SLOA328 December   2022 DRV8262 , DRV8462

PRODUCTION DATA  

  1.   Abstract
  2.   Trademarks
  3. 1Introduction
    1. 1.1 Gate Driver
    2. 1.2 Integrated FET Driver
  4. 2Integrated FET Driver vs. Gate Driver
    1. 2.1 Solution Size
    2. 2.2 External Bill of Materials
    3. 2.3 Thermal Performance
  5. 3Summary
  6. 4References

2.1 Solution Size

Solution size can play a major role in deciding which motor driver topology is going to be used. Solution size of a motor driver can vary significantly depending on whether it is an integrated FET driver or a gate driver.

Integrated FET drivers typically have smaller solution sizes than gate drivers because of the inclusion of the power FETs within the driver package. Applications for which PCB space is limited or a simple design without much flexibility is required, an integrated FET driver might be the best option. For example, applications such as PLC (programmable logic controller) and factory automation prefers integrated FET motor drivers, because the overall solution box size is decreasing in every generation of system design.

Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration when comparing the solution sizes of integrated FET drivers and gate drivers is the MOSFET drain-source on resistance (RDS(ON)). This is where the flexibility of gate drivers can be useful. For same output power level, the external FETs can be selected with lower RDS(ON). Even if this makes the solution size larger for the gate driver, it allows for lower power loss and higher system efficiency.

Table 2-1 compares the PCB solution size of the DRV8262 H-Bridge integrated FET driver against the DRV8701 H-Bridge gate driver, both designed for 10 A peak current.

  • The solution size for the DRV8262 is approximately 500 mm2.
  • The solution size for the DRV8701 is approximately 1400 mm2, 2.8 times the solution size of the integrated FET solution.
    • In other words, the integrated FET brushed-DC driver solution saves 64% PCB area compared to the gate driver solution.
Table 2-1 Solution Size Comparison Between DRV8262 and DRV8701
GUID-20221125-SS0I-GX2R-CQRX-PCRKZ49KWBXC-low.png Figure 2-1 DRV8262 Solution Size
GUID-FABB196B-80E8-429F-AC81-2FB97EA52679-low.png Figure 2-2 DRV8701 Solution Size

Solution Size: 20.3 mm x 24.2 mm

 Solution Size: 40.5 mm x 34.5 mm

Table 2-2 compares the PCB solution size of the DRV8462 integrated FET stepper driver against the DRV8711 stepper gate driver, both designed for 5 A full-scale current.

  • The solution size of the DRV8462 is approximately 500 mm2
  • The solution size for the DRV8711 is approximately 2400 mm2, 4.8 times the solution size of the integrated FET solution.
    • The integrated FET stepper driver solution saves 80% PCB area.
Table 2-2 Solution Size Comparison Between DRV8462 and DRV8711
GUID-20221125-SS0I-ZBGN-5399-2MR6ZFMD7LXH-low.png Figure 2-3 DRV8462 Solution size
GUID-20221125-SS0I-ZHMR-8WR2-MSJ5BSLJ6GXV-low.png Figure 2-4 DRV8711 Solution size

Solution size: 20.3 mm x 24.2 mm

 Solution size: 51 mm x 46.7 mm

This comparison holds good for external FET gate drivers from other motor driver vendors as well.