motordriver

A motordriver, also called a motor driver or motor controller, is an electronic device or circuit that governs the operation of an electric motor. It interprets control signals from a host system such as a microcontroller, PLC, or computer and supplies the motor with the appropriate voltage and current to achieve the desired speed, torque, and direction. Motor drivers enable precise motion control in automated systems and can provide features such as current regulation, acceleration and deceleration profiles, and feedback for closed-loop operation.

Types include DC motor drivers, which typically use H-bridge configurations and PWM to control speed; stepper motor drivers, which provide microstepping and torque control; servo drivers, used with servo motors for closed-loop position control; and BLDC motor drivers, which manage brushless DC motors through commutation schemes. Electronic speed controllers (ESCs) used in hobbyist drone and RC applications are a form of motor driver for brushless motors.

Control interfaces vary, including digital inputs (step, direction, enable), PWM or analog signals, and serial communications (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN). The driver’s power stage may be integrated on the same board or provided as a separate module, and it typically includes protection features such as overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemperature, short-circuit protection, and regenerative braking.

Key performance metrics are current and voltage ratings, duty cycle and PWM frequency, microstepping resolution, efficiency, and thermal management. Applications span robotics, CNC machines, 3D printers, automation systems, and other equipment requiring controlled motion. In practice, the term motor driver is often used interchangeably with motor controller, though some distinctions emphasize the power stage versus logic/control functionality.