TMC5161 DATASHEET (Rev. 1.01 / 2018-NOV-20)
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31 Design Philosophy
The TMC50XX and TMC51XX family brings premium functionality, reliability and coherence previously
reserved to costly motion control units to smart applications. Integration at street level cost was
possible by squeezing know-how into a few mm² of layout using one of the most modern smart
power processes. The ICs comprise all the knowledge gained from designing motion controller and
driver chips and complex motion control systems for more than 20 years. We are often asked if our
motion controllers contain software – they definitely do not. The reason is that sharing resources in
software leads to complex timing constraints and can create interrelations between parts which
should not be related. This makes debugging of software so difficult. Therefore, the IC is completely
designed as a hardware solution, i.e. each internal calculation uses a specially designed dedicated
arithmetic unit. The basic philosophy is to integrate all real-time critical functionality in hardware, and
to leave additional starting points for highest flexibility. Parts of the design go back to previous ICs,
starting from the TMC453 motion controller developed in 1997. Our deep involvement, practical testing
and the stable team ensure a high level of confidence and functional safety.
Bernhard Dwersteg, CTO and founder
32 Disclaimer
TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG does not authorize or warrant any of its products for use in
life support systems, without the specific written consent of TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co.
KG. Life support systems are equipment intended to support or sustain life, and whose failure to
perform, when properly used in accordance with instructions provided, can be reasonably expected to
result in personal injury or death.
Information given in this data sheet is believed to be accurate and reliable. However no responsibility
is assumed for the consequences of its use nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of
third parties which may result from its use.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
All trademarks used are property of their respective owners.
33 ESD Sensitive Device
The TMC5161 is an ESD sensitive CMOS device sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Take special care to
use adequate grounding of personnel and machines in manual handling. After soldering the devices
to the board, ESD requirements are more relaxed. Failure to do so can result in defect or decreased
reliability.
Note: In a modern SMD manufacturing process, ESD voltages well below 100V are standard. A major
source for ESD is hot-plugging the motor during operation. As the power MOSFETs are discrete
devices, the device in fact is very rugged concerning any ESD event on the motor outputs. All other
connections are typically protected due to external circuitry on the PCB.
www.trinamic.com
TRINAMIC [ TRINAMIC MOTION CONTROL GMBH & CO. KG. ]
