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

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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shabaz over 1 year ago

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.
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michaelkellett over 1 year ago 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
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SensoredHacker0 over 1 year ago 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.
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SensoredHacker0 over 1 year ago 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.
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michaelkellett over 1 year ago 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
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