2-Phase Stepper-Motor Driver TCA 3727

Overview Bipolar IC

Features
2 x 0.75 amp. / 50 V outputs
Integrated driver, control logic and current control
(chopper)
Fast free-wheeling diodes
Max. supply voltage 52 V
Outputs free of crossover current
Offset-phase turn-ON of output stages P-DIP-20-6
Z-diode for logic supply
Low standby-current drain
Full, half, quarter, mini step

P-DSO-24-3

Type Ordering Code Package

TCA 3727 Q67000-A8302 P-DIP-20-6
TCA 3727 G Q67000-A8335 P-DSO-24-3

Description
TCA 3727 is a bipolar, monolithic IC for driving bipolar stepper motors, DC motors and
other inductive loads that operate on constant current. The control logic and power
output stages for two bipolar windings are integrated on a single chip which permits
switched current control of motors with 0.75 A per phase at operating voltages up to
50 V.

Semiconductor Group 1 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

The direction and value of current are programmed for each phase via separate control
inputs. A common oscillator generates the timing for the current control and turn-on with
phase offset of the two output stages. The two output stages in a full-bridge configuration
have integrated, fast free-wheeling diodes and are free of crossover current. The logic is
supplied either separately with 5 V or taken from the motor supply voltage by way of a
series resistor and an integrated Z-diode. The device can be driven directly by a
microprocessor with the possibility of all modes from full step through half step to mini
step.

Semiconductor Group 2 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

TCA 3727 TCA 3727 G

10 1 20 20

11 2 19 21 10 1 24 20
11 2 23 21
Phase 1 3 18 Phase 2 Phase 1 3 22 Phase 2
OSC 4 21 Inhibit
OSC 4 17 Inhibit
GND 5 20 GND
5 16 GND 6 19 GND
GND GND
GND 7 18 GND
GND 6 15 GND GND 8 17 GND
Q11 9 16 Q21
Q11 7 14 Q21 R1 10 15 R2
+ VS 11 14 +VL
R1 8 13 R2
Q12 12 13 Q22
VS 9 12 VL IEP00898

Q12 10 11 Q22

IEP00696

Figure 1 Pin Configuration (top view)

Semiconductor Group 3 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Pin Definitions and Functions

Pin No. Function
1, 2, 19, 20 Digital control inputs IX0, IX1 for the magnitude of the current of
(1, 2, 23, 24) 1) the particular phase.

IX1 IX0 Phase Current Example of

Motor Status
H H 0 No current
typical Imax with
H L 1/3 Imax Hold Rsense = 1 : 750 mA
LH 2/3 Imax Set
LL Imax Accelerate

3 Input Phase 1; controls the current through phase winding 1. On

H-potential the phase current flows from Q11 to Q12, on L-potential in
the reverse direction.
5, 6, 15, 16 Ground; all pins are connected internally.
(5, 6, 7, 8, 17,
18, 19, 20) 1)
4 Oscillator; works at approx. 25 kHz if this pin is wired to ground
across 2.2 nF.
8 (10) 1) Resistor R1 for sensing the current in phase 1.
7, 10 (9, 12) 1) Push-pull outputs Q11, Q12 for phase 1 with integrated
free-wheeling diodes.
9 (11) 1) Supply voltage; block to ground, as close as possible to the IC, with
a stable electrolytic capacitor of at least 10 F in parallel with a
ceramic capacitor of 220 nF.
12 (14) 1) Logic supply voltage; either supply with 5 V or connect to + VS
across a series resistor. A Z-diode of approx. 7 V is integrated. In both
cases block to ground directly on the IC with a stable electrolytic
capacitor of 10 F in parallel with a ceramic capacitor of 100 nF.
11, 14 Push-pull outputs Q22, Q21 for phase 2 with integrated free
(13, 16) 1) wheeling diodes.
13 (15) 1) Resistor R2 for sensing the current in phase 2.

Semiconductor Group 4 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Pin Definitions and Functions (contd)

Pin No. Function
17 (21) 1) Inhibit input; the IC can be put on standby by low potential on this
pin. This reduces the current consumption substantially.
18 (22) 1) Input phase 2; controls the current flow through phase winding 2. On
H-potential the phase current flows from Q21 to Q22, on L potential in
the reverse direction.
1)
TCA 3727 G only

Semiconductor Group 5 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

+ VL + VS
12 9

4
OSC

Q11
7

10 1 Phase 1

Q12
10
11 2
Function
Logic
Phase 1

Phase 1 3 8
R1

Inhibit 17
Inhibit

Q21
14

20 20 Phase 2

Q22
11
21 19
Function
Logic
Phase 2

Phase 2 18 13
R2

5, 6, 15, 16
GND IEB00697

Figure 2 Block Diagram TCA 3727

Semiconductor Group 6 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

+ VL + VS
14 11

4
Oscillator
D11 D12 Q11
T11 T12 9

10 1 Phase 1

D13 D14 Q12

T13 T14 12
11 2
Functional
Logic
Phase 1

Phase 1 3 10
R1

Inhibit 21
Inhibit
D21 D22 Q21
T21 T22 16

20 24 Phase 2

D23 D24 Q22

T23 T24 13
21 23
Functional
Logic
Phase 2

Phase 2 22 15
R2

5-8, 17-19
GND IEB00899

Figure 3 Block Diagram TCA 3727 G

Semiconductor Group 7 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Absolute Maximum Ratings

TA = 40 to 125 C
Parameter Symbol Limit Values Unit Remarks
min. max.
Supply voltage VS 0 52 V
Logic supply voltage VL 0 6.5 V Z-diode
Z-current of VL IL 50 mA
Output current IQ 1 1 A
Ground current IGND 2 2 A
Logic inputs VIxx 6 VL + 0.3 V IXX ; Phase 1, 2; Inhibit
R1 , R2, oscillator input voltage VRX, 0.3 VL + 0.3 V
VOSC
Junction temperature Tj 125 C
Tj 150 C max. 1,000 h
Storage temperature Tstg 50 125 C

Semiconductor Group 8 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Operating Range
Parameter Symbol Limit Values Unit Remarks
min. max.
Supply voltage VS 5 50 V
Logic supply voltage VL 4.5 6.5 V without series
resistor
Case temperature TC 40 110 C measured on pin 5
Pdiss = 2 W
Output current IQ 1000 1000 mA
Logic inputs VIXX 5 VL V IXX ; Phase 1, 2;
Inhibit

Thermal Resistances
Junction ambient Rth ja 56 K/W P-DIP-20-3
Junction ambient Rth ja 40 K/W P-DIP-20-3
(soldered on a 35 m thick 20 cm2

PC board copper area)

Junction case Rth jc 18 K/W measured on pin 5
P-DIP-20-3

Junction ambient Rth ja 75 K/W P-DSO-24-3

Junction ambient Rth ja 50 K/W P-DSO-24-3
(soldered on a 35 m thick 20 cm2

PC board copper area)

Junction case Rth jc 15 K/W measured on pin 5
P-DSO-24-3

Semiconductor Group 9 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Characteristics
VS = 40 V; VL = 5 V; 25 C Tj 125 C
Parameter Symbol Limit Values Unit Test Condition
min. typ. max.

Current Consumption
from + VS IS 0.2 0.5 mA Vinh = L
from + VS IS 16 20 mA Vinh = H
IQ1/2 = 0, IXX = L
from + VL IL 1.7 3 mA Vinh = L
from + VL IL 18 25 mA Vinh = H
IQ1/2 = 0, IXX = L

Oscillator
Output charging current IOSC 110 A
Charging threshold VOSCL 1.3 V
Discharging threshold VOSCH 2.3 V
Frequency fOSC 18 25 35 kHz COSC = 2.2 nF

Phase Current Selection (R1; R2)

Current Limit Threshold
No current Vsense n 0 mV IX0 = H; IX1 = H
Hold Vsense h 200 250 300 mV IX0 = L; IX1 = H
Setpoint Vsense s 460 540 620 mV IX0 = H; IX1 = L
Accelerate Vsense a 740 825 910 mV IX0 = L; IX1 = L

Logic Inputs
(IX1 ; IX0 ; Phase x)
Threshold VI 1.4 2.3 V
(HL) (LH)
L-input current IIL 10 A VI = 1.4 V
L-input current IIL 100 A VI = 0 V
H-input current IIH 10 A VI = 5 V

Semiconductor Group 10 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Characteristics (contd)
VS = 40 V; VL = 5 V; 25 C Tj 125 C
Parameter Symbol Limit Values Unit Test Condition
min. typ. max.

Standby Cutout (inhibit)

Threshold VInh 2 3 4 V
(LH)
Threshold VInh 1.7 2.3 2.9 V
(HL)
Hysteresis VInhhy 0.3 0.7 1.1 V

Internal Z-Diode
Z-voltage VLZ 6.5 7.4 8.2 V IL = 50 mA

Power Outputs

Diode Transistor Sink Pair

(D13, T13; D14, T14; D23, T23; D24, T24)
Saturation voltage Vsatl 0.3 0.6 V IQ = 0.5 A
Saturation voltage Vsatl 0.5 1 V IQ = 0.75 A
Reverse current IRl 300 A VQ = 40 V
Forward voltage VFl 0.9 1.3 V IQ = 0.5 A
Forward voltage VFl 1 1.4 V IQ = 0.75 A

Diode Transistor Source Pair

(D11, T11; D12, T12; D21, T21; D22, T22)
Saturation voltage VsatuC 0.9 1.2 V IQ = 0.5 A;
charge
Saturation voltage VsatuD 0.3 0.7 V IQ = 0.5 A;
discharge
Saturation voltage VsatuC 1.1 1.4 V IQ = 0.75 A;
charge
Saturation voltage VsatuD 0.5 1 V IQ = 0.75 A;
discharge
Reverse current IRu 300 A VQ = 0 V
Forward voltage VFu 1 1.3 V IQ = 0.5 A
Forward voltage VFu 1.1 1.4 V IQ = 0.75 A
Diode leakage current ISL 1 2 mA IF = 0.75 A

Semiconductor Group 11 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Quiescent Current IS, IL versus Quiescent Current IS, IL versus

Supply Voltage VS Junction Temperature Tj
IED01655 IED01656
40 40
mA mA
S, L T j = 25 C S, L
V S = 40V
30 30
XX = L

20 L 20 L XX = L
XX = H L L
XX = H
S
10 10
S

0 0
0 10 20 30 V 50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 C 150
VS Tj

Output Current IQX versus

Junction Temperature Tj Operating Condition:
IED01657
800 VL =5V
mA VInh =H
QX COSC = 2.2 nF
Rsense =1
600 Load: L = 10 mH
R = 2.4
fphase = 50 Hz
mode: fullstep
400

200

0
-25 0 25 50 75 100 C 150
Tj

Semiconductor Group 12 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Output Saturation Voltages Vsat Forward Current IF of Free-Wheeling

versus Output Current IQ Diodes versus Forward Voltages VF
IED01167
1.0
F
A V Fl V Fu
0.8
T j = 25 C

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.5 1.0 V 1.5
VF

Typical Power Dissipation Ptot versus Permissible Power Dissipation Ptot

Output Current IQ (Non Stepping) versus Case Temperature TC
IED01660
12
W Measured
Ptot at pin 5.
10

P-DSO-24
8

6
P-DIP-20

0
-25 0 25 50 75 100 125 C 175
Tc

Semiconductor Group 13 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Input Characteristics of Ixx, Phase X, Input Current of Inhibit versus

Inhibit JunctionTemperature Tj
IED01661
0.8
mA
IXX 0.6
V L = 5V
0.4

0.2

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8
-6 -5 -2 3.9 2 V 6
V IXX

Oscillator Frequency fOSC versus

Junction Temperature Tj
IED01663
30
V S = 40V
kHz V L = 5V
f OSC COSZ = 2.2nF

25

20

15
-25 0 25 50 75 100 125 C 150
Tj

Semiconductor Group 14 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

100 F 220 nF L S 220 nF 100 F

VS
12 9
VL VS
1
10
7 VSatu
2 Q11
11 - VFu
L 3
Phase 1 10 Q
H Q12 - Fu
17
Inhibit TCA 3727
20 Q21
14 -R
20 Ru
19
21 Q22
11 VSatl
18
Phase 2
V L
OSC GND - VFl
V H
4 13 8 5, 6
15, 16
OSC VOSC VSense
R2 R1
GND
2.2 nF 1 1
VSense

IES00706

Figure 4 Test Circuit

+5 V +40 V
100 F 220 nF 220 nF 100 F

12 3
VL VS
1
10
2 7
11 Q11
3
Phase 1 10
Q12
Micro 17
Controller Inhibit TCA 3727
20 14
Q21
20
19 M
21 Q22
11
18
Phase 2
OSC GND
4 13 8 5, 6
15, 16
R2 R1
2.2 nF
1 1
IES00707

Figure 5 Application Circuit

Semiconductor Group 15 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Accelerate Mode Normal Mode

H
10
L
t
H
11
L
t
H
Phase 1
L
t
i acc
i set

Q1
t
i set
i acc

i acc
i set

Q2
t
i set
i acc
t
H
Phase 2
L
t
H
20
L
t
H
21
L
IED01666

Figure 6 Full-Step Operation

Semiconductor Group 16 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Accelerate Mode Normal Mode

H
10
L
t
H
11
L
t
H
Phase 1
L
t
i acc
i set

Q1
t
- i set
- i acc

i acc
i set

Q2
t
- i set
- i acc

H
Phase 2
L
t
H
20
L
t
H
21
L
t
IED01667

Figure 7 Half-Step Operation

Semiconductor Group 17 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Figure 8 Quarter-Step Operation

Semiconductor Group 18 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

H
10
L
t
H
11
L
t
H
Phase 1
L
t
i acc
i set
i hold
Q1
t
i hold
i set
i acc
i acc
i set
i hold
Q2
t
i hold
i set
i acc

H
Phase 2
L
t
H
20
L
t
H
21
L
t
IED01665

Figure 9 Mini-Step Operation

Semiconductor Group 19 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

V Osc
2.4 V

1.4 V
0
T t
GND

0
t

V Q12
+ VS
V FU
V sat 1
0
t
V Q11 V satu D V satu C
+ VS

t
V Q22
+ VS

0
t
V Q21
+ VS

t
Operating conditions:
VS = 40 V
VL =5V
L phase x = 10 mH
R phase x = 20
V phase x =H
V Inhibit =H
V xx =L IED01177

Figure 10 Current Control

Semiconductor Group 20 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Inhibit
L
t
V Osc
2.3 V
Oscillator Oscillator
High Imped. High Imped.
1.3 V
t
0
Phase Changeover
Phase 1
L
GND t
N

t
V Fu Vsatu D
Vsatu C
+V S
V Q11 High
High V satl Impe-
Impedance dance
V Fl

+V S
V Q12
High
Impedance

Phase 1 Slow Current Decay

t
Operating Conditions: Fast Current Decay Fast
VS = 40 V Current
V =5V Decay by
L phase 1 = 10 mH Inhibit
Slow
R phase 1 = 20 Current Decay
1X = L; 1X = H IED01178

Figure 11 Phase Reversal and Inhibit

Semiconductor Group 21 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Calculation of Power Dissipation

The total power dissipation Ptot is made up of
saturation losses Psat (transistor saturation voltage and diode forward voltages),
quiescent losses Pq (quiescent current times supply voltage) and
switching losses Ps (turn-ON / turn-OFF operations).
The following equations give the power dissipation for chopper operation without phase
reversal. This is the worst case, because full current flows for the entire time and
switching losses occur in addition.
Ptot = 2 Psat + Pq + 2 Ps
where Psat IN { Vsatl d + VFu (1 d ) + VsatuC d + VsatuD (1 d ) }

Pq = Iq VS + IL VL

V S i D t DON i D + i R t ON I N
P S ------ ---------------------- + ------------------------------ + ----- t DOFF + t OFF
T
2 4 2

IN = nominal current (mean value)

Iq = quiescent current
iD = reverse current during turn-on delay
iR = peak reverse current
tp = conducting time of chopper transistor
tON = turn-ON time
tOFF = turn-OFF time
tDON = turn-ON delay
tDOFF = turn-OFFdelay
T = cycle duration
d = duty cycle tp/T
Vsatl = saturation voltage of sink transistor (T3, T4)
VsatuC = saturation voltage of source transistor (T1, T2) during charge cycle
VsatuD = saturation voltage of source transistor (T1, T2) during discharge cycle
VFu = forward voltage of free-wheeling diode (D1, D2)
VS = supply voltage
VL = logic supply voltage
IL = current from logic supply

Semiconductor Group 22 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

+V S

Tx2
Tx1 Dx1 Dx2

Tx4
Tx3 Dx3 Dx4

V sense

R sense
IES01179

Figure 12

Turn-ON iR Turn-OFF
Voltage and
Current at N
iD
Chopper
Transistor VS + VFu

VS + VFu

Vsatl

t D ON t ON t D OFF t OFF t

tp
IET01210

Figure 13

Semiconductor Group 23 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Application Hints
The TCA 3727 is intended to drive both phases of a stepper motor. Special care has
been taken to provide high efficiency, robustness and to minimize external components.

Power Supply
The TCA 3727 will work with supply voltages ranging from 5 V to 50 V at pin Vs. As the
circuit operates with chopper regulation of the current, interference generation problems
can arise in some applications. Therefore the power supply should be decoupled by a
0.22 F ceramic capacitor located near the package. Unstabilized supplies may even
afford higher capacities.

Current Sensing
The current in the windings of the stepper motor is sensed by the voltage drop across R1
and R2. Depending on the selected current internal comparators will turn off the sink
transistor as soon as the voltage drop reaches certain thresholds (typical 0 V, 0.25 V,
0.5 V and 0.75 V); (R1 , R2 = 1 ). These thresholds are neither affected by variations of
VL nor by variations of VS.
Due to chopper control fast current rises (up to 10 A/s) will occure at the sensing
resistors R1 and R2. To prevent malfunction of the current sensing mechanism R1 and R2
should be pure ohmic. The resistors should be wired to GND as directly as possible.
Capacitive loads such as long cables (with high wire to wire capacity) to the motor should
be avoided for the same reason.

Synchronizing Several Choppers

In some applications synchrone chopping of several stepper motor drivers may be
desireable to reduce acoustic interference. This can be done by forcing the oscillator of
the TCA 3727 by a pulse generator overdriving the oscillator loading currents
(approximately 100 A). In these applications low level should be between 0 V and
1 V while high level should be between 2.6 V and VL.

Optimizing Noise Immunity

Unused inputs should always be wired to proper voltage levels in order to obtain highest
possible noise immunity.
To prevent crossconduction of the output stages the TCA 3727 uses a special break
before make timing of the power transistors. This timing circuit can be triggered by short
glitches (some hundred nanoseconds) at the Phase inputs causing the output stage to
become high resistive during some microseconds. This will lead to a fast current decay
during that time. To achieve maximum current accuracy such glitches at the Phase
inputs should be avoided by proper control signals.

Semiconductor Group 24 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Thermal Shut Down

To protect the circuit against thermal destruction, thermal shut down has been
implemented. To provide a warning in critical applications, the current of the sensing
element is wired to input Inhibit. Before thermal shut down occures Inhibit will start to pull
down by some hundred microamperes. This current can be sensed to build a
temperature prealarm.

Semiconductor Group 25 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

Package Outlines

P-DSO-24-3
(Plastic Dual Small Outline Package)

0.35 x 45

2.65 max
2.45 -0.2
7.6 -0.2 1)

0.2 -0.1

+0.09

x
8 ma
0.23
1.27 0.4 +0.8
0.35 +0.15 2) 0.1 10.3 0.3
0.2 24x

24 13

1 12
15.6 -0.4 1)

Index Marking
1) Does not include plastic or metal protrusions of 0.15 max rer side
2) Does not include dambar protrusion of 0.05 max per side GPS05144

Sorts of Packing
Package outlines for tubes, trays etc. are contained in our
Data Book Package Information.
SMD = Surface Mounted Device Dimensions in mm

Semiconductor Group 26 1998-02-01

 TCA 3727

P-DIP-20-6
(Plastic Dual In-line Package)

GPD05587

Sorts of Packing
Package outlines for tubes, trays etc. are contained in our
Data Book Package Information. Dimensions in mm

Semiconductor Group 27 1998-02-01