Introduction to the BTS7960B Motor Drive Module

27 September 2023


Ⅰ. What is BTS7960B?

Ⅱ. BTS7960B symbol, footprint and pin configuration

Ⅲ. Technical parameters

Ⅳ. Features of BTS7960B

Ⅴ. What are the advantages and disadvantages of BTS7960B?

Ⅵ. How to optimize the BTS7960B chip?

Ⅶ. Package of BTS7960B

Ⅷ. Application of BTS7960B




Ⅰ. What is BTS7960B?


990e652afac0d1c5de4eec771bebda07.png


BTS7960B is an H-bridge motor driver chip produced by Infineon, which is used in robots and motor control. It has 1 output interface and 7 pins, and is packaged in TO-263-7. It is part of the NovalithIC series and contains a p-channel high-potential field effect transistor, an n-channel low-voltage field effect transistor, and a driver chip to form a fully integrated high-current half-bridge. The three chips are mounted on a common leadframe using chip-on-chip and chip-by-chip technology. The power switch uses vertical MOS technology to ensure optimal on-resistance. Since it uses p-channel high-side switching, a charge pump is no longer required, minimizing EMI. The driver IC features logic level inputs, current sense diagnostics, slew rate adjustment, dead time generation, and over-temperature, over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current and short-circuit protection. The BTS796 can be combined with other BTS7960s to form H-bridge and three-phase drive configurations.


Replacement and equivalent:

BTN7960BAUMA1

• DRV8871

L298N

L293D

L6203

• LMD18200

TB6612FNG



Ⅱ. BTS7960B symbol, footprint and pin configuration


The following are the symbol, footprint and pin configuration of BTS7960B.


7b1d5cf2fd62ca5ec0692c7e4a1b2ca0.png


BTS7960B is a power module with 7 pins. Its package structure is as follows:


Pin1 (GND): Ground


Pin2 (IN): Defines whether high- or lowside switch is activated


Pin3 (INH): When set to low device goes in sleep mode


Pin4,8 (OUT): Power output of the bridge


Pin5 (SR): The slew rate of the power switches can be adjusted by connecting a resistor between SR and GND


Pin6 (IS): Current sense and diagnosis


Pin7 (VS): Supply



Ⅲ. Technical parameters


8a6ecf5aa4ad597162391e4d4fe060ec.png



Ⅳ. Features of BTS7960B


• Driver circuit with logic level inputs


• Status flag diagnosis with current sense capability


• It can operate normally in the temperature range of - 40°C to 150°C.


• The driver has logic inputs and can be easily interfaced with logic circuits.


• Half-bridge driver, suitable for driving inductive loads


• PWM capability of up to 25 kHz combined with active freewheeling


• Features fault protection features including current limit, over-temperature, short circuit and UVLO.


• It integrates a P-channel high-side MOSFET, an N-channel low-side MOSFET and a driver IC.


• It adopts surface mount package and has a variety of package options, such as TO-263-8, D2Pak (7 leads + tabs) and TO-263CA.


• 74AHC244 Schmitt-trigger Octal buffer/ line driver for ESD protection (Inputs accepts voltages higher than VCC)



Ⅴ. What are the advantages and disadvantages of BTS7960B?


1.  Advantages of BTS7960B


• Has complete protection functions: BTS7960B has overheating, overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent and short circuit protection functions, which can ensure the safety of the motor and circuit and avoid damage to the motor and circuit due to abnormal power supply and overcurrent.


• Easy to use: It is simple to use and can drive and control the motor with only a few peripheral components, reducing the difficulty of use.


• High efficiency: BTS7960B has efficient motor driving capabilities, can achieve precise control of the motor, and has low power consumption, which helps reduce the energy consumption of the entire machine.


• High integration: It uses smart power chip technology to integrate motor drive, protection, control and other functions into one chip, simplifying circuit design and improving system reliability.


2. Disadvantages of BTS7960B


• Higher cost: Compared with ordinary power tubes, the price of BTS7960B is higher, which will lead to an increase in the cost of the entire equipment.


• Requires reasonable design: The design of the motor system driven by BTS7960B needs to consider many factors, such as current and voltage limits, resistance values, and capacitance values. Its design is relatively difficult and requires reasonable design to ensure its normal operation.



Ⅵ. How to optimize the BTS7960B chip?


1. Reasonable selection of motors


The power and current of the motor have a great impact on the working efficiency and cost of the BTS7960B chip. If the motor power is large, we need to choose a chip model with higher current and voltage and a heat sink of corresponding size to ensure system stability and safety.


2. Enhance system heat dissipation design


Due to the high power of the BTS7960B chip, a large amount of heat is generated. If the heat cannot be dissipated in time, it will affect the performance and stability of the chip. Therefore, we need to use suitable heat sinks and heat sinks and arrange the layout of the circuit board to facilitate air circulation.


3. Optimize the drive circuit


The driver circuit of the BTS7960B chip needs to consider factors such as high and low level driving capabilities, transmission delay and power consumption. In order to improve efficiency, we can use low-power drivers or drivers with stronger high and low-level driving capabilities, but we need to pay attention to the cost of the control circuit.


4. Use reasonable PWM control


When using PWM signals to control the BTS7960B chip, we need to adjust the duty cycle and frequency of the PWM signal according to the speed and current of the motor. In order to improve efficiency, we need to choose the appropriate PWM frequency. Normally, the PWM frequency is 1~10kHz, and frequent opening and closing operations should be avoided, otherwise it will cause unnecessary energy consumption to the motor.


5. Choose the appropriate resistor


The SR pin of the BTS7960B chip needs to be connected to GND through a resistor. The value of this resistor will affect the conversion rate of the chip. If we want to increase the conversion rate, we can reduce the resistance of this resistor, but a resistor that is too small will cause increased power consumption. Therefore, we need to choose the appropriate resistor according to the actual application requirements.



Ⅶ. Package of BTS7960B


66919d6e9ea179f9050f981e61c9a94f.png


BTS7960B is usually available in TO-263-7 package or TO-252-15 package. These packages provide multiple pins for connecting circuits.


The TO-263-7 package, commonly employed in high-power applications demanding efficient heat dissipation, typically features a pin layout of either 3x3 or 3x4, depending on the specific device model. This rectangular package design often incorporates raised heat sinks to enhance its thermal performance. Within this package, we can typically find 7 pins that serve various functions, including power delivery, control, and grounding. These pins collectively enable the device to function effectively in scenarios where managing heat is critical, ensuring optimal performance and reliability in high-power electronic applications.


The TO-252-15 is a common package known for its versatility. It features a pin layout that can either be 3x5 or 3x6, depending on the specific device model, making it adaptable to various applications. This package is typically employed in general power applications where there's no need for specialized heat dissipation measures, thanks to its efficient design. The package itself is characterized by a small, flat, and rectangular shape, which contributes to its space-saving advantage. Within its 15 pins, the TO-252-15 package accommodates power pins, control pins, and ground pins, making it a well-rounded choice for a range of electronic components and circuits.



Ⅷ. Application of BTS7960B


1. Application fields


• Robot motion control


• Motor drives for household appliances (e.g. washing machines, air conditioners, etc.)


• Motor control systems in industrial automation


• Motor control for electric vehicles (e.g. e-bikes, scooters, etc.)


The following are application examples of BTS7960B:


be4e7b915541a2012e111e9fd3152e25.png



2. Layout considerations


Since high currents have faster switching times, we must pay special attention to PCB layout. In power bridge design, stray inductance must be minimized as it is required in all switching high power bridges. The BTS 7960 does not have separate power ground and logic ground pins. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure that the offset between the ground connection of the slew rate resistor, the current sense resistor, and the ground pin of the device (GND/Pin 1) is minimized. If the BTS 7960 is used in an H-bridge or B6-bridge design, the voltage offset between the GND pins of different devices should also be small.


It is recommended to use ceramic capacitors from VS to GND near each device to provide current to the switching stage through a low inductance path, thereby reducing noise and ground bounce. A reasonable value for this capacitor is around 470 nF.


The digital inputs need to be protected against excessive currents (e.g. caused by induced voltage spikes) via series resistors in the range of 10 kΩ.




Frequently Asked Questions


1. What is the BTS7960B?


The BTS7960B is a dual H-bridge motor driver integrated circuit (IC) designed for controlling two DC motors or one stepper motor. It is commonly used in robotics and automotive applications.


2. What is the operating temperature range of BTS7960B ?


The operating temperature of BTS7960B ranges from - 40°C ~ 150°C.


3. What is the purpose of the BTS7960B?


It is used to provide controlled power to motors, enabling them to move in specific directions, at varying speeds, and with precise control. It also protects the control circuitry from back EMF generated by the motor.


4. What are some common applications of the BTS7960B?


Common applications for the BTS7960B include motorized vehicles (e.g., robots, RC cars), industrial automation, and various projects where precise motor control is required.