Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated TMC262-LA

Overview

TMC262-LA from TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG is a two-phase stepper motor predriver IC that interfaces between motion controllers and external N- and P-channel MOSFETs to deliver up to 10A RMS motor current at 5–60V supply voltage. It supports 256 microsteps per full step via MicroPlyer™ interpolation, implements SpreadCycle™ chopper control for low-resonance sine-wave current, and integrates StallGuard2™ for sensorless load detection - used in lab automation positioning stages requiring precise stall detection without physical sensors.

For engineers reviewing the TMC262-LA datasheet, TMC262-LA pinout, TMC262-LA application, or TMC262-LA equivalent, key selection criteria include its QFN32 5×5 mm package with dedicated high-side/low-side gate driver outputs, standalone STEP/DIR + SPI dual-interface support, CoolStep™-enabled current reduction up to 75%, and integrated diagnostics including short-to-GND, overtemperature, and undervoltage protection.

Technical Context

The TMC262-LA operates as a smart predriver: it accepts STEP/DIR pulses or SPI commands to generate precise coil current waveforms using an internal 1024-entry sine table and 4×256-step interpolator. Its SpreadCycle™ chopper dynamically adjusts off-time and hysteresis to minimize current ripple and audible noise across speed ranges.

It features dual independent gate driver stages (HA1/HA2/HB1/HB2 for high-side P-MOS; LA1/LA2/LB1/LB2 for low-side N-MOS), break-before-make logic with configurable dead time, and on-chip 5V linear regulator (5VOUT) for low-side drivers and analog circuitry - eliminating need for external LDO in most designs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: QFN32, 5 mm × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, thermally enhanced exposed die pad (GND-connected). Pinout validated per TMC262C-LA datasheet Rev. V1.02 (2022-FEB-15), Figure 2.1 and Section 2.2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar stepper predriver applications.

Compared with TMC2590-LA and DRV8825PWPR, the TMC262-LA uniquely combines external FET scalability (up to 10A), 256-step microstepping with interpolation, and integrated sensorless load monitoring - making it the only option among the three supporting high-power, high-precision, and maintenance-free homing in industrial motion systems.

Availability

TMC262-LA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for lab automation positioning, medical fluid handling, industrial textile machinery, and CCTV pan-tilt mechanisms requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for TMC262-LA 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 precision stepper and servo drive technology.

The TMC262 product line delivers intelligent stepper predrivers optimized for high-power density, low-noise operation, and sensorless system-level intelligence - targeting industrial automation, medical devices, and scientific instrumentation where reliability and motion fidelity are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum motor supply voltage supported by the TMC262-LA?

The TMC262-LA supports a motor supply voltage (VS) range of 5V to 60V DC. When used with external gate drivers such as the MAX5064B, it can interface with motor supplies exceeding 60V - up to 125V - though short-circuit protection is disabled in that configuration. The internal high-side supply (VHS) is derived as VS − 10V, requiring a 220nF–1µF ceramic capacitor between VHS and VS per datasheet Section 3.1.

Does the TMC262-LA integrate power MOSFETs, or does it require external ones?

The TMC262-LA is a predriver IC and does not integrate power MOSFETs. It requires four external N-channel and four P-channel MOSFETs (e.g., dual N+P packages like Si7850DP) to form the full H-bridge for each motor phase. This architecture enables scalable current handling up to 10A RMS and simplifies thermal management - unlike monolithic drivers such as the TMC2590-LA which integrate MOSFETs but limit max current to 6A.

How does StallGuard2™ work in the TMC262-LA, and what is its primary use case?

StallGuard2™ in the TMC262-LA measures motor load by analyzing back-EMF voltage on the coil during current decay phases. It outputs a digital signal (SG_TST pin) indicating stall condition, valid only above a minimum velocity threshold. Its primary use case is sensorless homing - for example, moving a lab automation stage until mechanical contact triggers stall detection, eliminating need for physical limit switches and reducing system cost and failure points.

Can the TMC262-LA operate without an SPI interface, and if so, how is it configured?

Yes, the TMC262-LA supports standalone operation using three configuration pins (CSN, SCK, SDI) tied to VCC_IO or GND. In this mode, it automatically enables SpreadCycle™, sets TOFF=4, OT_SENSE=136°C, and fixes StallGuard2™ threshold (SGT=2). CSN selects current scale (CS=15 or 31), SCK sets chopper hysteresis, and SDI chooses microstep resolution (256 native or 16 interpolated). Full diagnostics and real-time parameter tuning still require SPI.

What thermal management considerations apply to the TMC262-LA in high-current designs?

The TMC262-LA uses an exposed thermal pad (Pin 32) that must be soldered to a solid GND plane with ≥4 thermal vias (0.3mm diameter, spaced ≤1mm apart) for effective heat transfer. At 10A motor current, junction temperature rise depends heavily on PCB copper area: TRINAMIC recommends ≥250 mm² of 2oz copper connected to the pad. Ambient temperature derating begins at 70°C, and the internal thermal shutdown activates at 136°C - verified in Section 12.3 of the TMC262C-LA datasheet.