontrollers?
Yes. It is compatible with both 3 V and 5 V microcontrollers. - What protections does the MLX83203 provide?
It provides under and overvoltage protection, overtemperature protection, VDS and VGS external FET monitoring, and fault interrupt to the microcontroller. - Does the MLX83203 include current sensing?
Yes. It includes a low offset, low drift, fast current sense amplifier with a 10 MHz GBW for fast settling. - Can the MLX83203 operate with 100% PWM on the high side?
Yes. It has bootstrap and a trickle charge pump for 100% PWM high-side operation. - Is the MLX83203 automotive qualified?
Yes. It is automotive qualified, supports wide supply voltage, 45 V load dump, 2000 hours HTOL at 150 C, and sleep mode with less than 30 µA quiescent current. - What programmable parameters are available in the MLX83203 EEPROM?
Programmable options include dead time (0 to 6 µs), amplifier gain (8 to 48), hardware protection settings like auto-shutdown, diagnostics settings such as VDS level and masking time, and charge pump configuration.
