STMicroelectronics has released a Motor Control Reference Design Kit for 3-phase BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) and AC drive applications across three power ranges, up to 3kW. The modular four-board kit consists of a control board, the STEVAL-IHM001V1, and three power boards – the STEVAL-IHM003V1/004V1/005V1 – which are designed for 300W, 1kW and 3kW motors. Its hardware architecture is based on an inverter topology designed for a range of 3-phase applications, including AC Induction Motor, PMDC/AC or BLDC/AC (6-step sensorless) control, and PMAC or BLAC (sinusoidal driven, with Hall sensors), as well as for single and 3-phase UPS (Uninterriptible Power Supplies).

The inverter stages of the power boards consist of six, short-circuit protected IGBTs, with current capability determined by the board’s power rating. The 300W and 1kW boards can operate directly from an AC or DC power supply, while the 3kW board uses only DC power; all provide an auxiliary power supply, and are host to the Control board via in-line connectors.

Control of the reference design kit is based around an ST7FMC microcontroller, which is designed specifically for motor control applications and offers performance benefits compared to DSP-based MCUs. The physical design of all of the boards is reusable in the target application, aided by free availability of the OrCAD source files.

The Motor Control Reference Design Kits are available now, and US pricing for the 300W, 1kW and 3kW kits is $38, $45 and $55, respectively.