
SIMPLEST DESIGN IS AN L/R DRIVE
The simplest motor-drive configuration(fig. 1) con-
sists of a
μ
C thatperformsthe translatorfunctionin
software(see
box
, ”Generatingswitching sequen-
ces”)anddrivesthemotorthrougha L293dualbrid-
ge. Only eight externalcomponents are required ;
these are diodes that protect the device’s output
transistorsagainstinductivespikesgeneratedwhen
a winding de-energizes.
TheL293handles1A continuous(forhighercurrent
useandL298N).However,ifyouplantorunthemo-
torcontinuouslywith two phaseson, dissipationwill
be the limiting factor.
Youcan improve the performanceof this basic L/R
drivebyincreasingtheseries resistanceand raising
the supplyvoltageto restoretheoriginalphasecur-
rent.Athighspeeds,torqueimproves,butefficiency
decreases.Normally, you increase each winding’s
resistanceby afactorof four throughthe additionof
a 3R series resistance, resultingin the L/4R drive.
Dual-bridgedriverICsreducethepartscountofbipolarsteppermotorsandsimplify design.Thesche-
matic of the L298Nis functionally similar to thoseof theL293 and L293E.
INSIDE THE DUAL-BRIDGE ICs
The L293, L293E and L298N (figure) contain two po-
wer-transistor bridges, predriver stages, control logic
and protection circuitry. There’sa controlinput foreach
bridgeand an enable input for each half bridge ; inputs
connect directly to
μ
Cs, CMOS or TTL. The ICs inte-
gratelevel shifters with aseparate logic-supply pin. For
current sensing, the L293E and L298N have external
emitter connections.
A single package drives a2-phase bipolar stepper mo-
tor, challenging the assumption held by many that uni-
polar motors are easier to drive.
You can use a bipoar motor - simpler and less expen-
sive than a unipolar motor - without buildng complex
power stages. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry
about simultaneous conduction of a half bridge’s sour-
ce and sink transistors - a basic problem with discrete-
component bridge circuits. Chip design makes it
impossible for both transistors to be on at the same
time.
Designers should also discard the mistaken idea that
constant-current chopper drivers are complicated and
expensive. You can build one with two bridge ICs and
a few passive components.
Type
L293
L293E
L298N
I
O
1A
1A
2A
I
O(PEAK)
1.5A
1.5A
2.5A
V
S
36V
36V
46V
Package
DIP16
DIP20
Multiwatt15
Sensing Connections
One per Half Bridge
One per Bridge
APPLICATION NOTE
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