For BLDC motor control in automotive applications: Gate driver IC SmartMCDTM TB9M003FG from Toshiba - available from Rutronik

04/17/2025 Product News

Toshiba's gate driver IC with microcontroller unit (MCU), the SmartMCDTM TB9M003FG, is now available from Rutronik. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities for more efficient control of three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). The TB9M003FG includes Toshiba's Vector Engine (VE), which simplifies motor vector control and reduces the load on the CPU. This is particularly beneficial for brushless DC (BLDC) motors in automotive applications. The SmartMCDTM TB9M003FG and other products from Toshiba Electronics Europe are available on the e-commerce platform www.rutronik24.com.

The SmartMCDTM TB9M003FG is built on Toshiba's mixed-signal process technology and combines a Cortex-M0 type CPU with a vector engine (VE) coprocessor and preamplifiers to control external B6 N-channel MOSFETs. This level of integration of the device enables smaller, simpler, and more cost-effective BLDC motor systems with 30 - 1000 W.

The device is connected directly to the battery and the LIN bus (Local Interconnect Network). The integrated wake-up function ensures energy-efficient operation and communication.

Applications requiring precise positioning, torque or speed control benefit from accurate field-oriented control thanks to the integrated VE co-processor. It accelerates the necessary mathematical operations and reduces the load on the CPU. The fast PWM frequency and advanced control algorithms contribute to smooth and quiet operation and reduce vibrations and noise. Features such as sensorless measurement with a shunt, a reduced number of components and a smaller program code size help to lower overall system costs.

Another advantage: the gate driver IC has various detection circuits, such as current limiting, overcurrent, VBAT overvoltage and overtemperature protection circuits, as well as error detection in the event of undervoltage, open/short-circuited external power MOSFET and overheating. This lowers system costs and significantly reduces development effort by eliminating the need for several external circuits.

 

Benefits at a glance:

  • 32-bit MCU (Arm® Cortex®-M0), operating frequency: 40 MHz (integrated low-speed/high-speed oscillator)
  • Integrated memory: Flash: 64 KB, ROM: 12 KB, RAM: 4 KB
  • Integrated vector engine and programmable motor driver
  • Built-in 1-shunt resistor current measurement amplifier, 12-bit ADC and 10-bit ADC
  • Communication method: LIN and PWM communication selectable, UART
  • Operating temperature (Ta): -40°C - +150°C
  • HTQFP48 package (9.0 mm × 9.0 mm) with thermal improvement
  • AEC-Q100 (Grade 0), qualified for automotive electronic component certification.

 

Application examples:

  • Automotive industry
    • Water pumps
    • Oil pumps
    • Fans
    • Blowers

Toshiba's gate driver IC is the optimal choice for reducing overall system costs and development effort for three-phase BLDC motors.