STMicroelectronics EVAL6235PD

Overview

EVAL6235PD from STMicroelectronics is a demonstration board for the L6235 three-phase brushless DC motor driver IC, designed to evaluate power dissipation, Hall-effect commutation (60°/120°), constant off-time PWM current control, non-dissipative overcurrent protection, and TACHO-based speed-loop implementation in a PowerSO-packaged DMOS driver. It supports 8–52 V supply, 5.6 A peak output, and stand-alone or EVALPRACTISPIN-controlled operation.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL6235PD datasheet, EVAL6235PD pinout, EVAL6235PD application, or EVAL6235PD equivalent, this board enables hands-on validation of BLDC motor drive performance-including thermal behavior under load, Hall sensor interface timing, brake/torque/speed mode selection via DIP switches, and external reference tuning for closed-loop speed control using the integrated LM358 op-amp.

Technical Context

The board implements a complete evaluation platform centered on the L6235PD IC, integrating Hall-effect sensor signal conditioning, analog TACHO pulse integration for speed feedback, and configurable PWM current regulation with user-adjustable off-time (via R10/C8) and TACHO pulse width (via R11/C9). It supports both torque-mode (VREF direct to L6235) and speed-mode (VREF to LM358 error amplifier) operation.

Power delivery includes dual-supply routing: main VS (8–52 V) through CN1, and logic-level 5 V supplied either internally (via R1/D2 Zener network, jumper-selectable via JP1/JP2) or externally through CN2 or CN4 pin 11. The large GND plane minimizes noise and optimizes thermal dissipation for the PowerSO-mounted L6235PD.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL6235PD is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for BLDC motor control development, embedded motion system prototyping, and industrial actuator validation requiring stable component supply and repeatable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for EVAL6235PD 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and analog/mixed-signal devices for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

The EVAL6235PD belongs to ST's motor control evaluation platform family, developed specifically to accelerate adoption of its L6235 three-phase BLDC driver IC by providing validated thermal, electrical, and Hall-interface reference designs.

FAQ

What is the role of the LM358 on the EVAL6235PD board?

The LM358 serves as an error amplifier in speed-mode operation: it compares the integrated TACHO signal (representing actual motor speed) against an external reference voltage (set by R17/R22), generating an error signal fed to the L6235PD's VREF pin to regulate average motor current and maintain target speed under load variation.

Can the EVAL6235PD operate without the EVALPRACTISPIN interface board?

Yes - the board supports stand-alone mode using S1 DIP switches to enable/disable the L6235PD, select torque or speed mode, set motor direction, and activate braking. External PWM or analog references can be applied directly to CN4 pins (e.g., VREF, FWD/REV, BRAKE) without software or host controller dependency.

How is the 5 V logic supply generated, and when should JP1/JP2 be opened?

The 5 V logic supply is derived from VS via R1 and Zener D2 (BZX384C5V1). JP1/JP2 must be opened when supplying 5 V externally - either through CN2 or CN4 pin 11 - to prevent conflict between internal and external sources and avoid potential damage to the Zener network or connected logic.

What does the "non-dissipative overcurrent protection" feature mean in practice?

This refers to the L6235PD's internal current-limiting architecture that disables output stages during overcurrent events without relying on external shunt resistors or power-dissipating sense elements. On the EVAL6235PD, it operates using the IC's built-in current-sense comparator and blanking timing, enabling fast, low-loss fault response without added board-level components or thermal burden.