Understanding Motor Drivers in Modern Vehicles

A large number of electric motors are present in a modern vehicle. Not thinking of the main motor of the vehicle, but scattered throughout the body of the car are numerous electrical controls and actuators that require a driver chip. Just think of the windows, mirrors, seat and steering wheel controllers, windshield wipers, etc.

Each of these small electric motors requires a specific control circuit. In past years, this control was mostly done by relays, but today this technology is completely outdated thanks to MOSFET motor drivers. Move-X, with its expertise in IC design, plays a crucial role in developing advanced motor driver solutions that enhance efficiency and compactness in automotive applications.

Types of Motor Drivers

In terms of the level of integration, fully integrated motor drivers can be distinguished from those that instead have an external power MOS, in which the chip does not directly control the electric motor but the transistor that actuates it, and as a result are more properly called gate drivers. Obviously, the most compact and efficient solution is to have a monolithic chip with as few external components as possible, but for cases in which it is necessary to drive motors that require very high voltages or especially large currents, it is often necessary to use discrete transistors. Consequently, the development of gate drivers is also essential.

Move-X contributes to this field by designing custom motor driver ICs and gate drivers, optimizing power efficiency and enabling seamless integration within automotive electronic systems. With Spaceman, our Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool, we streamline the development process, ensuring precise and efficient circuit design.

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Brushed vs. Brushless Motors

The other distinction is precisely related to the motor to be driven. The main distinction can be made between brushed and brushless motors, which require different driving techniques. The primary difference between the two types is, as the name suggests, the presence or absence of contact brushes for the rotor.

Currently, most of the electric motors in a vehicle are brushed, as they are cheaper and easier to control, but especially in high-end vehicles, brushless motors are also becoming increasingly popular. Brushless motors provide quieter and smoother operation and a longer lifespan, as they do not have the brushes that wear out.

Move-X supports automotive innovation by developing custom motor control ICs optimized for both brushed and brushless motors, ensuring high performance, durability, and energy efficiency. Our design process leverages Spaceman to accelerate and refine IC development, allowing for greater precision and reduced time-to-market.

Conclusion

With the continuous advancement in automotive technology, the role of motor drivers is becoming more critical. As vehicles integrate more electronic components, understanding motor drivers and their distinctions will help in making better design and engineering decisions for improved performance and efficiency. Move-X, through its advanced IC design capabilities and Spaceman EDA tool, provides cutting-edge solutions that enable the next generation of efficient and high-performance automotive motor drivers.

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