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Trying to hook up a DRV8428E stepper motor controller. pls assist.

SensoredHacker0

Im trying to build a motor control circuit with DRV8428E with some friiends.
I read the datasheet, but the guys got me nervous, They are 4 professional engineers, and they have smoked a bunch of these chips,  I don't want to be the next guy to do it. 
luckily,  they're all out of parts for right now. Even so, I would like to try and ensure my success, when more parts do arrive.

The data sheet has an example of the P version as a stepper motor driver, (I'll be using "DRV8428E")
But across the datasheet, there seems to be some subtle differences, which I find confusing.
https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/drv8428e.pdf

The chip driving this device will be an esp32. I think AEN, BEN, and nSleep should all get tied high to the 3.3V.
I am also confused about what VRef resistors I should choose for rs1, rs2, and if i should use the layout shown on page 29 of the datasheet.




There doesn't seem to be many projects using this device as a stepper motor control. If anyone has some pointers for me, I would greatly appreciate it.
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  • When you need info on a TI ic that has little examples in the community, the best source is TI's e2e forum.

    If you don't find examples by googling, chances are low that anyone on this forum has experience with it.

  • Also, for a lot of chips there can be an 'evaluation board' or 'reference board' and the files for that can be downloaded and examined. For TI it is here: https://www.ti.com/tool/DRV8428EEVM 

    I too have not used this chip. It supports quite low voltage (33V max) and not very high current, so wouldn't be the first choice for a lot of projects, unless they are small stepper motors. Toshiba could be worth checking out for stepper motor ICs too.

  • in reply to shabaz

    For some reason I can't reply to the OP but can here !

    I checked on Aliexpress, hundreds of stepper motor driver modules and boards, none using the DRV8428E. The OP might want to wonder why this is and maybe re-evaluate the selection of the DRV8428E.

    MK

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    Noted, I made an account, but it wouldnt let me login, so I came here.

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    yeah I brought it up, but there on about this chip, and Im only trying to help some guys. Its like when i code in C, and encounter some problem. .. someone will be right there, to be like, ah, should have used python, or assembly. I didnt pick the part, it is what it is.

  • in reply to SensoredHacker0

    I know it can be a PITA but sometimes it's just the way things are. Because the chip (for whatever reason) is not popular it's going to be much harder to find help.

    My usual reaction to using a chip like this (ie good source but not much chat in the ether about it) is to buy a cheapo  board with one on to have a play with it before doing my own design. That's fine for commercial projects and I wouldn't be bothered by buying the TI eval board.

    But for a pro bono design job that's $75 that I don't expect you want to spend.

    So you will need to study the data sheet carefully - and be prepared for at least one re-spin.

    MK

  • Recently Confirmed, there is errors on the datasheet. Also, when the motor driver gets reset, it remembers the state even if powered on / off. you have to tie VREF a/b high to reset the state to enable the driver again. also the VREF is tied to dvdd, there was conflicting info on that. the calculation is temperamental, even a slight variation, by 0.1V may make the device extremely likely to trip. TI engineers have confirmed these issues, and hopefully will make appropriate changes to the data sheet soon.