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Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated TMC260-PA
- Part No.:
- TMC260-PA
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Motor Drivers, Controllers
- Package:
- 44-LQFP
- Datasheet:
-
TMC260-PA.pdf
- Description:
- IC MTR DRV BIPOLAR 3-5.25V 44QFP
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,671
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Product details
Overview
TMC260-PA from TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG is a two-phase bipolar stepper motor driver IC with integrated power MOSFETs, rated for up to 2 A coil current and 40 V DC motor supply voltage. It implements spreadCycle™ chopper control, stallGuard2™ sensorless load detection, and coolStep™ adaptive current reduction. Used in precision motion systems such as lab automation and medical fluid handling where silent, efficient, and stall-resilient microstepping is required.
For engineers reviewing the TMC260-PA datasheet, TMC260-PA pinout, TMC260-PA application, or TMC260-PA equivalent, key selection criteria include its 256-microstep resolution, QFP-44 package thermal performance, 40 V DC max supply rating (distinct from TMC261-PA's 60 V), and SPI + STEP/DIR dual-interface flexibility for embedded motion control integration.
Technical Context
The TMC260-PA integrates dual H-bridge MOSFET stages with break-before-make logic, synchronous rectification, and programmable slope control to minimize EMI and conduction losses. Its internal 15 MHz oscillator (or external clock input) drives a 1024-entry sine table for microstep interpolation and supports both spreadCycle™ (low-resonance, high-fidelity current waveform) and constant off-time chopper modes.
stallGuard2™ measures back-EMF on motor coils to deliver linearized 10-bit load feedback (0–1023), enabling stall detection without sensors and feeding coolStep™ to dynamically scale coil current-reducing power dissipation by up to 75% under light loads. Protection includes short-to-GND, open-load, overtemperature (100°C/150°C thresholds), and undervoltage detection.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Max Motor Supply Voltage | 40 V DC - defines absolute upper rail for motor power stage; lower than TMC261-PA's 60 V, requiring careful system-level voltage margining. |
| Continuous Coil Current | 2 A per phase - supported by integrated low-RDS(on) MOSFETs and thermal design of QFP-44 package with exposed pad. |
| Microstep Resolution | Up to 256 microsteps/full step - enabled via microPlyer™ interpolation, allowing smooth motion from coarse STEP/DIR inputs. |
| Chopper Algorithm | spreadCycle™ - delivers near-sinusoidal current waveform with minimized zero-crossing distortion and reduced acoustic noise vs. constant off-time. |
| Load Sensing | stallGuard2™ - 10-bit analog-back-EMF-derived load value (0–1023); used for stall detection, homing, and coolStep™ current scaling. |
| Interface Support | SPI (20-bit command/status) + STEP/DIR - dual-mode control: SPI enables direct current register writes; STEP/DIR maintains legacy compatibility. |
| Protection Features | Overtemperature, short-to-GND, open-load, undervoltage - autonomous hardware-level fault responses with status reporting via SPI. |
Pinout & Package
Package: QFP-44 (10 × 10 mm²), thermally enhanced with exposed pad; RoHS-compliant, lead-free finish.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| OA1, OA2, OB1, OB2 | Motor Bridge Outputs | High-current source/sink terminals for Phase A/B coils; multiple pins per terminal reduce trace resistance and improve thermal spreading. |
| VSA, VSB | Bridge Power Inputs | Positive supply connections for H-bridge stages; require local bulk + ceramic filtering to suppress chopper ripple. |
| SRA, SRB | Current Sense Inputs | Differential inputs for external sense resistors (typically 150 mΩ); set chopper reference via VREF = 0.30 V. |
| 5VOUT | On-chip Regulator Output | 5 V linear regulator output powering low-side MOSFET gates and analog circuitry; requires 470 nF ceramic capacitor to GND. |
| STEP, DIR | Step/Direction Interface | Asynchronous digital inputs with 60 ns glitch filter; support rising or dual-edge STEP triggering and real-time direction sampling. |
| SDI, SDO, SCK, CSN | SPI Interface | Full-duplex 20-bit SPI bus (3.3 V or 5 V tolerant); CSN active-low enables multi-device daisy-chaining or independent addressing. |
| SG_TST | Stall Detection Output | Active-high open-drain signal asserted when stallGuard2™ reading ≤ SGT threshold; directly interfaces to MCU interrupt or status LED. |
| ENN | Enable Input | Active-low global enable for all power MOSFETs; allows fast, synchronous shutdown without SPI transaction overhead. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| spreadCycle™ Chopper | Delivers smoother torque and lower audible noise by minimizing current waveform distortion at zero crossing-critical for medical and lab equipment. |
| stallGuard2™ Load Sensing | Enables sensorless homing to mechanical stops and real-time stall detection using only motor back-EMF-eliminates need for external limit switches. |
| coolStep™ Adaptive Current | Reduces RMS coil current based on real-time load feedback, cutting power dissipation by up to 75% and easing thermal design of enclosed systems. |
| microPlyer™ Interpolation | Generates 256 microsteps from coarse STEP inputs (e.g., 16-step commands), improving motion smoothness without increasing host controller timing demands. |
| Integrated Protection Suite | Hardware-enforced safeguards-including short-to-GND, open-load, overtemperature, and undervoltage-enable robust operation in unattended industrial environments. |
Applications
| Lab Automation | Medical Fluid Handling |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Precision syringe pump actuation in automated analyzers requiring repeatable sub-microliter dosing across variable fluid viscosities. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TMC260-PA serves as the closed-loop stepper driver, executing microstepped motion while using stallGuard2™ to detect occlusion-induced motor stall. Use Value: Enables real-time fluid path integrity monitoring without pressure sensors-reducing BOM cost and failure points in IVD platforms. |
Use Scenario: Peristaltic pump control in dialysis machines where silent, vibration-free operation and energy efficiency are critical for patient comfort and battery runtime. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TMC260-PA drives the pump motor with spreadCycle™ chopper and coolStep™, dynamically lowering current during low-flow phases. Use Value: Achieves >70% reduction in heat generation versus fixed-current drivers-allowing fanless enclosure design and extended service intervals. |
| Office Automation | CCTV Pan-Tilt Mechanisms |
Use Scenario: High-speed document feeder in multifunction printers requiring rapid, jitter-free paper advancement with minimal acoustic noise. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TMC260-PA operates in microPlyer™ mode, converting coarse STEP pulses into 256-subdivision motion for smooth belt-driven transport. Use Value: Eliminates stepping artifacts and paper skew while maintaining compatibility with existing STEP/DIR firmware-accelerating product iteration. |
Use Scenario: Silent, precise pan-tilt positioning in indoor security cameras where motor resonance must be suppressed to avoid image blur during motion. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TMC260-PA uses spreadCycle™ chopper and programmable slope to dampen mechanical resonance across 0.1–30 RPM range. Use Value: Delivers <±0.05° positioning accuracy without external dampers or tuning-reducing mechanical complexity and field calibration time. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar stepper motor driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMC261A-PA | Rated for 60 V DC motor supply (vs. TMC260-PA's 40 V); otherwise pin- and register-compatible with identical feature set. | Suitable for higher-voltage motors (e.g., 48 V industrial actuators) but requires revised input filtering and layout for increased voltage stress. | Select TMC261A-PA only if system motor supply exceeds 40 V; no PCB change needed, but verify capacitor voltage ratings and creepage distances. |
| DRV8825 | Lacks stallGuard2™, coolStep™, and spreadCycle™; limited to 1.75 A, 45 V, and 32x microstepping; no integrated diagnostics or EMI optimization. | Applicable in cost-sensitive, non-critical motion tasks (e.g., hobby CNC) where sensorless load detection and ultra-low noise are not required. | Choose DRV8825 only for legacy designs or budget-constrained prototypes-TMC260-PA provides superior motion quality and system-level reliability. |
Compared with TMC261A-PA, the TMC260-PA trades maximum voltage headroom for tighter thermal constraints in compact 40 V systems; compared with DRV8825, it delivers advanced motion intelligence (stallGuard2™, coolStep™) and higher microstep fidelity at the cost of greater configuration complexity.
Availability
TMC260-PA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for lab automation, medical fluid handling, and office automation applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and consistent parametric performance across production batches.
Supply support for TMC260-PA 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
TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG is a German semiconductor company specializing in high-performance motion control ICs, founded in Hamburg in 1997 and focused on intelligent motor drive solutions.
The TMC260 product line targets precision stepper motor applications demanding sensorless load awareness, adaptive power management, and ultra-smooth microstepping-designed specifically for medical, lab, and industrial automation where reliability and acoustic performance are critical.
FAQ
What is the maximum motor supply voltage supported by the TMC260-PA?
The TMC260-PA supports a maximum motor supply voltage of 40 V DC, as specified in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table of the official datasheet (Rev. 2.12). This is a hard limit distinct from the TMC261A-PA's 60 V rating. Exceeding 40 V risks permanent damage to the internal power MOSFETs and gate drivers. System designers must ensure input filtering, transient suppression, and layout clearances align with this 40 V constraint when deploying the TMC260-PA.
How does stallGuard2™ work in the TMC260-PA, and what is its primary use case?
stallGuard2™ in the TMC260-PA measures motor load by analyzing back-EMF on the coil windings during each full step, producing a 10-bit value (0–1023) where lower values indicate higher mechanical load. Its primary use cases include sensorless stall detection-triggering SG_TST output-and enabling coolStep™ to reduce coil current under light loads. It also supports homing to mechanical endstops without external switches, making it essential for compact, maintenance-free motion systems like liquid handlers and diagnostic instruments.
Can the TMC260-PA operate without an external clock source?
Yes, the TMC260-PA can operate without an external clock source. Its internal 15 MHz oscillator is enabled by default when the CLK pin is tied low. An external clock (8–20 MHz) may be applied to the CLK pin for improved timing stability-especially beneficial for stallGuard2™ accuracy and high-precision applications-but is optional. The on-chip oscillator provides sufficient frequency stability for most lab automation and office equipment use cases involving the TMC260-PA.
What is the role of the microPlyer™ feature in the TMC260-PA?
microPlyer™ in the TMC260-PA is a hardware-based microstep interpolator that generates up to 256 microsteps per full step from coarse STEP/DIR inputs (e.g., 16-step commands). It eliminates the need for high-frequency STEP pulses from the host controller, reducing timing overhead and EMI. This feature directly improves motion smoothness in applications like document feeders and pan-tilt mechanisms-where the TMC260-PA delivers silent, vibration-free operation without requiring firmware upgrades to the motion controller.
Does the TMC260-PA support both SPI and STEP/DIR interfaces simultaneously?
Yes, the TMC260-PA supports concurrent operation of SPI and STEP/DIR interfaces. The STEP/DIR interface remains active by default for motion execution, while SPI is used for real-time parameter updates-such as adjusting stallGuard2™ thresholds, enabling coolStep™, or reconfiguring chopper modes-without interrupting ongoing motor movement. This dual-interface capability allows dynamic adaptation of motor behavior during operation, a key advantage of the TMC260-PA in responsive systems like automated pipetting stations.
TMC260-PA Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 44-LQFP
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Discontinued at Digi-Key
- Motor Type - Stepper:
- Bipolar
- Motor Type - AC, DC:
- -
- Function:
- Driver - Fully Integrated, Control and Power Stage
- Output Configuration:
- Half Bridge (4)
- Interface:
- SPI, Step/Direction
- Technology:
- Power MOSFET
- Step Resolution:
- 1 ~ 1/256
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Current - Output:
- 2A (Max)
- Voltage - Supply:
- 3V ~ 5.25V
- Voltage - Load:
- 9V ~ 39V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 44-PQFP (10x10)
TMC260-PA FAQ
1.How can I place an order for TMC260-PA through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TMC260-PA on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for TMC260-PA reliable?
The price and inventory of TMC260-PA are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TMC260-PA is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for TMC260-PA?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TMC260-PA transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for TMC260-PA?
TMC260-PA orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your TMC260-PA order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for TMC260-PA?
For technical support, including TMC260-PA datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TMC260-PA requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that TMC260-PA is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All TMC260-PA products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that TMC260-PA meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of TMC260-PA?
All TMC260-PA units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TMC260-PA, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The TMC260-PA part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for TMC260-PA:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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