STMicroelectronics EVAL6229PD

Overview

EVAL6229PD from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board for the L6229PD PowerSO-36 packaged 3-phase BLDC motor driver IC. It implements non-dissipative overcurrent protection, constant t_OFF PWM current control, 60°/120° Hall decoding logic, and slow-decay synchronous rectification. Designed for factory automation end-points and small pumps, it supports 8–52 V supply, 2.8 A peak output current, and up to 100 kHz switching frequency.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL6229PD datasheet, EVAL6229PD pinout, EVAL6229PD application, or EVAL6229PD equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of L6229PD-based motor control systems-including Hall sensor interface timing, tachometer output fidelity, brake function response, and thermal behavior under 1.4 A DC load conditions.

Technical Context

The EVAL6229PD implements a complete reference design for the L6229PD DMOS 3-phase driver, integrating all external components required for operation: bootstrap charge pump (VCP, C_BOOT, D1/D2), RC networks for t_OFF (RCOFF) and tachometer pulse width (RCPULSE), sense resistor (R_SENSE), and logic-level interface circuitry for EN, FWD/REV, BRAKE, and Hall inputs. It exposes all 36 pins of the PowerSO-36 package via test points and screw terminals.

It supports both 60° and 120° Hall sensor phasing without hardware modification, leverages internal deadtime (1 µs typ.) to prevent cross-conduction, and routes DIAG and TACHO signals to buffered headers for oscilloscope monitoring. The board's copper pour and thermal vias are optimized to sustain junction temperatures ≤150 °C at 1.4 A DC with ambient ≤70 °C.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL6229PD is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for factory automation end-points, home appliance motor control, small pump drives, and ATM cash-handling mechanisms requiring stable component supply and rapid prototyping support.

Supply support for EVAL6229PD 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 headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in power management, motor control, and automotive-grade analog/mixed-signal ICs.

The EVAL6229PD belongs to ST's Motor Control Evaluation Kit product line, designed to accelerate development of robust, thermally efficient BLDC solutions for cost-sensitive industrial and consumer applications.

FAQ

What motor types and ratings is EVAL6229PD validated for?

EVAL6229PD is validated for 3-phase brushless DC motors with rated currents up to 1.4 A DC and supply voltages from 8 V to 52 V. It supports motors with either 60° or 120° Hall sensor spacing and has been tested with typical fan, pump, and conveyor loads exhibiting inductance ≥1 mH and back-EMF ≤40 V peak. No external current sensing amplifier is required.

Does EVAL6229PD include the L6229PD IC pre-mounted?

Yes, EVAL6229PD ships with the L6229PD IC factory-mounted in its PowerSO-36 package. The board includes all necessary passive components: bootstrap capacitor (220 nF), charge pump capacitor (10 nF), current sense resistor (5 mΩ, 1% tolerance), RC timing networks for t_OFF and tachometer pulse width, and ESD-protected logic-level interface buffers.

Can EVAL6229PD be used for closed-loop speed control?

Yes - the board provides direct access to the open-drain TACHO output, which delivers fixed-width pulses synchronized to H1 Hall transitions. When paired with an external microcontroller counting these pulses over time, precise speed feedback is achieved. The tachometer monostable is configured with R_PUL=20 kΩ and C_PUL=1 nF for ~12 ms pulse width, scalable via jumper-selectable RC options.

How is overcurrent protection verified on EVAL6229PD?

Overcurrent protection is verified using the DIAG pin, which pulls low during high-side OCD events or thermal shutdown. The board routes DIAG to a buffered header and LED indicator. Protection threshold is set by the sense resistor value (default 5 mΩ yields ~2.8 A peak trip) and is non-dissipative - no external shunt or comparator is needed. Timing delay (t_OCD(ON) ≤200 ns) is preserved per DS3275 Rev 7.