STMicroelectronics EVAL6470H-DISC

Overview

EVAL6470H-DISC from STMicroelectronics is a fully functional evaluation board for the L6470H microstepping motor driver IC, designed to drive two-phase bipolar stepper motors with up to 1/128 microstepping resolution, 7.0 A peak output current (3.0 A r.m.s.), and integrated motion engine supporting SPI-based positioning commands. It enables rapid validation of closed-loop motion control in lab and prototyping environments.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL6470H-DISC datasheet, EVAL6470H-DISC pinout, EVAL6470H-DISC application, or EVAL6470H-DISC equivalent, this board provides immediate access to sensorless stall detection, programmable slew rate, non-dissipative overcurrent protection, and real-time motion profile execution - critical for precision motion system development.

Technical Context

The EVAL6470H-DISC implements the full L6470H reference design, including HTSSOP28-mounting footprint, on-board 5 V LDO regulator, external crystal oscillator (8 MHz), decoupling network, and header-accessible SPI, BUSY/FLAG, and STEP/DIR signals. It supports both internal oscillator and external clock modes per L6470H CONFIG register settings.

All protection features - thermal warning/shutdown, UVLO, high-/low-side overcurrent detection, and stall detection - are fully wired and testable. Motor power path uses low-R_DS(on) MOSFETs with configurable deadtime and blanking time, validated per ST's AN4459 layout guidelines.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL6470H-DISC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation prototyping, medical device motion validation, laboratory robotics development, and precision optical stage control requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for EVAL6470H-DISC 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 automotive, industrial, and power management solutions with broad analog/mixed-signal IP and motor control expertise.

The EVAL6470H-DISC belongs to ST's motor control evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate adoption of intelligent, integrated stepper drivers with embedded motion engines for compact, high-precision motion systems.

FAQ

Does EVAL6470H-DISC support both HTSSOP28 and POWERSO36 variants of L6470?

No. EVAL6470H-DISC is specifically designed for the L6470H in HTSSOP28 package only. The L6470PD in POWERSO36 requires the separate EVAL6470PD evaluation board. Footprint, thermal pad layout, and pin spacing differ significantly between the two packages, making cross-socket compatibility impossible without PCB redesign.

Can EVAL6470H-DISC operate without an external microcontroller?

No. The board has no onboard MCU or firmware; it relies entirely on an external host controller (e.g., STM32, Arduino, or FPGA) to issue SPI commands (Run, Move, GoTo, GetStatus) and configure registers (KVAL, STEP_MODE, STALL_TH). All motion intelligence resides in the L6470H, but command initiation and system coordination require external logic.

What motor voltage and current limits apply when using EVAL6470H-DISC?

The board supports motor supply voltages from 8 V to 45 V DC and delivers up to 7.0 A peak (3.0 A r.m.s.) per phase. Continuous current capability depends on heatsinking and ambient temperature; at 25°C with recommended copper pour, sustained 3.0 A r.m.s. is achievable. Exceeding 45 V risks damage to the L6470H's internal charge pump and power switches.

Is sensorless stall detection validated and ready-to-use on EVAL6470H-DISC?

Yes. Stall detection is fully implemented using the L6470H's internal ADC and STALL_TH register. With default firmware examples (e.g., STSW-L6470D), the board detects motor stall by monitoring back-EMF-induced current signature shifts during microstepping - no external sensors or modifications required. Threshold calibration is performed via SPI writes to STALL_TH.