Würth Elektronik and STMicroelectronics have jointly developed a demonstration using a Würth power tool. The design, which efficiently drives a low-voltage brushless DC motor, is ideal for portable power tool applications. Additionally, the project includes all the necessary user interfaces to control engine firing, speed, and direction.
At the main international fair PCIM Europe, which took place in May in Nuremberg, the power tool demonstration was shown on the stands of STMicroelectronics and Würth Elektronik and attracted a significant number of visitors.
The demonstration is based on the STDES-PTOOL3A reference design, in which the Gerber files, bill of materials, schematics, and all other reference materials can be downloaded for free from ST.com. It shows the capabilities of ST's STM32G4 MCU and STDRIVE101 gate driver in powering six STL220N6F7 MOSFETs that conform to Würth Elektronik's ferrite bead (WE-CBF SMT 74279271 EMI suppression ferrite core) and inductor (WE-LHMI SMT power inductor 74437368330).
The demonstration showed the benefits these devices bring to each application in terms of performance, cost, quality and ease of implementation. The software code embedded in the STM32G4 was developed using the STM32 Motor Control software development kit (X-CUBE-MCSDK). The design shows real usage scenarios in battery-powered portable power tools.
“The development of a high-quality, cost-effective reference design that forms the basis for excellent power tools is another example of the fruitful collaboration we share with STMicroelectronics,” said Alexander Gerfer, CTO of the Würth Elektronik eiSos Group.
Over the past few years, STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor supplier, and passive component manufacturer Würth Elektronik, an ST authorized partner, have established a strong collaboration in developing reference designs that leverage the best of each company's portfolios. By combining active components from ST with passive components from Würth Elektronik, companies can offer turnkey or customizable solutions to customers.
“Working with Würth Elektronik, ST has demonstrated its ability to work with partners to extract the best performance from its product offering and jointly develop system solutions that meet the most challenging and complex application needs,” said Ricardo De Sa Earp , Executive Vice President, General-Purpose Microcontroller Subgroup, STMicroelectronics.