With the widespread application of Brushless DC (BLDC) motors in electric vehicles, household appliances, industrial automation, and robotics, BLDC motor driver chips have become critical components. Driver chips not only handle motor commutation and current regulation but also determine operational efficiency, stability, and reliability. Therefore, understanding the common BLDC motor driver chips available on the market is essential for engineering design and system optimization.
Firstly, in terms of integration and functionality, chips from STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Infineon, and Microchip play significant roles in the industry. ST’s L6234 and L6390 series support three-phase half-bridge structures and offer overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, and dead-time adjustment, making them suitable for small- and medium-power motors. TI’s DRV830x and DRV831x series integrate high-performance MOSFET drivers and provide closed-loop speed control interfaces, widely used in e-bikes, drones, and industrial servo motors. Infineon’s TLE series and Microchip’s MC33035 also feature overcurrent, overtemperature, and undervoltage protection, while supporting both sensor-based and sensorless control modes to meet diverse application requirements.
Secondly, high-performance and intelligent BLDC driver chips are gaining attention. Modern driver chips integrate PWM modulation, speed and torque loops, overcurrent protection, and fault reporting, enabling high-precision closed-loop control. For example, ST’s SPIN32F0 and TI’s C2000 series, when combined with microcontrollers, can implement sinusoidal drive and Field Oriented Control (FOC), maintaining smooth operation under low-speed, high-torque conditions. Compared with traditional chips, these intelligent solutions reduce vibration and noise, improve efficiency, and support remote monitoring and parameter adjustment.
Thirdly, there are specialized chips for low-cost and low-power applications. Microchip’s MCP8024 and TI’s DRV10983 are suitable for fans, power tools, and small household motors. These chips usually integrate Hall sensor interfaces, three-phase bridge drivers, and protection functions, allowing developers to quickly design stable and reliable low-power BLDC systems. They also offer advantages in cost reduction and compact PCB footprint, making them ideal for mass production.
Moreover, the popularity of sensorless BLDC motors has driven further chip development. Many manufacturers offer driver solutions based on back-EMF detection, such as TI’s DRV8312 and ST’s L6235. These sensorless chips eliminate the need for Hall sensors while maintaining reliable electronic commutation, reducing system complexity and cost, and ensuring stable operation under light load or high-speed conditions.
When selecting a BLDC driver chip, engineers need to consider motor power, speed range, control method, protection requirements, and budget. Different chips vary in driving capability, functional integration, and development support, and proper matching ensures high-efficiency and stable operation.
In summary, common BLDC motor driver chips include ST’s L6234 and L6390 series, TI’s DRV830x and DRV831x series, Infineon’s TLE series, and Microchip’s MC33035 and MCP8024. These chips cover applications from low-power household motors to high-performance industrial systems, offering electronic commutation, overcurrent protection, temperature monitoring, and intelligent closed-loop control. With the continuous advancement of driver chip intelligence, BLDC motor systems will become more efficient, reliable, and play a greater role in electric vehicles, robotics, appliances, and industrial automation.