STMicroelectronics EVAL6207N

Overview

EVAL6207N from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board for the L6207 DMOS dual full-bridge motor driver IC, designed to validate bipolar stepper and dual DC motor control in 8–52 V systems. It supports 5.6 A peak output current per bridge, features dual independent constant t_OFF PWM current controllers, slow-decay synchronous rectification, and non-dissipative overcurrent protection on high-side MOSFETs.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL6207N datasheet, EVAL6207N pinout, EVAL6207N application, or EVAL6207N equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of closed-loop current-controlled motor drives with validated thermal management, bootstrap gate drive circuitry, and real-time fault response testing under load.

Technical Context

The EVAL6207N implements the full functional interface of the L6207 IC, including dual independent PWM current regulation via external RC networks on RCA/RCB pins, programmable t_OFF (13–61 µs), and integrated charge pump (VCP @ 0.6–1 MHz) driving VBOOT for N-channel high-side gate control. It supports both open-drain and push-pull ENA/ENB configurations with configurable R_EN/C_EN networks.

Board-level design mirrors the L6207's internal architecture: two isolated full bridges with cross-conduction protection (1 µs deadtime), non-dissipative overcurrent detection (5.6 A threshold), and thermal shutdown at 165 °C. All critical signals - IN1A/IN2A/IN1B/IN2B, VREFA/VREFB, SENSEA/SENSEB - are accessible via test points and headers for oscilloscope probing and signal injection.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL6207N is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor control validation, stepper motion prototyping, and dual DC actuator development requiring stable component supply and production-ready reference design fidelity.

Supply support for EVAL6207N includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader specializing in power management, motor control, and analog/mixed-signal ICs, with broad industrial and automotive qualification coverage.

The EVAL6207N belongs to ST's motor driver evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate design-in of high-current, thermally robust full-bridge solutions for precision motion control applications.

FAQ

What motor types can be evaluated using the EVAL6207N?

The EVAL6207N is configured to evaluate bipolar stepper motors and dual independent DC brushed motors. Its L6207-based dual full-bridge topology supports bidirectional current control per winding or motor, enabling full-step, half-step, and microstepping (with external controller) for steppers, and forward/reverse/brake operation for DC motors up to 5.6 A peak per channel.

Does the EVAL6207N include onboard current sensing resistors?

No - the EVAL6207N does not include shunt resistors on SENSEA or SENSEB. It provides dedicated solder pads and test points for user-installed external sense resistors, matching the L6207's requirement for external current-sense elements to set RMS current limits and enable PWM chopping regulation.

How is overcurrent protection implemented on this evaluation board?

Overcurrent protection uses the L6207's internal non-dissipative detection circuitry. When phase current exceeds 5.6 A, the IC pulls ENA or ENB low via an internal open-drain transistor (4 mA sink). The board provides R_EN/C_EN footprints (2.2 kΩ–180 kΩ / 5.6 nF recommended) to configure automatic recovery timing after fault clearance.

Can the EVAL6207N operate without an external microcontroller?

Yes - the board supports standalone operation using manual logic toggling via DIP switches or jumper-configured TTL/CMOS inputs. All four bridge inputs (IN1A/IN2A/IN1B/IN2B), enable pins (ENA/ENB), and reference voltages (VREFA/VREFB) are accessible, allowing basic functional verification without firmware or host controller.