Melexis Introduces Pre-Driver Chips MLX81340 and MLX81344 for Miniaturized Design of LIN-Based 500W Electromechanical Modules

     Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, announced that it has launched new LIN BLDC motor pre-driver chip solutions for automotive electromechanical applications, the MLX81340 and MLX81344, which combine the advantages of small size, high performance and high power. The MLX81340 (32KB Flash) and MLX81344 (64KB Flash) contain three channels of high-side and low-side drivers. External NFETs with up to 60nC capacitance can be controlled to handle applications up to 500W.both chips are AEC-Q100 qualified and specified for an operating temperature range of -40°C to 150°C.

     The MLX81340 and MLX81344 pre-driver chips from Melexis further expand the family of single-chip third-generation LIN motor drivers. The new chip integrates a LIN communication interface, high-side and low-side drivers, and provides protection mechanisms for external power FETs. The MLX81340 and MLX81344 are available in pin-compatible 4mm x 4mm QFN24 and 5mm x 5mm QFN32 packages, helping to greatly reduce PCB size.

     "Whether it's an application with power below 10W, or up to 1000W, our LIN driver chip family can provide customers with tailor-made solutions. These products are integrated on a single chip, which can effectively save space, simplify design and Increased reliability,” said Marc Lambrechts, product line manager for embedded motor drives at Melexis. "Our innovative driver ICs offer the perfect balance of price and performance across a broad range of applications, enabling customers to create versatile and competitive mechatronic solutions."

     Both chips feature Melexis' high-voltage SOI technology and integrate analog and digital circuits with driver stages that include high-side and low-side drivers, charge pumps, voltage monitors to protect external FETs, and current sensing. The chip features a LIN controller and physical layer, PWM generator, and diagnostic and watchdog functions for smooth and quiet Field Oriented Control (FOC) of BLDC motors. Developed according to the ISO26262 standard, the MLX81340 and MLX81344 meet SEooC (Safety Independent Element) ASIL-B for proper safety diagnostics and safety operations for demanding applications.

     Melexis provides technical support for developers using the MLX81340 and MLX81344, including a complete LIN software communication stack and application code examples to quickly start evaluating their own mechatronics prototypes. These examples bring together Melexis' extensive experience in sensorless motor drives (Trusense™) and FOC to help users achieve efficient, low noise operation.