STMicroelectronics Combines Power and Simplicity in Intelligent Motion-Control Device

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, is accelerating smart industry, also known as smart manufacturing or Industry 4.0, with a powerful single-package device for intelligent motor control.

ST’s new STSPIN32F0 motor-control system-in-package combines the power and flexibility of a microcontroller-based drive with ease of use and space efficiency. Target applications include smart-manufacturing equipment, power tools and cooling fans, as well as emerging high-tech product categories such as drones, small robots, and home appliances containing high-efficiency motors, such as high-performance portable vacuum cleaners or air purifiers.

“Designers of Industry 4.0 and high-end consumer electronics systems need freedom to optimize their motor-control strategy, as well as high processing performance to enable autonomous operation with minimal intervention from a central controller,” explained Domenico Arrigo, General Manager, Industrial and Power Conversion Division, STMicroelectronics. “The STSPIN32F0 makes these qualities accessible in a convenient and space-efficient system-in-package, taking advantage of the power-control libraries and algorithms available from our uniquely rich STM32 ecosystem to streamline and simplify the development of intelligent and highly-featured precision motion controls.”

The STSPIN32F0 combines a microcontroller and an analog IC in a tiny 7mm x 7mm QFN package, delivering the flexibility and power of a microcontroller-based motor drive with the convenience, simplicity, and space-efficiency of a single IC. The solution is equally attractive for developers with existing investment in proprietary motor-control IP, or those seeking an off-the-shelf motor-control algorithm.

Compared to other microcontroller-based motor-drive solutions, the STSPIN32F0 significantly simplifies design challenges by leveraging the extensive STM32 development ecosystem, with software tools, firmware libraries and middleware available on top of the popular motion-control algorithms such as Field-Oriented Control (FOC) and 6-step control to streamline firmware development.

The STSPIN32F0 motor-control system-in-package is in production now in 7mm x 7mm QFN, priced from $1.95 for orders of 1000 pieces.