company blog about Supply ST Motor Control Evaluation Board:Stepper Motor,Brushed DC Motor,PMSM Motor

Supply ST Motor Control Evaluation Board:Stepper Motor,Brushed DC Motor,PMSM Motor

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd., as a globally renowned distributor of electronic components, has become a reliable partner for electronics enterprises through its extensive product portfolio, stable supply chain, stringent quality control, competitive pricing, and professional services.

Core Advantages:

1. Extensive Product Coverage

Core offerings encompass 5G chips, new energy ICs, IoT ICs, Bluetooth chips, automotive information processing chips, automotive chips, automotive-grade chips, communication chips, AI chips, memory chips, sensor chips, microcontroller chips, transceiver chips, Ethernet chips, WiFi chips, wireless communication modules, connectors, and more. These find broad application across automotive, communication equipment, computing, consumer electronics, medical instruments, and medical devices. Computer systems, consumer electronics, medical instruments, audio equipment, video display instruments, communication systems, automotive power supplies, and numerous other fields.

2. Stable Supply Chain and Ample Inventory

The company maintains over 2 million stocked SKUs, encompassing consumer-grade, industrial-grade, automotive-grade, and military-grade components to meet diverse industry requirements.

Warehouses in Shenzhen and Hong Kong ensure stable supply channels and shortened delivery cycles.

3. Rigorous Quality Control

The company holds ISO9001:2014 Quality Management System and ISO14001:2014 Environmental Management System certifications, guaranteeing products comply with international standards.

All components originate from original manufacturers or authorised channels, ensuring 100% genuine authenticity.

4. Competitive Pricing and Professional Services

Leveraging large-scale procurement advantages, we offer market-competitive pricing.

Our specialist team provides selection guidance, alternative solutions, and after-sales support.

5. One-Stop Matching and Ordering Service

For niche, remote, or scarce models, we deliver global sourcing solutions to resolve supply chain challenges.

Supporting multiple packaging types to meet diverse application requirements.

I. Stepper Motor Control Evaluation Board: The Benchmark for Precision Positioning and Smooth Operation

Stepper motors, capable of achieving precise positioning without position sensors, are indispensable in applications such as 3D printing, CNC machine tools, and camera gimbals. ST has launched an evaluation board and supporting solutions centred around the PowerSTEP01 for stepper motor control, balancing performance and ease of use.

1. Core Adaptation Board and Hardware Features

ST's EVL-POWERSTEP01 evaluation board represents a flagship stepper motor control solution. Designed around the PowerSTEP01 System-in-Package (SiP) chip, it integrates an advanced stepper controller with eight power MOSFETs within a compact footprint (14mm × 11mm × 1mm package). Its hardware parameters cover a wide voltage range (8V-85V), with an output current up to 10A and low on-resistance as low as 16mΩ. It supports full-step, half-step, and up to 128-microstep control, balancing high-precision positioning with high-speed operation. On-board integration includes a voltage regulator, SPI communication interface, and comprehensive protection mechanisms: overcurrent protection, dual over-temperature protection, under-voltage lockout (UVLO), and over-voltage lockout (OVLO), significantly enhancing system reliability.

Furthermore, ST offers the X-CUBE-SPN series of expansion software packages (SPN1/SPN2/SPN3/SPN5). These can be paired with NUCLEO development boards to extend single-axis and dual-axis stepper motor control capabilities, as well as high-power drive applications, catering to diverse power ratings and axis configurations.

2. Control Algorithms and Software Support

This evaluation board series supports two core algorithms: voltage mode control and adaptive decay predictive current control (PAC). Users may select based on application requirements: voltage mode control suits cost-sensitive scenarios prioritising straightforward deployment, whilst predictive current control effectively optimises motor efficiency and smoothness whilst suppressing resonance. The onboard Digital Motion Engine (DME) receives high-level motion commands via SPI interface, automatically generating programmable speed curves and positioning trajectories without requiring continuous MCU intervention, thereby reducing the main controller's workload.

At the software level, the ST-MC-Suite online tool enables rapid access to driver examples, application notes, and configuration wizards. Combined with ST's motor control GUI tool, it facilitates real-time parameter tuning and fault diagnosis. For the STM32 series MCUs, the STSW-STM32018 firmware library provides a bipolar stepper motor driver solution based on the STM32F103, supporting clockwise direction control and stall detection, and is suitable for sensorless positioning applications.

3. Typical Application Scenarios

Suitable for applications demanding high positioning accuracy and smooth operation, such as 3D printer nozzle drives, feed axes in small CNC machines, security camera pan-tilt units, office equipment (printers, scanners), and precision valve control. Particularly well-suited for portable devices requiring compact layout and high reliability.

II. Brushed DC Motor Control Evaluation Board: A Streamlined, Cost-Effective Solution

Brushed DC motors offer simplicity and affordability, finding widespread use in toys, household appliances, and compact pump systems. ST addresses brushed motor control requirements with an evaluation solution based on STM32 series MCUs and dedicated driver ICs, balancing low cost with comprehensive functionality.

1. Core Compatibility Boards and Hardware Features

ST's X-CUBE-SPN4 expansion package is specifically designed for dual-brush DC motor drive applications. When paired with NUCLEO development boards (such as the NUCLEO-G431RB), it enables independent control of two brush motors. The hardware employs a dual H-bridge drive architecture, supporting forward/reverse operation, speed regulation, and braking functions. Output current can be scaled to several amperes depending on the selected driver chip, meeting the requirements of small to medium-power brush motors. Comprehensive on-board protection circuits, including overcurrent, overtemperature, and reverse polarity protection, prevent damage to motors or driver chips from operational errors.

For cost-sensitive applications, a simplified PWM speed control solution for brushed motors can be implemented using STM8 series MCUs paired with the STSW-STM8020 firmware library. The high cost-performance ratio of STM8S/STM8A series MCUs effectively reduces solution costs.

2. Control Algorithms and Software Support

The core of brushed DC motor control lies in PWM speed regulation algorithms. The ST evaluation board solution supports two modes: voltage-regulated linear speed control and PID closed-loop speed control. Open-loop PWM speed control is suitable for scenarios with lower speed accuracy requirements, offering straightforward configuration. PID closed-loop speed control, when combined with encoder feedback, enables speed closed-loop control, enhancing speed stability and interference resistance.

At the software level, the STM32CubeMX tool enables rapid configuration of PWM timers, GPIOs, and interrupt resources, generating initialisation code. Paired with the Motor Control Workbench, it allows intuitive adjustment of PWM frequency, duty cycle limits, and PID parameters, shortening development cycles. For dual-motor coordination scenarios, the solution supports synchronous speed control and independent control, making it suitable for applications such as robot chassis and electric toy cars.

3. Typical Application Scenarios

Suitable for auxiliary actuators in small toy vehicles, domestic fans, air purifier blowers, miniature water pumps, electric curtains, and automation equipment. Particularly well-suited for cost-sensitive, low-to-medium power applications with straightforward control logic.

III. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) Control Evaluation Board: Flagship Solution for High Performance and Efficiency

Permanent magnet synchronous motors offer advantages of high efficiency, energy savings, and high power density, establishing them as the mainstream choice for high-end applications such as power tools, drones, home appliances, and electric vehicles. ST has launched multiple high-performance evaluation boards for PMSM control, supporting both sensorless and sensor-based control to cover the full spectrum of requirements from low-voltage, low-power to high-voltage, high-power applications.

1. Core Adaptation Boards and Hardware Features

ST's STEVAL-PTOOL4A evaluation board represents a premium solution for PMSM/BLDC motor control, specifically engineered for handheld battery-powered tools. It operates within a 12V-28V input voltage range (nominal 21V), delivers up to 20A RMS output current, and achieves continuous power up to 250W. Short-term peak power can be enhanced with an additional heat sink. Hardware incorporates an STM32G473CE MCU (170MHz Arm Cortex-M4 core with integrated CORDIC+FMAC math accelerator), paired with STDRIVE101 gate drivers and STL220N6F7 MOSFETs (on-resistance as low as 0.0012Ω) to achieve efficient power conversion. The board incorporates a three-resistor current sampling circuit (with 0.1% accuracy shunt resistors) and three ADC channels, enabling simultaneous sampling of phase current and back EMF voltage to support high-precision algorithms.

Additionally, the P-NUCLEO-IHM03 kit (based on STM32G431RB and STSPIN830 driver) is suited for low-voltage, low-power PMSM control. The B-G431B-ESC1 exploration kit is optimised for drone electronic speed controller (ESC) applications, supporting sensorless FOC algorithms and active braking functionality to meet drone requirements for lightweight design and rapid response.

2. Control Algorithms and Software Support

These evaluation boards feature default sensorless field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms, supporting three-resistor/single-resistor sampling modes. They are compatible with ST's proprietary ZeST (Zero Speed Full Torque) algorithm, enabling zero-speed motor start-up and high-torque output to overcome low-speed performance limitations in sensorless control. A six-step square-wave control option is also provided, compatible with Hall sensor or encoder feedback to suit varying precision requirements.

Regarding the software ecosystem, the X-CUBE-MCSDK software development kit enables visual configuration of algorithm parameters, real-time tuning, and fault diagnosis. It supports torque/speed mode switching, switching frequency adjustment, and overcurrent threshold settings. ST's motor analyser tool automatically measures PMSM motor electrical parameters, enabling rapid adaptation even for unknown motors and significantly reducing debugging cycles. The on-board SWD debug port and extensive communication interfaces (SPI, UART, CAN, I²C) facilitate system integration and debugging.

3. Typical Application Scenarios

Widely deployed in power tools (drills, grinders, circular saws), drones, electric wheelchairs, household appliances (inverter air conditioners, washing machines), electric bicycles, and industrial robot platforms. Particularly suited for high-end equipment demanding superior energy efficiency, power density, and control precision.