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SimpleFOC Boards

One of the goals of the SimpleFOCproject is to develop low-cost easy to use BLDC driver boards compatible with the SimpleFOClibraryand completely open source!

For now there have been three official BLDC drivers developed by the SimpleFOCproject:

Arduino SimpleFOCShield v2.0.4 - Find out more

This is an open-source low-cost Brushless DC (BLDC) motor driver board intended primarily for low-power FOC applications up to 5Amps. The board is fully compatible with the Arduino UNO and all the boards with the standard Arduino headers. The SimpleFOCShield, in combination with the SimpleFOClibrary provides user-friendly way to control BLDC motors both in hardware and software.

Features

  • Plug & play: In combination with Arduino SimpleFOClibrary
  • Low-cost: Price of 15-20€ - Check the pricing
  • In-line current sensing: Up to 3Amps/5Amps bidirectional
    • configurable: 3.3Amps - 3.3V adc, 5Amps - 5V adc
  • Integrated 8V regulator:
    • Enable/disable by soldering pads
  • Max power 120W - max current 5A, power-supply 12-24V (35V max)
    • Designed for Gimbal motors with the internal resistance >10 Ωs.
  • Stackable: running 2 motors in the same time
  • Encoder/Hall sensors interface: Integrated 3.3kΩ pullups (configurable)
  • I2C interface: Integrated 4.7kΩ pullups (configurable)
  • Configurable pinout: Hardware configuration - soldering connections
  • Arduino headers: Arduino UNO, Arduino MEGA, STM32 Nucleo boards…
  • Open Source: Fully available fabrication files - how to make it yourself

📢NEW: SimpleFOCMini v1.1 - Find out more

Small package, low-cost BLDC driver board fully compatible with the SimpleFOClibrary

Features

  • Plug & play: In combination with Arduino SimpleFOClibrary
  • DRV8313 based - datasheet
    • Power supply: 8-35V
    • Max current: 2.5A per phase
    • Onboard 3.3V LDO
  • Small size: 26x21 mm
  • Fully open-source:
  • Low-cost:
    • JLCPCB production cost ~3-5€
    • Will be available in the shop soon: 7-10€

    Read more about this board at link

Arduino SimpleFOC PowerShield v0.2 ⚠️( under developement)

A powerful arduino shield for running BLDC motors using the FOC algorithm. This board is based on the BTN8982 half bridges and can support currents up to 30 Amps continuos and 50Amps peak. Making it a board that can run virtually any BLDC motor.

⚠️ BEWARE: BTN8982/IFX007T performance issues

BTN8982 and IFX007T drivers have been designed for DC motors and are based on old H-bridge technology. They have very long mosfet rise time (multiple microseconds) which in many cases presents a considerable part of the PWM duty cycle. When runnig the BLDC motors, precise PWM duty cycle setting is crutial for smooth and efficient operation. Therefore these drivers will not be able to provide very smooth operation on high frequency PWM (above 15kHz). Read more about it in the community thread: link.
This performance constraint is the main reason why the SimpleFOC PowerShield project has for now been put on hold, and although these boards are available through Aliexpress and some other platforms, they will not be available through simplefoc.com.

This does not mean that the board itself is not functional or that it will not work in your project though. It is still one of the cheepest (simplest) solutions out there for mid to high power BLDC control and with proper tuning of control loops you will still be able to get some good results with it.

Features

  • Plug & play: In combination with Arduino SimpleFOClibrary
  • Low-cost: Fabrication price under €25/pcs - ⚠️ will not be sold by silplefoc.com
  • High-side current sensing: - not yet supported by SimpleFOClibrary
  • In-line current sensing: - supported by SimpleFOClibrary
  • Max power <500W: max current 30A, power-supply 24V
  • Arduino headers: Arduino UNO, Arduino MEGA, STM32 Nucleo boards, Aruidno DUE…
  • Small size: 53mm x 60mm
  • Encoder/Hall sensors interface: Integrated 3.3kΩ pullups (configurable)
  • Open Source:
    • Fully available fabrication files
    • Altium project
    • 3d model
    • schematics

Read more about this board at link