Description

Brushless DC electric motors (BLDC), also known as electronically commutated motors (ECMs, EC motors) or synchronous DC motors, are synchronous motors powered by DC electricity via an inverter or switching power supply, which produces an AC electric current to drive each phase of the motor via a closed loop controller. The controller provides pulses of current to the motor windings that control the speed and torque of the motor.

The advantages of a brushless motor over a brushed motor are the high power to weight ratio, high speed, and electronic control. Brushless motors find applications in such places as computer peripherals (disk drives, printers), hand-held power tools, and vehicles that range from model aircrafts to automobiles.

This application note describes how to control a 3-phase brushless DC motor using a GreenPAK