company blog about Recycle ST Motor Control Evaluation Board:BLDC Motor,Switched Reluctance Motor,Induction Motor

Recycle ST Motor Control Evaluation Board:BLDC Motor,Switched Reluctance Motor,Induction Motor

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I. Brushless DC Motor (BLDC) Control Evaluation Boards

Brushless DC motors, renowned for their high efficiency, low noise, and extended lifespan, find widespread application in power tools, household appliances, and industrial automation. ST offers a comprehensive range of evaluation boards for BLDC motors, spanning entry-level to industrial-grade solutions. These cover both sensor-based and sensorless control approaches, supporting six-step commutation and Field-Oriented Control (FOC) algorithms.

1. Representative Evaluation Boards and Core Parameters

(1) EVLSPIN32G0A2: High-Performance General-Purpose Evaluation Board

This evaluation board is designed around the STSPIN32G0A2 chip, integrating an STM32G0 series MCU with power drive circuitry to form a highly integrated BLDC drive solution. Key features include: an input voltage range of 7V-45V, output current up to 15A RMS (peak 22A), employing a three-phase full-bridge topology with a three-shunt current sampling structure, and supporting both high-performance FOC and six-step commutation algorithms. An on-board ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger supports virtual serial communication and rapid firmware downloads. Interfaces for Hall sensors and incremental encoders enable flexible switching between sensor-based and sensorless control modes.

The power stage employs STD140N6F7 MOSFETs (60V rated, 0.0031Ω on-resistance), complemented by comprehensive protection mechanisms including overcurrent comparators, bus voltage monitoring, PCB temperature sensing, and under-voltage lockout (UVLO), ensuring system stability under demanding operating conditions.

(2) STEVAL-SPIN3204: Low-cost entry-level evaluation board

Targeting cost-sensitive applications, this board integrates the STSPIN32F0B controller with an STM32F031C6 MCU and triple half-bridge gate driver. Its single shunt resistor current sampling topology simplifies hardware design while reducing costs. Supporting six-step commutation and FOC algorithms, firmware can be downloaded via the USB port. It flexibly switches between external sensor (Hall) and sensorless feedback modes, making it suitable for low-power BLDC applications such as power tools, small fans, and water pumps. The input voltage range accommodates battery-powered scenarios, while the output current capability meets the demands of small motor drives, making it an optimal solution for entry-level BLDC control development.

(3) Official kit combination: NUCLEO-G474RE + X-NUCLEO-IHM07M1

For industrial-grade high-precision applications, ST offers a combined core board and driver board solution. The core board utilises the STM32G474RET6 MCU (Cortex-M4 core, 170MHz clock frequency), featuring three high-speed timers (supporting six complementary PWM channels with dead-time accuracy of ±8ns), four 5Msps ADCs, and integrated operational amplifiers, providing the hardware foundation for high-precision motor control. The driver board, based on the L6387 chip, supports 80V/1.2A three-phase drive with hardware overcurrent protection triggering capability, enabling direct connection to BLDC motors. Paired with the ST Motor Control SDK, it incorporates a mature FOC algorithm library. Combined with the STM32CubeMX tool, it rapidly generates initialisation projects, significantly reducing development time.

2. Algorithms and Development Resources

All BLDC evaluation boards are compatible with the ST Motor Control SDK (X-CUBE-MCSDK), providing source code for sensor-based FOC, sensorless FOC (based on back-EMF observation), and six-step commutation algorithms. These support parameter self-tuning and dynamic performance optimisation. STM32CubeMX enables visual configuration of peripherals such as timers, ADCs, and GPIOs, automatically generating underlying driver code. This allows engineers to focus on algorithm optimisation and application development without requiring deep expertise in low-level hardware configuration.

II. Switch Reluctance Motor (SRM) Control Evaluation Board

Switch reluctance motors offer distinct advantages in industrial drives and electric vehicle assistance systems due to their simple structure, low cost, high-temperature tolerance, and suitability for high power density applications. Addressing the asymmetric drive topology requirements of SRMs, ST introduces the dedicated STEVAL-CTM015V1 evaluation kit, providing a complete drive and control solution.

1. Core Features of the STEVAL-CTM015V1 Evaluation Kit

This kit comprises a driver board (STEVAL-CTM015A1), power supply board (STEVAL-CTM015A2), and a 1K/W heat sink. Designed for three-phase SRM drivers, it employs an asymmetric half-bridge converter topology to accommodate the motor's independent phase control requirements. Key configurations include:

- Driver board: Incorporates an STM32F303CBT6 MCU with high-precision ADC and timer resources, supporting quadrature incremental encoder and Hall-effect sensor interfaces for precise rotor position detection; - Three L6395D high-voltage gate drivers enable independent high/low-side control, compatible with N-channel MOSFETs or IGBTs; integrated VIPER26L and LD1117 series power supply chips provide stable control power.

- Power Board: Utilises Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS) for enhanced thermal performance, incorporating six STGB30H60DFB IGBTs (30A/600V) and STTH15RQ06 ultra-fast soft-recovery diodes to meet medium-to-high power SRM drive requirements; Incorporates a three-shunt resistor current sensing network (based on TSV991IL op-amp) for precise three-phase current sampling, compatible with Insulated Current Sensor (ICS) upgrades; includes NTC temperature sensing, LMV331I overcurrent comparator and other protection circuits for comprehensive system safety.

The kit provides soft-chopping speed control firmware based on STM32F303, supporting SRM start-up, speed regulation, and braking control. Engineers may optimise torque ripple suppression algorithms based on this firmware to address operational noise issues in SRMs.

2. Application Scenarios

Suitable for industrial fans, water pumps, compressors, electric tricycle drives, and other applications demanding high cost-effectiveness and reliability. Particularly well-suited for harsh environments such as high temperatures and dusty conditions. Achieves a cost-effective drive solution through simple motor structure and comprehensive drive protection.

III. Induction Motor (IM) Control Evaluation Board

As the most widely deployed motor type in industrial applications, induction motors offer robust construction, high reliability, and low cost. They are primarily used in high-power equipment such as machine tools, water pumps, fans, and compressors. ST combines a high-performance MCU evaluation board with a universal driver board, alongside a dedicated algorithm library, to implement scalar and vector control for induction motors.

1. Compatible Evaluation Board Solutions

(1) Core Control Board: NUCLEO-G474RE / STM32G4 Series Development Board

The STM32G4 series MCU serves as the core choice for induction motor control. Its high operating frequency (up to 170MHz), multi-channel high-speed ADCs (sampling rates up to 5Msps), high-precision timers, and integrated operational amplifiers meet the real-time and sampling accuracy demands of induction motor vector control. Supports self-sensing field-oriented control (LSO-FOC, sensorless vector control) and open-loop voltage-to-frequency ratio control (V/F, scalar control), catering to diverse application scenarios with varying precision and cost requirements.

(2) Driver Board Pairing: X-NUCLEO-IHM07M1 / Industrial-Grade Driver Module

Evaluation boards based on dedicated driver chips such as the L6387 and L6235 provide three-phase high-voltage drive capability (supporting voltages up to 80V and above, with currents reaching several amperes). They feature comprehensive overcurrent, overtemperature, and undervoltage protection, enabling direct connection to medium-to-high-power induction motors. Combining the core board with the driver board allows flexible configuration of current sampling methods (shunt resistor or current sensor), adapting to control requirements for induction motors across different power ratings.

2. Algorithm and Development Support

The ST Motor Control SDK provides comprehensive algorithm support for induction motors, including open-loop V/F control, closed-loop V/F control, and sensorless FOC control algorithms. The sensorless FOC algorithm employs stator resistance identification and flux linkage observation technology, enabling high-precision speed regulation without position sensors. This approach reduces system costs while enhancing reliability. The STM32CubeMX tool provides dedicated configuration templates for induction motor control, facilitating rapid peripheral initialisation and algorithm parameter configuration. Combined with the SDK's example projects, engineers can swiftly establish induction motor drive systems, optimising dynamic response and steady-state accuracy.